“This is the regular means of God’s grace: one of the greatest blessings possible is the church! The people of God! In recent chapters David was rescued by God through the faithfulness of Jonathan, and now through the faithfulness of Abigail. In both the first and last chapters of this section (1 Samuel 24 and 26) David has his strong moments. His men are like ‘Let’s kill Saul now!’ and David is like ‘No, no, no. That would not be right. Let’s leave it to God. Leave vengeance to God.’ In both these chapters, David boldly confronts Saul with Saul’s sin. Humbles himself. Makes himself nothing before Saul. David is like ‘I’m a flea. I’m like a dead dog. But Saul, you should not incur the wrath of God on yourself this way.’ But in the middle section, David has weakness, as we all do. In my life, church, God has shown me that he is not going to allow me to have the strength on my own. That doesn’t serve His glory…this is the regular means of God’s grace: to use the church — one another — to humbly and gently confront…”

“As the one who feared the Lord, David did not choose the way of self-realization by getting rid of his enemy by himself. In other words, David didn’t allow himself to disobey God’s commands by interpreting this occasion as a God-given opportunity to commit murder. Rather than to take things into his own hand, David was patient and willing to entrust the matter to God’s good judgement…And so once again, David swallows his pride for the sake of peace…Let us consider how David, in this chapter, points to Christ Jesus, the greater Son of David…Because of Christ’s obedience, even allowing himself to stand before unjust tribunals and kangaroo courts, and bearing the sentence of death on a cross, and because his Spirit now dwells in each of those who likewise lay down their lives to follow him…You and I can now also glorify God by humbling ourselves, even before the proud.”

“God is not on your side, but you can be on God’s side. We know if we are on God’s side if we are dedicated to fulfill his purposes, his agenda, and for his glory…God was not on David’s side, per se, but David was on God’s side. He was not expecting God to achieve his goals, but had committed himself to God’s goals, this is why he prays (Psalm 57:2) ‘I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me.’ And he states with confidence (Psalm 138:8) ‘The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me…’…We think that Saul is insane for thinking that God is blessing his endeavors and helping him to catch David; that God is blessing those who help him get what he wants. But how many professing Christians believe and act the same way?  Confidently pursuing our own agenda, our own desires, our own purposes, and then expecting that God will come alongside and help us out? The church is full of Sauls’. Church, you only have God on your side if you have taken God’s side. You can only expect the protection and faithfulness of God—as David did—if you have given up living for yourself and now live for God…”

“The commandments of the Law were perfectly designed by God to teach his people the definition of love. But it was their constant predisposition to keep the external elements of the law without understanding its purpose. Though keeping the law was a serious thing, with a death sentence for rebellion, love and compassion always trumped the external trappings of the law.”