1 Samuel 26:21-25 – Be righteous and faithful

Just like what happened at Engedi where he admitted his wrong after realizing how David had spared him, Saul now at Hachilah admitted his wrong again. He must have realized how close he was to death, and that David had spared him again. So he confessed that he had sinned, and asked David to return, presumably to serve on his side again. He even went on to promise not to harm David seeing that the latter had honored him and regarded his life as precious. He admitted how foolish he was and that he had committed a grave error. This was, however, a tad too late. How could he be trusted?

So David asked him to send one of his young men over to collect his spear. Both David and Saul both knew the symbol of the spear in their relationship. Just think of the number of times it had been hurled at him. Had it not been for the Lord, David would have been killed. Seeing the number of times God had protected him, David knew how precious his life was in God’s sight. He on his part had also deemed Saul’s life as precious and would not lay a hand on him. He had come to expect nothing from Saul because only God would deliver him from all his tribulations. David knew that the experience he went through was permitted by God.

David knew that righteousness and faithfulness were important to God. He was assured that God would reward everyman for these qualities. Personally, David had shown these qualities with regard to Saul. He had faithfully acknowledged that Saul was the Lord’s anointed and refused to lay a finger on him. Considering how he was presented with opportunities to finished Saul off but did not do it. He chose to deal with him righteously.

These closing verses of 1 Samuel 26 show us that righteousness and faithfulness are keys to kingdom people. God expects us to cultivate them in our walk with Him. Righteousness and faithfulness must be the obvious characters that others will see in us as we bear testimony for Christ Jesus, the Lord of righteousness. So important is righteousness that Jesus in Matthew 6:33 urges us to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. It is also needful for us to develop faithfulness, for in Revelation 17:14, ultimately those who are with the King of kings and Lord of lords are the called, chosen and faithful. Let us seek to be righteous in our walk and be found faithful in it!