I cut off the skirt of thy robe, and killed thee not.
David sparing Saul’s life
We are taught:--
I. Thankfulness for preservation in sleep.
II. Attention to conscience in little things. When Saul slept in the cave at Engedi David spared his life, but not the skirt of his robe. That was cut off, to be visible token to the king of his exposure to David’s power. It was a little thing to do, and from one urged to a great and deadly. But his “heart smote him.” He had a conscience in little things. He must be stringent in obedience to it. Would that he always had been! Little things! So we speak. But these make the staple of life. This is the great need--for Christian men to reverence conscience in so-called little things, in all things. Home life remitter, purer, friendship firmer, business more honest and unselfish--these are “evidences of Christianity” which the enemy cannot gainsay or resist.
III. The cruelty of slander.
IV. The patience of faith. David “believed God.” The crown was Divinely assured him. He could wait God’s time for it.
V. The truth of repentance. Saul shed tears enough, and made vows enough. But it availed nothing. Quick to repent he was quick to fall into the old sin. Soon, in spite of solemn protestations, we find him again pursuing David. The truth of repentance is not to be read in tears. (G. T. Coster.)
