Useful Bible Studies > 1 Samuel Commentary > chapter 26

Saul urges David to return to him

1 Samuel 26:21

When David first began to work for Saul, he worked as a sacred musician. An evil spirit was affecting Saul, so that Saul could not control his own behaviour. David alone was able to make Saul calm again, so that Saul could think and act in a sensible manner (16:14-23).

Now, for the final time, David’s words had that effect on Saul. Saul was able to confess his evil deeds against David; Saul’s words here seem genuine and sincere.

David had explained to Saul that he would have to leave Israel. Saul’s actions, and the actions of Saul’s evil officials, had forced him to go abroad. Saul urged David not to go, but to return home with him. He again called David ‘my son’ in order to express his love for David. Saul did not want to be separate from David, who had cared so much about him. It would seem to Saul as if his own son had left home, never to return.

David had saved Saul’s life; now Saul promised to save David’s life. Saul promised never to act against David again. Saul was grateful for David’s great kindness to him. Saul even confessed that he had acted like a fool. It would have been hard for this proud king to say such things in public, in front of his army. Saul had to shout, because David was distant from him. All Saul’s 3000 skilled soldiers could hear him. However, Saul did not hesitate. He knew that his errors were great. He wanted to take responsibility for those errors. He was desperate to have a right relationship with David.

David would have wished that he could trust Saul. However, David knew how quickly Saul’s emotions could change. Saul was a dangerous man; he was very powerful, and his advisers were wicked. David knew that he could not return safely to Saul.

Next part: It is better to please God than to achieve your ambitions (1 Samuel 26:22-24)

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