Today is the 19th day of May. Welcome to the Daily Audio Bible. I'm Brian. It is always fantastic to be here together around the Global Campfire gathering and taking the next step forward together.

And so it is a joy to be here with you today. And our next step forward leads us back into the drama that we have going in the book of First Samuel.

The drama between King Saul and David. Who is the King's son-in-law at this point?

But who is also a fugitive on the run trying to stay alive at this point? As King Saul does everything in his power to try to find, locate and kill David.

So let's pick up the story. First Samuel. 24 and 25 today.

When Saul had returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, here's some news. David is in the wilderness of Nghedi. Then Saul took 3000 specially chosen men from all Israel and went to hunt for David and his men along the rocky slopes of the wild goats.

Saul came to some sheep pens that were along that route. Saul went into a cave that was there to relieve himself. At that time David and his men were far back in the interior of the cave.

David's men said to him, look, this is the day the Lord told you about when he said, I will deliver your enemy into your hand and you will do to him whatever seems good to you.

So David got up and cut off the edge of Saul's robe without being noticed.

Afterward, David had a guilty conscience because he had cut off the edge of Saul's robe. He said to his men, may I be cursed if I do something like this to my master. Who is the Lord's anointed?

I would stretch out my hand against him since he is the Lord's anointed. With these words David restrained his men and did not allow them to attack Saul.

Saul got up, left the cave and went on his way. David got up and followed him out of the cave and shouted to him, my Lord the King.

When Saul looked back at him, David bowed face down to the ground to show respect. David said to Saul, why do you listen to the words of people who say, watch out, David is seeking to harm you?

This very day you have seen with your own eyes how the Lord delivered you into my hand in the cave. Some urged me to kill you, but I spared you because I said,

I will not stretch out my hand against my master because he is the Lord's anointed. Take a look at this, my Father take a good look at the piece of your robe that is here in my hand.

Because I cut off the edge of your robe but did not kill you, you can be sure that I do not have any evil intent and I am not rebelling.

I have not sinned against you even though you keep hunting for me to take my life. May the Lord judge between you and me and may the Lord avenge me on you, but my hand will not be against you.

As the ancient proverb says, out of the wicked come wicked deeds, but my hand will not be against you. Against whom has the King of Israel come out?

What are you pursuing? A dead dog? A flea?

May the Lord therefore be the judge who renters a verdict between you and me. May he examine my case, plead my cause and deliver me out of your hand.

When David had finished speaking these words, Saul responded,

Is that your voice David, my son? Saul broke down and wept. He said David, you are more righteous than I. For you have treated me well, but I have treated you badly.

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