David spares King Saul's life

David spares King Saul's life 1
King Saul was trying to kill David to prevent him becoming the next King of Israel. David fled to hide in a large cave at Adullum where his family came to join him. Four hundred men who were either in distress, in debt, or discontent came to support David.
David spares King Saul's life 3
The Lord answered, ‘Go, attack the Philistines and save Keilah.’ David and his men inflicted heavy losses on the Philistines and saved the people of Keilah.
David spares King Saul's life 4
King Saul was told that David was in Keilah and he thought he had him trapped. David learned that Saul was plotting against him. He asked Abiathar the priest to enquire from God whether Saul would attack Keilah and whether its citizens would hand him over to Saul.

David spares King Saul's life 6
‘Don’t be afraid,’ Jonathan told David. ‘My father Saul will not lay a hand on you. You shall be king over Israel, and I will be second to you.’ The two made a promise before God and went their ways.
David spares King Saul's life 7
The local Ziphites went to Saul at Gibeah to report David was at the hill of Hakilah near Horesh. Saul told them to keep a close watch on David’s movements and keep him updated.
David spares King Saul's life 8
Saul and his army went down to the Desert of Maon where David was last seen. As Saul approached one side of the mountain David and his men were on the other side hurrying to get away.

David spares King Saul's life 9
At the moment Saul was closing in on David a messenger appeared. ‘Come quickly, the Philistines are attacking our land.’ Saul had to break off his pursuit of David to go and fight the Philistines.
David spares King Saul's life 11
David and his men were hiding in a cave. King Saul needed to relieve himself and went alone into the cave in which David was hiding.
David spares King Saul's life 12
David and his men were hiding far back in the cave. His men whispered, ‘This is the day the Lord spoke of when he said, “I will put your enemy into your hands for you to deal with as you wish.”’ David crept up unnoticed on King Saul.

David spares King Saul's life 13
Instead of killing Saul, David cut off the edge of his robe without his noticing it. ‘The Lord forbid that I lay my hands on the King He has anointed,’ he told his men. And he stopped them attempting to kill Saul.
David spares King Saul's life 14
David went out of the cave and called out to Saul, ‘My lord the king!’ When Saul looked round, David bowed down with his face to the ground. ‘The Lord gave you into my hands when you came into the cave and my men wanted to kill you. But I spared your life as you are the Lord’s anointed. Look at this piece of your robe I cut off. I have not wronged you, but you are hunting me down to take my life. May God judge and decide between us. May He deliver me from your hand.’

David spares King Saul's life 15
Saul asked, ‘Is that you, David?’ And he wept aloud. ‘You are better than me,’ he said. ‘You have treated me well, but I have treated you badly. The Lord gave me into your hands, but you did not kill me.’
David spares King Saul's life 16
King Saul told David that he now knew that David would be the next king of Israel. He asked David not to kill his descendants or wipe out his family name when he became king. David promised he would not kill Saul’s descendants. King Saul then returned home, but David stayed at En-gedi.

David spares King Saul's life
David spares King Saul's life.
1 Samuel 22:1-2, 23:1 - 24:22