Caught With His Pants Down
Stories
Seldom-Told Bible Tales
Fifteen Eye-Opening Stories from the Bible
Object:
The day King Saul granted young David permission to battle Goliath, David's popularity skyrocketed, as did Saul's intense jealousy of Israel's newest hero. The curly-headed youth had singlehandedly rid his country of the imminent Philistine threat by slaying the menacing giant. It was a feat Saul and his entire army had been unable to accomplish. The appreciative citizens of Israel affectionately responded with the victory chant, "Saul has slain thousands and David ten thousands." This enthusiastic expression of praise caused the king's smoldering resentment to explode into open rage.
David's loyalty to Saul was exceptionally strong, not only because he had married his daughter, but also because he respected the kingly office and diligently tried to be a personal friend and ally. The king, however, scornfully rejected him and on more than one occasion tried to kill his guiltless rival. David refused to take the offensive against his imperial persecutor and skillfully thwarted each attempt on his life, which further enraged an already frustrated king. This continuing hostility soon developed into more than a mere personal feud, with both men involving their loyal followers, setting the stage for a potential civil war. David, still refusing to engage in open conflict with the king, continued to be the elusive one, protecting his life by flight rather than a fight.
Once, when David and his men were completely surrounded in the desert, about to be captured, Saul received an urgent message. The Philistines had regrouped their forces and invaded the homeland. The king was obliged, therefore, to send his army immediately against his former enemies. This allowed David and his soldiers to escape. They traveled unpursued to the refuge town of Engedi to establish a hideout. This popular resort town on the west bank of the Dead Sea, just 35 miles from Jerusalem, offered the elusive fugitives secure shelter within its many caves.
The entire vicinity was famous for its agricultural fertility, watered by an oasis that made the henna shrub flourish. This plant produced the beautiful white flowers and leaves used in the production of hair dye. Although not stated, it is conceivable David had his hair dyed to help disguise himself. The area was an excellent choice for a headquarters, with waving palm trees to fan and shield from the desert heat.
Predictably, Saul's spies eventually discovered his whereabouts. When the battle with the Philistines was successfully concluded, the capture of David became the king's next objective. Saul marched to Engedi with 3,000 of his best men to take into custody the man he considered an enemy and a rival for the throne.
The king had for so long been hearing and believing gossipy tales of hatred against David that he felt justified in killing him. Now he searched in vain for David in the tropic-like wilderness of Engedi.
However, in the course of his reconnaissance, Saul suddenly abandoned his soldiers and walked into one of the numerous caves of the area to have a bowel movement. He removed his regal mantle, dropping it to the ground, and then walked deeper into the cave to ease nature.
Ironically, David and his men were actually hiding in the very same cave, although much further inside. Saul obviously was completely unaware of their presence, but they recognized the king the very instant he entered, for their eyes had grown accustomed to the darkness. As the king busied himself about his personal needs, he was under the minute scrutiny of "the enemy."
"This is your lucky day," David's general whispered to him. "The king is yours. We must strike quickly," he added, "before he moves from his most vulnerable position." David knew his general was correct about Saul being a "sitting duck," squatting completely defenseless in his makeshift restroom.
David toyed with the thought of killing the king, knowing full well that, were the roles reversed, he would by now have seen his last sunrise. The memory of the giant Goliath, falling helplessly in defeat and death following a crude slingshot blow, flashed through David's mind. Had Saul been a foreign aggressor, like Goliath, he would have been slain on the spot. But he was the king of Israel, and David hesitated.
He commanded his men to remain stationary, while he crept forward quickly and quietly to the spot where Saul had dropped his mantle. Kneeling on one knee, David drew his sword, his eyes riveted on Saul, as his soldiers waited anxiously for him to rush the king. His tense muscles suddenly weakened, for he could not permit his sword to spill royal blood. Instead of the king's head, he severed the end of Saul's mantle. Resheathing his weapon, he returned to his bewildered cohorts. He had to offer a strong rebuke and even exert physical resistance to restrain his general from rushing to execute their undisturbed menace. "I cannot and you must not kill a fellow Israelite," David sternly warned, "especially a king on his throne."
As the vengeful pulse of the Davidic camp gradually lessened, the king concluded his ritual and aimlessly exited the cave with his mutilated mantle draped over his shoulder.
David and his officers followed at a distance, carefully watching their steps, until they were out of the cave. When Saul was about to disappear behind a huge rock, David shouted, "My lord and king!" Shocked by the jarring sound of his voice, Saul whirled about to witness David offer him a profound and reverent bow. "Don't believe the evil reports about me," David continued, "I do not want to harm you." The astonished king grasped his sword for battle but then let it slide harmlessly back into the sheath as David requested him to examine his imperial mantle with the missing corner. His quick inspection left him quivering in shock. It intensified when he heard the words, "I cut it off when you were easing nature in the cave."
With his face now turned the crimson color of life that fortunately still flowed through his veins, the outsmarted king stood wet and weak. David allowed the awkward silence to soften the king's encrusted heart for his last verbal thrust. "I could just as easily have cut off your head, O king; and I physically had to restrain my men from doing so."
The trembling king now began to weep loudly. He praised David for his noble mercy and kingness, then profusely apologized for his evil hatred against him. "You, young man," he sobbed, "will one day be a resplendent king for Israel." David remained silent, as Saul struggled from a parched throat and spirit to find words for this unprecedented occasion. Calling him by name, something David had not heard from Saul for many years, he stammered, "I ask you, David, not to punish my descendants because of my perverse conduct." The future king remained silent. "Will you promise?" Slowly a radiant smile graced David's innocent face, indicating he was hopeful of an amiable relationship with King Saul. Then loudly and sincerely, he answered, "I promise." Thereupon the merciless persecutor quickly disappeared among the palm trees.
Although his insane jealousy would again drive him to seek the life of his young rival, for the present Saul ordered his soldiers to discontinue their pursuit of David.
Consider hapless and demented Saul:
Within a cave he answered nature's call.
Although he could have killed the king outright
Young David's generosity put Saul to flight.
Should you have opportunity one day
To shame your enemy or make him pay
Remember, someone who is mad at you
Could catch you sometime with your pants down, too!
Read 1 Samuel 24
David's loyalty to Saul was exceptionally strong, not only because he had married his daughter, but also because he respected the kingly office and diligently tried to be a personal friend and ally. The king, however, scornfully rejected him and on more than one occasion tried to kill his guiltless rival. David refused to take the offensive against his imperial persecutor and skillfully thwarted each attempt on his life, which further enraged an already frustrated king. This continuing hostility soon developed into more than a mere personal feud, with both men involving their loyal followers, setting the stage for a potential civil war. David, still refusing to engage in open conflict with the king, continued to be the elusive one, protecting his life by flight rather than a fight.
Once, when David and his men were completely surrounded in the desert, about to be captured, Saul received an urgent message. The Philistines had regrouped their forces and invaded the homeland. The king was obliged, therefore, to send his army immediately against his former enemies. This allowed David and his soldiers to escape. They traveled unpursued to the refuge town of Engedi to establish a hideout. This popular resort town on the west bank of the Dead Sea, just 35 miles from Jerusalem, offered the elusive fugitives secure shelter within its many caves.
The entire vicinity was famous for its agricultural fertility, watered by an oasis that made the henna shrub flourish. This plant produced the beautiful white flowers and leaves used in the production of hair dye. Although not stated, it is conceivable David had his hair dyed to help disguise himself. The area was an excellent choice for a headquarters, with waving palm trees to fan and shield from the desert heat.
Predictably, Saul's spies eventually discovered his whereabouts. When the battle with the Philistines was successfully concluded, the capture of David became the king's next objective. Saul marched to Engedi with 3,000 of his best men to take into custody the man he considered an enemy and a rival for the throne.
The king had for so long been hearing and believing gossipy tales of hatred against David that he felt justified in killing him. Now he searched in vain for David in the tropic-like wilderness of Engedi.
However, in the course of his reconnaissance, Saul suddenly abandoned his soldiers and walked into one of the numerous caves of the area to have a bowel movement. He removed his regal mantle, dropping it to the ground, and then walked deeper into the cave to ease nature.
Ironically, David and his men were actually hiding in the very same cave, although much further inside. Saul obviously was completely unaware of their presence, but they recognized the king the very instant he entered, for their eyes had grown accustomed to the darkness. As the king busied himself about his personal needs, he was under the minute scrutiny of "the enemy."
"This is your lucky day," David's general whispered to him. "The king is yours. We must strike quickly," he added, "before he moves from his most vulnerable position." David knew his general was correct about Saul being a "sitting duck," squatting completely defenseless in his makeshift restroom.
David toyed with the thought of killing the king, knowing full well that, were the roles reversed, he would by now have seen his last sunrise. The memory of the giant Goliath, falling helplessly in defeat and death following a crude slingshot blow, flashed through David's mind. Had Saul been a foreign aggressor, like Goliath, he would have been slain on the spot. But he was the king of Israel, and David hesitated.
He commanded his men to remain stationary, while he crept forward quickly and quietly to the spot where Saul had dropped his mantle. Kneeling on one knee, David drew his sword, his eyes riveted on Saul, as his soldiers waited anxiously for him to rush the king. His tense muscles suddenly weakened, for he could not permit his sword to spill royal blood. Instead of the king's head, he severed the end of Saul's mantle. Resheathing his weapon, he returned to his bewildered cohorts. He had to offer a strong rebuke and even exert physical resistance to restrain his general from rushing to execute their undisturbed menace. "I cannot and you must not kill a fellow Israelite," David sternly warned, "especially a king on his throne."
As the vengeful pulse of the Davidic camp gradually lessened, the king concluded his ritual and aimlessly exited the cave with his mutilated mantle draped over his shoulder.
David and his officers followed at a distance, carefully watching their steps, until they were out of the cave. When Saul was about to disappear behind a huge rock, David shouted, "My lord and king!" Shocked by the jarring sound of his voice, Saul whirled about to witness David offer him a profound and reverent bow. "Don't believe the evil reports about me," David continued, "I do not want to harm you." The astonished king grasped his sword for battle but then let it slide harmlessly back into the sheath as David requested him to examine his imperial mantle with the missing corner. His quick inspection left him quivering in shock. It intensified when he heard the words, "I cut it off when you were easing nature in the cave."
With his face now turned the crimson color of life that fortunately still flowed through his veins, the outsmarted king stood wet and weak. David allowed the awkward silence to soften the king's encrusted heart for his last verbal thrust. "I could just as easily have cut off your head, O king; and I physically had to restrain my men from doing so."
The trembling king now began to weep loudly. He praised David for his noble mercy and kingness, then profusely apologized for his evil hatred against him. "You, young man," he sobbed, "will one day be a resplendent king for Israel." David remained silent, as Saul struggled from a parched throat and spirit to find words for this unprecedented occasion. Calling him by name, something David had not heard from Saul for many years, he stammered, "I ask you, David, not to punish my descendants because of my perverse conduct." The future king remained silent. "Will you promise?" Slowly a radiant smile graced David's innocent face, indicating he was hopeful of an amiable relationship with King Saul. Then loudly and sincerely, he answered, "I promise." Thereupon the merciless persecutor quickly disappeared among the palm trees.
Although his insane jealousy would again drive him to seek the life of his young rival, for the present Saul ordered his soldiers to discontinue their pursuit of David.
Consider hapless and demented Saul:
Within a cave he answered nature's call.
Although he could have killed the king outright
Young David's generosity put Saul to flight.
Should you have opportunity one day
To shame your enemy or make him pay
Remember, someone who is mad at you
Could catch you sometime with your pants down, too!
Read 1 Samuel 24
