Passage Read: 1 Samuel 21-24
Meditation Verses: 24:10-12
Thought
David took this opportunity to confront Saul, albeit humbly, about his unjust pursuit of David. He could have remained quiet in the cave and let Saul go off with his men, then slip away. But instead, he saw the chance to prove his innocence to Saul. It wasn't a plea to be welcomed back into Saul's graces and be allowed to return home. It was a humble warning that Saul was doing wrong to David without cause, with a plea to God to judge between the two and to avenge him on Saul! Though Saul affirmed that David would be king and pleaded with him for his family, Saul made no attempt at peace with David and David didn't seek it. There was no hope for restoration. David's only desire was that Saul give up chasing him until God dealt with Saul.
Application
David defended himself to Saul and brought about some degree of conviction in Saul, but there was no going back to what once was. There was only waiting for God to finish judging Saul. This is the first time David defended himself directly to Saul. So there is a time and place to defend oneself before an authority, but there's no guarantee of reconciliation. Especially in David's case. I can hope for reconciliation, but that doesn't mean I'll see it.