⏱️ Estimated Reading Time: 2 min read
Reading the Bible Daily with Dave – June 19 – 1 Samuel 26:1–25
Short Summary: In 1 Samuel 26, David once again spares Saul’s life. Instead of taking vengeance, he entrusts justice to the Lord, showing his growth in grace, fear of God, and confidence in divine providence. In this episode, we reflect on David’s restraint, Saul’s downfall, and the kind of faithfulness God rewards.
David’s interaction with Saul, Abishai, and Abner paints a powerful picture of restraint, wisdom, and bold obedience in the face of wicked leadership. As Saul plunges deeper into spiritual blindness and depravity, David grows in spiritual authority—choosing to wait on the Lord rather than take matters into his own hands.
This passage challenges us to examine our posture toward civil authority, personal vengeance, and patient trust in God’s timing. In a world increasingly hostile to biblical conviction, David’s example reminds us that true faithfulness is neither cowardice nor compromise—but courageous obedience rooted in God’s Word.
We also reflect on the remarkable courage of Margaret Wilson, an 18-year-old Scottish martyr who refused to deny the sovereign rule of Christ—even when sentenced to death by drowning. Her story, told alongside David’s, serves as a sobering and inspiring reminder that the righteous do not stand in their own strength but in confidence that the Lord is their refuge and rewarder.
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Dave Jenkins is happily married to his wife, Sarah, and lives in beautiful Southern Oregon. He is a writer, editor, and speaker who loves Christ, His people, the Church, and sound theology.
Dave serves as the Executive Director of Servants of Grace Ministries and the Executive Editor of Theology for Life Magazine. He is the Host and Producer of the Equipping You in Grace Podcast and a contributor to and producer of Contending for the Word.
He is the author of The Word Explored: The Problem of Biblical Illiteracy and What To Do About It (House to House, 2021), The Word Matters: Defending Biblical Authority Against the Spirit of the Age (G3 Press, 2022), and Contentment: The Journey of a Lifetime (Theology for Life, 2024).
You can connect with Dave on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, YouTube, or subscribe to his newsletter.
When he is not engaged in ministry work, Dave enjoys spending time with his wife, going to movies, sharing a meal at a favorite restaurant, or playing a round of golf with friends. He is also a voracious reader, particularly of Reformed theology and the Puritans, and is often found working through a stack of new books from a wide range of Christian publishers.
Dave earned his M.A.R. and M.Div. from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.
