1 Samuel 26

David already had one opportunity to kill the man who was pursuing him with such malice, and he had refused to return evil for evil. Though he only cut off the corner of the king's robe on that occasion, his conscience accused him.

Now the man who would one day be known by all as the king of Israel had a second opportunity to end the life of his adversary. On the previous occasion, Saul's arrival in the cave where David and his men were hiding was a surprise to all. Here David intentionally sought to go to the place where the king and his men would be sleeping.

Once again, the man that David brought with him as his companion in this secret visit saw this as the time to end this struggle through the murder of Saul. David would not permit this. “Who can put out his hand against the Lord's anointed and be guiltless?” His trust was in the Lord to bring about the defeat of Saul. He would not be responsible for Saul's death.

David did take Saul's spear and jug with him while the king's men slept soundly in a deep sleep that the Lord Himself had brought upon them. David retreated to a safe distance and called out to Abner, Saul's protector, chastising him for allowing the king to be placed in danger. David called Abner to his duty insisting that the king could have been harmed. Was this a joke to humiliate Abner, or was this unusual man sincere in his zeal for the safety of the Lord's anointed?

Saul was brought to repentance one more time. David's words touched his heart, at least for that moment. David questioned the king regarding the source of his strange hatred. David only wanted to serve Saul. Was Saul's campaign against David from God or from evil men? David did not want to be chased out of the Lord's special land. Was there any way to stop this madness?

Though Saul again pledged David's safety and urged him to return, Saul and David would part ways one more time. Saul would return home, and David would remain a man without a country.

This time David did nothing to harm Saul in the least. The king's spear and jug were returned through one of Saul's men. David did not have anything to regret. He believed that in sparing Saul's life he was doing what God wanted him to do. He saw the way of wisdom with clarity, and he did not veer to the right or to the left. Others might have imagined a different path, even murdering the king in his sleep. David would not do what they suggested.

There is a way that seems right to man, but it is not the Lord's way. It is not the way of heaven. When the anointed Son of David, Jesus, came to die for our sins, his own disciples found it very difficult to understand his determination to complete his ministry by being handed over to his enemies. They could not see what Jesus saw. They did not understand the eternal purpose of the God of heaven.

We have the Spirit of Christ in us. Others may be puzzled when we do not live in ways that they consider wise or normal. But we follow a King who died for His subjects.