And he said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, to stretch out my hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the Lord.”

1 Samuel 24:6

For Meditation

He had everything to gain. Kill him, and he would be king in his place. After all, God had anointed him king over Israel. Not only that. Saul had pursued David all over the place, trying to kill him. Since David burst onto the scene of Israel after killing Goliath, King Saul had been jealous of him.

The women composed songs about David as better than the king. They said David was more manly, brave and courageous, and a better warrior. Saul saw David as a threat to his kingship. “What more can he get but the kingdom?” (1 Sam. 18:7-8).

Jonathan, the king’s son and heir apparent had taken to David and effectively relinquished everything to him (18:1).

Saul was alive, but he was a man tormented by his own imaginations and self-preservation, instead of concentrating on being the king according to God’s standard. He was driving himself over the hill. So, he chased David everywhere to kill him.

David was a vagabond and tired. But now he had the best opportunity to kill his worst enemy. His men urged him to do it and get it over with. “This is the day,” they said. God said He will “deliver your enemy into your hand, that you may do whatever you may to him as it seems good to you” (6). That’s tempting, don’t you think? But don’t forget. The men also had their agenda. They were tired of running around the wilderness. They missed home. They relished the day David would be king. They had staked their lives on his success. This is the moment. This is the day, not only meant for the good of David. It meant more to them than to David.

That’s how people are. They will urge you most when they have an interest in your gain or some score to settle with your enemy. Consider carefully. They love you, yes. But they love themselves better, and they seek their interest through you. So, let it be your call, not theirs.

David got close to the king who was busily attending to nature’s call. He cut off the hem of his robe. His conscience struck him. “You can’t do that, David.”

“The Lord forbid …”

What a man! Any doubt that God calls him a man after his own heart? 

 His men saw it as an opportunity to kill Saul, but David saw it as an opportunity to slay his own fleshly desire and crown God as Lord of his life. That is the sum of Jesus’s purpose on earth. He came to die to take away our sin that we can live for God. Glory to His holy name.

Can you be a David today?