The Life of DavidSample

David's Restraint

As David’s fugitive status stretched on year after year, he continued to experience vacillations in his conduct. God had shown him the tragic results of his failure to trust in providence (22:22), but while he sometimes showed great faith in God’s control of events, other times, he buckled under the stress of Saul’s pursuit. We clearly see these ups and downs in 1 Samuel 24–26.

In chapter 24, David was given an unexpected opportunity to end his misery. While he and his men were hiding in a cave, Saul himself entered it. It would have been a simple matter for David to strike Saul down. But David refused, saying, “The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the Lord’s anointed, to put out my hand against him, seeing he is the Lord’s anointed.” (24:6). Later, the same thing happened again. David could get close to Saul as he slept (26:7). But again, despite one of his men requesting the privilege of killing Saul, David refused to act. He asked, “Who can put out his hand against the Lord’s anointed and be guiltless?” (26:9). David confessed that the time of Saul’s death was in the hands of Yahweh (26:10). On these occasions, David’s trust in God’s promises was running high. He had not forgotten that Saul was pursuing him to kill him, but he also was aware that Saul was anointed as king, a sign that God had designated him to rule. David would not presume to topple from the throne one whom God had put there. While he, too, had been anointed to the throne, David realized that he must wait to wear the crown until such a time as God chooses. So, he allowed Saul to go on his way.

On another occasion, however, David was unwilling to leave matters in God’s hands. He was determined to take revenge when he requested that a certain rich man named Nabal send provisions for his men, only to be rudely refused (25:13, 22). After all, David had treated Nabal’s shepherds kindly (25:7). But when Nabal’s wife interceded and begged for mercy upon her husband, David realized that he was putting himself in God’s place. He decided to leave vengeance to God, and God took care of the matter (25:38).

David had to learn to wait on God during hard times, and he saw that the gracious God spared him from taking matters into his own hands.

CORAM DEO Living before the face of God

When times are difficult, the temptation to rely on our own wisdom can be strong. That may lead us to take actions contrary to God’s revealed will. The faithful Christian will not “cut corners” but will do things God’s way even when it isn’t easy. In which areas of your life are you facing difficulties? What would God have you do?