Daily EncouragementSample

There is a breathless excitement about this incident in which David and Abishai creep up on the sleeping Saul. We hear Abishai’s whispered words, “Today God has given your enemy into your hands. Now let me pin him to the ground” (1 Sam. 26:8). But David forbids him and spares Saul, as he has done once before (1 Sam. 24:1ff).

David exhibits respect for a divine office, even though the incumbent is unworthy of it. Saul, despite all his failure, is “the Lord’s anointed” and David will not lay his hand upon him. “I magnify mine office,” says the apostle Paul (Rom. 11:13, AV). We should also respect our leaders, even if some of them fall short of fulfilling their tasks.

David refuses to take things into his own hands as far as his future high calling is concerned. He knows he is destined to be king, and it would be easy to acquiesce in Abishai’s suggestions. But David is determined to keep his hands clean, humbling himself under God’s mighty hand, knowing that “in due time” he will be exalted (1 Pet. 5:6).

David is ready to wait for God. In the ways of God “destiny is stronger than intrigue.” When God is choosing our inheritance for us, it is surely unthinkable to stoop to unworthy actions in order to hurry his hand.