As the old saying goes, ‘From evildoers come evil deeds,’ so my hand will not touch you. I Samuel 24:13
Saul became Israel’s first king, ending the era of Judges. He was a donkey farmer when Samuel, the last judge, anointed him. Although he was ‘the most handsome man in Israel, and very tall, his countrymen did not accept him as a legitimate leader. He was insecure, an issue that remained a problem throughout his life and interfered with his obedience to God’s commands.
Following Saul’s early victories as a warrior king, he gave God glory, but failure came with bitterness, impatience and rebellion, followed by depression and fear. Servants, desperate to help, brought a shepherd boy to sooth the king with his music. Saul and his court had no idea that Samuel had already anointed David as Saul’s replacement. But when David killed the giant, Israel had a new hero and from that day forward, Saul despised him and eventually, sought opportunity to kill him.
In the setting of the above verse David and his army are hiding, somewhat exiled, in the Desert of En Gedi, living in crags and caves. Saul’s army comes looking and Saul steps into a cave for privacy to relieve himself, not knowing David and his soldiers are near enough to kill him.
David chooses to spare Saul’s life. By this act he submits to God’s authority to judge and act and relinquishes his power, his rights, to God’s sovereignty. Evil does not fix evil.
God’s plan is peace and love. We must set aside our perspective, agenda, opinion and man given rights, for the superiority of God’s omnipotent wisdom. He is love and we are in good hands.
Love,
Gretchen