“And David said to Abner, Art not thou a valiant man? and who is like to thee in Israel? wherefore then hast thou not kept thy lord the king? for there came one of the people in to destroy the king thy lord.”
Context: First Samuel 26 records an incident where David had another opportunity to kill King Saul, who was pursuing him out of jealousy and fear. In this particular instance, David and his men were hiding in the wilderness of Ziph. While Saul and his army were camped nearby, David went into Saul’s camp at night and taken Saul’s spear and water jug while he and his soldiers were asleep.
David’s Address: David speaks directly to Abner, who was the commander of Saul’s army. David acknowledges Abner’s reputation as a valiant man and expresses surprise that someone like him failed to protect his king.
The Accusation: David questions why Abner did not fulfill his duty to protect King Saul. He implies that Abner’s failure allowed someone from within Saul’s own camp to have the opportunity to kill the king.
Respect for Authority: Despite being anointed as the future king, David still showed respect for the position and authority of Saul as the current king. He recognized Saul as “the lord the king” and addressed Abner accordingly. This demonstrates David’s humility and honor towards those in authority, even though Saul had been pursuing him.
Challenging Others: David confronted Abner regarding his failure to guard Saul. This passage reveals David’s keen observation skills and his desire to hold those responsible for their actions. While David had the opportunity to kill Saul, he chose to confront Abner instead, pointing out his negligence.
Trust in God’s Timing: Though David had several opportunities to kill Saul, he trusted in God’s timing and purposes. He recognized that it was not his place to take matters into his own hands but to wait for God to fulfill His promise regarding David’s kingship. By sparing Saul’s life and addressing Abner’s negligence, David showed his trust in God’s sovereignty.
