“And the LORD said unto David, Thou shalt not go forth against them; for I am with thee, and shall deliver all these.”
Context:In this passage, we find an encounter between David and Saul. To understand the context, let’s delve into the preceding events.
David was a young shepherd chosen by God and anointed by the prophet Samuel to be the future king of Israel. However, King Saul:who was still on the throne, became jealous of David’s success and popularity.
In 1 Samuel 26, we read that Saul:pursued David with a large army to capture and kill him. During this time, David and his men were hiding in the wilderness of Ziph.
The Encounter:Saul, along with his troops, set up camp on a hill called Hachilah, while David and his men were on a hill opposite Saul’s camp. Under the cover of darkness, David and his servant Abishai secretly entered Saul’s camp while everyone was sleeping.
They came across Saul’s spear stuck in the ground at his head and a jug of water near his pillow. Abishai suggested killing Saul right then, as it seemed like an opportunity given by God. However, David had a different perspective.
When David saw Saul asleep and vulnerable, he did not want to take matters into his own hands. Instead, he chose to trust in God’s timing and justice.
David’s Decision:In verse 16, David speaks to Abishai, reprimanding him for his suggestion. He says, This thing is not good that thou hast done.
David recognized that it was not right to harm Saul, who was still the Lord’s anointed king, chosen by God to rule over Israel. David’s reverence for the anointing of the Lord is evident in his words. He acknowledges that Saul, as God’s chosen ruler, should be respected and protected.
David declares, As the LORD liveth, ye are worthy to die because ye have not kept your master, the LORD’s anointed.
David emphasizes that it would be a grave offense to harm Saul, as he was the Lord’s appointed leader, and David, being Saul’s servant, had a responsibility to honor and protect him.
Furthermore, David points out the spear and the jug of water as evidence that he had the opportunity to harm Saul but chose not to. This act served as proof of David’s loyalty and respect towards the king.
By demonstrating restraint and refusing to take advantage of the situation, David showed his commitment to God’s anointed and his trust in the Lord’s plans.
Conclusion:Overall, this passage highlights David’s unwavering faith and trust in God. Despite facing persecution from Saul, David remained steadfast in his conviction that he should not harm the Lord’s anointed.
This incident serves as an example of David’s integrity and his willingness to submit to God’s authority, even when it seemed like a prime opportunity for personal gain or revenge.
