1 Samuel 26:7-12
Verse 9 But David said to Abishai, “Don’t destroy him! Who can lay a hand on the Lord’s anointed and be guiltless?
With Abishai by his side, David moves into the camp of the king and his large army. They had waited until night and so would need to be extra careful not to step on anyone and would have had to have some light source so that they could positively identify the king. The king would have had a special spot with his top commander close by. The king also had his spear stuck in the ground by his head.
David had been one of the king’s top men prior to Saul’s building hate of him and so David had an insider’s understanding of how the king set up his battle camp. Remember, David’s first time meeting the king was on the battlefield. David had the upper hand at the moment and Abishai is wanting him to use it to finish the king off once for all. Maybe Abishai and the other men were getting tired of this cat and mouse game of Saul and David.
Abishai is willing to do the deed for David even telling his leader that he could do it with one blow but once more David stands with the heart of God rejecting the idea of ending Saul’s life. David had the perfect opportunity to teach Abishai about God being the High King and that He is the one who chooses when life should end. David was also helping his man understand that the position of king of God’s people should be respected. David even goes so far as to tell the other man that God was going to do the killing of Saul. David knew he wouldn’t get the throne until Saul was dead and since he refused to do it, God would arrange to have it happen in the way He chose.
David instructs Abishai to just remove the sword and the jug of water by the king’s head. Once again David was going to show Saul that he could be trusted. Saul needed to see that David wasn’t going to kill him for the throne, the threat that Saul felt was not real. David didn’t need to make God’s plan happen, he was willing to wait for God to do the work Himself.
What David may not have realized at the time was God was doing just that in the very moment. David and Abishai were warriors but even the best trained men would have had a hard time getting into the center of camp and making it to the king without waking anyone up. To make sure that David was able to prove that he was trustworthy, God made all the men of the king’s army sleep deeply. God was preparing the throne for David.
Making It Personal
Is it hard for you to do the right thing when others are wanting you to do something which would get you what you want quicker? Where is it hard for you to stand with integrity? How can you take a stand today?
Making It Personal Kids
Have you ever had someone try to get you something you wanted before you were supposed to have it? Why is it better to wait until the time is right? Is obeying hard when you don’t want to wait?
Closing Prayer
Father, we know Your timing is best but that doesn’t always make it easy to wait. Help us remember You have a reason for the timing You are going by and it is always for our good and Your glory. In Jesus’ name, amen.