READ 1 Samuel 24:1-7 (focus on v 5-7)
1 After Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, “David is in the Desert of En Gedi.” 2 So Saul took three thousand able young men from all Israel and set out to look for David and his men near the Crags of the Wild Goats.
3 He came to the sheep pens along the way; a cave was there, and Saul went in to relieve himself. David and his men were far back in the cave. 4 The men said, “This is the day the Lord spoke of when he said to you, ‘I will give your enemy into your hands for you to deal with as you wish.’” Then David crept up unnoticed and cut off a corner of Saul’s robe.
5 Afterward, David was conscience-stricken for having cut off a corner of his robe. 6 He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, or lay my hand on him; for he is the anointed of the Lord.” 7 With these words David sharply rebuked his men and did not allow them to attack Saul. And Saul left the cave and went his way.
Many of us may not have responded the way David did after being chased around the desert by a power crazed king who was trying to kill us. We probably would have gladly taken the advice of those we were with and seen Saul’s presence in the cave as a gift.
But David recognized Saul as a man placed in a position of power and authority by God, so that even simply cutting off a corner of Saul’s robe caused David to feel guilty for disrespecting him. David reminded his men that God had appointed Saul king, and out of respect for God, they should not harm him.
Respect is an active choice and requires us to let go of pride. David makes the choice to honor God by showing respect to the man God has placed in authority. Even though Saul has treated David badly and threatened his life, David chooses to do no harm.
Saul may be the ruler of Israel, but David is in a position of authority over his men, and Saul’s life is spared because of David’s choice to honor God.
How will you choose to honor God today in the position He has put you in?
