9 He said to Saul, ‘WHY DO YOU LISTEN WHEN MEN SAY, “David is bent on harming you”? 1 Samuel 24
David had Saul completely at his mercy in the cave where he and his men were hiding, BUT DAVID DID NOT DO THE EASY THING, HE REFUSED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SOMEONE ANOINTED BY GOD. David’s reasoning was that God had called Saul to be King and God should be the one to remove him. In effect David didn’t listen to his men either, he stood apart from their urgent prompting and refused to have Saul’s blood on his hands. It takes courage and determination to stand against the voices of the crowd, especially when your life is being threatened. I believe this was a big test from God as to how much He could trust David in the future with much greater matters. We too shouldn’t be drawn into taking the easy path, nor the quick fix, consider what it means for your future and take the righteous path.
10 This day you have seen with your own eyes how the Lord gave you into my hands in the cave. Some urged me to kill you, but I spared you; I said, “I will not lay my hand on my lord, because he is the Lord’s anointed.” 1 Samuel 24
When the time for a decision came, David showed that he feared God more than he feared men. Not always the easiest way but someday we may be glad that we too feared God and didn’t take the easy option.
12 May the Lord judge between you and me. And may the Lord avenge the wrongs you have done to me, but my hand will not touch you. 13 As the old saying goes, “From evildoers come evil deeds,” so my hand will not touch you. 1 Samuel 24
David invoked the Name of the Lord in his encounter with Saul and he also told the king that he was in the wrong, while David himself had behaved righteously. David attributed Saul’s actions to his personal nature, what he was at the core of his being. Psychology today talks a lot about, ‘behaviour modification’, ridding ourselves of bad habits, but that’s meaningless when we still hold on to our rebellious old nature. ‘In the flesh/old nature dwells no good thing’. David’s walk with God allowed him to see that Saul was only living out the anger and bitterness that was in his heart. SAUL NEVER CHANGED!
The Lord spoke on several occasions about recognising people by their fruit, that which is manifest, comes forth in their lives. People often try to hide their true nature, but in unguarded moments they LEAK and the truth comes out.
17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognise them. Matthew 7
May the Lord bless and keep you today, and keep all our feet on His paths. Immanuel, God is with us.