“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[b] 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.” 1 Samuel 24.1-7
The Scripture tells us that after Saul was finished pursuing the Philistines he comes back to hunt for and kill David. He brings with him three thousand men. Saul goes into a cave to go to the bathroom where David and his men just so happen to be hiding. Without giving it much thought, David sneaks up, cuts off a corner of Saul’s robe and returns to his men. (Amazing that he could do this without being noticed!)
David then feels guilty about dishonoring who he considers “the Lord’s anointed.” He says, “The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my masters, the Lord’s anointed, or lay my hand on him; for he is the anointed of the Lord.” He then rebukes his men and does not allow them to attack or kill Saul.
This is such a memorable story. Here is David, under hot pursuit from Saul, when the king himself comes into the cave to go potty! David has the perfect opportunity to take his life but David realizes that Saul is chosen and anointed by God and that by harming him he would be dishonoring the Lord.
This take integrity! If we put ourselves in David shoes, and someone wanting to kill us and our family was put before us like that – how hard would it be to refrain from retribution. David was in the cave in the desert, in hiding and in the wilderness because of Saul. And now here is was vulnerable and alone before David.
But David chose to trust God rather than his own internal human instincts. Sure, he wanted to get rid of the problem, he wanted to harm Saul. But David has God’s heart and God’s mind. Before he commits a sin he reconsiders, trusting to the voice of the Lord within him who causes him to course correct.
This can be the same for us. We can listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit, God’s Spirit and Word within us, and act accordingly. We do not have to give in to human instincts of the flesh that often cause us to stray from His Word or his ways. One day, God willing, we will stand before him and will given account for all that we have done. Thankfully we have Jesus to stand before us as a substitute for our sins – but we will still be considered for our actions. His righteous has and will wipe away any guilt, which is all the more reason to pursue holiness in every aspect of our lives.
If David could do it while being tested in the cave, we can overcome in our every day existence as we seek to give God glory and honor him with our actions.
Will you confess your sins to Christ? Will you turn from waywardness toward his holiness? Seek Christ and allow his love to flow through you.
“O Lord God, you are good and you guide my steps. Thank you for loving us. Thank you for your kindness and your grace. I find that I need it often. Thank you for allowing me to walk in the way that leads to lift eternal. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen