“Then David went out of the cave and called out to Saul, “My lord the king!” When Saul looked behind him, David bowed down and prostrated himself with his face to the ground. 9 He said to Saul, “Why do you listen when men say, ‘David is bent on harming you’? 10 This day you have seen with your own eyes how the Lord delivered 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.’11 See, my father, look at this piece of your robe in my hand! I cut off the corner of your robe but did not kill you. See that there is nothing in my hand to indicate that I am guilty of wrongdoing or rebellion. I have not wronged you, but you are hunting me down to take my life. 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.14 “Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Who are you pursuing? A dead dog? A flea? 15 May the Lord be our judge and decide between us. May he consider my cause and uphold it; may he vindicate me by delivering me from your hand.” 1 Samuel 24.8-15
David was hiding in a cave. He was waiting. And before he knew it, Saul came in to use the bathroom. Instead of killing Saul, David snuck up on him and cut off a corner of his robe. Then, when Saul left the cave, David revealed his presence, proving to Saul that David not only spared his life but had no beef against him.
This is a remarkable story and one for the ages. David could have slain Saul where he squatted but refused to lift his hand against the Lord’s anointed. When Saul left the cave, David pleaded his case against him. Saul, realizing that David could have taken his life, had a change of heart, as we will read in the verses that follow.
David’s plea to Saul was not from a place of weakness but from a position of strength. He held all the cards as he asked the Lord to judge between him and Saul. David knew his place, but he was not willing to force it. He had also been anointed king over Israel, but David knew God’s timing was best. He would not press the matter as long as Saul was living. It would not be David’s hand that killed the king.
There is a fine line between knowing God’s plan and not forcing it. We might have an inkling of what God is going to do, but we allow it to come in God’s time. We don’t force things but wait on the Lord to work out His will in His timing through His divine action among us.
I’m thinking of the preacher Joel Osteen, who served behind the scenes of his father’s ministry for 17 years. When his father suddenly died of a heart attack in 1999, he did not initially see himself in that position. All those years behind the scenes were used for building someone else up to present the Gospel and lead a church. And yet, what Joel has done since has grown a ministry far beyond his father’s ability.
David was like a bride in waiting, knowing the marriage would come but waiting for the day. David knew he would be king, but until God made it happen, he was not going to move his hand against the Lord’s anointed.
How does this apply to us? It means we learn how to trust, to wait, to learn, and to lean upon God’s timing. Our timing is always going to be faulty, but God’s work is faithful and true. As long as we abide in Christ, we will find ourselves in the center of His will and plan for our lives. Then we will discover His perfect direction as we follow the steps He has laid out for us—plans for a hope and a future (Jer. 29:11).
“O Lord God, You are true. Your ways are best. Thank you for loving Your people. Thank you for guiding our steps. When our ways fail, Your ways remain steadfast. Come now, Holy Spirit, and allow me to walk according to Your will, that Your name might be glorified, Your Kingdom come, and Your will be done. I love You, Lord, and praise Your name. For You are good, and Your love endures forever.” Amen