The Lord’s Anointed

David could reach out and touch Saul. What should he do? “With his enemy in his hand, he not only refused to harm him personally but restrained his men from committing any untoward act in his name.” “The course of David made it manifest that he had a Ruler whom he obeyed. He could not permit his natural passions to gain the victory over him; for he knew that he that ruleth his own spirit, is greater than he who taketh a city. If he had been led and controlled by human feelings, he would have reasoned that the Lord had brought his enemy under his power in order that he might slay him, and take the government of Israel upon himself.” “David’s men were still unwilling to leave Saul in peace, and they reminded their commander of the words of God, ‘Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul’s robe privily.’ But his conscience smote him afterward, because he had even marred the garment of the king.” Saul left the cave none the wiser for his close encounter with death.

David followed and called out after Saul, “My lord the king. And when Saul looked behind him, David stooped with his face to the earth, and bowed himself” (1 Samuel 24:8).

Saul must have been shocked.

David’s next words are those of today’s text and follow in verses 10–15. Basically, David said, “Had I wanted to kill you, I could have easily done so.

I hold here a piece of your robe. Does this not prove to you my loyalty?” “When he saw the edge of his robe held up before his eyes, and realized how close he had come to death, he trembled before the material evidence of David’s innocence. It was the triumph of spiritual force over physical prowess.” “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you” (Matthew 5:44).