“So David and Abishai went right into Saul’s camp and found him asleep, with his spear stuck in the ground beside his head. Abner and the soldiers were lying asleep around him. “God has surely handed your enemy over to you this time!” Abishai whispered to David. “Let me pin him to the ground with one thrust of the spear; I won’t need to strike twice!” “No!” David said. “Don’t kill him. For who can remain innocent after attacking the Lord’s anointed one? Surely the Lord will strike Saul down someday, or he will die of old age or in battle. The Lord forbid that I should kill the one he has anointed! But take his spear and that jug of water beside his head, and then let’s get out of here!” So David took the spear and jug of water that were near Saul’s head. Then he and Abishai got away without anyone seeing them or even waking up, because the Lord had put Saul’s men into a deep sleep. David climbed the hill opposite the camp until he was at a safe distance. Then he shouted down to the soldiers and to Abner son of Ner, “Wake up, Abner!” “Who is it?” Abner demanded. “Well, Abner, you’re a great man, aren’t you?” David taunted. “Where in all Israel is there anyone as mighty? So why haven’t you guarded your master the king when someone came to kill him? This isn’t good at all! I swear by the Lord that you and your men deserve to die, because you failed to protect your master, the Lord’s anointed! Look around! Where are the king’s spear and the jug of water that were beside his head?” Saul recognized David’s voice and called out, “Is that you, my son David?” And David replied, “Yes, my Lord the king. Why are you chasing me? What have I done? What is my crime? But now let my Lord the king listen to his servant. If the Lord has stirred you up against me, then let him accept my offering. But if this is simply a human scheme, then may those involved be cursed by the Lord. For they have driven me from my home, so I can no longer live among the Lord’s people, and they have said, ‘Go, worship pagan gods.’ Must I die on foreign soil, far from the presence of the Lord? Why has the king of Israel come out to search for a single flea? Why does he hunt me down like a partridge on the mountains?” Then Saul confessed, “I have sinned. Come back home, my son, and I will no longer try to harm you, for you valued my life today. I have been a fool and very, very wrong.” “Here is your spear, O king,” David replied. “Let one of your young men come over and get it. The Lord gives his own reward for doing good and for being loyal, and I refused to kill you even when the Lord placed you in my power, for you are the Lord’s anointed one. Now may the Lord value my life, even as I have valued yours today. May he rescue me from all my troubles.” And Saul said to David, “Blessings on you, my son David. You will do many heroic deeds, and you will surely succeed.” Then David went away, and Saul returned home.”
1 Samuel 26:7-25 NLT
One of the important traits of a godly character is the ability to restrain one’s instinct of self-preservation. Again, we see that David had a chance to kill Saul, but he was operating on a different set of rules than most would do in his position. It is also important to note that David was approaching the situation with humility. This is to say that he had agency and opportunity. He was not unable to defend himself or without the skill to do so. Yet he chose to take a position of mercy and grace. He stated plainly that he knew that killing Saul would be crossing a line because Saul was the sitting King. He trusted that God would both protect him and bring a fitting resolution to his problems. He also noted that God’s rewards are worth waiting for. This is an important mentality to have amongst god-fearing people. And as demonstrated, it doesn’t show weakness, but strength and intention. We ought to remember David and Saul when we encounter enemies, and make sure to think twice about them and if our solutions would be God’s.
Godly Character Trait: Restraining the instinct of self-preservation and acting with mercy and grace.
David’s Humility: Despite having the opportunity and skill to kill Saul, David chose to spare him, demonstrating humility and trust in God.
Importance of Patience: David recognized that God’s rewards are worth waiting for, emphasizing the importance of patience and relying on God’s timing.
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