Deeper Reflection
THE GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY of getting so near to a totally vulnerable sleeping Saul was presented to David, that he could easily and quickly kill him, and once and for all stop Saul from pursuing his life (v.7). But David did not. When Abishai said to him, “Today God has delivered your enemy into your hand” (v.8), David immediately discerned, beyond a doubt, that, that was not the voice of God. He remembered what God said to him through his conscience at the last similar situation: “Far be it from me…to stretch out my hand against him, since he is the LORD’s anointed” (1 Sam 24:5-6). David was very clear as to what he should do: Stick to the Word of God – “The LORD forbid that I should stretch out my hand against the LORD’s anointed” (vv.9, 11). The Word of God enabled David to be patient and to restrain himself by resting in the hands of God. David remembered how “the LORD struck (nagap) Nabal” (1 Sam 25:38) and now he could rest in God that “surely the LORD will strike (nagap) him [Saul]” (v.10). David could trust God to handle both foolish oppressors when such matters were left in God’s hands. But then again God may not “strike” Saul. He may use some other method – permitting Saul a “natural” death or be killed in battle (v.10). The possibilities in God’s hands are numerous. What really matters is that God will handle Saul’s destiny. It was not in David’s hands.