Real Character

The character David displayed by not killing Saul in the cave in the wilderness of En-gedi is remarkable.  Given those circumstances, it is difficult to imagine that anyone (including God Himself) would have faulted David for having killed Saul.

With all the cultural and spiritual variations witnessed throughout history, here is an area that is perhaps most misunderstood by modern readers of the Bible.  Why would David not take the opportunity to kill Saul?  It seems that self-defense is not the matter of question in this story involving Saul and David.  It is something far more crucial.

The issue to be reconciled with is the fact that Saul was chosen by God - a fact that David was well aware of.  Regardless of any reciprocity David could have exercised in defending himself against Saul's unfounded intentions, David recognized a fact above all others - that Saul was chosen.  In this fact, David and Saul were equals for David himself was also chosen by God.

I still don't comprehend all there is to be understood about David's respect for God's choosing, but I know this: David was operating on a higher set of rules.

Father, help me to operate on a higher level than just earthly things.  Help me to honor You in all I do!