May 8, 2025 - 1 Samuel‬ ‭26‬:‭8‬-‭11

“Then Abishai said to David, “God has given your enemy into your hand this day. Now please let me pin him to the earth with one stroke of the spear, and I will not strike him twice.” But David said to Abishai, “Do not destroy him, for who can put out his hand against the Lord’s anointed and be guiltless?” And David said, “As the Lord lives, the Lord will strike him, or his day will come to die, or he will go down into battle and perish. The Lord forbid that I should put out my hand against the Lord’s anointed.”” 1 Samuel 26:8-11 ESV

Lord, what amazing refrain and patience David showed here to walk in obedience to you and not do what would have been so convenient for himself. For years, David had been running for his life, hiding in the wilderness so Saul wouldn’t kill him. This is the second time you placed Saul right in front of David with an easy way for him to end his hiding and despair. It amazes me how much strength and trust in you David showed in these moments to walk away. In both cases his men were encouraging him to end Saul’s life. Here Abishai said, “God has given your enemy into your hands.” Lord, you had put Saul’s life in David’s hands. It would have been so easy for David to justify that if you orchestrated it this way, it must be what you wanted. Especially when others are confirming it. Yet, David knew you and longed to honor you more than make his life easier. Wow. He refused to do your job.

Lord, how often do we lose patience with you and your ways? If we were in David’s shoes that day, would we have taken the opportunity to defend ourselves and end our trial? Or would we have had the restraint to trust and honor you by walking away. Make us into people like David who will honor you above ourselves. People who trust your timing and ways, even if it means staying in the hard season longer.

In Jesus name, amen.