Touch Not My Anointed

1 Samuel 24:10 (KJV) Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the LORD had delivered thee to day into mine hand in the cave: and some bade me kill thee: but mine eye spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he is the LORD'S anointed.

David was young. Saul was old. David was hunted. Saul was the hunter. David had been wronged. Saul was being reckless. There were a multitude of excuses that David could have used to strike out at Saul but the young, hunted man who was being wrongfully accused takes the road less travelled. Even his loyal friends who were hiding in the cave were trying to talk him into doing what seemed to be a logical action. Attack the one that was tormenting him. In the following verses we find David’s heart, the heart of a true follower of Christ.

While Saul was in the cave, David cut off a piece of his robe. Even this made David repent because he felt that he had dishonored his God given authority.

“And he said unto his men, The LORD forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the LORD'S anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD.” 1 Samuel 24:6 (KJV)

David followed the King out of the cave and called to him. Remember, Saul was seeking David to kill him. David had been hiding in the cave to escape Saul, exposing himself at this time could have meant his death. David bowed himself to the ground and gave honor to the King. Imagine the heart of God as He was watching this scene unfold. What faith must have been stirring in the Heavenlies as David moved between two immutable truths. He must honor the anointed authority – The King who wanted to kill him and he had received the prophecy and anointing from Samuel to be King. David was walking a tightrope. On one hand honoring the King could mean death. On the other He hand he clung to the promise of God.

Have you ever been in that situation? Torn between two responsibilities? It has been said that we are not truly acting in faith until we are placed in a position where it will cost us if God does not come through. If God did not change the heart of Saul, David would lose everything. This was a defining moment for David, perhaps even greater than when He walked onto the battlefield to face Goliath. But in this moment the heart of a leader is forged. David becomes aware that it is only through complete trust in God that He can succeed.

“The LORD judge between me and thee, and the LORD avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.” 1 Samuel 24:12 (KJV)

Trusting God to fight our battles is difficult. It goes against everything we learn in this life. But if we are to win the spiritual battle, we must learn that it is not by might, nor by power, but by God’s Spirit.