“Then the men of David said to him, “This is the day of which the LORD said to you, ‘Behold, I will deliver your enemy into your hand, that you may do to him as it seems good to you.’” And David arose and secretly cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. Afterward, David was conscience-stricken for having cut off a corner of his robe. He said to his men, "The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord's anointed, or lift my hand against him; for he is the anointed of the LORD." With these words David rebuked his men and did not allow them to attack Saul. And Saul left the cave and went his way.” (vv.4-7)
Apparently, on some previous occasion God promised David, “Behold, I will deliver your enemy into your hand, that you may do to him as it seems good to you.” Here David's men believed that this was the fulfillment of the promise and that David needed to seize the promise by faith and by the sword.
After everything Saul had done to David, here in chapter 24 David is given an opportunity to end king Saul’s life. However, he would not take revenge against God’s elect. In fact, just cutting off the corner of his robe caused David’s conscience to be stricken. He recognized Saul as the one on whom the anointing of God had been placed. Even though David himself had been anointed as the future king of Israel, he still respected Saul. Perhaps David realized that what he does to Saul will set an example for others' behavior toward him in the future.
David not only kept himself from taking vengeance upon Saul, he also restrained his servants. Many men in the same situation, would say, “Well, I won’t kill Saul now, but if one of my servants does, what can I do?” and therefore leave the door wide open for Saul to be killed. But David wouldn’t do that, and he restrained his servants as well.
We too must respect whom God elects and treat them with as much respect and fear of the LORD as David did with Saul. It is no different. To slander another brother or even speak the truth that would damage their reputation, should convict us just as taking a corner of Saul’s robe convicted David. Has anyone done even half the wrongs that Saul did toward David? No? Then consider the example of David and let God deal with His elect in His timing. Even though an opportunity may arise in which to speak out against a brother (delivered into your hand so to speak), that’s a test for you. The question is, will you come away with a testimony like David's or his men who encouraged him to kill the king? I pray that it is the former, not the latter.
The Truth: “Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.” (Romans 8:33)
