The Lord's Anointed

2 Sam. 1:13-15

And David said to the young man who told him, "Where do you come from?" And he answered, "I am the son of a sojourner, an Amalekite."  David said to him, "How is it you were not afraid to put out your hand to destroy the LORD's anointed?"  Then David called one of the young men and said, "Go, execute him." And he struck him down so that he died.

From a human standpoint, the man who brought the news of Saul's death and returned the armlet and  crown to David, looked like he was doing a good thing. He thought that David would want to know, and in fact, he would be happy to hear the news since Saul had pursued him for so long. After hearing the report of the battle, David  asked how he could know for sure that Saul was dead. The man  told him the circumstances. As he came to Mt. Gilboa, he saw Saul leaning on his spear with the enemy close at hand. Saul cried out and asked the man to stand beside him and  kill him which he did because he was mortally wounded. Since he had done as Saul requested, he took the crown and armlet to bring to David. It sounded like he performed a service to Saul and to David, a service that he thought could possibly bring him a reward. 

Initially, David tore his clothing and mourned and fasted for Saul, Jonathan, and the people of Israel,  as did all of his men. Afterward, David had another conversation with the man, who was a sojourner, the son of an Amalekite. He asked if he was not afraid to strike down the Lord's anointed. Without even allowing an answer, David called a young man to execute him that very day. David's action not only revealed that he wasn't involved with the death of Sau, and it showed how his heart was obedient to God. Certainly his response to this man revealed his heart. He deeply mourned Saul and Jonathan because, in spite of all Saul had done, he did not seek vengeance against Saul, a man who had pursued him and sought to kill him repeatedly. He himself had had opportunities to take Saul's life but he had not. He knew he could not and should not take the life of God's anointed. 

Father,

Help me cling to Your words as closely as David did.even when my human reasoning might say something different. Teach me Your way and Your thoughts. Help me to grow closer to You. 

In His name,

Amen