"But David said to Abishai, 'Do not destroy him, for who can put out his hand against the LORD's anointed and be guiltless'" (1 Sam. 26:9).
1 Samuel 26:1-25 relates another instance where Saul is pursuing David to kill him. Again the Lord give Saul into David's hand, and David is able to sneak up to where Saul his sleeping and take his spear and water jar. In fact, the whole camp of some 3000 soldiers were brought under a deep slumber from the Lord. Abishai, one of David's warriors, recognizes David's apprehension and offer to eliminate Saul. Yet, David cannot even allow a friend to raise a hand to the anointed of the Lord.
Saul's and David's anointing marked them out as God's appointed servant for a particular task (king), for a particular time. They were both anointed with oil, and empowered with the Spirit for their task. I am persuaded that Saul was chosen first to punish the people for rejecting their rightful king, God. Saul is a king like all the other nations had. His was the only agenda that mattered.
David knew that the kingdom had been taken away from Saul by God, because he too had been anointed by Samuel. Yet, David seems to have understood the anointing as something that could not be taken fully away. The anointing that set Saul apart, continued to rest upon him, even after the kingdom had been taken from him.
David esteemed the anointed, because he esteemed the one who anointed him. It appears that David saw Saul as marked by the Lord, and took that to mean that an attack on Saul was an attack on the Lord. David could not raise his hand against Saul, without striking out at the Lord. This he could not even imagine. Nor could he associate (or let live) anyone who would dare such a feat.
David's attitude seems to anticipate "The Anointed." All of the other anointings that occur throughout Israel's history (of prophets, priests, and kings) point to the coming of one who will not only be anointed, but who will be the Anointed, that is the Messiah or the Christ.
Do we esteem the Anointed so highly, that we cannot bring ourselves to think evil of his "little anointeds"? As those who profess to follow Christ are we vehemently opposed to harming other Christians (little Christs). I am not saying we cannot point our error that is occurring in the name of Jesus. David points out Saul's errors, but he cannot bring himself to harm him. The mark of God's favor still lingers on him, so David will do him no harm.
How much do we esteem Christ? Do we serve everyone with understanding that they bear the mark of his favor? Do we labor to protect the "Lord's anointed" from exploitation? Are we terrified that we might diminish the glory of the Lord or cause his named to be blasphemed by our lax and careless ways? Do we honor those who labor under the authority of the Word and seek to protect them? Do we labor diligently to ensure we are not swept away by some wind of false doctrine?
How we approach the problems in our lives speaks volumes about what truly think about the Lord's anointed. Do you feel compelled to take matters into your own hands? That attitude suggests that you don't trust the Lord to get it done. Are you angry when God blesses sinners? That attitude suggests that you don't understand the grace that has been given to you. Friends, esteem Christ and seek the good of his people.
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