Esteeming the Anointed

"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.

Considering David

"He [David] said to his men,'The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the Lord's anointed, to put out my hand against him, seeing he is the LORD's anointed'" (1 Sam. 24:6).

David fascinates me.  Every time I read through his story, I find myself trying to get into his head.  I want to know the reasons behind his actions.  I know that David was a man after God's own heart, but I want really want to understand it.  I want to learn how to live and think this way.

In the passage the above quote is drawn from, Saul is pursuing David to kill him, and unknowingly enters David's hideout.  David's companions urge him to strike Saul down, and become king.  However, David refuses to do it.  His reason is simple: Saul is the Lord's anointed.  David creeps up to Saul, who is using the bathroom, and cuts off part of Saul's robe.  Even this event strikes David's conscience.  Yet, David uses it to show Saul that he does not desire him.

Although I know how the story goes, it always excites me to read it.  Here are some of the things that amaze me:

• David was content to wait on God's time. David was the rightful king.  The kingdom had been taken from Saul, and given to David by God.  Yet, David was willing to wait for God to bring him to his throne.

• David was confident that God's Word would not fail.  David's confidence in the promises of God were the fuel for his contentment.

• David's love for the Lord extended to his anointed.  He understood, at least in part, that you cannot despise the anointed without despising the Anointer.

• David's bold nature and willingness to take initiative were an expression of his submission to God's will. 

• David had a very tender conscience. David felt guilty just for cutting Saul's garment.

• David was truly humble.  Compared to Saul, David (even as rightful king) saw himself as a dog and a flea. 

I yearn to see these things becoming more evident in my life.  My heart's desire is to walk in the footsteps of David's greater son, Jesus Christ our Lord.  May the Lord grant us hearts that pursue his glory over our own.  May it be said of us that we are people after God's own heart.