David and Authority

Painting of Saul and David by Rembrandt

Here is one of those "moral dilemmas" that is solved in so Christ-like a way in the life of David. Throughout their relationship, David maintained respect and deference to Saul, though that became increasingly difficult. Saul was his authority on the one hand (as the annointed king of Israel), but was his mortal enemy and out of fellowship with God on the other. What was David to do? He could have reasoned that any king so murderous (killed the Levites that helped David), so mentally unbalanced, and so disobedient to God deserved judgement. Why couldn't that judgement come at the hand of David, who had been annointed king himself? But...and forgive the LOTR allusions...as Gandalf tells Frodo, not all that deserve life get it, and not all that deserve death get it. Is it Frodo's job to give it to them?

David knew he was not God, and that God had the situation under control. As the situation got worse, David may have been tempted to solve it to preserve his own life. But he trusted God enough to leave his life in His hand. Many times David may have been able to convince himself that this was his chance...God was handing Saul over to him. In fact, his men encouraged him twice that this was God's timing and David could finally avenge himself. They would even do the dirty work themselves. But David did not allow it. The situations where he could have killed Saul were not honorable...he would be stabbing a man in the back, or spearing him while he slept. David was patient, waiting for God's timing.

And then...when Saul died (and this just blows me away), instead of thinking..."whew...so glad that's over. I've suffered enough. Thank you Lord for getting rid of that wicked man who dogged my every step for the last decade,"....he writes him an elegy, possibly the most beautiful little gem of OT poetry extant.

He couldn't have faked that. He really loved Saul. Like Samuel, he saw the tragedy in Saul's disobedience and mourned what could have been. Above all, I think his trust in God allowed him to maintain respect for Saul. Again and again he refers to Saul as "the Lord's anointed." He will not touch a man who has been placed in leadership by God.

Amazing. And we are so easily provoked by little faults in our authority... whether a parent, or boss, or spouse. We see sinful actions in them as grounds for rebellion.

Now, if our authority is really and truly wrong, and even threatens our wellbeing by their decisions, we ought to follow David's example and remove ourselves from the situation. David didn't just stay around waiting for a spear to pin him to the wall. However, do try to prove to the authority that you are willing to be submissive. David did this twice, taking the spear and water jug and cutting Saul's robe. His appeals to Saul on both occasions were humble and creative!

Here's a personal application for wives out there: Seek to respectfully restore your spouse when he is really and truly wrong. Restrain your own flesh when he has not sinned, and you are just picking at non-issues or being irritable. Most of all, remember that a loving God has placed him in leadership.

Sorry, and I just have to add this post script: this does NOT mean that your spouse is perfect and represents "God's will on earth." (Saul certainly wasn't a good reflection of God.) It does mean that you are getting a chance to honor God by your trust in Him.