This portion of reading really exemplifies the fact that God appoints leaders of his people and that it is His responsibility alone to remove them from leadership when the time comes. Consider the following:
- David had an opportunity to kill Saul at his most vulnerable moment (relieving himself in a cave), but David believed that it was not his place to remove a leader who was anointed by God.
- Nabal refused to offer provision to David and his men and therefore challenged the anointing God had on David as a leader. As a result, Nabal was struck dead by the Lord.
- David had a second opportunity to end Saul's life while he was sleeping. He reasoned, however, that a person cannot put a hand against God's anointed and still be guiltless (or sinless).
There is comfort in knowing that God appoints leaders. It means that He cares about His people. He will remove them when the time comes, but until He does it is the duty of the followers to submit.
An undeserved loyalty (2 Samuel 1-4)