1 Sa. 26: David Doesn't Kill Saul

1 Samuel 26:12 "So David took the spear and water jug near Saul's head, and they left. No one saw or knew about it, nor did anyone wake up. They were all sleeping, because the LORD had put them into a deep sleep."

Saul is back to chasing David again. This is a bad habit for Saul. It has almost gotten him killed once. If David was the king-killin' kind. But he's not. And not because David wouldn't kill King Saul if Saul was just some run-of-the-mill Benjamite. Because David probably would. It is because Saul is the LORD's anointed. I don't know if there are some chronology issues here, but the LORD has rejected Saul as king (1 Sa. 15), and Samuel even anointed David as successor (1 Sa. 16), and the spirit of the LORD even left Saul. So I'm still not entirely sure of what is stopping David from pulling the trigger with Saul in the crosshairs. David instead allows that God be the judge of Saul, whether Saul falls in battle, or dies of old age, or is thrown headlong into a woodchipper.

Anyway, Saul and his general, Abner are having a sleep in the desert of Ziph, when David comes up and swipes Saul's spear and water jug. When David gets what he determines to be a safe distance away, he calls out Abner, asking him why he would allow this danger so close to the king. Additionally, David calls for a test to see if Saul's pursuit is from the LORD or not.

And Saul offers pleasantries and blessing verbally to David, while inside, I imagine he must have been seething. Mad at everyone. I just don't think this guy will ever reform.