Do you remember how David waved a piece of Saul’s robe in the air showing how close he had come without killing Saul? Saul became milk toast. 

That didn’t stop him from continue pursuing David. David found out about it and decided to try again.

This time, David and a friend went sneaking into Saul’s camp by night, 

… and there was Saul, lying asleep inside the camp with his spear stuck in the ground near his head. I Samuel 26:7

David’s friend offered to plunge the spear into Saul, but David would have none of it. He talked, as before, of not laying a hand on God’s anointed one. Instead, he ordered his friend to bring Saul’s spear and his water jug.

The next morning, David called out to Saul’s guard, Abner, and chastised him.

“… you and your men deserve to die, because you did not guard your master, the Lord’s anointed. Look around you. Where are the king’s spear and water jug that were near his head? I Samuel 26:16

Saul recognized David’s voice and called in a voice dripping with sugar,

“Is that your voice David my son?” I Samuel 26:17

David questioned Saul again as to why he is pursuing him when he has done nothing to deserve this treatment. Saul promised not to do it again, but David didn’t buy it.

As I Samuel closes, Saul is in a fierce battle with the Philistines. They have killed his sons and are about to capture Saul as well. He commands his armor bearer to take his sword and kill him rather than be done in by the enemy. The armor bearer refuses, so Saul takes his own life.

We can choose many ways to find application to our lives from these tragic events. Let’s focus on our callings from God.

It was very clear and memorable to David that the Lord had anointed him to be the next king. He knew that anointing had come to Saul as well. Even though Saul did not carry it out well, the anointing was to be honored in David’s mind.

How has the Lord anointed you? Likely you are not called to be a king or queen or even a president or ambassador, but God does place callings on all our lives and expects obedience.

I felt strongly His call to write 20 years ago. It has taken me a long time to get books to the printing stage. Others seem so adept at marketing and spitting out books every year.

At times, I feel so inadequate. Weeks go by or, in this year, months go by and I don’t get anything written on the next book.  Then, I come back to the call, even the anointing I felt. Like David, I must honor that calling.

What is your calling? Something you have sensed that He has called you to do. May we honor that calling in this new year.

~ Joyce ~