We’ve David, as the champion of Israel, kill Goliath.  Then one of the most dangerous things that can happen begins to happen in his life.  People begin to sing his praises.  “Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.”  Jealously comes into the heart of Saul.  David has to flee for his life.  In the eyes and heart of God, he’s the king and yet, he is being pursued and he’s living in caves.  Then, the opportunity arises one day, and he approaches Saul and finds him in that cave.  We all know the story.  As he finds him there, of course, naturally, they would have killed him, the natural man, and he would have then ascended to the throne.  At this particular time, David spares his life, but in 1 Samuel 24:1‑15, Chapter 26:1‑20 you can read those for yourself.  I’m just condensing greatly right now.  He doesn’t kill Saul but what he does do is cut the fringe off his garment.  As he is in the cave, he cuts the fringe off of his garment and once he had done that, the Bible says he was smitten in his heart.  The Scripture tells us that fringe was to be put upon many of those that were in leadership, especially in Israel.  It was to be a reminder that they were a people of covenant and as they entered into the Promised Land they would hear and do the commandments of God and teach them to their children and to their children’s children. 

By cutting the fringe of his garment off he said, “You failed, Saul.  You’re a failure in the eyes of God.”  David passed judgment on his spiritual condition.  We all know it was wrong and out of order, but he came to this great conclusion when he saw the conviction of God that came upon him.  He was smitten in his heart.  You don’t touch God’s anointed.  Humility in David’s life.  You don’t touch God’s anointed.  Those who oppose you, those who hate you, those who are your enemies, it’s not for us to pass a final judgment on them.  God could be drawing them and bringing about His redemption in their life at this very moment.  We pray for our enemies and let God bring the final judgment; amen?  He was smitten in his heart.  He was humbled by that, and not only was he humbled, later Saul woke up and saw what was done and he said, “You’ve humbled me.  You were righteous.  You’re the righteous man, not myself.  You’re the greater man.”  By his act of humility, he was exalted and seen by Saul himself as the anointed of God.  Oh, there will be other attacks and offenses, but David was a man of humility.  He didn’t sit there and go, “I should just kill him.  I’m anointed king.  Samuel anointed me.  I’m truly the king of Israel in the eyes of God.”  In due time, God will exalt you.  True humility is waiting on the timing of God; amen?

Father, we thank You for Your presence and Your love.  We ask that You would make these things real in our hearts.  We ask that You would cause the reality of Your Word to manifest itself in us and through us.  Let it become our reality and we will give You all the praise in Jesus’ name, amen.