8 Now afterward David arose and went out of the cave and called after Saul, saying, “My lord the king!” And when Saul looked behind him, David bowed with his face to the ground and prostrated himself. 9 David said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men, saying, ‘Behold, David seeks [f]to harm you’? 10 Behold, this day your eyes have seen that the Lord had given you today into my hand in the cave, and some said to kill you, but my eye had pity on you; and I said, ‘I will not stretch out my hand against my lord, for he is the Lord’s anointed.’ 11 Now, my father, see! Indeed, see the edge of your robe in my hand! For in that I cut off the edge of your robe and did not kill you, know and perceive that there is no evil or [g]rebellion in my hands, and I have not sinned against you, though you are lying in wait for my life to take it. 12 May the Lord judge between [h]you and me, and may the Lord avenge me on you; but my hand shall not be against you. 13 As the proverb of the ancients says, ‘Out of the wicked comes forth wickedness’; but my hand shall not be against you. 14 After whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom are you pursuing? A dead dog, a single flea? 15 The Lord therefore be judge and decide between [i]you and me; and may He see and plead my cause and [j]deliver me from your hand.”
Through this whole time, we see a recurring theme: trust. Why did David go out and hail Saul after he left the cave? Wasn’t he afraid? Saul could have run to get his men and come to destroy David.
But David trusted God to be the judge between them, and he says as much repeatedly as he addresses King Saul. And even though Saul was seeking to kill him, David shows tremendous respect. Not because Saul was an outstanding man, but because Saul had been chosen by God to be the king!
Do we trust God so much, that we would take a chance on someone unlikely, even someone who has meant us harm? May we strive to trust God with our whole lives, our whole heart, to guide and protect us. To show us the way we ought to live, and to be our shield along the way.