“Then David said to him, “How is it you were not afraid to stretch out your hand to destroy the Lord’s anointed?”” 2 Samuel 1:14
As the Book of 2nd Samuel opens, the story of Saul’s death comes to David via an unfortunate Amalekite. Apparently, his version of what happened on the battlefield is slightly different than what we read of in 1 Samuel 31. Were told that “Saul took his sword and fell on it” and “Thus Saul died”. But according to the Amalekite, “By chance I happened to be on Mount Gilboa, and behold, Saul was leaning on his spear” still alive and asking for assistance to end his life. So which one is correct? We’re not told, but I think the Amalekite is making this up and expecting some kind of reward. He did get his reward, except it wasn’t what he expected!
Now, Saul was clearly the enemy of David. For several years, he hunted him with insane hatred to put him to death. Yet on 2 separate occasions, David spared his life, and now, hearing of his demise, he asks this question of the Mercy Killer, “How is it you were not afraid?” Why would he ask that? Wasn’t Saul his Enemy? This was an expression of David’s regard for God, not Saul; he was “the Lord’s” anointed. So when he hears of his “Enemy’s” death, he reacts quite different than what we would expect.
When I read this story, I am reminded of Romans 13 regarding “governing authorities”. How we are to be in “subjection to them” and view them as “established by God”. No doubt David thought and felt many things about Saul, and perhaps justly so. But we are not told anything he said except calling him “the Lord’s” anointed. May we have this same view towards those that rule us today!