3 Vital Responses to a Leader who is Wrong

Read 1 Samuel 24.

Running for his life with 600 men, David turned south to the wilderness areas of Israel.  First, he hid in Ziph, then Moan, and in this chapter he was hidden in a cave of Engedi.  When King Saul heard of David's location, he amassed 3,000 troops and headed south.  Surely, with an overwhelming ratio of 5 to 1 Saul could be successful.  But God...

Of all the places Saul could have selected to "relieve himself" he walked right into the cave where David was hiding.  This could have been David's opportunity to do away with Saul, seize the throne, and put an end to this awful chapter of suffering in his life.  Indeed, his own men wanted David to do that very thing.  To prove a point, David sought only to embarrass the king by sneakily cutting off part of Saul's robe while he was indisposed.  After his success in doing so, his conscience bothered him so badly that David became the one to experience embarrassment for what he had done.

David took a huge risk coming out of the cave and calling to Saul.  When the king realized what had happened and that David did not harm him in any way, deep conviction came upon him.  Saul wept and confessed his actions as evil.  Further, he admitted that he knew David would be the next king.

David's turn will come and Saul will be dealt with in God's time.  In the meantime, note how David treated the God-given authority over him, even when the authority was wrong.
1. Respect.
David referred to Saul as "the LORD's anointed".  That did not mean he agreed with Saul or was in anyway accepting of Saul's behavior.  The respect was for Saul's position of authority in his life.  To have such respect requires us to look beyond the person and see the ultimate Authority, the One who has all power in heaven and on earth.  Matthew 28:19-20.

2. Honor.
David bowed down and paid homage to his king.  This is closely coupled with respect, of course, but honor takes one step farther.  One may be forced to show respect but honor must come from within.

3. Humility.
In verse 14 David humbled himself by comparing his life and stature before the king as a "dead dog" and a "flea."  This was the opposite of what David could have demanded, but he did not.  All he wanted to do was serve.  True humility is best demonstrated when we voluntarily give up our rights in order to do what is right.  

The Apostle Peter wrote, "Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust.  For this is a gracious thing, when mindful of God, one endures sorrow while suffering unjustly."  1 Peter 2:18-19.