In
I Samuel 20,6 David gave Abishai a task to do and then took it upon himself to
do it; why?
This
moment between David and Abishai in 1 Samuel 26 has layers of meaning and
strategy. David's instructions for Abishai to take the spear and jug symbolize
David's authority and leadership. Although David ended up taking the task upon
himself, having requested Abishai act on his behalf demonstrates trust and
delegation, traits vital for a future king.
Additionally, the act of sparing Saul, even when Abishai was ready to strike him down, showcases David's commitment to honour Saul as "the Lord's anointed." David repeatedly proves his moral courage by refusing to harm Saul, despite Saul's pursuit of him. The removal of Saul's belongings—the spear and the water jug—was a calculated way to prove David's proximity and power without resorting to violence. It sent a message of mercy, restraint, and divine guidance; good models of leadership.
David's
change of mind in the decision to pick up Saul's spear and jug of water himself,
rather than letting Abishai do it, highlights several important aspects of his
character and leadership:
1.
Symbolic Actions: By physically taking Saul's belongings, David directly
demonstrates his restraint and respect for Saul as the Lord's anointed. It
underscores his personal commitment to honour God's will rather than relying on
others to carry it out.
2.
Message of Humility: David's actions convey humility. Even though he was
destined to be king, David wasn't above performing tasks himself, reflecting
servant-leadership rather than ruling from a distance.
3.
Trust and Accountability: Taking these items personally ensured the act was
carried out precisely as David intended. It allowed him to show Saul and his
men that he had been close enough to take their belongings and yet chose mercy
over violence—making the message more powerful.
I
believe it’s an important point here that David did the work himself, rather
than Abishai, knowing Saul was intent on killing David. David’s restraint all
the more poignant because of this.
This
moment is one of many in David's journey where his actions align with his
values, setting an example for those around him.
In
Summary of why David changed his mind and took on the task himself? In 1 Samuel
26, David initially instructs Abishai to take the spear and the jug of water.
Yet, David himself ends up taking these items.
This
shift likely underscores a few things:
1.
David's Leadership and Decision-Making: While he trusted Abishai, David might
have realized the importance of handling the items personally. By doing it
himself, he ensured the gesture carried the full weight of his intent—to
demonstrate mercy, honour, and respect for Saul.
2.
Symbolic Act: By taking Saul’s belongings himself, David personally
demonstrated that he had no intention of harming Saul, despite the opportunity.
It was a direct, impactful way to show restraint and communicate his message to
Saul when the items were later returned.
3. God's Guidance: David often showed a strong reliance on
divine guidance. Perhaps, in that critical moment, he felt it was his
responsibility alone to carry out the act in the way God would have wanted. It's
a subtle yet profound shift that highlights David's evolving role as a leader
and his commitment to doing what is right.