David had more than one chance to kill Saul as he was being pursued by him. Once he found himself in the same cave with him and cut a piece of cloth from the hem of Saul's garment as he slept. Another time, he snuck into Saul's camp with two of his men and stole Saul's spear and water jug. Both times David could have killed Saul and he was even encouraged by his men to do so.
There was at least one person in David's life who understood what he was doing: Abigail, the wife of the foolish Nabal. David's men had been camped around Nabal's land, keeping it from being attacked, but when they went to Nabal to ask for provisions, he refused to give them anything. But the beautiful and wise Abigail packed her donkey's full of bread, roasted sheep, wine and cakes to take them to David and his men as her husband refused to do.
When she arrived, Abigail pleaded with David as one who knew his heart. "Let no wrongdoing be found in you as long as you live. Even though someone is pursuing you to take your life, the life of my master will be bound securely in the bundle of the living by the LORD your God. But the lives of your enemies he will hurl away as from the pocket of a sling. When the LORD has done for my master every good thing he promised concerning him and has appointed him leader over Israel, my master will not have on his conscience the staggering burden of needless bloodshed or of having avenged himself." - 1 Sam 25:28-31 NIV
Perhaps Abigail also recognized that David was a man who knew the heart of God. One who knew the justice and righteousness of God 's being. One who sang in Psalm 103:
The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.
He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;
he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
David's actions echoed his words. Was he tempted to seek vengeance? Oh yes, but he did not treat Saul as he deserved, for he knew God did not treat him as he deserved to be treated.
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