1 Sam 26 - Making of a Man

This is a great look at the repetition of God’s faithfulness in his journey with Saul. And in it we find God’s dual purpose playing out (if not more). Along this journey is an opportunity, and as a leader, David jumps on it:

“David then asked…"Who will go down into the camp with me to Saul?" "I'll go with you," said Abishai. So David and Abishai went to the army by night, and there was Saul, lying asleep inside the camp with his spear stuck in the ground near his head. Abner and the soldiers were lying around him.” 1 Samuel 6-7

Abishai said to David, "Today God has delivered your enemy into your hands. Now let me pin him to the ground with one thrust of my spear; I won't strike him twice." But David said to Abishai, "Don't destroy him! Who can lay a hand on the LORD's anointed and be guiltless? As surely as the LORD lives," he said, "the LORD himself will strike him; either his time will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish. But the LORD forbid that I should lay a hand on the LORD's anointed. Now get the spear and water jug that are near his head, and let's go." – 1 Samuel 27:8-10

Here we certainly see the "making of a man". It’s a biblical and historical example of one leader investing in another. David did not need to bring anyone with him. It probably would have been easier and less risk to go alone. Yet he chose to. And he took the one who volunteered to go. Could you imagine the faith in a leader you would have to have, and the courage that you would have to possess, in order to walk into a camp like this with just the two of you?

God continued to build David's faith as well as Abishai's. He’s teaching us too. He’s teaching us that no matter our capability or our courage... we are nothing with out a word from God and a trust that when we follow it, God will be shown faithful.