After the 2016 Presidential election, there was a fair contingency of voters who did not like the outcome of the election. Their cry of disdain became “Not my president.” After the 2020 cycle, when the vote swung the other direction, the reciprocal statement became “Still my president.” Over the last half century or so since Watergate, there has been a steady decrease in respect for the president to the point that even the office of the presidency does not hold the respect that it deserves.  

But imagine for a moment if you will that the incumbent president personally tried to kill the president elect! (This is not referring to the current president, only a hypothetical incumbent.) Can you imagine the outrage when the new president was sworn into office? With the lame duck president out, and his power gone, it would be all too easy for the new president to attempt some act of revenge. 

David, as the king-anointed (like the president elect) was under direct attack by King Saul. David was no doubt a mighty man, and could have fought back, but opted instead to flee out of respect for the Lord’s anointed king. Although he did occasionally cross the line of disrespect (see 1 Samuel 24:4-5), for the most part, he honored his predecessor even though, from a human standpoint that wasn’t warranted. In fact, David honored Saul so much that he promised to take care of Saul’s sole surviving relative, Mephibosheth, the cripple. 

This honor carries over to respecting Saul’s remains that the Philistines had taken and hung up as trophies. The men of Jabeshgilead had retrieved the bones from the Philistines, and David went to those men, took the bones of Saul and Jonathan, and gave them the proper burial and respect that were due to the king.  

David was a man after God’s own heart and his display of respect sets a good example for us today. Politicians are easy targets in this, but according to Romans 13, 1 Timothy 2:1-3, and 1 Peter 2:13-14, we are responsible to obey and honor all of our authorities. They are put there by God and if we disrespect them, we are disrespecting that which God has appointed. (Take heed to Romans 13:2!) David realized that, as long as Saul was the king, he was worthy of David’s respect because that was God’s appointment. (I Samuel 24:7) 

Not only are we supposed to respect and honor our authorities, we are also commanded to pray for them. Paul wrote this instruction to his son in the faith: “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour…” This doesn’t mean pray imprecatory prayers against them! It means to intercede before God on their behalf. What do our authorities need? They need wisdom (which starts with the fear of the Lord). They need understanding. Their ultimate need is Christ.  

As you look at your authorities today, be it the president, senators, representatives, governors, mayors, city council members, bosses, teachers, or parents, make sure that you give them the honor that they deserve, if not for their actions, for their office, and even if not for their office, for the fact that they are there by God’s own appointment.  

Whether certain people liked it or not, as of January 2017, Donald Trump WAS their president. As of January 2021, Joe Biden IS our president. You don’t have to have voted for them to respect them. David demonstrated respect to a man who physically and actively tried to kill him. I’m sure if it were put to a vote, David probably wouldn’t have voted for Saul to have another term! But respect and honor are not based on our political party, but based on our ultimate Authority.