God's Anointed

Although I had read it many times over the years this year the question finally broke through to me and it is this; Why was David so protective of "God's anointed"?

In 1 Samuel chapters 24-26 David is being pursued by Saul who is trying to do him in but every time Saul is vulnerable, David will NOT raise a hand to the King because he is God's anointed. He makes the declaration 6 times in the three chapters. "How could I possibly raise my hand to God's anointed?"

How is it that a shepherd boy is so attuned to God and His plan that he becomes dogmatic about the position of the King? Is it because he recognizes that God has relinquished His leadership to a human King and therefore that King stands in stead for God? Or is it simply "treating others as he would like to be treated"? Whatever the case David lived and breathed respect for the leader that God had installed.

In today's world we often fail to regard the fact that kingdoms and leaders are ordained by God. Do we show the respect that David showed Saul? David was satisfied to let God deal with those He had established. Perhaps I should be too.