As many times as Saul attempted to kill David, not one time did David follow through with taking vengeance. He easily had opportunities, but he refused to take his position as king in his own timing and in his own hands. He submitted to the authority that was placed over him, recognizing it was ordained by God. Nevertheless, at this moment in time, while others believed it was a God-thing to take matters into his own hands, David simply cut off the corner of Saul’s robe, something that he would later be convicted over. It showed that although he could have killed him, he chose not to. However, this act of cutting corners indicated a greater prophetic moment than most realized. 

In the Old Testament, and even at the time of Christ’s crucifixion, when a high priest rented their garments, it signified their position was surrendered and being replaced by another. When Caiaphas rented his garment, it declared that the priesthood was shifting to Christ after the order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 6:20; Matthew 27:65). In this text, David’s cutting off the corner of Saul’s robe prophesied the end of Saul’s reign and David as his replacement. It would later be fulfilled with the Philistines taking out Saul. 

We must be careful not to cut corners out of the ambition of our own heart. When we rush out timing ahead of God’s, it can speak doom to someone else who truly needed to be saved and healed. It causes damage, doing more harm than good. We have to be faithful and obedient to the call on our lives, but this does not mean trying to thrust the door wide open. Let God do it! We may have to prepare ourselves in the shepherd’s field, but through preparation, what God said He would do He will perform, regardless of what others may say or do.