Conscience's reproach?

David, pursued by King Saul who sought to kill him (1 Samuel 24:11),

found himself in a cunningly opportune situation

when Saul and his men entered the very cave

where David and his men were hiding (v. 3).

David's men whispered to him,

"Now's your chance! Today the Lord is telling you,

'I will certainly put your enemy into your power, to do with as you wish.'"

So David crept forward and stealthily cut off a piece of Saul's robe (v. 4).

However, afterward, David felt conscience-stricken.

The reason being, David knew it was forbidden

to harm the king whom God had anointed (v. 6).

Reflecting on this passage,

I wonder if it was truly "the time" or "David's time" as his men suggested.

The "time" they mentioned, or "David's time,"

would likely have been the time for David to kill King Saul,

 his enemy, and take revenge.

In short, that time was when Saul was to be killed.

However, in my opinion, it was not God's appointed time.

In other words, the time when David could have killed King Saul

was not God's appointed time.

We must keep in mind that what we perceive as God's timing

and what God sees as His timing can be quite different.

Another thing to consider when reflecting on this passage

is how even today, there might be people who, like David,

knowingly or unknowingly disrespect God's anointed servants,

which is something God has forbidden.

They might even think or feel derogatory thoughts toward them in their hearts,

experiencing a sense of guilt in their conscience,

 realizing they have sinned against God's chosen ones

(Matthew 5:22).

How many people might feel this sense of conscience's reproach?