15 David said, “You’re a man, aren’t you? And who is like you in Israel? Why didn’t you guard your lord the king? Someone came to destroy your lord the king. 16 What you have done is not good. As surely as the Lord lives, you and your men must die, because you did not guard your master, the Lord’s anointed. Look around you. Where are the king’s spear and water jug that were near his head?”
If David had killed Saul and Abner, he would have disobeyed God. Do not be in a hurry to receive a promise. If David had pushed through to get his promise, he would have done things the wrong way, disobeyed God, and set into motion cycles of vengeance and assassination. By taking a spear and a water jug, he showed what he could have done and made the point that he had respect for God and Saul, who was still the anointed king at this point. If you need to make a point about an issue or problem, look for creative and God honoring ways to do so. When you honor God, you will have a more significant impact.