I was just a young shepherd from Tekoa, helping my uncles near the hills of Ein Gedi, when I saw something that changed how I understood strength forever.
We had led our goats into a cave to escape the sun. My younger cousin and I crouched near the wall, whispering, when we saw movement deeper in the shadows.
“It’s him,” I breathed. “David.”
Even in the wilderness, we’d heard the songs—how he killed the Philistine giant with a stone. But the stories didn’t mention that he was still running. King Shaul—driven by jealousy—was chasing him like a hunter after prey.
And now, David and his men were here. Hiding in the same cave as us.
Moments later, footsteps echoed off the walls. King Shaul entered alone. He didn’t see us in the dark. He came to rest, unaware that the man he hunted was just steps away.
David’s men leaned close. “This is the moment,” one whispered. “Hashem has given him to you.”
I watched David rise quietly. He moved like a shadow, pulling a blade from his side. My heart beat so loud I thought it might give us all away.
But David didn’t strike.
He reached down and carefully cut the corner of Shaul’s robe—nothing more. Then he slipped back into the shadows, his face unreadable.
His men stared at him. One muttered, “Why stop?”
David whispered, “He is still the anointed king. I won’t raise my hand against him.”
Later, when Shaul left the cave, David stepped into the light and called out. “My master, the king! Look at your robe!” He held up the torn piece. “I could have harmed you. But I didn’t.”
Shaul turned. I’ll never forget his face—first startled, then soft with something that looked like shame.
“You are more righteous than I,” he called back. “You repaid my evil with good.”
That moment stayed with me.
Before that day, I thought courage was in the sling, in the strike. But crouched in that cave, I learned what it means to follow Hashem not just when it’s easy—but when it costs you everything.
David could have ended it. Taken the throne. Claimed victory.
Instead, he chose to wait.
And that’s why he was worthy of the crown.
I was just a young shepherd from Tekoa, helping my uncles near the hills of Ein Gedi, when I saw something that changed how I understood strength forever.
We had led our goats into a cave to escape the sun. My younger cousin and I crouched near the wall, whispering, when we saw movement deeper in the shadows.
“It’s him,” I breathed. “David.”
Even in the wilderness, we’d heard the songs—how he killed the Philistine giant with a stone. But the stories didn’t mention that he was still running. King Shaul—driven by jealousy—was chasing him like a hunter after prey.
And now, David and his men were here. Hiding in the same cave as us.
Moments later, footsteps echoed off the walls. King Shaul entered alone. He didn’t see us in the dark. He came to rest, unaware that the man he hunted was just steps away.
David’s men leaned close. “This is the moment,” one whispered. “Hashem has given him to you.”
I watched David rise quietly. He moved like a shadow, pulling a blade from his side. My heart beat so loud I thought it might give us all away.
But David didn’t strike.
He reached down and carefully cut the corner of Shaul’s robe—nothing more. Then he slipped back into the shadows, his face unreadable.
His men stared at him. One muttered, “Why stop?”
David whispered, “He is still the anointed king. I won’t raise my hand against him.”
Later, when Shaul left the cave, David stepped into the light and called out. “My master, the king! Look at your robe!” He held up the torn piece. “I could have harmed you. But I didn’t.”
Shaul turned. I’ll never forget his face—first startled, then soft with something that looked like shame.
“You are more righteous than I,” he called back. “You repaid my evil with good.”
That moment stayed with me.
Before that day, I thought courage was in the sling, in the strike. But crouched in that cave, I learned what it means to follow Hashem not just when it’s easy—but when it costs you everything.
David could have ended it. Taken the throne. Claimed victory.
Instead, he chose to wait.
And that’s why he was worthy of the crown.
