When Saul attempted to kill him, David did not fight or do anything to avenge himself (cf. Rom. 12:19; Eph. 4:26); he only fled. Avenging and fighting back are matters of the flesh. Those who practice the things of the flesh have no share in the kingdom of God (Gal. 5:21). In the kingdom of God the flesh must be crucified (Gal. 5:24).

Saul became angry and envious of David, showing that he was a person fully in the flesh and absolutely for himself. In contrast to Saul, David knew only to behave and to have his being according to God’s heart. He had no feeling for himself; rather, he knew only to labor and conduct himself for God’s people and God’s kingdom.