Twice David has opportunity to take Saul's life (1 Sam 24; 1 Sam 26), and both times he refuses. You can see why this would have been tempting.

David has already been anointed king of Israel (1 Sam 16:13) and knows the throne would be his. Saul's been pursuing David for at least seven years, if not more, and David now has the perfect shot. Here comes Saul, using the restroom in a cave, not knowing that David and his men lie quietly deeper in the cave. David gets so close he cuts off the edge of Saul's robe without Saul ever knowing (1 Sam 24:3-4). It would have been quite simple to end this chase and set up the Davidic throne with a single thrust of his sword. But David's tender conscience stays his hand (1 Sam 24:5-6).

In the next episode Saul and his entire army are sleeping like Rip Van Winkle (God helped with the anesthetics here, 1 Sam 26:12), and in spite of Abishai's request that he take Saul's life in one stroke (1 Sam 26:8), David agains refuses. The temptation must have been great. But David's deep conviction that he must not circumvent God's perfect timing by taking things into his own hands comes out with conviction. He replies,

Do not destroy him, for who can stretch out his hand against the Lord's anointed and be without guilt? As the Lord lives, surely the Lord will strike him, or his day will come that he dies, or he will go down into battle and perish. The Lord forbid that I should stretch out my hand against the Lord's anointed" (1 Sam 26:10-11).

David refused to take the shortcut to success and relief. When you are tempted, discouraged, or growing weary of waiting, don't take the shortcut. Remember that God's way always turns out better, and that the hurts and temptations you endure today are not pointless. They are shaping you into Christ-likeness.