David and Saul

1 Samuel 23:7-24:22

There is a contrast between these two men and these two chapters. In the first we have King Saul seeking to kill young David, and his men. David, it says has 600 men. When David hears of it, he asks the Lord what is going to happen and flees with his men to prevent them all being killed. As King Saul pursues David, it is ironic - or something - that God uses the Philistines to distract Saul and deliver David from the King's hand.

The next chapter we have Saul seeking after David again, and just 'happens' into the very cave where David and his men are. David's response is much different. He proves his ability to have taken Saul's life - but prays against that action. He refuses to do harm to the Lord's anointed one.

Do we pray against harming the Lord's anointed? When we have just cause, when someone has wronged us and we have proof - do we instead do them good?

David says: "I have not sinned against you, though you hunt my life to take it. May the Lord judge between me and you, may the Lord avenge me against you, but my hand shall not be against you."

That certainly causes me to pause. Look at the response from Saul. It certainly gives him pause too.

[Saul] said to David, "You are more righteous than I, for you have repaid me good, whereas I have repaid you evil. And you have declared this day how you have dealt well with me, in that you did not kill me when the Lord put me into your hands. For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go away safe? So may the Lord reward you with good for what you have done to me this day.

David's actions keep Saul from committing this crime and bringing this terrible sin of murder on himself. David gives a gift to Saul that is bigger than Saul's life, and more than Saul deserves. But David also keeps himself from being involved in this crime-even in self defence. This killing does not take place and David won't have nightmares over spilling the King's blood - even though we see that Saul wished to kill him. That is a very great gift. This gift of undeserved grace-that is grace-it is undeserved.

Thank the Lord.
See you tomorrow.
-maggie