Read:1 Sam 24-25; Proverbs 16
Verses chosen for reflection:
1 Samuel 24:8
[8] Afterward David also arose and went out of the cave, and called after Saul, “My lord the king!” And when Saul looked behind him, David bowed with his face to the earth and paid homage.
Reflect
Saul had wanted David dead. Very much dead. However God had other plans. Whatever Saul used in his plans to destroy David, the super insecure king could not succeed. Then it came to the point where after much stress, disappointments, betrayals and trouble, David had the opportunity to end it once and for all.
He had the opportunity to kill Saul and hence end the terrible pursuit. After all this evil king ordered Deog the Edomite to slay the priest Ahimelech and his family. Just because Ahimelech spoke up against him and refused to bow to his madness about David. What a man of courage and integrity!
But perhaps much to the disappointment of those close to David and even for us readers; he did not do so. He did not slain the evil king Saul. Instead, David crept into the cave where Saul was sleeping, cut off a part of his robe, called out to him and paid homage. David then told Saul about his wrongdoings and attempted to seek reconciliation.
Relate
How many of us would do the same as David?
Easy to read about his mercy and grace for Saul. Easy to talk about it even; but very difficult to do.
For most of us, we would probably want to be as far away from our mortal enemy as possible. We don't want to be like David. Engaging our enemy, talking to them and even paying homage.
Perhaps some of us might even cherish the idea of taking the opportunity to crush our opponents; especially if we self-justify that this enemy is evil. Or we might just let things be even if we see that our enemy is suffering. "Serve him right!"
Yet David showed us the road less travelled. He was willing to forgive Saul after all that the evil king had done to him and his friends.
How was David able to do this? Definitely not through his own nature or strength. But by the very anointing of God. The anointing that David was willing to please the Name of God more than anything else. Such was the faith of David when he went up against Goliath. Such was the faith of David when he went up against the Philistines.
So while we can say all we want about honouring God's Name; David put it into action. David exemplified it to the full (at least at this point of his life) when he chose to spare Saul's life and even bowed to him as king. He chose to do what is right even though no one will probably blame him if he killed Saul.
Let us therefore learn from the passion of David. The passion of David for the heart of God. After all, God did say that despite his flaws, David was a man who truly went after His own heart (Acts 13:22).
Is there a mortal enemy whom we can forgive and even make peace? Is there a less travelled but more honourable path to choose in our life right now? Is there a place to glorify God's name even at the expense of our own name? May we learn from the courage, mercy and integrity of David to do what is good and right in God's sight.
Rest
Lord, give us the courage and mercy of David to do what is right with You. Mould us to love Your Name much more than our own. This we pray in Jesus' Name. Amen.
Jason
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