It takes real courage (and great faith in God) not to harm someone who’s hunting you down with 3,000 chosen men, to take your life. 1 Samuel 24
Saul had dealt with the Philistine threat and had once again come after David, this time in the Desert of En Gedi. Saul went into a cave where David and his men were hiding, he was very much at their mercy. But David didn’t harm him, nor would he allow his men to do so. Just because we may get an unexpected opportunity to pay someone back/get even doesn’t mean God has sanctioned it. David could have slain Saul, but he’d never have known for sure that God had made him king. TAKING SOMETHING IN OUR OWN STRENGTH AND AHEAD OF GOD’S PERFECT TIME, MAY WELL THWART THE PURPOSE OF GOD FOR OUR LIVES!
David did cut off the corner of Saul’s garment, but didn’t feel good having done that. He prostrated himself/on his face and then held up the piece of Saul’s robe to show him how close he’d been to death.
11 See, my father, look at this piece of your robe in my hand! I cut off the corner of your robe but did not kill you. See that there is nothing in my hand to indicate that I am guilty of ‘wrongdoing or rebellion’. I have not wronged you, but you are hunting me down to take my life. 12 May the Lord judge between you and me. And may the Lord avenge the wrongs you have done to me, but MY HAND WILL NOT TOUCH YOU. 13 As the old saying goes, “From evildoers come evil deeds,” so MY HAND WILL NOT TOUCH YOU. (David refused to take things into his own hands)
Paul’s writing to the New Testament Church is very similar, Romans 12
9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
17 DO NOT REPAY not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.
19 DO NOT TAKE REVENGE, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath,
21 DO NOT BE OVERCOME BY EVIL, but overcome evil with good.
This all follows on from a discussion on using the gifts, the Spirit of God has put them together for us. We need the right attitude to stand in them and David refused to take revenge, even though those around him urged him to do it. He submitted himself to God’s dealings in his life.
Saul acknowledged he was in the wrong and even that David was his rightful successor. He further said that the Kingdom of Israel would be established through David.
However, after giving his oath not to harm Saul’s family it says Saul returned home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold. There was now a distance between David and Saul, that would never be closed.
God bless and keep you today.