Day 37- Love Who?
In 1 Samuel chapter 24, David is hiding
out with his men in the wilderness. Saul hears about
where they’re hiding, and he sets out again
with 3,000 men this time to seek David. Saul happens
to take a pit-stop unknowingly into the cave where
David and his men were hiding.
David’s men try to persuade him
since God has apparently delivered Saul into David’s
hand, that David should do what he pleases, like take
Saul out. David secretly cut off a corner of Saul’s
robe, but then he had a crisis of conscience. Even
though Saul is the man trying to kill David for fear
he will take the throne, David sees Saul as the king
that God has anointed. David even says in verse 6,
“The Lord forbid that I should do this
thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, to
stretch out my hand against him, seeing he is the
anointed of the Lord.”
Saul finishes his business and starts
to leave the cave, but David called out behind him.
David addresses Saul respectfully as “My lord
the king” and even endearingly as “my
father” since he is his father-in-law. David
shows Saul the piece of robe he cut off and explains
that he could’ve taken Saul’s life then,
but he doesn’t intend or want to harm Saul.
David points out the contrast that he has done nothing
wrong and does not want to hurt Saul, but yet Saul
is out to kill David.
Saul is totally floored by David and
his words- even moved to tears, realizing that God
has delivered him into David’s hand, yet David
does not harm him. In verses 18-19 Saul states it
clearly, “And you have shown this day
how you have dealt well with me; for when the Lord
delivered me into your hand, you did not kill me.
For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him get
away safely?”
Does this remind you of anything? Jesus
addresses this very issue in Matthew chapter 5. In
verses 43-44, Jesus says, “You have
heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your
neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But
I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse
you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those
who spitefully use you and persecute you…”
Hate your enemy was never part of God’s
message. What God relayed through Moses is very simple
(Leviticus 19:18): “You shall not take
vengeance nor bear any grudge against the children
of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as
yourself.”
Even though David has been tormented,
assaulted, and chased around the country knowing the
king, his own father-in-law, wants to kill him, he
still listens and obeys God’s Word. Not only
does David not kill Saul when he has the chance, but
he bows down before him in respect and humbles himself
before his enemy.
Lord,
I’m getting a glimpse of why You called David
a man after Your heart. David is so obedient, even
facing death and even facing a chance at his own vengeance.
Lord I’m not sure if I’ve ever humbled
myself before someone who wanted to harm me. I’m
not sure if I could. I think the difference is David
saw Saul through Your eyes and not his own. Lord,
help me to see those around me through Your eyes and
Your Word whatever the situation.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
