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Jesus says that it isn’t the way we treat our friends that defines us, but how we treat our enemies (Matt 5:43–48). David, the Lord’s chosen king, has a big enemy – the rejected king, Saul. David has been falsely accused, attacked and hounded from place to place by Saul, but now it seems that the tables have turned. Saul, completely unaware, wanders into the cave where David is hiding out, in order to relieve himself (vv. 1–3). Surely this is the moment David has been waiting for; the Lord has intervened and given Saul into David’s hands (v. 4)! David now, miraculously, is in a position of power over his enemy. So, what does he do?
Well, despite constant provocation, and the encouragement of his own men, David refuses to kill Saul (v. 6). Rather, he cuts a corner off the robe (interestingly see also 15:27–28) and then, once Saul is done, presents it to him as proof of his good intentions. David doesn’t see an opportunity to take power, but an opportunity to live by faith. He trusts that Saul has been given his power by God (vv. 6, 10) and that only the Lord can remove him. David knows that he’s innocent (vv. 11, 14–15) and he trusts the Lord to judge between him and Saul (vv. 12, 15). He acts in mercy because he is living by faith in his God. As a result, Saul is clearly moved by David’s actions and speech (vv. 16–21), and even admits David’s claim to the throne (v. 20), showing the power of faith as it shows itself in love.
We’re told about the Lord Jesus: ‘When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly’ (1 Pet. 2:23). We have a meek and merciful king who doesn’t seek revenge, and who lets his Father sort out the justice of the situation. We can follow his lead with the challenging situations in our own lives.
REFLECTION
1. What impressed you about David’s actions here? How does that point us to Jesus?
2. Where do you need to trust the Lord’s justice in your life today?
Scripture
About this Plan
1 Samuel charts the rise and fall of several of Israel’s leaders. You’ll meet the notoriously arrogant king Saul and see the ascent of the man after God’s own heart – David. You’ll read of dangerous battles, murder plots, giants and even more surprises in this book. You’ll see that despite turbulence in leadership, seemingly strong enemies and spiritual decay God is very much at work orchestrating the fall of the proud and the rise of the humble. What an encouragement for us today when we are faced with challenges not too dissimilar to these!
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