David: The Boy Who Would Be KingSample

Today, we flash forward in David’s life. He is no longer the young shepherd boy defending his father’s flocks or slaying giants. After his victory over Goliath, Saul invited him into his palace and even into his family by giving David his daughter Michal as a wife. Unfortunately, David’s success became so great that Saul was jealous of David and sought to kill him to protect his throne. David was forced to flee the palace for his life. Weeks later, he finds himself hiding in a cave with some of his fellow soldiers and who enters the cave but King Saul himself. David’s men tell him he should use this opportunity to kill Saul but David refuses saying he will not harm the king even though Saul has been so cruel to him. 

I am constantly amazed by David’s restraint to allow David to kill his rival and become the king he was anointed to be. David could have begun his kingship with the blood of Saul still fresh on his sword but instead chose to show restraint and spare Saul’s life. David chose to show kindness and love to his enemy because he trusted in God’s timing to begin his kingship. Years later, after King David’s son Solomon became king Solomon would write that by showing kindness and love to your enemy you would heap shame on them for their behavior and that the Lord would reward you. Truly, God rewarded David for his kindness for when Saul heard of David’s kindness he would exclaim his shame for how he treated David. David would also be rewarded by God for after he became King he would lead Israel to a time of prosperity in which it had never seen before. 

In our own lives, we will be given opportunities to take revenge on our enemies or those who are cruel to us. But instead of sinking to their level how can you through Christ’s strength show them love to seek not revenge but God’s blessing in your life?

Reflection Questions:

How does it feel when someone is being cruel to you?

What does David’s response to Saul teach us about how to deal with our own enemies?