Fridays with David

Read 1 Samuel 24:4-7 – Then the men of David said to him, “This is the day of which the Lord said to you, ‘Behold, I will deliver your enemy into your hand, that you may do to him as it seems good to you.’” And David arose and secretly cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. Now it happened afterward that David’s heart troubled him because he had cut Saul’s robe. And he said to his men, “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.” So David restrained his servants with these words, and did not allow them to rise against Saul. And Saul got up from the cave and went on his way. (NKJV)

David’s right actions toward Saul stand in stark contrast to the latter’s treatment of him. David’s men seem excited at the possibility of destroying their enemy, the king, but David refuses to see victory in such a step. Treating the predecessor right is far more critical than using his failures as a platform for leadership. David’s guilt for cutting off a corner of Saul’s robe illustrates how after reflection, he chooses to commit to a more restrictive path for his own behavior. He will honor Saul, even if Saul won’t return the favor. What a great lesson for leaders. God wants us to honor the good in those who have gone before us rather than use their weaknesses as a means of highlighting our strengths. Remember that we will be judged by the same measures we use to judge others (Matthew 7:1). Treat your predecessors well, for someday you will precede someone else.

– Dr. Mike Clarensau serves as Senior Director of the Healthy Church Network of the Assemblies of God.