Fridays with David

Read 1 Samuel 24:8-12 – David also arose afterward, went out of the cave, and called out to Saul, saying, “My lord the king!” And when Saul looked behind him, David stooped with his face to the earth, and bowed down. And David said to Saul: “Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ‘Indeed David seeks your harm’? Look, this day your eyes have seen that the Lord delivered you today into my hand in the cave, and someone urged me to kill you. But my eye spared you, and I said, ‘I will not stretch out my hand against my lord, for he is the Lord’s anointed.’ Moreover, my father, see! Yes, see the corner of your robe in my hand! For in that I cut off the corner of your robe, and did not kill you, know and see that there is neither evil nor rebellion in my hand, and I have not sinned against you. Yet you hunt my life to take it. Let the Lord judge between you and me, and let the Lord avenge me on you. But my hand shall not be against you. …” (NKJV)

Without question, Saul has been unfair to David. He has threatened the younger man’s life and is now leading the effort to kill him. David resisted the temptation to kill Saul, believing that even though he knows he is the new king, he won’t be the one who takes down the former king. This is the deepest test of David’s integrity. Saul deserves to be punished for his wrongdoing, but David won’t be the one to initiate or complete that work. He will not be involved at all. He asks God for justice, but he will not allow himself to be the one that brings it. In this David honors both the wisdom and the timing of God in his life. His example begs the question, “Who’s fighting the battles in your life?” You may have the right to fight them yourself, but that strategy will leave you living like everyone else. Be God’s man—use your strength to care for and protect others, and let God be the one to defend you.

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