I Samuel 24; Psalms 57, 142; I Samuel 25
David has the perfect opportunity. With one blow he can eliminate the greatest threat to his own life, Saul. He can step into the kingship that he knows is his. His friends all see the LORD’s hand in providing this opportunity. (I Sam. 24:4) David does too (I Sam. 24:10), but he does not take his friends’ advice. Instead, David demonstrates in the clearest possible terms that Saul’s fears of him are completely unfounded. (I Sam. 24:11)
In refusing to kill Saul, David exercises extraordinary practical wisdom and self-control. He also exhibits extraordinary faith and a heart for God:
- David has no real desire to kill Saul; he never has had. He does not lust for power the way Saul does.
- David realizes that killing Saul (or trying to) would validate all those claims against him. Such an action would confirm that Saul was right to fear David all along and would serve to unite opposition against David among Saul’s supporters.
- David understands that killing the king as a means of taking the throne would set a bad precedent that would jeopardize his own future position as king. He would forever have to watch his own back to protect himself from rivals, becoming just like Saul.
- Most importantly, David understands that Saul is still the LORD’s anointed, so David is thoroughly unwilling to harm him. As far as David is concerned, the LORD put Saul in place as king, and it is up to the LORD to remove him. David thus puts his whole faith and trust in the LORD to bring justice His way, but it won’t be by David’s own hand. (I Sam. 24:10-12)
Nabal, on the other hand, is not the LORD’s anointed. When Nabal refuses David’s request to feed his men in return for having provided protection for Nabal, his sheep, and his shepherds, David does not hesitate to take matters into his own hands. David orders his men to strap on their swords, and he vows (somewhat rashly, like Jephthah and Saul before him) to kill every male associated with Nabal. Fortunately, Nabal’s wife Abigail has better sense than Nabal and steps in to prevent the slaughter. She gives the requested provisions and reminds David to refocus on the LORD, saying “the LORD has restrained you from bloodguilt and from saving with your own hand.” (I Sam. 25:26) David recognizes the LORD’s hand in sending Abigail, and he realizes that fulfilling his vow would be contrary to the LORD’s direction. David thus responds in kind: “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who sent you this day to meet me! Blessed be your discretion, and blessed be you, who have kept me this day from bloodguilt and from working salvation with my own hand!” (I Sam. 25:32-33)
That response is a far cry from what a lesser man than David might say: “Listen, lady, I appreciate your attempt to save your lousy husband, and I certainly appreciate your provision of food, but I am in the right here. I made a vow, and I aim to keep it, so get out of my way.” No, David takes the better path: the path of repentance, the path of mercy, and the path of trusting the LORD to settle the score His own way.
We may not face life-or-death challenges like David. Most of us (hopefully!) never seriously consider killing anybody (though the thought has probably crossed our minds a time or two). But that does not mean that we are not faced with the desire to settle scores, because we are all injured by others one way or another. Like David, we can either do things our own way or let the LORD do things His way. I think we know which path is better…
Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”
Romans 12:19
See also:
One more thing…
In I Samuel 24:16-22, Saul declares his remorse, confesses his sin, and says David is in the right. He appears to be humbly seeking full reconciliation. Although David accepts the statement and swears not to destroy Saul’s descendants, he wisely does not entrust himself to Saul and therefore returns to his stronghold. David trusts the LORD. That does not mean that he needs to trust Saul.