The Gospel According to David: David stays his hand

When Saul returned from following the Philistines, he was told, "Behold, David is in the wilderness of Engedi." Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel and went to seek David and his men in front of the Wildgoats' Rocks. And he came to the sheepfolds by the way, where there was a cave, and Saul went in to relieve himself. Now David and his men were sitting in the innermost parts of the cave. And the men of David said to him, "Here is the day of which the Lord said to you, 'Behold, I will give your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him as it shall seem good to you.'" Then David arose and stealthily cut off a corner of Saul's robe. And afterward David's heart struck him, because he had cut off a corner of Saul's robe. He said to his men, "The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my Lord, the Lord 's anointed, to put out my hand against him, seeing he is the Lord 's anointed." So David persuaded his men with these words and did not permit them to attack Saul. And Saul rose up and left the cave and went on his way. Afterward David also arose and went out of the cave, and called after Saul, "My Lord the king!" And when Saul looked behind him, David bowed with his face to the earth and paid homage. And David said to Saul, "Why do you listen to the words of men who say, 'Behold, David seeks your harm'? Behold, this day your eyes have seen how the Lord gave you today into my hand in the cave. And some told me to kill you, but I spared you. I said, 'I will not put out my hand against my Lord, for he is the Lord 's anointed.' See, my father, see the corner of your robe in my hand. For by the fact that I cut off the corner of your robe and did not kill you, you may know and see that there is no wrong or treason in my hands. I have not sinned against you, though you hunt my life to take it. May the Lord judge between me and you, may the Lord avenge me against you, but my hand shall not be against you. As the proverb of the ancients says, 'Out of the wicked comes wickedness.' But my hand shall not be against you. After whom has the king of Israel come out? After whom do you pursue? After a dead dog! After a flea! May the Lord therefore be judge and give sentence between me and you, and see to it and plead my cause and deliver me from your hand." As soon as David had finished speaking these words to Saul, Saul said, "Is this your voice, my son David?" And Saul lifted up his voice and wept. He said to David, "You are more righteous than I, for you have repaid me good, whereas I have repaid you evil. And you have declared this day how you have dealt well with me, in that you did not kill me when the Lord put me into your hands. For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go away safe? So may the Lord reward you with good for what you have done to me this day. And now, behold, I know that you shall surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in your hand. Swear to me therefore by the Lord that you will not cut off my offspring after me, and that you will not destroy my name out of my father's house." And David swore this to Saul. Then Saul went home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold. - 1SA 24:1‭-‬22 ESV

Rev. Dwight Yoo

Decision making

Just because a door is open, does not mean God desires it. We need to be careful of interpreting opportunities or circumstances as God's will for us. We can easily go down the wrong path.

Guidelines

1) If you have a choice and there is a biblical injunction in your path, don't do it.

For instance, dating non-Christians. We are not to marry non-Christians. Do not be unequally yoked. Don't do it.

2) God's ways are not always the most practical or convenient.

David could have killed Saul. Killing Saul would have been the easiest way out. By not killing Saul, David was ensuring a longer wait for kingship... And a continued life as a fugitive. Impractical and inefficient... But God can call us to these things. He can and does call us to tough places.

3) Can you walk away from this and still be content?

If not, then you need to walk away. If you can't walk away, then this is a temptation and likely an idol for you. We are led down a path of impatience and discontent by whatever this is. We must walk away. It is not for the glory of God, but selfish ambition and desire.

4) Does this maximize my time & talent?

Dealing with difficult people

David was on the run for years. He could have killed Saul as payback for all these things. But David does not kill Saul. He shows restraint. Even when he addresses Saul, it was full of respect and reverence. He calls him Lord, father... Not only that, but Saul goes on the hunt for David again later.

David treated Saul this way not because of God. Not because Saul treated David well, but because Saul was God's anointed. We are all image bearers of God. So they are should be treated with respect.

David trusted God will deliver justice. For those who trust in God, God will not allow anyone to get away with it. It will be accounted for either in hell or at the cross. We aren't to add to God's justice. This is not to say not to defend yourself. We are not to just take abuse, but protect ourselves. David stayed far away from Saul. However, we are to avoid revenge and vengeance.

Application

Commit your heart fully to God

How? Look at Jesus. He could have taken the easy way. Instead he chose God's will in God's way. Jesus took the path of suffering and a crown of thorns for us. That will make us bend our knees to Him. Not only that, but God is for us. He is more for us than we are for ourselves.

Keep your eyes on God

When God could have struck you down, He stayed his hand. Jesus is the greater David because Jesus took our punishment in our stead. He took the penalty of our sin to save us.

Not only are we to not avenge, but we are to do good to our enemies. Love them, because God loved us while we were still His enemies. This is neither practical nor convenient. But that is how God works.

Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 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." To the contrary, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. - ROM 12:17‭-‬21 ESV