David spoke to Saul. “Look, my father, at what I have in my hand. It is a piece of the hem of your robe! I cut it off, but I didn’t kill you. This proves that I am not trying to harm you and that I have not sinned against you, even though you have been hunting for me to kill me.” – 1 Samuel 24:11
Will you appreciate the irony? King Saul pursues David but can’t catch him … David is running from Saul when Saul is then “delivered” into his hands.
David and Saul both had “voices in their ears” suggesting they kill the other. Saul listened to those voices and sought opportunity to take David’s life. David resisted the temptation. King Saul sees David as the enemy acknowledging that he will become the next King of Israel. David knows Saul is the Lord’s anointed King. Even though Saul has fallen out of favor with the Lord, David will not take that as an opportunity to seize the Kingship before his time has come.
This can be a reminder that the human voices who “give us advice” may not always be the ones we should listen to. In the midst of adversity we must always seek to discern the Lord’s voice and guidance. Instead of murder, David merely cut the hem of Saul’s robe to show that he had opportunity, but instead showed mercy.
And so I ask myself, When someone speaks or acts against me, will I pursue them, seeking to expose their evil deeds to everyone and destroy their reputation? Or will I be satisfied with cutting the hem of the robe, extending mercy, demonstrating that I do not see them as my enemy and thus opening the opportunity for reconciliation?
I pray that with God’s help my choice will always be extending mercy, seeking reconciliation and showing love.
(This blog post is based on 1 Samuel 24:8-22)
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