Pic of my daughters in 1990. Adorable smiles!

Taking Matters Into Your Own Hands

I Samuel 24

When Saul returned from a battle with the Philistines, he was told where David was hiding in the mountainous region of Engedi. Saul took 3000 men to find him. On the way, Saul went into a cave by himself to relieve himself, v3. David and his men were hiding in the cave.  David’s men whispered “the Lord has given your enemy into your hands. Kill him.” Instead, “David arose quietly and cut off the edge of Saul’s robe.”  He then told his men “Far be it from me because of the Lord that I should do this thing (kill him) to my lord, the Lord’s anointed, to stretch out my hand against him, since he is the Lord’s anointed,” v6. Saul finished, put his robe back on and exited the cave. David went out after him and from a distance shouted to Saul. David called him, “My lord and my king.” Saul turned and David bowed in honor with his face to the ground. Then David said, “why do you listen to the words of men, saying ‘behold, David seeks to harm you.’ David then tells him that the Lord had given him into his hand and some said, ‘kill him’. David said, “I will not stretch my hand out against my lord, for he is the Lord’s anointed….see the edge of your robe in my hand. In that I cut off the edge of your robe and did not kill you? Know that there is no evil or rebellion in my hands.”

Saul breaks down

David continued and emphasized that he would not take revenge into his own hands even though Saul was intent on evil. Then a key statement is made by David, “May the Lord judge between you and me, and may the Lord avenge me on you; BUT MY HAND SHALL NOT BE AGAINST YOU,” v12. Saul broke down and wept and acknowledged David as righteous above him and acknowledged David as the future king of Israel. Saul called upon the Lord to bless David for doing good.

But he started it!

This is another reason why David is a man after God’s heart. Although he was by no means perfect, He lived out the conviction that God is able to do what God wants to do. In this case, God is his protector and he doesn’t have to take the matter (revenge) in his own hands. The book of the law in Deuteronomy had taught David, “Vengeance is mine, in due time their foot will slip…for the Lord will vindicate His people,” 32:35. Paul also taught these principles that contradict our human nature in Romans 12; “Bless those who persecute you, bless and curse not…never pay back evil for evil to anyone (never??? To anyone???) Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written (in Deuteronomy 32:35) Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord….Do not be overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good,” Romans 12:14ff. Lord, remove anger and bitterness from my heart. May I leave the matters of revenge in your hands. When others who have ill intent toward me, may I turn it over to you. Cause my words to be words of blessings and never words of gossip, slander and cursing. Amen!