1 Samuel 23:13-29
Psalm 54
1 Samuel 24:1-25:44
David had a chance to eliminate two enemies — King Saul and a fool
named Nabal. Saul continued to pursue David, seeking to kill him out of
jealousy; but, the Lord arranged it so that the table was turned and David,
instead, had a chance to kill Saul in a cave. However, David’s conscience
bothered him and he could not bring himself to take Saul’s life (24:5). Instead, he said
to the King, “May the Lord judge which of us is right and punish the guilty
one. He is my advocate, and He will rescue me from your power” (24:15).
Nabal was a wealthy man who refused to help David and his men when
they had need of provisions. Instead of assisting David, he insulted him. Out
of anger and revenge, David intended to kill Nabal and his entire household;
however, Abigail, Nabal’s wife, intervened and pleaded for their lives. “Don’t
let this be a blemish on your record,” she said. “Then you won’t have to carry
on your conscience the staggering burden of needless bloodshed and vengeance” (24:31). David thanked
Abigail for her good sense and for keeping him from taking vengeance into his
own hands. Soon after this, the Lord dealt with Nabal Himself and rewarded
Abigail by giving her to David in marriage.
Taking offense, getting angry, wanting to retaliate, getting revenge —
all of these are natural responses to personal affronts. When someone hurts us
or our loved ones, we immediately want to take up our sword, as David did (25:13), and strike back
or do harm. However, as sinful, fallen creatures, we can never avenge our- selves
with pure motives. Our vengeance is tainted with selfishness and pride; and, instead of
making things better, we make things worse. Either we go too far, we incur the retaliation
of others, or we start a bitter feud that will never be quenched.
The Lord’s way is better, which is to allow Him to be our
advocate, to give Him the role of judge between us and the offending party. We
are instead called to forgive and to love our enemies, not to strike back and
do evil. As hard as that is, it is the right thing to do.
Daily Reflection
How do you most often respond when you are insulted or offended by
someone else? Though your response may be pleasing to yourself, is it pleasing
to God?
What is it about us that causes us to respond in hateful ways? Why do
we want to pick up our sword and right the wrong in our own way?
While the Lord’s way is right, it is not easy.
He asks you to drop your sword and allow Him to deal with your
“enemies.” Dropping your sword frees your hands of any bloodguiltiness and
liberates your conscience of wrongdoing.
BiAY.org | Day 107 — 258 Days to Go
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