Opportunity for Revenge

The Lord rewards everyone for his righteousness and his faithfulness; for the Lord gave you into my hand today, but I would not raise my hand against the Lord's anointed. I Samuel 26: 23 NRSV

God truly did give Saul into David's hand. God caused a deep sleep to fall on everyone in Saul's camp and David and Abishai snuck in and stood over Saul. They had every opportunity to kill Saul in his sleep. Certainly, David had every right to kill Saul; wasn't Saul after David's own life? David had done nothing to deserve Saul's hatred. Didn't Saul just kill the priestly family and town where David had taken Goliath's own spear? With an opportunity such as this, I don't think there are many of us who could have held back from taking our revenge.

But David is a man after God's own heart. He refuses to kill the King. And it isn't just about a question of honor - killing a man while he sleeps verses in a battle or fight. It is all about God. God's hand is on Saul. Saul is God's anointed king. God chose Saul and David is not about to second guess God's decision. Even though David knows he too has been anointed, he doesn't see that as negating the first anointing. In taking Saul's spear and water jug, David proves for a second time what an honorable and God-fearing man he is. Instead of killing Saul, he shows all the people that he, David, is the better man.

What situation is before you where God has given you an opportunity to do something? Will you do it or do you feel God holding you back? Listen carefully to God's own heart.

God, you provide opportunities for us. Some of them we need to grasp and others we need to let slip by. Help us to know the difference. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2010 Amelia G. Sims