I don’t know about what your mindset would be, friends… But, the consensus in modern-day society would be to say, “If someone is bent on killing me, I’d better kill him first!”
Yet, David is our example of rewarding Good for Evil.
The first account we find is in 1 Samuel 24:1-8. We read that David did cut the skirt of Saul’s robe but did no harm to Saul himself. He actually felt badly for even cutting off his garment. He let Saul know (see verses 9-15) that he “had opportunity” to kill him but didn’t take it. And then he says this:
“Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.”
Now it is interesting to note, that SAUL, David’s enemy, responded by saying to David,
“Thou art more righteous than I: for thou has rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil. And thou hast shewed this day how that thou has dealt well with me: forasmuch as when the Lord had delivered me into thine hand, thou killest me not.”
“For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away? Wherefore the Lord reward thee good for that thou has done unto me this day.”
He saw David’s GOOD… and in verse 20-22 declared,
He then had David swear not to cut off his seed after him… and David sware unto Saul… and the men departed their separate ways…
And then SAMUEL Died. The prophet, God’s representative at that time.
It says then David arose and went down…
I think God may have let him know that Samuel’s death would be the timing to do this.
NOW, go to I Samuel 26, and upon reading this chapter, you will note that David ONCE AGAIN had opportunity to kill Saul – He even took his spear and cruse of water – But he did not touch the Lord’s anointed. Saul was the one who was anointed King originally by God, and David, though he himself was anointed by Samuel to be king, had still not been put in place. He was determined NOT TO TAKE IT FROM SAUL but to let God hand to him the kingship in His Timing.
He refers to himself as “a flea” that the king of Israel has come out to seek.
Truly, David was humbled by his life’s circumstances before he would later be exalted by God. This is many times God’s way, because He tests us to determine our obedience, or patience, or integrity, and so on…before…He raises us up. Look at Joseph in the bible. Another example of God’s way of preparing those he brings into leadership.
“Now, therefore, let not my blood fall to the earth before the face of the LORD: for the king of Israel is come out to seek a flea, as when one doth hunt a partridge in the mountains.”
“I have sinned; return, my son David: for I will no more do thee harm, because my soul was precious in thine eyes this day: behold, I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly.”
Scripture says in Romans 12:21
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
David, of the Old Testament, shows us the reality that this does work! It’s like “a light” shines on our enemy’s darkness and he can see more clearly his error. That’s exactly what David’s effect on Saul was, right?
“The Lord render to every man his righteousness and his faithfulness: for the Lord delivered thee into my hand today, but I would not stretch forth mine hand against the Lord’s anointed,
“And behold, as thy life was much set by this day, in mine eyes, so let my life be much set by in the eyes of the Lord, and let Him deliver me out of all tribulation.”
David is an example here to modern day Christians of what “a declaration” is! He was decreeing what He wanted the Lord to do!
We are told in another Old Testament scripture, “Thou shalt also decree a thing and it shall be established unto thee and the light shall shine upon thy ways.” (Job 22:28)
David clearly knew the reality of this, for he spoke these words as a decree, and indeed believed God to answer him!
He acknowledges God in his declaration…declaring what He wanted God to do!
Saul’s response to David (26:25) was a blessing and also a prophecy:
“Blessed be thou, my son David: thou shalt both do great things, and also shall still prevail.”
So, David went on his way, and Saul returned to his place.
Please note, when Saul had been anointed to become King, he prophesied in the company of prophets, and you will note throughout both discourses that Saul was “prophesying” to David in response to David’s sparing his life. His repentance reactivated his gift. So, it will be with The Church in modern day. When sin is repented of, our own spiritual gifts will reactivate.
Let’s walk in true humility, and trust the Lord. In fact, we can only “be” humble, as our trust is fully in the Lord. David learned this valuable lesson, so we could then learn from him. Amen!