David was certainly the better man for it! Consider… Romans 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Romans had not been written in David’s lifetime, yet he understood the truth of not taking matters into his own hands. Even though the Lord had rejected Saul, David considered him to be God’s anointed. Think of it, even after Saul and his son Jonathan died, David asked… Is there any left of the House of Saul that I might show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake? This is a wonderful picture of the grace of God. Our Father in Heaven does not shower His mercy and grace on us as a result of our merit, but rather shows us kindness for Jesus’ sake! Saul certainly didn’t deserve mercy. Just remember, you and I don’t either! We are told to pray for our enemies, as well as those that would despitefully use us. David, the man after God’s own heart, not only understood these truths but also practiced them! My dad had a saying that still rings in my heart… ” Son, if you’ll give a man enough rope, he’ll hang himself. ” The scripture teaches mankind reaps what he sows. Romans 12
20-21 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. Lord, help us to not only preach these truths, but like David, to practice them as well.
Amen. Pastor