Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 18 – 24; 1 Chronicles 12:1-22; Psalm 54
Whatever Saul asked David to do, David did it successfully. So Saul made him a commander over the men of war, an appointment that was welcomed by the people and Saul’s officers alike.
When the victorious Israelite army was returning home after David had killed the Philistine, women from all the towns of Israel came out to meet King Saul. They sang and danced for joy with tambourines and cymbals. This was their song: “Saul has killed his thousands, and David his ten thousands!” – 1 Samuel 18:5-7
After David killed Goliath, Saul no longer saw David as a humble servant but as a threat to his own popularity and throne. David spent the next few years running from Saul’s anger and attempts to kill him, a time when he possibly wrote many of the Psalms that now help us when we face hard times. Saul daily hunted for David, but God heard David’s prayers and kept Saul from finding him.
DAVID FOUND PROTECTION IN THE LORD HIS GOD.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy!
I look to you for protection.
I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings until the danger passes by.
I cry out to God Most High, to God who will fulfill his purpose for me.
He will send help from heaven to rescue me, disgracing those who hound me.
My God will send forth his unfailing love and faithfulness. – Psalm 57:1-3
Come with great power, O God, and rescue me!
Defend me with your might.
Listen to my prayer, O God. Pay attention to my plea. – Psalm 54:1-2
The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help.
He rescues them from all their troubles.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.
The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time. – Psalm 34:17-18
For years Saul continued to chase David in an attempt to kill him. Time after time David was given the opportunity to retaliate and end Saul’s life but he refused. David saw value in Saul’s life by looking at him through the eyes of God instead of through his own victim-eyes. He showed no signs of hatred or vengeance towards Saul but instead pleaded with the king time after time to see his heart — to see that he loved the king and would be loyal to him.
“Some of my men told me to kill you, but I spared you. For I said, ‘I will never harm the king – he is the Lord’s anointed one.’” – 1 Samuel 24:10b
DAVID FOUND HIS VALUE IN THE LORD HIS GOD.
David’s men encouraged him to kill Saul, but David was looking to God for his reward, not for the praise of men. “The Lord gives his own reward for doing good and for being loyal, and I refused to kill you even when the Lord placed you in my power, for you are the Lord’s anointed one. Now may the Lord value my life, even as I have valued yours today. May he rescue me from all my troubles” (1 Samuel 26:23-24).
It takes courage to trust in God when others are trying to harm us. It takes strength to hold back angry words. It takes character to walk away when we have the opportunity to wound the one who has been hurting us. It takes integrity to value the life of someone who does not value life itself.
Lord, we thank you for your hand of protection over us. We pray for the courage, strength, character and integrity to handle difficult situations and toxic relationships in our lives. We pray for the truth to be evident and for you to be glorified in everything that we say and do today. Amen.