Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

A Daily Devotional by Kenton Cheek

13 April 2024

Reading From I Samuel 21-24

“He came to the sheep pens along the way; a cave was there, and Saul went in to relieve himself. David and his men were far back in the cave. The men said, “This is the day the Lord spoke of when he said to you, ‘I will give your enemy into your hands for you to deal with as you wish.’” Then David crept up unnoticed and cut off a corner of Saul’s robe.

Afterward, David was conscience-stricken for having cut off a corner of his robe. He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, or lay my hand on him; for he is the anointed of the Lord.” With these words David sharply rebuked his men and did not allow them to attack Saul. And Saul left the cave and went his way.”

–I Samuel 24:3-7

     It shows the integrity of David that he did not kill Saul when he had the chance.  What deepens our understanding of David’s heart is that not only did he refrain from murdering the wicked king (and I say wicked because Saul is trying to kill David and just had eighty-five priests of Yahweh murdered at Gibeah along with their entire hometown of Nob) but David further proves the quality of his character by feeling guilty for cutting off even a piece of Saul’s robe.  What is ironic is that David will not do anything against the Lord’s anointed, but Saul is pursuing David, who Saul knows the Lord has anointed as the next king, with the intention of murdering him.

     David is proving himself to be a man after God’s own heart by showing his integrity in his treatment of King Saul.  The young shepherd turned warrior tried to help Saul along the way.  David played music for the king to calm the evil spirit within him, God used David to bring victory to the army by defeating Goliath, David is best friends with Jonathan and now he has spared Saul’s very life.  Talk about loving his enemy and blessing those that persecuted him!

     Those who have been born again are anointed by the Spirit as kings and queens in the Kingdom of God and are given the ability to speak and act in the authority of the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.  This should greatly impact the way we make decisions, especially with regard to how we conduct ourselves with other people.  We must act with dignity, respect, wisdom, justice, and mercy.  As adopted sons and daughters of Almighty God, born of the Spirit, we ought to follow the example of people like King David as they obeyed the Lord even as they exercised authority. 

“Lord God, I pray that You will give me the courage and resolve needed to do good to those who wish to harm me and love those who despitefully use me.  Bless me with genuine love for my enemies.  I pray that I will be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.  May I act with integrity in all my dealings.  Amen.”

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. –I Peter 2:9

But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. –Luke 6:35