The first reading for Morning Prayer this morning was 1 Samuel 18 in which King Saul shows himself exceedingly jealous of the success and popularity of David. The King gets mad and throws a royal hissy fit when the people are singing this song:

“Saul has struck down his thousands,
    and David his ten thousands.”


Saul does everything that he can in his power and cunning to get David killed, putting him up to challenges in battle which should surely have gotten him slain. That way he keeps his hands clean while removing his obstacle.

By this time, David had been anointed as the next King of Israel by the prophet Samuel and Saul had been told that the Lord would depart from him. I am reminded of the words of Joseph to his brothers as they were in Egypt and Joseph is saving their lives despite them trying to destroy his, “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good” (Gen. 50:20).

David went through a lot in his life, especially being persecuted by Saul covertly, and eventually overtly as he fell into greater and greater degrees of evil. And while David had opportunity to eliminate this threat to his life, he refused to kill God’s anointed, and ultimately he was blessed for this.

It can be tempting at times to act the way Saul did to accomplish our goals—but this is the way of the world. I’m sure it was tempting for David to react in the way we would expect, and who would have blamed him? His people and his own men fighting with him and on the run believed he should destroy Saul.

As part of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says, “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well… “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven.”

As we go about our week, let’s be determined to be as innocent as doves, even when the world tries to see our downfall. We may not have a king trying to get us killed, but there are people who greatly dislike the Christian message and the accountability of sin that it brings. Let us pray for them and continue to be about the Master’s business until he comes again in great glory!