David and Saul – 1 Samuel 23:7 – 24:22

May the Lord judge between you and me

If only everyone would act with the same sort of noble dignity as David does in these passages!  Instead of taking matters into his own hands, he demonstrates patience and integrity by allowing God to work things out in His timing.

Even though David knows that Saul is intent on hunting him down and killing him…
Even though David knows God has anointed him to be the next king…
Even though David has ample opportunity…

… he regrets even cutting off a corner of Saul’s robe as evidence of what he could have done!

David is intent on living so well that nobody would have anything bad to say about him.  I’m reminded of the words of Peter in I Peter 2:12: “Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.”

Or, as a friend wrote on facebook the other day: “live in such a way that if people talk badly about you, nobody will believe it!”

David reminds us to live faithfully and full of integrity, not taking matters into our own hands, but trusting God to be the only wise judge who will do what is right.