1 Samuel Chapter 24
Respect or Revenge.
Again King Saul is in pursuit of David to kill him and eventually had to go to the bathroom and went into a cave to relieve himself. But that was the cave where David and his 600 men were in. His men encouraged David to get his revenge and kill Saul. Instead he cuts a piece of his robe off without Saul knowing it. After Saul exited the cave, King David came out and confronted King Saul.
David had a chance to seek revenge on King Saul, but he respected the king as God’s anointed one. So he treated Saul with respect and not revenge. In reality, David probably had the right to kill Saul. He could have and justified it in his mind. But David respected God so how could he not respect the king God chose to be king?
If someone does us wrong, which is our first reaction: revenge or retaliation? What usually happens after that? Sometimes your opponent wants to seek revenge also. Someone has to be the bigger man or bigger woman and stand up and show respect for the other. It was the respect that brought respect and it ended the hatred pursuit of David’s life.
Which of your authorities can you show respect toward? Parents, boss, teacher, coach, sibling, neighbor, peer, etc? Go out of your way to show someone respect today versus entertaining evil thoughts towards them. Show love and respect versus revenge and retaliation.
