Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 24

“So David restrained his servants… and did not allow them to rise against Saul. And Saul got up from the cave and went on his way.” (1 Samuel 24:7)

Let us peer upon the madness of King Saul for a moment. Indeed, how he became a madman! He was overtaken by an egregious plague of the wicked heart. And because of this, he had but one aim: to destroy David.

Why such violent intent? Because his heart had given way to bitterness, spawned by jealousy and insecurity (see 1 Samuel 18:8-9, 12). This drove Saul to go to great lengths, not only to put an end to David, but also to irrationally punish anyone who helped him. Only two chapters back, we see Saul eradicate the whole city of Nob! — simply because a single priest offered aid to David in his flight.

Such is the character of bitterness! It is an unruly beast, devoid of restraint. It weaves tales of falsehood and spews out venomous slander. Bitterness defiles all who come near it and many are its victims. Beware of it, Beloved!

“[Look] carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled…” (Hebrews 12:15)

But David was not like Saul, was he? When Saul murdered, David protected. When Saul lied, David spoke truth. When Saul showed no temperance, David possessed self control.

Reflecting on the chapter in front of us, there’s no greater contrast of these two men and their respective traits. Saul is by himself attending to his needs in the very cave wherein David and his men were hiding. All of this was unbeknown to Saul. What a golden moment for David to strike down his fiercest enemy. David’s companions even perceived the occasion as a divine appointment! In unison they whispered in David's ear, “This is the day of which the LORD said to He would deliver your enemy into your hand."

But the conviction of David’s heart was to bring no harm against Saul. David even restrained his own men from permitting their own hearts to seek vengeance.

What kind of integrity is this? — that wicked Saul was able to go on his way while righteous David would have to continue to run for his life? Oh God, may we all be as David! Even more, we find David prefiguring our Savior, Jesus Christ. For David was but a shadow of Christ who was despised and rejected by men without cause; who was pierced for the transgressions of others while Himself innocent; “who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;” (1 Peter 2:23)

Beloved, give no place for wrath, slander, or vengeance. Guard your heart from bitterness and deceit. Be careful not to be defiled by someone else’s poisonousness tongue, for why should you bear the self inflicted disease of another man’s ill soul? Rather, exercise temperance and demand restraint of others in your circle, for Paul tells us that the fruit of the Spirit is love, of which a portion is self control.

The day when you can witness your enemy press onward on his way without harming him by deed or by tongue — indeed, that is the day you will have secured true integrity and nobility of character.

“Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.” (1 Peter 4:1–2)