Scripture Daily

Context No. 2432 of 4322 · 1 Samuel

Context · Reflection

1 Samuel 24:16-22: in context

16It came to pass, when David had finished speaking these words to Saul, that Saul said, “Is that your voice, my son David?” Saul lifted up his voice and wept. 17He said to David, “You are more righteous than I; for you have done good to me, whereas I have done evil to you. 18You have declared today how you have dealt well with me, because when the LORD had delivered me up into your hand, you didn’t kill me. 19For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go away unharmed? Therefore may the LORD reward you good for that which you have done to me today. 20Now, behold, I know that you will surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hand. 21Swear now therefore to me by the LORD that you will not cut off my offspring after me, and that you will not destroy my name out of my father’s house.” 22David swore to Saul. Saul went home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.

David has just spared Saul's life in the cave, cutting only the corner of his robe when he could have killed the king who was hunting him. He calls out and shows Saul the evidence of his mercy. And Saul, the pursuer, breaks: is that your voice, my son David? He weeps and admits, you are more righteous than I, for you repaid me good, and I repaid you evil.

Mercy did what no argument could. David did not defend himself with force or even with words that shamed Saul; he simply returned good for the evil Saul intended, and the kindness disarmed the king into tears and confession. For a moment, the man bent on murder acknowledges the truth about himself. Returning good for evil is not weakness; it is a force of its own, one that can pierce an enemy's guard where retaliation would only harden it. It does not always convert the Saul in front of us, but here it did.

Is there an enemy I could disarm by simply returning good for evil, rather than answering their evil in kind?

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