1 Samuel 24:4

New International Version (NIV)

Then David crept up unnoticed and cut off a corner of Saul’s robe.

For Meditation

Let’s be honest here. There is a deep-seated desire in us to hit back hard at our enemies when they are most vulnerable, or to laugh at their nakedness induced by some terrible predicament. God bless you if you have never felt that way before, but I have; and that snug feeling from their roasting has mostly been my first instinct. How fleshly that is! But that was David’s first instinct when Saul entered the cave in which he and his men were hiding from the king (1 Sam. 24:3-21).

Imagine this. Saul is in hot pursuit of David. The king has received news that David is in the Desert of En Gedi; so he goes after him with a detachment of skilled soldiers – three thousand strong men. But nature calls and even kings cannot refuse to respond. Saul steps aside into a nearby cave for privacy, with maybe two soldiers guarding the entrance. He may have longed for such a place for a long time, so he is all consumed in action. The whispering of David’s men and his sneaky footsteps are all drowned in the piping and grunting of Saul to get the job done. He hears and feels nothing, as David moves towards him in the darkened cave and cuts off the corner of his robe and slithers back with his prized evidence.

People will always encourage you to strike when the time is right (4). The voice of the enemy appeals to the flesh and strokes the ego. And, it could implicate God too. Only the spiritually trained ear can discern and receive wisdom to hold back from such selfish delights, as David did.

It would have been easy for David to strike Saul dead in the cave.

“What sweet revenge that would be! And the kingship would be mine too,” he may have considered. But there was a higher consideration – God! King Saul was most vulnerable in the situation, but David decided to honor God in his actions. The corner of Saul’s robe was enough evidence that he had spared Saul’s life. So, David drew back, bearing it with joy. The king also feels good now, having finished his business with nature. He walks out, not knowing he had just escaped death.

But David is conscience stricken!

“The LORD forbid that I do such a thing to my master, the LORD’s anointed” (6).

1. So, what do you do when your enemy is vulnerable?
2. How do you feel about it?
3. Has he/she fallen into some trouble? Did you contribute to it in some measure?
4. Are you rejoicing?
5. Can you allow your conscience to be enlightened by the Holy Spirit about this?

Remember:When we were most vulnerable, Christ died for us – the pinnacle of God’s love (Rm. 5:6, 8).

So: May you hear what God says and do it. “It is mine to avenge; I will repay” (Rm. 12:19).“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink” (Rm. 12:20).That is the Christian response to their enemy that gladdens God’s heart.

Your enemy’s vulnerability is a test of your devotion to God.

Shalom