1 Samuel 24

Verses 1-5
Whenever God delivers our enemies into our hands, we are presented with a challenge on how to deal with them. Are we going to act wisely? Are we going to do the right thing? How is the Christian way of dealing with them? These are only some of the questions that we always need to consider. David cut off the skirt of Saul's robe but he did not kill him. We may be tempted, but we are never to cut off someone's life.

Verse 6-15
Jesus Christ has died for all the sins of men. No matter if they are our worst enemies; they are still God's creations that are endowed with life. And the power of the blood of Jesus Christ still stands on the road to their redemption. We are to love the sinners and to hate their sins. David did the right thing in not laying a hand unto Saul.

This situation is also applicable to the leaders of our nation. It may be a mistake to harm their clothing by always saying negative things about them and even cursing them. But still, we are never to lay a hand on them. We still need to submit to their God-given authority.

Verses 16-18
Good deeds can be more powerful than inflicting harm to people. We can actually kill people with our kindness. It may not mean physical death, but more significantly, it can destroy people's pride, arrogance and evil intentions. The weeping of Saul is only an expression of humility and brokenness. What can be more righteous than returning good for evil? Indeed, this deadly weapon shall be highly recommended.

Verses 19-22
The best part of the story is that David became a winner not by killing Saul but by sparing his life. Saul indirectly surrendered when he recognized the certainty of David’s kingship. The fruit of his lips even became a blessing because of the way he was treated.

Another lesson here is that we may not be in control of the attitude and intentions of people toward us; but we are always liable to our own actions which in reality can even change other’s attitude toward us. David had the freedom to choose whether to completely harm Saul or not. The power was laid on his hands. Nevertheless, he still spared Saul’s life in spite of everything that the latter did to him. In the end, Saul profitably had a change of heart and even prayed that David may be rewarded by God. So next time that there are people who want to tear us down, one act of kindness may change it all. At the end of the day, they may even begin to bless us.