1 Samuel Chapter 24: Verses 4-6 (NIV)
The men said, “This is the day the Lord spoke of when he said to you, ‘I will give your enemy into your hands for you to deal with as you wish.’” Then David crept up unnoticed and cut off a corner of Saul’s robe.
Afterward, David was conscience-stricken for having cut off a corner of his robe. 6 He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, or lay my hand on him; for he is the anointed of the Lord.”
1 Samuel Chapter 25: Verses 30-33 (NIV)
When the Lord has fulfilled for my lord every good thing he promised concerning him and has appointed him ruler over Israel, my lord will not have on his conscience the staggering burden of needless bloodshed or of having avenged himself. And when the Lord your God has brought my lord success, remember your servant.”
David said to Abigail, “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, who has sent you today to meet me. May you be blessed for your good judgment and for keeping me from bloodshed this day and from avenging myself with my own hands.
David seemed to be presented with an ideal opportunity to resolve all his troubles when Saul appeared to be given into his hands. However, David followed his conscience and didn’t take it, in spite of being encouraged to do so by his men.
Yet shortly afterwards he was presented with a different set of circumstances, he was tempted, largely due to anger, to take drastic action which would have had far-reaching consequences, and which he would have regretted. On this occasion he listened to wise counsel sent by God via an unlikely source.
We too can be swayed, for good or ill, by other people’s advice. Some of it is wise counsel, whilst other advice is not so helpful. We need to weigh up the advice, listen to our conscience, be careful not to act purely on our emotions, and importantly seek God’s mind on the matter.
Both of these examples in David’s life show us the danger of acting in haste. Big decisions in our lives need to be taken carefully and prayerfully.
Dear Lord,
Thank you from this lesson from David’s life. Help me to remember that even when an opportunity seems to be beneficial, I need to still seek Your will on it. Thank You also for the wise counsel You also provide through others. Help me keep my eyes, ears and heart open, and my conscience clear. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.