Scripture:
1
Samuel 24:1-22
Quick Summary:
Saul was chasing David to kill him.
Saul went to the bathroom in the very cave David was hiding in. David could
have killed him, but instead he cut off just a corner of Saul’s robe to show
Saul he meant no harm. David repaid Saul with good, even though Saul had repaid
evil.
The Point:
Do
good to your enemies.
Questions for Family Time:
1.
Why was David hiding from Saul?
a.
King Saul was trying to kill David.
2.
What did David have a chance to do to Saul?
a.
He could have killed him.
3.
What did David do?
a.
He spared Saul’s life even though his friends told him
to kill Saul
4.
How do you do good to those who are your enemies?
a.
(Share with them, include them in games, etc.)
Deeper:
This is one of those simple yet
hard principles of being a disciple. It is simple to do good to our enemy. We
don’t have to do a lot of thinking to figure out what will benefit people. The
good things we can do are the same good things we do for our friends. Be kind.
Be generous. Treat them as we would like to be treated. It’s not complicated,
but it is hard.
It is hard, because even though
we know what to do in our head, our heart screams to do the opposite. We want
them to hurt as bad as they have hurt us. We want them to experience the pain,
anger, etc. that we have felt because of them. Those who witnessed what they
did whisper in our ear to hurt them back.
David was no different. King
Saul had torn David from his family and now forced him to live as man on the
run. What had David ever done to deserve any of this? He had won war after war
for King Saul. He had played beautiful music when King Saul was restless. He
had befriended Saul’s son. David didn’t deserve what Saul was doing to him.
David’s friends whispered into his ear, “This is your chance. Look, God brought
him right to you.” Maybe God wanted him to get back at this crazed murder…
No. That isn’t the kind of God
we serve. Our God is a God of forgiveness and compassion. David chose the hard option. He chose to treat Saul as
he wanted to be treated. Rather than giving Saul a taste of his own medicine,
he chose to do good.
He chose to offer Saul mercy. Mercy is when we don’t give
someone the bad they deserve. That’s what Jesus did for us. We deserved
punishment from God, but Jesus gave us friendship with God. We deserved to die
for our sins, but instead Jesus gave us eternal life. When we do good to our
enemies, we offer Jesus to them. And when we offer Jesus, we find fulfillment. Mercy
is simple, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. Sometimes it is the hardest things
that are the most rewarding.
Personal Reflection:
Who do you need to offer mercy too? How can you do that? Remember, it’s not
easy, but it’s worth it. 
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