The King of the World

One Year Bible (May 19)

I Samuel 24:1-25:44

“King of the World”

“When did I forget that You’ve always been the King of the world? I try to take life back right out of the hands of the King of the world.”(Natalie Grant)

What would you like to see happen to your worst enemy?

How do you feel when someone blames you and “bad mouths” you to others?

What words come out of your mouth about someone who has betrayed or harmed you?

When do you know that “enough is enough” when someone says “one thing but does another”?

This, my friends, is the journey of brokenness and bitterness that can lead to blessing!

After all the many times that Saul has tried to ambush and kill David, they finally meet in person…

Have you ever imagined what it would feel like when you see a difficult person in your life, right in front of your eyes? What would you do or say?

Well, I would dare say that David’s encounter is not what he would have dreamed of in a million years… Far From It!!

David is hiding IN A CAVE… far away from King Saul.

Guess who decides to stop in his cave for a little “PIT STOP” ... (IE potty break, of sorts!)

David’s men are coaching David, “Now’s your opportunity! Today the Lord is telling you, ‘I will certainly put your enemy into your power, to do with as you wish.” (24:4)

Perhaps we should beware of listening to ‘armchair quarterbacks’! David does not take their advice or let his men harm King Saul in any way. (This would be punishable by death!)

David is so close to the King that he can hear “The King’s Business”! He then cuts off a piece of the hem of his garment. (Whew! That’s a close call!) But, David’s conscience hurts him!

David steps outside the cave and shouts to King Saul, “My lord the king!” and bows to him.

“Why do you listen to the people who say I am trying to harm you? This very day you can see with your own eyes it isn’t true. For the Lord placed you at my mercy back there in the cave. Some of my men told me to kill you, but I spared you. For I said, ‘I will never harm the king; he is the Lord’s anointed one’.” (I Samuel 24: 8-10)

David refuses to take revenge into his own hands and he speaks respectfully to King Saul. He then asks the Lord to “judge between them”. “Perhaps the Lord will punish you for what you are trying to do to me, but I will never harm you. As the old proverb says, ‘From evil people come evil deeds’.” (Vs. 13)

David then HUMBLES himself before the one who sought to HUMILIATE him.

Saul asks, “Is that really you, my son David?” (The word “son” has to cut like a knife!) (vs. 16)

Saul begins to weep! He then tells David, “You are a better man than I am, for you have repaid me good for evil. You have been amazingly kind.” (vs. 17)

Listen to these words from Saul, “May the Lord REWARD you well for the kindness you have shown me today. And now I realize that you are surely going to be king and that the kingdom of Israel will flourish under your rule. Now, swear to me by the Lord that when that happens you will not kill my family and destroy my line of descendants!” (vs. 19-21)

David promised with an OATH, and Saul proceeded with OPPOSITION!

What amazing lessons David has modeled for us today in the face of betrayal, false words, and hypocrisy. David had to wonder if he was losing his mind like Saul had (David, my son????)! Saul’s words and actions are NOT in alignment.

David releases Saul to God and asks God to repay evil and judge the truth. Then David promises with an oath to Saul and God. Right then and there… David leaves ‘Righteousness, Release, Repayment, and Reward’ in God’s hands!

Oh how painful close relationships, friendships, and even family relationships in the church can be at times!! What is our “take-away” from David’s example today?

Who are we to judge, speak evil, spread gossip, and retaliate?

Do we desire to live life in brokenness, bitterness, or blessing?

David left all of this ‘bad business’ to “The King of the World”.

“How could I make You so small When You’re the one who holds it all? When did I forget that You’ve always been the King of the World?” (King of the World, Natalie Grant)