“Don’t destroy him! Who can lay a hand on the LORD’s anointed and be guiltless? But the LORD forbid that I should lay a hand on the LORD’s anointed” (1 Samuel 26:9, 11, NIV).
David’s men must have thought, “Not again!” David had, once again, been given an opportunity to destroy his enemy, King Saul, and he chose not to do so. In the story of the conflict between David and Saul we have examples of David’s unconditional love for Saul in spite of Saul’s hatred and jealousy of David. There are also many examples of David’s obedience to God regarding the sacredness of Saul being God’s anointed king for that period of time. David truly believed that his own safety and the life of Saul were the Lord’s responsibility. God would handle both in his own time.
Loving our enemies is not easy and is not always comfortable. But unconditional, agape love for those who wrong us, has many rewards. God blesses those who leave it up to him to take care of us and also to take care of our enemies.
Cheryl B. Gilroy
