1 Samuel 24 Devotional

Leaving Vengeance to God

“May the LORD judge between you and me, and may the LORD take vengeance on you, but my hand will never be against you.”1 Samuel 24:12 (BSB)

Saul goes into a cave to relieve himself, not knowing that David and his men are hiding inside (24:3). David's men see it as God's gift. David creeps up and cuts off a corner of Saul's robe, and even that troubles his conscience (24:4-5). He will not raise his hand against the LORD's anointed, and he holds his men back (24:6-7).

Outside, David bows to the king and holds up the piece of robe as proof. He asks the LORD to judge between them and to take up his cause, but he leaves vengeance entirely in God's hands (24:12, 24:15). Saul weeps and admits that David has been more righteous than he has, and that David will surely be king (24:17, 24:20). David's restraint is not weakness. It is faith that God is a real judge who will act in his own time. Paul gives the same reason for not avenging ourselves: repaying wrong belongs to the Lord (Romans 12:19). When someone wrongs you, you can hand the case to him.

To think about: What wrong done to you do you need to place into God's hands instead of settling yourself?