Reading through the story of David, you will be left wondering what kind of heart he had. David was one of the Old Testament saints who lived with a New Testament kind of heart.
He lived the way Jesus wants us to live long before Jesus came to the earth to show us how to live.
Jesus said:
David lived this kind of life even in the Old Testament. I believe he had a glimpse into the mind of God and understood how anyone should live if he or she is truly walking with God.
David had no clear blueprint to follow like the one Jesus later gave to us, yet he followed a path that pleased God. Little wonder the Bible calls him a man after God’s own heart.
In this New Testament era, it is difficult to see men with the kind of heart David had. So, we will take time to look closely at the kind of heart he possessed, so we can learn valuable lessons from his life.
David and Saul
David was first introduced to Saul when he came to the battlefield and saw Goliath defiling the army of God. He was not happy with what he heard and decided to eliminate Goliath (1 Samuel 17).
He was brought before Saul, and after some discussions, he went out to fight Goliath and defeated him.
After the victory, the women began to sing: “Saul has killed his thousands, and David his ten thousands.” This statement put David in serious trouble, and Saul began to hunt for his life.
It became so intense that Saul spent a large part of his reign pursuing David in order to kill him. David ran for his life and eventually took refuge among the Philistines, which finally ended Saul’s pursuit.
I see this as a miracle. How would a man who killed your champion warrior escape to your land, and yet you accommodate him peacefully?
I believe God continually preserved David because of the anointing upon his life—what a privilege it is to be anointed by God.
David Spares Saul (First Encounter)
David had two clear opportunities to kill Saul.
On one occasion, one of David’s men said:
You can see that David could have easily killed Saul, but instead, he only cut off a small part of his robe. Yet even at that, the Bible says his heart troubled him.
This was David’s response:
David still had deep regard for the anointing, even though the anointing had departed from Saul. Even though Saul was actively seeking to kill him, David maintained his respect.
When people God places over us begin to misbehave, how do we treat them? Do we treat them as trash, or do we still see them as vessels that once carried God’s anointing?
David chose honor.
David Spares Saul (Second Encounter)
God delivered Saul into David’s hands a second time (1 Samuel 26).
Again, one of David’s men spoke:
But David responded:
No one can touch God’s anointed and be guiltless.
It is not our place to judge and condemn a backslidden man of God.
The Bible also asks a very important question:
So, we must be careful what we say about any man of God. Even if we believe they have backslidden, they are answerable to their Master—not to us.
David’s Response to Saul’s Death
What surprised me most was David’s response after the death of Saul and his son.
Saul fell on his own sword and died after being wounded in battle (1 Samuel 31:1–6).
Then a man, trying to gain favor, fabricated a story and came to David. He claimed that Saul had asked him to kill him, and that he had done so, bringing Saul’s crown and bracelet as proof.
After David finished mourning for Saul, he killed the man.
He took revenge for the death of a man who had spent years trying to kill him (2 Samuel 1:1–16).
David’s Response to Ishbosheth’s Death
Two other men, acting zealously, thought they could gain favor with David by avenging him.
They entered the bedroom of Ishbosheth, killed him, cut off his head, and brought it to David.
They said:
David killed both of them.
He took revenge for the son of a man who had relentlessly pursued his life.
A Reflection for Today
This speaks deeply to my heart.
In many of our church services today, we hear prayer points that make one wonder whether we truly practice what Jesus taught.
We even attach the name of Jesus to such prayers.
These kinds of prayers have dominated many churches today, and sadly, many see nothing wrong with them.
But let us ask ourselves:
Many of these people are ignorant vessels in the hands of the devil who need salvation, yet we attempt to destroy them with our prayers.
Thank God many of these prayers are not answered, otherwise we would be sending people to hell constantly.
A Call to Reflect
If you are among those who see nothing wrong with such prayers, or who believe in paying back evil for evil, I urge you—pause and learn from the life of David.
He is a powerful lesson for all of us.
If those the devil is using for evil come into the light of truth, they can change. So instead of praying for their destruction, why not pray for their salvation?
A Prayer
I believe this is a prayer we all need to pray:
Oh God, give me the kind of heart that David had—a heart that does not avenge enemies even when it has the power and opportunity to do so. A heart that still fights for others, even when they have wronged it. A heart that does not rejoice at the death of enemies but mourns, knowing they may be lost.
Oh God, this same heart was in Jesus, who said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Give me this kind of heart, in Jesus’ name.
If I have ever taken revenge against my enemies, or prayed for their destruction or downfall, Father, forgive me, in the name of Jesus.
Thank You, Father, for answering my prayers, in Jesus’ name.
Thi is simply new testament law , love your enemies and do good to them that hate you. Jesus said a
ReplyDeleteYou are very correct.
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