Saul's heart was set on killing David simply because of an evil spirit within him. Neither of these reasons are enough to keep the Holy Spirit from doing a great work within him. God can do a great work in our lives, whether we allow Him to or not. I believe He will do greater things yet, though, if we are willing servants.
After the boy had gone, David got up from the south side of the stone and bowed down before Jonathan three times, with his face to the ground. Then they kissed each other and wept together—but David wept the most." (1 Samuel 20:41, NIV)
A potentially fatal friendship. Even now, in a world of chaos, what are we willing to sacrifice for our friends and family's well-being?
David took these words to heart and was very much afraid of Achish king of Gath." (1 Samuel 21:12, NIV)
He could run, but he could not hide! God's work in David's life was so great that everyone knew about it, friends and enemies alike!
"All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their commander. About four hundred men were with him." (1 Samuel 22:2, NIV)
There were still some who believed that God would do more great work through David!
"So David and his men, about six hundred in number, left Keilah and kept moving from place to place. When Saul was told that David had escaped from Keilah, he did not go there." (1 Samuel 23:13, NIV)
There is a time for war and a time for peace, a time to fight and a time to withdraw. What we truly must seek is God's direction for every moment of our lives so we can know which time is which.
He said to his men, "The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord 's anointed, or lay my hand on him; for he is the anointed of the Lord." (1 Samuel 24:6, NIV)
Our earthly battles are not the same as the heavenly battles. The new testament response to how to treat one another is to love one another and to find blessing in being a peace maker, to represent the Grace of Christ to draw others to Him.
"Now think it over and see what you can do, because disaster is hanging over our master and his whole household. He is such a wicked man that no one can talk to him." (1 Samuel 25:17, NIV)
So many things that I like about this entire chapter, but this one is about second chances and all those who were part of this redemption. We see the wisdom of David's servant who spoke to Abigail, we see her wisdom and the provisions that God had allowed her to use to bring peace. We see David's anger turn to mercy.
"Then Saul said to David, "May you be blessed, David my son; you will do great things and surely triumph."So David went on his way, and Saul returned home." (1 Samuel 26:25, NIV)
The mighty Saul had been restored as a man of God! It's been a long, hard journey, but God continues to be victorious. No matter what you've been through, no matter what "evil spirits" you've had to fight off, God will not give up on you. As long as you are still breathing, it's not too late.
We also know that persecution and martyrdom are very real and we may be facing one or the other at any given time, if not both. May we know that even when things look to be otherwise, we are under God's protection. We can be bold in the faith, trusting Him for His good works. May we also consider how we treat our brothers and sisters in the world, not just in Christ. I love "1Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. 2Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. 3Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering." (Hebrews 13:2 but I had to include 1 and 3, NIV)