PATIENCE (part 2)

1 Samuel 26:12-20 NASB

(12)  So David took the spear and the jug of water from beside Saul's head, and they went away, but no one saw or knew it, nor did any awake, for they were all asleep, because a sound sleep from the LORD had fallen on them.

(13)  Then David crossed over to the other side and stood on top of the mountain at a distance with a large area between them.

(14)  David called to the people and to Abner the son of Ner, saying, "Will you not answer, Abner?" Then Abner replied, "Who are you who calls to the king?"

(15)  So David said to Abner, "Are you not a man? And who is like you in Israel? Why then have you not guarded your lord the king? For one of the people came to destroy the king your lord.

(16)  "This thing that you have done is not good. As the LORD lives, all of you must surely die, because you did not guard your lord, the LORD'S anointed. And now, see where the king's spear is and the jug of water that was at his head."

(17)  Then Saul recognized David's voice and said, "Is this your voice, my son David?" And David said, "It is my voice, my lord the king."

(18)  He also said, "Why then is my lord pursuing his servant? For what have I done? Or what evil is in my hand?

(19)  "Now therefore, please let my lord the king listen to the words of his servant. If the LORD has stirred you up against me, let Him accept an offering; but if it is men, cursed are they before the LORD, for they have driven me out today so that I would have no attachment with the inheritance of the LORD, saying, 'Go, serve other gods.'

(20)  "Now then, do not let my blood fall to the ground away from the presence of the LORD; for the king of Israel has come out to search for a single flea, just as one hunts a partridge in the mountains."

Remember from last week, David could have killed Saul.  However, David took Saul’s spear and a jug of water that was beside Saul’s head.  By doing this, Saul would know how close David had been.  David was content to wait upon God to make him King of Israel on God’s timeframe.

In this lesson we see that David was looking to reconcile with Saul.  God had left Saul and it weighed on his mind.  On top of this, the girls sang songs about David that infuriated Saul.  Saul had even tried to kill David by throwing his spear at him.  Saul had sent men after David to kill him and now Saul is pursuing David hoping to kill him.  Even though all these things were true David still sought reconciliation with Saul.

God is honored when we patiently seek reconciliation with our enemies. With whom do you currently have a strained relationship? Why not seek reconciliation?