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CHAPTER 26 (ESV)
21 Then Saul said, “I have sinned. Return, my son David, for I will no more do you harm, because my life was precious in your eyes this day. Behold, I have acted foolishly, and have made a great mistake.” 22 And David answered and said, “Here is the spear, O king! Let one of the young men come over and take it. 23 The Lord rewards every man for his righteousness and his faithfulness, for the Lord gave you into my hand today, and I would not put out my hand against the Lord’s anointed. 24 Behold, as your life was precious this day in my sight, so may my life be precious in the sight of the Lord, and may he deliver me out of all tribulation.” 25 Then Saul said to David, “Blessed be you, my son David! You will do many things and will succeed in them.” So David went his way, and Saul returned to his place.
REFLECTION:
- Once again, David had an opportunity to kill Saul. Saul promised to stop pursuing David and admitted that David would “do great things and surely triumph”. The king might well have been sincere – for the moment. But sincere words are not sufficient evidence of reform.
- Sometimes we are sincere when we make commitments. It is not enough. Sincerity moves us to make commitments. But it takes integrity to keep them. Paul said in Rm 7:18: “For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.” Jesus encouraged his disciples: “Stay alert; be in prayer so you don’t wander into temptation without even knowing you’re in danger. There is a part of you that is eager, ready for anything in God. But there’s another part that’s as lazy as an old dog sleeping by the fire.”(Matt 26:41, MSG)
PRAYER:
I am weak, but Thou art strong; Jesus, keep me from all wrong;
I’ll be satisfied as long as I walk, let me walk close to Thee.
Through this world of toil and snares, if I falter, Lord, who cares?
Who with me my burden shares? None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee.
Just a closer walk with Thee, grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee, let it be, dear Lord, let it be.
