1 Samuel 24 - Close Enough to Forgive

The story of the Hatfields and the McCoys has always fascinated me. The idea that two families can make their way into popular American culture simply through their relentless hate for each other. Their famous feud spanned an amazing 28 years, starting in 1863, and was fought across the West Virginia - Kentucky border. The details are like something out of a Hollywood revenge flick. 13 dead, homes burned to the ground, midnight attacks, endless taunting, and even one Romeo and Juliette moment, where a son and daughter from each family married in spite of their family’s protest. And the cause for this bitter, murderous, generation long feud? A pig. Apparently, one was accused of stealing the other’s pig. You can’t make this stuff up.

Growing up I always heard “it takes two to tango.” As my older brothers would pick a fight, Mom informed me I actually had a choice, just don’t fight. Well, let me tell you, I quickly learned that choice might have been the single hardest thing I ever tried. I mean how do you not take the bait when someone is yelling at you and ready to fight? It’s just natural for us to fight, right? As natural as a boomerang coming back, we are ready to fight those that are ready to fight us. But I have a question for you. What if, in this life, you did simply refuse to tango?

Saul has really got it out for David. He will not relent until he finds David and holds his head as a trophy. In 1 Samuel 24 Saul continues his hot pursuit and today he gets close, so very close. Saul has paid off tipsters everywhere throughout the land, so no matter where David hides, Saul is quick to be alerted. The chapter opens with Saul being tipped off that David and his 600 men are hiding in the caves of Engedi. Saul rounds up 3,000 of his best fighters and goes hunting.

Now the sovereign, perfect timing of God is something that I will revel in until the very day He calls me home. How God orchestrates an entire universe perfectly is beyond human comprehension. How He manages to work in countless miracles each and every day into a myriad of lives all over the planet simply makes my brain hurt. Yet He does it, that’s why He’s God. In chapter 24 we see one of these moments. Now understand that this area of Israel was riddled with caves, hundreds of caves littered the rugged mountainous landscape. David and his men are hiding in one large cave and guess who just happens to march by and use this very cave to “relieve himself?” (1 Sam 24:3) Yep, King Saul. Hey, even in the Old Testament, when you gotta go, you gotta go. The timing here unmistakably has God’s fingerprints all over it.

David and his men are elated by this development. God has delivered Saul, their arch enemy, directly into their hands. One swing of the sword and this entire feud will be ended. One stab of the dagger and their running is over. One chop of the axe and David is no longer a fugitive, but a king. The men are coaxing David to end it. Saul is alone, vulnerable, and come on, he definitely deserves it, right? What follows touches my heart every time I encounter it.

“Now David and his men were sitting in the innermost parts of the cave. And the men of David said to him, “Here is the day of which the Lord said to you, ‘Behold, I will give your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him as it shall seem good to you.’” Then David arose and stealthily cut off a corner of Saul's robe. And afterward David's heart struck him, because he had cut off a corner of Saul's robe. He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the Lord's anointed, to put out my hand against him, seeing he is the Lord's anointed.” So David persuaded his men with these words and did not permit them to attack Saul. And Saul rose up and left the cave and went on his way.” 1 Samuel 24:3b-7

David heard the words from his men, the words of the world. Go do to him as he has done to you. Repay him for the evil he has shown towards you. He deserves to die. He has earned it. It’s OK to kill him. David’s mind must have been spinning a mile a minute. He had his sword in hand, he silently approaches Saul in the dark of the cave, surprise was his, he readies his sword. But of all the moments to have God’s Word come into mind, you wouldn’t think this would be one of them. You’ve heard of blind rage, where we are so consumed with vengeance that we are blinded to compassion, blinded to love, and blinded to God. But David would not yield to rage. David would not yield to his own vengeance. David would not dance. He recalled the Words of God that He had stored up in His heart, “out of the wicked comes wickedness.” And David, a man after God’s own heart, had no wickedness in him. In this beautiful moment, having the ability to exterminate the man that wanted to violently end his life…David got close to his enemy. He got close enough to forgive.

David cuts off a portion of Saul’s outer garment, his royal, kingly robe. A message. I was close, but I refuse to dance with you. I was close but I did not fight you. I was close but instead of killing you, I showed mercy. David goes on to confront Saul outside the cave and shows him the portion of fabric. Saul’s heart sinks. He realizes David could have ended it. In fact, Saul better than anybody knows that David should have ended it. Saul weeps. David’s ensuing dialogue cuts Saul deeper than his sword ever could.

“For by the fact that I cut off the corner of your robe and did not kill you, you may know and see that there is no wrong or treason in my hands. I have not sinned against you, though you hunt my life to take it. May the Lord judge between me and you, may the Lord avenge me against you, but my hand shall not be against you. As the proverb of the ancients says, ‘Out of the wicked comes wickedness.’ But my hand shall not be against you.” 1 Samuel 14:11-13

Folks, do you have a Hatfield in your life today? Do you have a McCoy? Did someone allegedly steal your pig 28 years ago? How long will you let the feud continue? How long will you dance? Are you waiting for the day that you can claim the vengeance that you feel you deserve? If that day does come, it comes with a cost. A very high cost indeed. You see nobody wins the feud. The feud wins all and the feud claims all, from all that dance to its rhythms. It claims lives, it claims peace, it claims sanity and it negates the very Words of God. God is crystal clear in telling us the only place where righteous vengeance can originate, and it is from the very hand of the Lord, not any person.

“Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.” Romans 12:19

Today, refuse to dance. Walk away from the fight. Leave the dispute. Refuse to engage in the feud. Seal those lips and throw away the key, for it is usually what comes out of the mouth that ignites the battle. Friends, God sees all, and God knows all. He delivered Saul directly into the hands of David to see exactly where David’s heart lied. Would David take vengeance into his own hands or in great faith, allow God to distribute His righteous justice when His perfect timing deems it appropriate? God is testing you today with the battles and feuds that He has placed in front of you. In great faith will you allow God to settle your feud?

Today, love your enemies and pray for those that persecute you. (Matt 5:44) Keep them close in God’s love as you pray for them. And as you draw near to the very ones that cause you harm, you will find yourself close enough to forgive.

If you are reading this, you are being prayed for.