READ 1 Samuel 24:16-20
When David finished saying this, Saul asked, “Is that your voice, David my son?” And he wept aloud. “You are more righteous than I,” he said. “You have treated me well, but I have treated you badly. You have just now told me about the good you did to me; the Lord delivered me into your hands, but you did not kill me. When a man finds his enemy, does he let him get away unharmed? May the Lord reward you well for the way you treated me today. I know that you will surely be king and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hands.
I can only imagine how humbled Saul must have felt after David’s confrontation at the mouth of the cave. David had exhibited the kind of behavior that God desired while Saul was filled with pride and vengeance. I am certain it didn’t feel good to Saul to have all of that brought to light – hence, Saul being brought to tears. He appears repentant…at least for a little while. Perhaps he only acted that way because he had been called out on his behavior. Being sorry for what you do and being sorry for getting caught are not quite the same.
David allowed God to be in control and to direct his steps. Saul still refused to allow God to transform his heart and to allow God to lead him. Because of that, just as Saul said in our verses for today, God would take the kingdom away from Saul and place it in David’s hands.
Ask God to help you examine your heart today and to create in you a heart that looks more like His.
God, remove any prideful thoughts or actions I may have. Make me more humble – recognizing the ways I take over in my life and think I know best. Give me a repentant heart when I sin and not just a heart that wishes I wasn’t exposed by your light. Help me to love the light that shows me how you desire to transform me. Amen.
