No retaliation

And David said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ‘Behold, David seeks your harm’? Behold, this day your eyes have seen how the Lord gave you today into my hand in the cave. And some told me to kill you, but I spared you. I said, ‘I will not put out my hand against my lord, for he is the Lord’s anointed.’ See, my father, see the corner of your robe in my hand. 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. After whom has the king of Israel come out? After whom do you pursue? After a dead dog! After a flea! May the Lord therefore be judge and give sentence between me and you, and see to it and plead my cause and deliver me from your hand.” 
As soon as David had finished speaking these words to Saul, Saul said, “Is this your voice, my son David?” And Saul lifted up his voice and wept. He said to David, “You are more righteous than I, for you have repaid me good, whereas I have repaid you evil. And you have declared this day how you have dealt well with me, in that you did not kill me when the Lord put me into your hands. For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go away safe? So may the Lord reward you with good for what you have done to me this day. And now, behold, I know that you shall surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in your hand. Swear to me therefore by the Lord that you will not cut off my offspring after me, and that you will not destroy my name out of my father’s house.” 
And David swore this to Saul. Then Saul went home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold. (1 Samuel 24:9–22)

The flesh wants personal glory and victory over all threats and will destroy anything that stands in its way. The Holy Spirit trusts God to care for and protect. David was firm in faith, but Saul waffled and tried to manage his own security. David could have killed this king but instead took a corner of his robe to show that he meant him no harm and Saul was convicted by that, and knew in his heart that the throne would go to David. Therefore he wanted him to swear that he would not retaliate.

Our home group studied this week:

Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:17–21)

No one pointed to David’s example but it is a strong one that points to why David was called a man after God's own heart. There is not one person who has not sinned against God. Some would put Him to death if that were possible, but God does not retaliate. Instead He comes near to us and dies to that right to retaliate. He cuts off the robe of our self-righteousness and replaces our evil with His goodness.

Jesus, Your love has let me go away safe, even protects my children, and instead of dealing with me as my sin deserves, You deal with me in grace and mercy. Like David with Saul, You deal with me in great kindness that I do not deserve. How wonderful. How amazing.