God anointed David to be king instead of Saul. After he killed Goliath and delivered Israel from the Philistines, the women made a new “hit song,” and performed it in Saul’s hearing: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands” (1 Sam. 18:7). Out of jealousy, Saul sought for an opportunity to kill David.

David had to hide in caves, and in deserts. He had opportunity to exact his revenge when he and his men found Saul asleep. His followers encouraged him on, but David said to Saul, “Let the Lord judge between you and me, and let the Lord avenge me on you. But my hand shall not be against you” (24:12).

On the second occasion, Abishai said to David, “God has delivered your enemy into your hand this day. Now therefore, please, let me strike him at once with the spear, right to the earth; and I will not have to strike him a second time!” (26:8). But David refused.

Sometimes, advice from well-meaning friends is not always sound, or wise, and must be rejected. When David became king of Israel, Absalom, his son, rebelled against him; and to add insult to injury, Shimei, from the family of Saul, cursed David, and threw stones at him. Furthermore, Shimei said, “Now you are caught in your own evil” (2 Sam. 16:8). When God allows trials in the lives of His children, it is not always on account of sin, though it may be.

There are two kinds of responses to hurts and injuries, and these are given to us in the book of Proverbs: (1) the carnal way: “I will do to him just as he has done to me” (Prov. 24:29); or (2) the godly way: “Wait for the Lord, and He will save you” (Prov. 20:22). David chose the second option. May the Lord help us to do the same!