DAVID #12----------- "JUST LET ME GET A PIECE OF HIM!"- -(1 Samuel 24) (Topic-v. 4,5,11)

Up to this point we have followed David from the sheepfolds of Judea to the battlefields of Israel. We have watched a boy mature into a man. We have watched David kill a giant, win the hearts of a nation, and we have seen him develop into a man of God. We have watched David as he climbed to the pinnacle of success and we have seen him fall into the depths of despair. We have seen him receive the love of many and the hatred of a few.
Chapter 23 describes David as he continues to be on the run from the armies of king Saul.  David has gone from caves to the deep forests to the mountaintops to escape; until finally he arrives at En-Gedi at the Dead Sea caves.  We have watched as the Lord systematically removed every single support from underneath David’s life.  Last week we examined David's cave-man existence.  Today he arrives at a new cave where he is presented with an opportunity that many men would have died for; he has a chance to exact revenge upon his greatest enemy. 
While David and his men hide in that cave, the providence of God brings King Saul into the same cave at the same time.  This is David's chance to elevate himself before his men and into the throne all at the same time!  
Often we find ourselves in the same place in which David found himself. WE ARE LIVING WITHIN STRIKING DISTANCE! Someone will wrong us or do something against us.... and we will hang onto that hurt until SOMEWHERE DOWN THE ROAD we have a chance to GET EVEN!  (Romans 12:19-"Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: as it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay saith the Lord.")
David does not do what most people would have done in that situation. Instead of reacting with hatred, revenge and murder; David displays, love, grace, compassion and forgiveness.  We all have encounters with others that do not go well. We all find ourselves hurt at times; and when we hurt, we want the one who hurt us to feel pain like we have!  David’s life offers us some insight into what to do during the times when others have hurt us.
(1)-(v. 1-2)- THE PURSUIT OF DAVID’S LIFE
A. He Was A Hated Man – Looking at 1 Samuel 18:9, 15, 17, 21, and 26, it is clear that Saul hated David. This hatred was driven by jealous rage!  He hated David because God was blessing David.   It is inevitable that some people will be against you as you go through life. Just be sure they are against you for doing right, and not for doing wrong!
B. He Was A Hunted Man – When Saul heard where David was hiding, Saul pulled out all the stops to find him and kill him. In the previous chapter, Saul came as close to David as him going up one side of a hill while David went down the other side!   As we move through this life, there will be times of disagreement and times when we are injured and hurt by those around us. It is an inevitable part of life! -(You are fooling yourself if you think you're going to get out of it!)

(2)-(v. 3-4)- THE PRETENCE OF DAVID’S LIFE
A. The Pretence Of Reputation 
David was presented with what appeared to be a golden opportunity. Here was his opportunity to take by force everything God had promised him and everything Saul was denying him. All of David’s men even challenged him to take his sword and kill Saul, v. 4, 10.   If he failed to kill his enemy when he was given the chance, would he not look like a coward in their eyes?
We do not want others to think that we were weak. We want the respect of those around us, so we lash out when we have the chance, thinking it makes us look big to those around us. You never look more childish and pettier than when you take your revenge just to save face before others.
B. The Pretence Of Revenge –"No one has more of a right than you do. Kill him and be free. Kill him and be king!”  (1 Corin.6: 7-"Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law with one another.  Why do ye not rather TAKE WRONG? Why do ye not rather suffer yourselves TO BE DEFRAUDED?")
No one would blame him if he killed the mad tyrant, in fact, most people would have applauded him for it!  But David has a choice here.  Saul doesn't deserve mercy or forgiveness...but it is a free gift, which David can choose to offer the disgruntled king!  David will never heal the wounds Saul has inflicted until he offers mercy in return!  David was actually tempted to hurt Saul worse than he had hurt David!-DAVID IS NOT DEAD-SO WHY KILL SAUL?   When that moment comes and it will; what you do depends on who you are listening to. The flesh and the world are like David’s men. They cry out for revenge. However, God has a different view of this matter. 
 (Romans 12:20-21-"Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”)   That is not the way of the world, but it is the will of God.  You see, the idea of revenge is merely an illusion. You can never “get even” with anyone. It is impossible to balance the scales of hurt. 
(3)-(v. 5-22)- THE POSSITIVENESS OF DAVID’S LIFE
A. (v. 5-7)- The Integrity Of His Character – When David had the chance to kill Saul and exact his revenge; he refused to do it.  IS THERE ANY RESISTANCE TO EVIL ANYMORE AMONG CHRISTIANS???  DO YOU EVER DRAW THE LINE AND NEVER CROSS THAT LINE???  He knew that taking matters into his own hands would not be pleasing to the Lord. David knew that matters like the hurts of life and the feelings of revenge are matters best left in the hand of God. When we set ourselves up as another person’s judge and jury and we determine their punishment, we have overstepped our boundaries.   A person who walks with integrity understands the truth that none of us are perfect.

David’s reaction is worthy of note here. Instead of rejoicing in taking a small measure of revenge against Saul, David is shattered because he has touched the Lord’s anointed. David’s heart is so tender that even the small thing that he did brings conviction and condemnation.
When our hearts are right with the Lord, even the slightest wrongs will cause of pain and they will have to be dealt with! When you are right with the Lord, you won’t be able to get away with anything!
B. (v. 8-15)- The Integrity Of His Confrontation – When Saul leaves the cave, David follows him and sets the record straight. In these verses, David follows clear, biblical principles that teach us how we should react when others wrong us. Look at what he did:
1. v. 8 David took the first step.
2. v. 8 David humbled himself before Saul.
3. v. 8 David honored his Saul.
4. v. 9-11 David spoke the absolute truth concerning the situation.
5. v. 9-11 David declared his own guilt.
6. v. 12-13 David committed himself to doing the right thing.
7. v. 12-15 David placed his case in the hand of the Judge of the universe. 
We must commit ourselves to doing the right thing, regardless of what anyone else does.  This is not easy, but it is the will of the Lord!
C. ( v. 16-22)- The Integrity Of His Consolation – David’s grace in this situation touched the hard heart of King Saul. God used the actions of David to bring about peace that day!

DO YOU WANT A PIECE OF SOMEONE WHO HAS WRONGED YOU???