VENGEANCE IS THE LORD'S

INTRODUCTION

Romans 12:17–21 ASV 1901

17 Render to no man evil for evil. Take thought for things honorable in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as in you lieth, be at peace with all men. 19 Avenge not yourselves, beloved, but give place unto the wrath of God: for it is written, Vengeance belongeth unto me; I will recompense, saith the Lord. 20 But if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him to drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

Have you ever been hurt very badly by someone and had to fight the urge to go over and even the score?

If you have, then you have walked the path of many others – including David

If there was ever a case that could be made for taking vengeance, it is the passage we are going to be considering in this hour – 1 Samuel 24

We left David last time in the cave of Adullam, discouraged, defeated – pouring out his heart to God in Psalm 142

1 Samuel 22:1–2 ASV 1901

1 David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave of Adullam: and when his brethren and all his father’s house heard it, they went down thither to him. 2 And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men.

Many joined David, and he was able to discipline this rag-tag group of misfits into a small army that would later be called “David’s Mighty Men.”

After having making sure his parents were safe (1 Sam 22:3-5), David, under the direction of God, rescued the village of Keilah from a Philistine invasion (1Sam. 23:1-6).

David had planned on staying in Keilah, but God told him to leave for they planned on turning him in to Saul – even though David had saved them from the Philistines

1 Samuel 23:14 ASV 1901

14 And David abode in the wilderness in the strongholds, and remained in the hill-country in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hand.

David had little rest from the pursuit of Saul

He now travels to the wilderness of Ziph – and the Ziphites tell Saul of David’s location

David has a narrow escape …

1 Samuel 23:26 ASV 1901

26 And Saul went on this side of the mountain, and David and his men on that side of the mountain: and David made haste to get away for fear of Saul; for Saul and his men compassed David and his men round about to take them.

David travels now to En-Gedi

Now, it is important to remember that David had done nothing to deserve this trouble, and by now - you know - he has had quite a belly full of Saul’s insane jealousy.

If it is vengeance that David wanted – he would soon have opportunity. Let’s begin by noticing...

DISCUSSION

THE OPPORTUNITY FOR VENGEANCE

1 Samuel 23:29–24:3 ASV 1901

29 And David went up from thence, and dwelt in the strongholds of En-gedi. 1 And it came to pass, when Saul was returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, Behold, David is in the wilderness of En-gedi. 2 Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats. 3 And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet. Now David and his men were abiding in the innermost parts of the cave.

In this particular area there was a spring with a series of hillsides honeycombed with caves – in the heat of the day these caves would make a nice refuge

Saul, in pursuit of David, takes a break to go into a cave to “cover his feet” (“to relieve himself” – ESV; or, to use the restroom).

Ringed around the perimeter of the inside of this cave are David and his men trying to stay cool, and suddenly, in walks Saul – alone!

Now consider David – he’s hot, tired, frustrated, and probably short tempered – his men equally so. And suddenly in walks the one whose insane paranoia is the cause of it all!

So, in a whisper…

1 Samuel 24:4 ASV 1901

4 And the men of David said unto him, Behold, the day of which Jehovah said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thy hand, and thou shalt do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul’s robe privily.

First, realize that were have no record where God ever said he would deliver Saul into David's hand

These men had manufactured this pious sounding statement

But you have to admit it sound like a good idea

Today people are always saying that God said this or that to try to justify what they want to do

Some misuse scripture

2 Peter 3:16 ASV 1901

16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; wherein are some things hard to be understood, which the ignorant and unstedfast wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

Others even said that God spoke to them audibly

David was a man concerned about his relationship with God, so he drew his sword – but he didn’t plunge into Saul’s back, instead he secretly cut off a portion of Saul's robe.

Saul didn’t detect a thing.

Notice David’s...

OVERCOMING THE OPPORTUNITY FOR VENGEANCE

1 Samuel 24:5–6 ASV 1901

5 And it came to pass afterward, that David’s heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul’s skirt. 6 And he said unto his men, Jehovah forbid that I should do this thing unto my lord, Jehovah’s anointed, to put forth my hand against him, seeing he is Jehovah’s anointed.

Oh, come on David! This is the man who has tried for month to kill you! And you’re feeling guilty for cutting the tail of his robe?

You see, a godly man will be conscious of the small things he does wrong as well as the large ones

Why? Because he knows that God looks at the motives and intents of the heart just as much as the actions

Later David wrote …

Psalm 51:6 ASV 1901

6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts; And in the hidden part thou wilt make me to know wisdom.

Though David only cut off the corner of Saul’s robe, he knew that really in his heart, he could cheerfully cut off his head!

You see, it is not only our actions that we must battle with – it is our thoughts as well

If we win the battle in our thoughts – there will be no sin in action

Remember the passage in Romans 12?

We are not to take vengeance on our enemies – we are to pray for the them and do good for them.

Why? Because those things allow us to get a grip on our attitudes before they become actions

Ephesians 4:31 ASV 1901

31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and railing, be put away from you, with all malice:

Why?

Because those are sinful attitudes that lead to sinful actions

Proverbs 4:23 ASV 1901

23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; For out of it are the issues of life.

Do you think David's men were impressed with David's spiritual sensitivity? I doubt it.

Don’t expect men today to stand and applaud you when you show mercy – they will likely think you’re acting ridiculous or think you are weak

David knew that...

VENGEANCE BELONGS TO GOD

1 Samuel 24:8–11 ASV 1901

8 David also arose afterward, and went out of the cave, and cried after Saul, saying, My lord the king. And when Saul looked behind him, David bowed with his face to the earth, and did obeisance. 9 And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearkenest thou to men’s words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt? 10 Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that Jehovah had delivered thee to-day into my hand in the cave: and some bade me kill thee; but mine eye spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth my hand against my lord; for he is Jehovah’s anointed. 11 Moreover, my father, see, yea, see the skirt of thy robe in my hand; for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe, and killed thee not, know thou and see that there is neither evil nor transgression in my hand, and I have not sinned against thee, though thou huntest after my life to take it.

Saul wasn’t worthy of that kind of respect, but David knew God was, so he showed respect to the Lord’s anointed

Does this mean that a person who wrongs us is just allowed to get away with his wrong? No!

1 Samuel 24:12 ASV 1901

12 Jehovah judge between me and thee, and Jehovah avenge me of thee; but my hand shall not be upon thee.

Justice demands vengeance! That is why it is so hard for us to restrain ourselves from carrying it out.

But personal vengeance belongs to God and God alone (Please note that I said “personal vengeance”) - God has given government the authority to administer vengeance…

Romans 13:1–5 ASV 1901

1 Let every soul be in subjection to the higher powers: for there is no power but of God; and the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Therefore he that resisteth the power, withstandeth the ordinance of God: and they that withstand shall receive to themselves judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. And wouldest thou have no fear of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise from the same: 4 for he is a minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is a minister of God, an avenger for wrath to him that doeth evil. 5 Wherefore ye must needs be in subjection, not only because of the wrath, but also for conscience’ sake.

David continues…

1 Samuel 24:13–15 ASV 1901

13 As saith the proverb of the ancients, Out of the wicked cometh forth wickedness; but my hand shall not be upon thee. 14 After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea. 15 Jehovah therefore be judge, and give sentence between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thy hand.

The effect of the words of David on Saul was immediate

1 Samuel 24:16 ASV 1901

16 And it came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words unto Saul, that Saul said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And Saul lifted up his voice, and wept.

David’s mercy toward Saul breached the walls of Saul’s heart! At least for a time, Saul changed.

This is the reason we must show mercy

1 Samuel 24:17–22a ASV 1901

17 And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I; for thou hast rendered unto me good, whereas I have rendered unto thee evil. 18 And thou hast declared this day how that thou hast dealt well with me, forasmuch as when Jehovah had delivered me up into thy hand, thou killedst me not. 19 For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away? wherefore Jehovah reward thee good for that which thou hast done unto me this day. 20 And now, behold, I know that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thy hand. 21 Swear now therefore unto me by Jehovah, that thou wilt not cut off my seed after me, and that thou wilt not destroy my name out of my father’s house. 22 And David sware unto Saul. And Saul went home; but David and his men gat them up unto the stronghold.

So David came back to the palace and lived happily ever after. Right? Not hardly.

1 Samuel 24:22b … And Saul went home; but David and his men gat them up unto the stronghold.

… he went to “the stronghold”

David had an insight into human nature that we would do well to recognize

David knew that all sorrow is not godly sorrow

This is what Paul taught …

2 Corinthians 7:9–10 ASV 1901

9 I now rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye were made sorry unto repentance; for ye were made sorry after a godly sort, that ye might suffer loss by us in nothing. 10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance unto salvation, a repentance which bringeth no regret: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

Tears of remorse are not a sure sign of a change of heart…

Matthew 3:8 ASV 1901

8 Bring forth therefore fruit worthy of repentance:

Sadly, Saul would soon seek David's life again

CONCLUSION

We see in this passage the power of mercy

David refrained from vengeance as a godly person should

We should strive for the same

Will this guarantee they will change? No

Well, then why withhold vengeance? Simply, God said to!

You may or may not convert your enemies, but you will receive God’s favor

In your refraining from vengeance, don’t start only on the level of actions – push the battle back into your thoughts and intents. Fight there.

As a godly person, be concerned with the little things – even when other do not understand

No matter what people think or say – just do it, because God says so.