Daily Devotion, June 23, 2020

Devotion: Read 1 Samuel 24:1-22.

Threatened by David’s growing popularity, Saul sets out to kill him. David runs away and goes into the wilderness of En-gedi, a perfect defense with no approach but from the Dead Sea. It has an endless supply of water and many rocky natural mini-fortresses. We read today of a somewhat embarrassing event that is really a revelation of David's loyalty. Saul ducks into one of the caves at En Gedi to take care of personal business. He needs to relieve himself and it just happens to be the one David and his men are hiding in. David’s men urge him to kill Saul now that he has the chance. Instead of killing Saul, David cuts off part of Saul's garment just to prove he was there and could have killed him. David shows respect for the king even though Saul is trying to kill him. David knew Saul was God's anointed king. He knew it wasn't right to strike down the man God had placed on the throne. When Saul realizes what could have happened, he begins to cry. He acknowledges David was a better man. David’s refusal to kill Saul was not an example of cowardice but of courage to stand against the group and do what he knew was right. Personal Worship Option: Remember not to compromise your moral standards by giving in to group pressure or taking the easy way out. Ask God to guide you to do the right thing and then have the courage to do it.