1 Samuel 24:13

1 Samuel 24:13 ^ESV

As the proverb of the ancients says, 'Out of the wicked comes wickedness.' But my hand shall not be against you.

 

David refused to kill Saul though Saul was trying to kill him because Saul ‘is God’s anointed’.  David refused to go against God even in this way.  Of course in the next chapter he didn’t refuse to kill someone who had insulted him…a little inconsistency here.  But the fact that he controlled himself in this case is significant.

 

Also significant is his use of a proverb, 'Out of the wicked comes wickedness.’  Even if a wicked person kisses you, the kiss itself is wickedness.  David did not want to allow wickedness to ‘come out’ of him thus belying the fact of his own wickedness.  This is important because when we resist temptation it doesn’t mean that we aren’t still sinners, but it does mean that we have avoided that much wickedness corrupting us.  Abigail was concerned that David’s conscience not be tainted by avenging himself: these two ideas are very similar.

 

Thank You Father for preventing sin in me.

Thank You Son for forgiving the sin I am guilty of.

Thank You Spirit for working in me to both do and desire Your good will.

 

Fighting wickedness in my own heart along with you,

Pastor Greg