Loving Your Enemy

“Thus Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his father, and said to him, “Let not the king sin against his servant, against David, because he has not sinned against you, and because his works have been very good toward you. For he took his life in his hands and killed the Philistine, and the LORD brought about a great deliverance for all Israel. You saw it and rejoiced. Why then will you sin against innocent blood, to kill David without a cause?””
‭‭I Samuel‬ ‭19:4-5‬ ‭(NKJV‬‬)

Having realised that God’s favour came upon David and left him, Saul became very jealous and treated him as his enemy. It took Jonathan to remind him of David’s kindness before Saul changed his mind about killing him. Jonathan mentioned:

1) David was perpetually good towards him even though he was treated like an enemy.
2) David risked his life for the nation, facing the Philistine when all Israel retreated in fear.
3) God’s presence and favour is upon David.
4) David is an innocent man and not deserving of death.

The spirit of jealousy has its way of muting the memories of goodness / kindness someone did for you in the past. Saul was filled with irrational hatred towards David. The emotions were so strong that he forgot his period of rejoicing when David was around and did good for the nation.

Are you struggling with feelings of offense toward someone? Is there anything worthy and good of rememberance about that person? Remember the times you rejoiced: remember the person’s kindness toward you. Understand that God loves this person as well, and may you see with God’s eyes and draw from His love so you are able to forgive.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:43-45‬ ‭(NKJV‬‬)