David Shows Mercy to His Enemy

King Saul was very jealous of David. He took 3,000 soldiers and hunted David like an animal! David had to hide in caves in the wilderness.

One day, something strange happened. Saul walked right into the cave where David and his men were hiding! Saul didn't know they were there. It was dark in the back of the cave.

David's men got excited. They whispered, 'This is it! God gave you this chance! Get him!'

David could have killed Saul right there. Nobody would have known. Saul was trying to kill HIM, after all! It would be self-defense!

But David didn't attack. Instead, he quietly crept up and cut off just a little piece of Saul's robe. Then he snuck back into the shadows.

Even after that, David felt bad! 'I shouldn't have done even that,' he told his men. 'Saul is still the king God chose. I won't hurt God's anointed king, no matter what he's done to me.'

When Saul walked out of the cave, David followed him. 'My lord the king!' he called out.

Saul turned around, shocked!

David bowed down and held up the piece of robe. 'Look! I could have killed you in that cave. People told me to do it. But I didn't! I cut your robe to prove I was close enough. I don't want to hurt you. Why are you hunting me?'

Saul started to cry. 'You're a better man than me, David! I've been terrible to you, and you showed me kindness. I know you'll be king someday. May God bless you.'

David could have gotten revenge. But he trusted God to handle things. Revenge belongs to God, not to us. It's better to show mercy and let God make things right.