By Pastor Joe Dickinson – I Samuel 24
“When you are treated wrong, you just have to keep doing right.”
That simple statement, pulled from the life of David in 1 Samuel 24, cuts to the heart of one of the hardest commands in the Christian life: forgiveness.
Let’s be honest. Forgiveness often feels impossible. Especially when the wound runs deep, the betrayal is personal, and the offense is repeated. Yet Scripture never treats forgiveness as optional. In fact, our spiritual health, peace, and usefulness for God hinge on learning to forgive—even when it hurts.
In this blog post, we take a deep dive into forgiveness through the lens of David’s encounter with King Saul—his enemy, his pursuer, and his would-be murderer. From 1 Samuel 24, we learn four vital truths about how to forgive when it feels impossible.
1.
A Forgiving Heart Knows It’s Never Right to Do Wrong
When Saul unknowingly entered the cave where David and his men were hiding, David had every opportunity to end his long season of running. Saul had relentlessly tried to kill him, despite David’s innocence. This could’ve been justice, right?
David’s men whispered, “Behold the day of which the LORD said unto thee” (v.4). But instead of killing Saul, David simply cut off the skirt of his robe—and his heart smote him (v.5). Why? Because Saul, though flawed and faithless, was still the Lord’s anointed (v.6).
Forgiveness begins in a heart that fears God more than it craves revenge. David recognized that doing wrong in response to wrong was still wrong. That kind of heart—one that remains sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s conviction—is the soil where true forgiveness can grow.
“Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” – Romans 12:21
Reflection: Has your heart grown dull to the Spirit’s conviction? Do you justify bitterness, sarcasm, or subtle retaliation in the name of “justice”? Forgiveness begins by refusing to sin in response to sin.
2.
Forgiveness Leaves Justice in God’s Hands
David could have claimed self-defense. He could have ended years of unjust persecution in one silent strike. But he didn’t. Instead, David called out to Saul from a distance and said,
“The LORD judge between me and thee, and the LORD avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.” – 1 Samuel 24:12
David understood a vital truth: Vengeance belongs to God. Letting go of revenge isn’t letting someone “get away with it”—it’s giving the case to the One who judges righteously.
This echoes Paul’s words in Romans 12:19:
“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”
Forgiveness is not denial—it is delegation. We entrust the wrong and the wrongdoer to God, believing He sees, He knows, and He will act justly in His perfect time.
3.
Forgiveness Does Good to the One Who Did You Wrong
Perhaps the most shocking part of this chapter is not just that David refrained from hurting Saul—but that he showed him kindness. Saul even confesses:
“Thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil.” – 1 Samuel 24:17
This is not natural. It is supernatural. And it’s exactly what Jesus taught:
“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you… That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven.” – Matthew 5:44–45
Forgiveness doesn’t just mean not hurting someone. It means actively choosing to do good to them. This might mean praying for them, speaking well of them, or even helping them when they are in need.
“If thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink…” – Romans 12:20
Reflection: Forgiveness is not passive. It is a daily decision to reflect the heart of Christ, who “when he was reviled, reviled not again” (1 Peter 2:23).
4.
Forgiveness Shames the Enemy and Honors God
David’s mercy broke through Saul’s hardened heart. “Is this thy voice, my son David?” Saul wept (v.16). He acknowledged David’s righteousness, prophesied his kingship, and—for a season—stopped pursuing him.
Kindness does something vengeance never could: it softens hearts, exposes evil, and makes room for reconciliation. Forgiveness is not weakness—it is powerful, convicting, and deeply Christlike.
David’s choice not to retaliate was not only a triumph of character; it was a foreshadowing of Christ. Jesus, the greater David, would suffer without cause, be betrayed without justice, and yet pray from the cross:
“Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” – Luke 23:34
Conclusion: The Christlike Power of Forgiveness
You may be thinking, “But you don’t know what they did to me.” That’s true. But God does. And He still calls you to forgive—not because it’s easy, but because it’s right. Because it frees you. Because it makes you like Christ.
Forgiveness isn’t forgetting. It isn’t excusing. It isn’t trust or reconciliation—not yet. Forgiveness is releasing the offense and entrusting the offender to God.
David chose to forgive and do right, even when he was deeply wronged. So must we.
Why? Because forgiveness is not about them—it’s about you and your walk with God.
And ultimately, it’s about the cross.
You and I were once enemies of God, and He chose not to destroy us but to forgive us. Jesus shed His blood for the ones who hated Him—for you, for me, for Saul-like people.
“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8
Friend, if you’ve never received that forgiveness, today is the day. Jesus doesn’t want to destroy you. He wants to forgive you. And if you have been forgiven, He calls you to forgive others in the same way.
Even when it feels impossible. Especially then.
Would you like prayer or help navigating a difficult situation? Reach out. You’re not alone—and God’s grace is enough.