22. THE AUTHORITIES THAT EXIST ARE APPOINTED BY GOD & SHOULD BE RESPECTED.
I Samuel 24:8-10 - "David also arose afterward, went out of the cave, and called out to Saul, saying, 'My lord the king!' And when Saul looked behind him, David stooped with his face to the earth, and bowed down. And David said to Saul: 'Why do you listen to the words of men who say, "Indeed David seeks your harm"? Look, this day your eyes have seen that the LORD delivered you today into my hand in the cave, and someone urged me to kill you. But my eye spared you, and I said, "I will not stretch out my hand against my lord, for he is the LORD's anointed."'"
When God delegates some authority to a man (e.g., a governor) or to a group of men (e.g., elders in a church), those positions of authority exist with God's blessing and the ones serving in those roles should be especially respected. David understood this and lived accordingly (cf. 26:9). Also, consider what Paul declared for us today in Romans 13:1 - "Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God." Many today (even children of God) are guilty of slandering those in authority; this should not be (cf. I Pet. 2:17; Titus 3:1,2).
23. ONLY THE WICKED AVENGE THEMSELVES.
I Samuel 24:12,13 - "Let the LORD judge between you and me, and let the LORD avenge me on you. But my hand shall not be against you. As the proverb of the ancients says, 'Wickedness proceeds from the wicked.' But my hand shall not be against you."
David knew that vengeance was not his to take. God would deal with Saul appropriately. Paul instructs Christians on this theme in Romans 12:17-21:
"Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, 'Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,' says the LORD. Therefore 'If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
24. GOD WILL NOT HOLD GUILTLESS THOSE WHO CAN HELP BUT WON'T.
I Samuel 25:11,17,38,39:
"'Shall I then take my bread and my water and my meat that I have killed for my shearers, and give it to men when I do not know where they are from?'...'Now therefore, know and consider what you will do, for harm is determined against our master and against all his household. For he is such a scoundrel that one cannot speak to him'...Then it happened after about ten days, that the LORD struck Nabal, and he died. So when David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, 'Blessed be the LORD, who has pleaded the cause of my reproach from the hand of Nabal, and has kept His servant from evil! For the LORD has returned the wickedness of Nabal on his own head.'"Nabal had benefited greatly from the protection of David and his men, yet he was unwilling to help them, though he was more than capable of doing so from his great wealth. God struck Nabal down (perhaps for his unwillingness to help), and today He still judges man based on abilities and opportunities (cf. Luke 12:47,48; Gal. 6:9,10).
25. OUR EXISTENCE DOES NOT END WITH PHYSICAL DEATH.
I Samuel 28:19 - "Moreover the LORD will also deliver Israel with you into the hand of the Philistines. And tomorrow you and your sons will be with me."
The deceased prophet Samuel spoke those words after his spirit had been temporarily brought up out of Hades to speak to Saul. Clearly, Samuel still existed after his physical body was laid to rest, and Saul was about to join him in the afterlife. It is still the case that death is not the end (e.g., Luke 16:22ff; cf. Heb. 9:27).
26. SOME HAVE DIFFERENT DUTIES BUT ALL SHARE IN THE LORD'S BLESSINGS.
I Samuel 30:22-24 - "Then all the wicked and worthless men of those who went with David answered and said, 'Because they did not go with us, we will not give them any of the spoil that we have recovered, except for every man's wife and children, that they may lead them away and depart.' But David said, 'My brethren, you shall not do so with what the LORD has given us, who has preserved us and delivered into our hand the troop that came against us. For who will heed you in this matter? But as his part is who goes down to battle, so shall his part be who stays by the supplies; they shall share alike.'"
David was not going to allow these men to deprive others of their rightful claim of the spoil merely because they had a different role. That would not be reasonable. Today, it is true that we all have different talents and strengths in Christ (cf. I Cor. 12:14ff). May we do what we can in faithful service to the Lord, sharing in His blessings without quarreling like those who are wicked and worthless!