Prayer and Emotion, Revenge and Mercy (1 Sam 24.12, 15, 19)
May the LORD judge between me and you! May the LORD avenge me on you; but my hand shall not be against you…May the LORD therefore be judge, and give sentence between me and you. May he see to it, and plead my cause, and vindicate me against you.”
“So may the LORD reward you with good for what you have done to me this day.”
Background
After David’s escape from the wilderness of Ziph, David and his men go to En-Gedi. Saul finished defending his land from the Philistines and then seeks information on David’s whereabouts. He receives word that it is En-Gedi. He sets out with his men, and, without knowing it, camps at a cave where David and his men are hiding deep inside. That evening, Saul walks outside the camp to relieve himself at the entrance to the cave. David’s men urge an attack—God has delivered Saul into David’s hands!
Meaning
What can we learn about the prayers of David and Saul in this passage? Despite Saul’s ongoing attempt to kill him, David does not fight back or try to assert his rights. He puts himself at the mercy of Saul and then asks that God be the judge. For his part, he vows that he will not do anything to Saul. Saul’s prayer, on the other hand, is a reactionary prayer. In discovering that David spared his life, he is touched and asks God to reward him for that.
