War is not simple. Israel stands ready to launch a ground incursion into Gaza in retaliation against Hamas terrorists who orchestrated horrific attacks on Israel that killed more than 1,200 people—men, women, the elderly and babies. The mighty hand of Israel followed with intense bombardment of Gaza that has already killed 1,800 people—men, women, the elderly and babies. More than 120 hostages including Americans are being held in Gaza. Food, fuel and water have been cut off to Gaza. Israel has warned Gaza’s 1.1 million Palestinians people to evacuate as they plan to root out Hamas and destroy them. No one is arguing Israel’s right to respond, to defend themselves, to use their might. The question is: Will might be used right? It is not a simple question.
This not the first time the right to use might was in question in Israel. Israel’s anointed King David held the life of Israel’s disposed King Saul in his hands. Here is the backstory in 1 Samuel 24. A paranoid, jealous King Saul had an agenda—kill David. How would David respond? Here is a chronology of Saul’s assault on David:
As the people celebrated David’s conquests of Goliath and the Philistine army in song—"Saul kills thousands, David kills ten-thousands” — Saul threw a spear at David twice (1 Sam. 18:10-11).
The LORD was with David as Saul’s son, Jonathan, stopped King Saul from killing David at a festival (1 Sam. 19:1-7).
Saul hurled a spear at David again after his military successes (1 Sam. 19:9-10).
Saul sent troops to David's house to kill him (1 Sam. 19:11-12).
Saul’s daughter Michal helped David, but Saul followed David into the wilderness to kill him (1 Sam. 23:13-29). He was called away.
Saul continued his pursuit of David (1 Sam. 24:1-3).
If anyone had a reason to exact revenge on someone, it was David on Saul. Yet when David came stealthily upon Saul who was relieving himself in a cave, David, with knife in hand, cut only the edge of Saul’s robe as evidence of David’s presence, his “might” restrained. He explained his action to his men this way:
6So he said to his men, "Far be it from me because of the LORD that I should do this thing to my lord, the LORD'S anointed, to stretch out my hand against him, since he is the LORD'S anointed." 7David persuaded his men with [these] words and did not allow them to rise up against Saul. And Saul arose, left the cave, and went on [his] way. 1 Sam. 26:6,7
David, from a distance, showed Saul the edge of his robe, the proof of David’s mitigation of his might, and his opportunity of revenge, yet responding with grace. It moved King Saul to say to David:
17He said to David, "You are more righteous than I; for you have dealt well with me, while I have dealt wickedly with you. 18"You have declared today that you have done good to me, that the LORD delivered me into your hand and [yet] you did not kill me. 19"For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go away safely? May the LORD therefore reward you with good in return for what you have done to me this day.
That day outside a cave, David made a promise to Saul that he would not “cut off his descendants, Saul’s children (21). David, the king of Israel, understood when children are involved, might must be done right.
Is might your right? How will you use it? It’s not a simple. Do it right. Remember the children as David did.
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