1 Samuel 24:1–22 (NLT)— 1 After Saul returned from fighting the Philistines, he was told that David had gone into the wilderness of En-gedi. 2 So Saul chose 3,000 elite troops from all Israel and went to search for David and his men near the rocks of the wild goats. 3 At the place where the road passes some sheepfolds, Saul went into a cave to relieve himself. But as it happened, David and his men were hiding farther back in that very cave! 4 “Now’s your opportunity!” David’s men whispered to him. “Today the LORD is telling you, ‘I will certainly put your enemy into your power, to do with as you wish.’” So David crept forward and cut off a piece of the hem of Saul’s robe. 5 But then David’s conscience began bothering him because he had cut Saul’s robe. 6 “The LORD knows I shouldn’t have done that to my lord the king,” he said to his men. “The LORD forbid that I should do this to my lord the king and attack the LORD’s anointed one, for the LORD himself has chosen him.” 7 So David restrained his men and did not let them kill Saul. After Saul had left the cave and gone on his way, 8 David came out and shouted after him, “My lord the king!” And when Saul looked around, David bowed low before him. 9 Then he shouted to Saul, “Why do you listen to the people who say I am trying to harm you? 10 This very day you can see with your own eyes it isn’t true. For the LORD placed you at my mercy back there in the cave. Some of my men told me to kill you, but I spared you. For I said, ‘I will never harm the king—he is the LORD’s anointed one.’ 11 Look, my father, at what I have in my hand. It is a piece of the hem of your robe! I cut it off, but I didn’t kill you. This proves that I am not trying to harm you and that I have not sinned against you, even though you have been hunting for me to kill me. 12 “May the LORD judge between us. Perhaps the LORD will punish you for what you are trying to do to me, but I will never harm you. 13 As that old proverb says, ‘From evil people come evil deeds.’ So you can be sure I will never harm you. 14 Who is the king of Israel trying to catch anyway? Should he spend his time chasing one who is as worthless as a dead dog or a single flea? 15 May the LORD therefore judge which of us is right and punish the guilty one. He is my advocate, and he will rescue me from your power!” 16 When David had finished speaking, Saul called back, “Is that really you, my son David?” Then he began to cry. 17 And he said to David, “You are a better man than I am, for you have repaid me good for evil. 18 Yes, you have been amazingly kind to me today, for when the LORD put me in a place where you could have killed me, you didn’t do it. 19 Who else would let his enemy get away when he had him in his power? May the LORD reward you well for the kindness you have shown me today. 20 And now I realize that you are surely going to be king, and that the kingdom of Israel will flourish under your rule. 21 Now swear to me by the LORD that when that happens you will not kill my family and destroy my line of descendants!” 22 So David promised this to Saul with an oath. Then Saul went home, but David and his men went back to their stronghold.

Culture will fail the test of honor and vengeance (vs. 1-4).

• It will seem like a perfect setup.
• Culture and friends will push to see it happen.
• They will even spiritualize it.
• Follow the voice of the Spirit - His voice must be louder than all other voices.

Honor is the way (vs. 5-7a).

• Defining honor:
  • Honor means weight and value.
    • What you honor you will prioritize.
    • What you honor you will praise.
    • What you honor you will protect.
  • Dishonor means to treat as common and ordinary.
• What are the qualifications for honor?
  • Honor is about the position, not the person.
  • Honor is about their position; respect is about someone’s actions.
  • Honor is about what you decide, not what they deserve.
• Who do I honor?
  • Honor God.
  • Honor leadership.
  • Honor rulers.
    • 1 Peter 2:13–14 (NRSV) — 13 For the Lord’s sake accept the authority of every human institution, whether of the emperor as supreme, 14 or of governors, as sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right.
    • 1 Timothy 2:1–3 (NLT) — 1 I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. 2 Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. 3 This is good and pleases God our Savior.
  • Honor spiritual offices.
    • Hebrews 13:17 (NLT) — 17 Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit.
  • Honor family.
    • Parents - Ephesians 6:2 (NLT) — 2 “Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise.
    • Spouse - 1 Peter 3:7 (NLT) — 7 In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together.
  • Honor the least.
    • Matthew 10:42 (NLT) — 42 And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded.”
• Thoughts about honor:
  • Honor comes from the heart.
  • Honor is contagious and constructive.
  • Dishonor is corrosive and destructive.
  • Honor is the key to reward - God rewarded David because of his honor.

Let vengeance be God’s (vs. 7b-22).

Romans 12:19–20 (NLT)— 19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. 20 Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.”

As long as you are carrying the weight of vengeance, God can’t carry it.