And David's Heart Smote Him.
David's remorse for cutting off a piece of Saul's robe teaches us the importance of a tender conscience and maintaining a high moral standard in the face of peer pressure.
F.B. Meyer emphasizes the importance of having a tender conscience, as demonstrated by David's remorse after cutting off a piece of Saul's robe. Despite the opportunity to harm Saul and end his hardships, David felt guilt for dishonoring God's anointed king, illustrating that even small actions can have significant moral implications. Meyer challenges listeners to reflect on their own conduct, particularly in how they may inadvertently harm others' reputations through thoughtless words or actions. He reminds us that circumstances do not justify wrong actions, and that we should strive for a higher moral standard, regardless of the approval of those around us.
Text
And David's heart smote him. 1 Sam. xxiv. 5.
IT is well to have a tender conscience, and to obey its least monitions, even when men and things militate against it. Here was an opportunity for David and his band to end their wanderings and hardships by one thrust of the spear; but though it was a very small thing that he had done, David was struck with remorse for having taken advantage of Saul's retirement in the precincts of the cave, where his men and he were hiding, and cut off a piece of his robe.
It was a trifling matter, and yet it seemed dishonouring to God's anointed king; and as such it hurt David to have done it. We sometimes in conversation and criticism cut off a piece of a man's character, or influence for good, or standing in the esteem of others. Ought not our heart to smite us for such thoughtless conduct? Ought we not to make confession or reparation?
Circumstances seemed to favour it. ‑‑ Of all the scores of caves in the neighbourhood, the king had happened to choose the very one, in the dark recesses of which David and his men were sheltering. What more natural than to obtain some token to convince the king how absolutely he had been in his young rival's power? But favouring circumstances do not justify an act which is not perfectly healthy and right. Opportunity does not make a wrong thing right.
His men unanimously approved the act, nay, they wanted him to go further. Their standard was a very low one, not only in this case, but in others. How wonderful that David kept such a high ideal amid such comrades! We shall not be judged hereafter by the standard which obtained among our comrades.
Sermon Outline
- The Importance of a Tender Conscience
- The Dangers of Favouring Circumstances
- The Importance of a High Moral Standard
- David's high ideal in the face of peer pressure
- The standard by which we will be judged
Key Quotes
“Opportunity does not make a wrong thing right.” — F.B. Meyer
“We shall not be judged hereafter by the standard which obtained among our comrades.” — F.B. Meyer
“It was a trifling matter, and yet it seemed dishonouring to God's anointed king;” — F.B. Meyer
Application Points
- We should strive to maintain a high moral standard, even when it is difficult or unpopular.
- Favourable circumstances do not justify a wrong act, and we should be careful not to take advantage of them.
- We will be judged by the standard that we set for ourselves, not by the standard of our peers.