1 Samuel 26:1-4 – Now the Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah, saying, “Is David not hiding in the hill of Hachilah, opposite Jeshimon?” Then Saul arose and went down to the Wilderness of Ziph, having three thousand chosen men of Israel with him, to seek David in the Wilderness of Ziph. And Saul encamped in the hill of Hachilah, which is opposite Jeshimon, by the road. But David stayed in the wilderness, and he saw that Saul came after him into the wilderness. David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul had indeed come. (NKJV)Saul’s repentance in the previous story could not be trusted. Here he is ready again to kill David. Had David trusted the previous conversation, any subsequent carelessness would put him at risk. Saul demonstrates that insecurity is a force more powerful than the will. He will once again be riled up enough to kill David even though he had just been checked by David’s goodness and his own conscience. When the reasons for fear and insecurity have not been removed, these controlling vices will return again. So it is for us with the issue of forgiveness and trusting someone who has hurt us before. While we are challenged to extend forgiveness and to love our enemies, the Bible doesn’t ask us to be careless in our trust. Relationship is only possible when there is repentance of evil intent. We can love and hope for a better day, but like David we must watch for evidence that those who have harmed us before have truly chosen a new path.
