not disparaging, even unto death

The Philistines battled fiercely against Israel.
And King Saul, once leading the charge
began to flee as the target of Philistine arrows.
But the archers struck him and he was severely wounded.

Not wanting his life to be taken by them,
he falls upon his sword, thus ending his own life.

So Saul died for his unfaithfulness
which he had committed against the Lord,
because he did not keep the word of the Lord,
and also because he consulted a medium for guidance. 
But he did not inquire of the Lord;
therefore He killed him,
and turned the kingdom over to David the son of Jesse.
1 Chronicles 10:13-14 NKJV

The Spirit of the Lord had long since left Saul
because he was disobedient to the commands of God.
But he remained as king for many years.

Who of us can say why God would allow his reign,
but maybe our ever faithful and patient Lord...
was giving Saul opportunity to change,
to return once more to being the humble man
who was anointed the first king of Israel.
Maybe he was begin given another chance...
to be faithful to God,
to show mercy to others,
to learn from his mistakes.

For he was merely human...
like many of us, who sometimes let our passion
get the best of us.

And oh how grateful I am for grace...
that undeserved opportunity to turn back to God.

But Saul did not repent,
his heart continuing to struggle with jealousy, anger and fear.
Emotions not uncommon to us...
but which can blind, hold captive and torture the soul
if not released to the power of God.

And once David hears of his death,
this victim of Saul's obsession... 
did not use the opportunity to disparage him.
For David, it would seem, fears God above all else.
For even unto death, he consistently considers Saul
to be God's anointed choice as King.

And now we read this new song of David.
How he honors Saul, and his son, Jonathan,
instructing the people of Judah to teach it to the next generation.

Publicly, he acknowledges these men as mighty,
and alludes to the close relationship they had
as father and son.

Saul and Jonathan were beloved and pleasant in their lives,
And in their death they were not divided;
They were swifter than eagles,
They were stronger than lions.
2 Samuel 1:23

A man after God's own heart...
What an honest and true description.
For just as God gave Saul opportunity to repent,
David too, waited... and never disparaging,
looked for the best in him.

David is a reflection of God's patience,
persistent faithfulness,
grace, mercy, and
loyal friendship.

Even as mighty warrior,
David demonstrates how God
fights for freedom, honor and justice.

Oh that I too can be as one after God's own heart.
That I can fear God above all else,
not disparaging others...
​no matter their actions toward me.

Word of God,
train me, today...
to see the best in others, speaking only in their favor,
to remain faithful to You, fighting for freedom, honor and justice.

Lord,
draw me near,
that I can know You more.

Let me, like David,
be a reflection of all that You are,
winning hearts with actions
more than simply words.