Revenge is Not so Sweet

David battled against feelings of revenge throughout his life. When King Saul pursued David on several occasions, twice David had an opportunity to kill him, but he would not touch the one the Lord had anointed king over Israel. In both cases he simply put it in the hands of God. He believed that God would judge between them and that God would bring about justice in the in His time. (1 Sam. 24:12)

In 1 Samuel 25 David wants to take revenge against a man named Nabal. Nabal refused to send supplies to David even though David had protected his men and his livestock. But this man was ungrateful and wicked. So David descended with 400 men to attack and kill Nabal and all the men with him. Nabal's wife Abigail intercepted David with a lot of food and supplies. She spoke to him very intelligently and encouraged him not to take revenge on Nabal. She reasoned with David that if he killed Nabal and all his men, that he would have on his conscience the staggering burden of needless bloodshed and of avenging himself rather than trusting in God.

David listened to her and said "May you be blessed for your good judgement and for keeping me from bloodshed this day and from avenging myself with my own hands". So that day he won the victory over his anger and desire for revenge.

Years later Paul wrote to the church at Rome, "Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written it is mine to arrange I will repay says the lordusually does call wrote to the church at rome, do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for god rest, fruit is written: "It's is mine to avenge; I will repay, says the lord" Rom. 12:19