Justice or Vengeance?

I’ve been reading through 1 Samuel recently, and this week I came to the part of David’s narrative where he has opportunity to rid himself of the man who has literally been hunting him down to kill him.

It was night, the entire camp full of soldiers was so sound asleep that David and Abishai had made it right to the spot where Saul lay sleeping.

“Then said Abishai to David, God hath delivered thine enemy into thine hand this day: now therefore let me smite him, I pray thee, with the spear even t the earth at once, and I will not smite him the second time.

And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against the Lord’s anointed, and be guiltless? David said furthermore, As the Lord liveth, the Lord shall smite him; or his day shall come to die; or he shall descend into battle, and perish. The Lord forbid that I should stretch forth mine hand against the Lord’s anointed…” (26:8-11a)

Abishai had a point: it did seem like God had miraculously caused the camp to sleep soundly, oblivious to their movements and conversation. But David did not base his decision on circumstances. It wasn’t made based on how he felt about Saul, either. David’s commitment to leave justice in the hands of God was based on what he knew about God.

And in case we want to dismiss this episode as David’s own opinion, or some Old Testament narrative that has no bearing on today, look at what we are told in Romans 12:

“Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide all things honest in the sight of all men.

If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Therefore, if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good.” (vv.17-20)

Scripture is pretty clear about David’s imperfections, but his behavior and attitude toward Saul give us a real-life picture of what Romans 12:17-20 looks like in action.

You and I will likely not be in as dire a situation as David, but it is still easy to have a heart that wants revenge, even for petty grievances. While God does use people to accomplish His justice throughout the Old Testament, those were cases where God Himself instigated the judgment. God is the only source of true justice. Vengeance or vengeful emotions come from a heart focused on itself—Proverbs 13:10 is right when it says, “Only by pride cometh contention.”

As much as we hate to admit it, the desire for revenge is not a Christlike desire. If your desire is for God’s perfect justice, it will be yielded to the will and timing of God, as David’s was. Vengeance takes matters into its own hands, while justice leaves the matter in God’s hands, willing to obey—even if it means the offender appears to “get away with it.”

God knows all, sees all, and is perfectly holy and just. We can trust His justice will prevail, even when we don’t see it with our own eyes or in our own timing.

“And He shall judge the world in righteousness, He shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness. The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And they that know Thy name will put their trust in Thee: for Thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek Thee.” (Psalm 9:8-10)