Generosity

     The story of Saul, the chosen King of Israel and David, the champion of Israel whom God chose and had Samuel anoint as leader of the people, continues today with intrigue, bitterness, and emotion.  After David's rise in popularity, Saul saw him as an enemy, and sought him out to kill him.  Their armies fought each other at every opportunity.

     In today's passage, the Lord delivered Saul into David's hands.  David had the opportunity to kill Saul, but instead, because of his respect for the fact that Saul was God's anointed, he took a tassel from his cloak without him knowing, but did not harm him.  He confronted Saul, showed him the tassel and pointed out that he could have killed him if he wanted, and then told Saul that he intended to take no action against him.

     In that confrontation Saul wept aloud and said "You are in the right rather than I; you have treated me generously, while I have done you harm.  Great is the generosity you showed me today, when the Lord delivered me into your grasp and you did not kill me ... May the Lord reward you generously for what you have done this day."  And in a prophetic word he acknowledged that David would surely be king and that sovereignty would come into his possession.

     The blessing of God's call does not always lead to peaceful coexistence, to a natural long life, to comfort and security in this world.  It was not found in Saul or David, both called by God.  It was not found in the twelve, mentioned by name in the Gospel of the day, all of whom died a martyr's death except John.  It was not found in the lives of Fabian, an early pope, and Sebastian, a Roman soldier who in embracing Christ renounced the sword - both of whom experienced a martyr's death.  It may not be found in our lives either ... but in responding to the call with trust and faith, we will know a closeness to the source of all good that will sustain us.  That is a generous response on the part of God, and we are grateful.