Lopsided relationship

One of the attributes of David that strikes me from this passage is his humility. Even though the nation of Israel was literally singing David's praises, he remained humble. This humility is shown by the fact that even though Saul tried to kill him, David kept obeying Saul's orders, which was to fight the Philistines. Another example of David's humility is when offered one of Saul's daughters, he refused on the grounds that he (David) and his family were not worthy of being in Saul's extended family.

I think that when someone mistreats us, if we will remember that each of us is a flawed human being, saved only through the grace and mercy of God, we will be more likely to react to the "mistreater" in a Godly,Christ-like manner.

The most lopsided relationship of all, is our relationship with the Lord! "God loved us so much, that while we were yet sinners, He died for us!"
If I forget that it's only by God's amazing grace that He loves me, that there's nothing in me that deserves His love, then pride deludes me into taking offense when others don't treat me right. Daily, I have to be reminded of God's amazing grace to me. Thank you Tami for this daily devotional that points me to God's Word first thing every morning when I check my email. God's Word is a "lamp to my feet and a light to my path" and it gives me an attitude check with others! It's a great way to start my day!

A major difference I see between David and Saul is that Saul is always looking inwardly at his own position and power while David seems to look more outwardly at the Lord and the people of Israel. Later, when David focuses on his own desires for Bathsheba, we see the trouble that follows.

The more we make the Lord and those around us our main concerns, the more we are likely to respond in a Godly manner

Tami this is a good question but a litle difficult to answer. God was always there for David and this was so, because David believed in God and not man. He trusted God so he was able to walk uprightly with God. If we too follow David's example God will be faithful and just. He will see our good intentions and if we keep in His Word and keep on praying that He leads us not into temptation, when temptation comes He will lead us away from it. He will show us how to deal with situations when people try to hurt us. I truly believe this. By our good works and by showing love people will see that we are truly children of God and glorify Him in Heaven.

To always respond in a Godly manner, like David, we need to have a love and passion for God, also like David! We, living in the New Testament age have greater access and an advantage over David ....because we can have God's abiding presence - the Holy Spirit - living in us! A Spirit-filled and Spirit-controlled life will give us the Godly behavior we all need!

The only way I can think of is to praise God! When things happen suddenly, sometimes I say the s word...I confess and am trying to repent but it is an auto response I pray to change. And the only way I can do it is to constantly Have HIM on my mind and praise Him like Job did...thinking things that are true right noble pure lovely admirable excellent and praiseworthy! Then the fruits of the Spirit will be exhibited in my life for a better testimony...

The sinful actions of Saul had so many repercussions- the main one was that 'the Lord had left Saul' (vs. 12). I never want to be in that position. I can respond to others in a godly manner by not letting sin take over but allow love to manifest itself. God is love and when I think on that, I'm more understanding of someone's maltreatment of me and I also pray that God will deliver them from their circumstance. Responding with love instead of reacting with sin is what God wants of us. I've come to realize that people who treat others poorly (intentionally or otherwise) are struggling with a deep hurt in their heart that only God can heal. They are crying out for help and the only way I can help is to pray and ask God to release them from their pain.

We need to study the life of David. Focusing mainly on his relationship with God. It is clear that he had a relationship with God otherwise he would not have been able to stand when everything else was falling around him. The way David is conducting himself is really an illustration of his inward wisdom and understanding and faith in his father and friend--God! That whole time David was in the pasture tending to the sheep he was developing his relationship with Father God, so when God got ready to use David he was prepared and ready for battle. I, too, need to do the same in my comings and goings of life. NO, I am not tending sheep but I am in a work environment and to me, it may not be the same exact "work," but it is the same concept. Without relationship with Father God through and by Jesus the annointed one (Christ), I can not even get close to handling situations as David did. So I continually, ask Jesus to ask God on my behalf to make my relationship stronger wtih him, so the fruits of God's spirit can be manifested through me for His glory and not mine own! Please God!

I always like to start the day asking God to let his light shine down on me, no matter the day or night may bring as Bethany Dillon wrote so eliquently in her Let Your Light Shine. You can view this on youtube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNr-5qXjd8g

It is impossible to live the Christian life in the flesh.

when people hurt us,the only way to react is keeping quite and overlook their wrong attitude.David really tried and it won't suprise me, that he became a man after God's heart.just like Ed j said we have a better advantage over David because we are of the new testament.We should always allow christ to show in our relation to people.

Tami I have read the comments and agree with David M, Sue and RBM. The way to always respond like David is the result of us being humble. True humility is when we realise that we are powerless in God's sight we are saved through grace and not by our works. If we see how small we are compared to God then we will truly have a humble posture. Then God will work in us and through us all the times to ensure that we always behave like David. Remember David said the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Psalm 111:10

This spoke to me today. God has been dealing with me in regards to TRUST. How much do I trust him? Time and time again he proves himself to me, however I start to fall back on my own reasoning, will, and desires. David trusted God and no matter what Saul threw at him, he was protected because of his Faith/Trust. My desire is to be there. I will Trust in the Lord no matter what comes along

I was struck by vs 13 . . .David faithfully led his troops in battle. NLT
As a pastor I am reminded that I am a leader and that is something that is earned not a right. David showed his integrity of faith and loyalty to Saul by his leadership. As a result he was recognized as a leader by the people he served and was loved by them. Even though Saul was jealous and afriad of David and tried to kill him, David remained loyal to his leader even when Saul showed less integrity and faith than David.
As a leader ones position does not qualify one for leadership it is only as one serves others humbly respectfully and lovingly does one gain the ability to lead others. It is then that they trust you to take care of them. David's ability to lead came out of a deep desire to know God. As David was a man after God's own heart his leadership must have been the overflow of that relationship. As I seek God early in morning I am better able to be the leader I need to be throughout the day and in the relationships I have. It also helps in dealing with the difficult people in my life who do not always make ministry easy or a joy. Focusing on Him gives me a new persepctive on ministry and leadership by how I treat all people not just the one's I like.