1 Samuel 26:25 “Then Saul said to David, ‘Blessed are you, my son David; you will both accomplish much and surely prevail.’ So David went on his way, and Saul returned to his place.”

FINAL WORDS

How many times have you heard of people speaking harshly to each other just before one of them dies?  The survivor almost always has regrets of their last encounter.  They wish they had a chance to correct their last words.  But…it’s done.

David and Saul did not know that this encounter would be their last.  Saul had been pursuing David for months trying to kill him.  Here, at last, is the final conversation between the two.  Saul finally relents to chasing David, after hearing David’s voice and seeing how he spared his life again.  They part with Saul’s final words of blessing.

TEACHING MOMENT

Children can get mad and say things they really don’t mean at the time.  Remember the movie “Home Alone”?  Kevin gets in trouble and says he wishes he didn’t have a family.  Poof!  The next morning they are all gone, or so he thought.

This passage today is right before David and Jonathan die in battle.  David did not know that was going to happen.  Neither did Saul.  But they left each other this final time with kind words, not angry.  Our children need to see that their words can carry a lot of guilt, if spoken in haste and anger.

Who have you hurt lately with unkind or hurtful words?  Do you need to make that right, before it’s too late?  Better yet, who has hurt you with unkind words?  Forgive them, and then let them know it.  Don’t let your feelings keep you from the peace that comes from forgiveness.

Pray for those who have hurt you.  It’s really hard to be mad at someone you are praying for.  The Lord will quicken your spirit towards forgiveness very quickly.

Choose your words carefully.  Think before saying what is on the tip of your tongue.  Words are like toothpaste.  Once they are out, it’s not easy to get them back.