The people came to Samuel then and said, “Where are those men who said, ‘Saul is not fit to rule over us’? Hand them over. We’ll kill them!” But Saul said, “Nobody is going to be executed this day. This is the day God saved Israel! Come, let’s go to Gilgal and there reconsecrate the kingship.” (I Samuel 11:12-14 The Message)
Peacemakers
Revenge does nothing but continue our conflicts. When Saul was appointed King of Israel, quite a few people saw his faults and questioned Samuel’s choice. And logic and political savvy would dictate that Saul take the opportunity of his spectacular military victory to win even bigger, to win in other arenas, to ride the wave of victory to the humiliation of all of his enemies.
But surprisingly, especially in the light of Saul’s later decisions, Saul does not seek revenge.
He celebrates his victory, attributes it to God, and goes home to forge unity.
I do not see this attitude these days. Part of what polarizes our society is our apparent need to carry every victory as far as we can. We kick our enemies when they are down. We remember injustice and previous revenges, and we escalate our conflicts rather than seek peace.
Yet Jesus says, “Blessed are the peacemakers.” (Matthew 5:9)
But don’t hear His words as angry condemning commandments.
Instead, hear Jesus’ words like Saul appears to have heard them.
Rather than continue the cycle of revenge after revenge, we get to have peace.
We can choose unity.
Personally, politically, and in our families.
We are peculiar, we can have peace.