Reading 1 Samuel 29-31

Father, what about all David’s killing?

He killed the enemies of the Lord.

You mean the Amalekites?

Yes. They were a wicked idolatrous and bloodthirsty people. It was judicial killing.  But also the young man who came to tell him of Saul’s death. He was killed because he had raised his hand against the Lord’s anointed.

The root problem you have with this is that it seems to violate my command to “love your enemies”. I told you to love your enemies but I never said you should love My enemies. Pray for them, yes, but they are subject to death unless they repent.

But is this not an age of mercy?

Yes, but David did not live in the age of mercy. Although he had a great revelation of my mercy he lived before the cross, before the price had been paid for the sin of the whole world. And even in this age of mercy there is still judgment for those who do not repent. David was acting in a judicial role. One day I will put to eternal death all those who have served other gods. They are already subject to death now – as are you – but you live by my mercy because you have turned to me. Your ancestors also served other gods – as did even the ancestors of the Israelites. It is only by My mercy that anyone is saved.

So what about loving our enemies?

You are to be slow to anger and quick to forgive. You are to pray for your personal enemies and cultivate My love for them. And yet, My enemies remain subject to judgement. They are objects of My wrath. This will not change unless they repent. Be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.

Lord, what if there were one – even one – among the Amalekites who truly sought You?

Shall not the judge of all the earth do right? Any individual who humbles himself and seeks me will be treated just as I treated Rahab. It was the people – the tribe – that I put to death because they were a scourge on the earth.  If a godly individual dies with his people because of their sin, he will see My face in righteousness.

So what about evangelism?

You are to communicate the good news to anyone who will listen. But don’t doubt that I have many ways of reaching people. I am not limited to you.