Once again Saul seeks David’s life, once again David does the right thing and spares Saul’s life, and once again we can learn much from this passage of scripture. David continues to forgive Saul, even though Saul’s sin against David is the worst kind of sin – a desire to take his life! Yet this forgiveness is not without confrontation. David confronts Saul’s sin, pointing out that he had done nothing wrong against Saul, leading Saul to confess his sin.
Also notice that even though David has forgiven Saul, he doesn’t trust him. We are to forgive those who hurt us, but we are not to allow ourselves to be put in a situation where they can hurt us again. Notice that David did not return to be the target for Saul’s spear throwing practice. The one who has sinned against us has destroyed our trust of them, and they must work to rebuild it. Often I see well-meaning people return to someone who have hurt them after receiving a promise that it would never happen again, only to see the same problem return time and time again.
Forgive others? Certainly! Trust others who have sinned against you? Be very careful and wise.