Letting Bygones be Bygones

“Then came up the Ziphites to Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself with us in strong holds in the wood, in the hill of Hachilah, which is on the south of Jeshimon?” (1Sa 23:19 AV)

David has been rejected by Keilah and now the Ziphites.  Both small communities go to Saul to rat him out.  David has to flee two cities among his own tribe in order to save his life.  But what we don’t see is that later, when Saul is gone and David reigns, there is no retaliation on David’s part.  No vengeance.  Now retribution for a lack of loyalty.  Perhaps for two reasons.

First, these cities were honoring the authority in power.  They should have remained neutral.  But they chose to honor the authority as it was.  This is certainly understandable.  But even more so, David is not a petty man.  He does not hold grudges.  In fact, at the time of his death, there were four individuals who David has a legitimate beef with and he left those four with Solomon.  David was able to see the bigger picture.  It may have made him feel better to exact justice on those who would not support or obey him.  But wisdom is the better part of valor.  It was better for himself and the kingdom to forgive and forget.  Mercy and grace were a better weapon than vengeance and retribution.

Joseph is a great example.  He could have easily made the lives of his brothers miserable.  Yet, he chose to be the bigger man, forgive them, and provide for them.  This is the mark of a great leader.  He cannot take personally the actions of those whom he leads.  He has to allow these things to roll off his back and see it for what it is.  Even those who will give the leader a hard time still are in need of leadership.  They may cause a great deal of harm.  That is, in the short run.  However, over time, the leader gains back the ground that was lost.  Forgiveness goes a long way for a leader.  He has to.  Otherwise, there will be no one left to lead!