Day 115: King Saul is Spared

1 Samuel 24:1-22 While pursuing David, Saul unknowingly stopped in the cave where David was hiding with his men. David snuck up on Saul and snipped a piece of fabric from his clothing but refused to kill him because he was God’s anointed king. After Saul left and was at some distance, David called out to Saul, using the piece of cloth as proof that he meant Saul no harm. Saul repented of his desire to kill David and acknowledged him as the next King of Israel. (CCC 1428-1429, 2262)


Psalm 57 Fear of danger and evil turns to trust and confidence as the psalmist prays for God’s assistance. His enemies are defeated by their own plots, which backfire upon them; the steadfast heart is thus led to give thanksgiving to the Lord for his help and protection. The mention of the dawn hints that the preceding fears that came in the darkness will give way to peace amid the light. This psalm is prayed as a liturgical hymn of joy linked to the Resurrection as the light of Christ conquers death and at the same time blesses his people with hope and grace. (Cf. St. John Paul II, General Audience, September 19, 2001)

(*The Didache Bible RSV-CE Ignatius Edition, 2006)



Prayer by Fr. Mike: “Father in Heaven we give you praise and we lift your name up and we thank you. We thank you even in the midst of trial. We thank you even in the midst of persecution. We’ve followed these stories of King David. He’s being hunted. He’s being hunted unfairly. He’s being treated unfairly. We can see snapshots of our lives. We can see snapshots of when we have been victims of injustice, when we have been those who have experienced the evil of others, the evil decisions of other people. And so we, like David, we give you praise even in the midst of the battle. We give you praise even in the midst of the struggle. We give you praise even in the midst of injustice. Because you desire justice and you bid us to work for justice and you bid us to trust you, to praise you, and to belong to you. And so this day we reassert the fact that, Lord God, even when things are difficult and when things are dark, we are yours. And when things are a struggle and when things are a battle, that we fight in your name and we fight according to your plan and your will. May you be glorified this day and every day of our lives. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.”