1 Samuel 18:30 (NASBStr)
Then the commanders of the Philistines went out to battle, and it happened as often as they went out, that David behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul. So his name was highly esteemed.
If you read chapter 18 of this chapter you have to be struck with David's character. He was attacked, swindled, denied promises, discredited and provoked. Yet, David did not respond back. He simply acted with more wisdom and meekness than any other of Saul's servants. Treated worse than Saul's servants, David rose above them. Note what Matthew Henry states in his concise commentary on this passage:
For a long time David was kept in continual apprehension of falling by the hand of Saul, yet he persevered in meek and respectful behavior towards his persecutor. How uncommon is such prudence and discretion, especially under insults and provocations! Let us inquire if we imitate this part of the exemplary character before us. Are we behaving wisely in all our ways? Is there no sinful omission, no rashness of spirit, nothing wrong in our conduct? Opposition and perverseness in others, will not excuse wrong tempers in us, but should increase our care, and attention to the duties of our station. Consider Him that endured contradiction of sinners (Matthew Henry, Concise Edition).
The last line, of course, is spoken in regard to Christ. He endured persecution to become our Savior (Hebrews 12:23). How we respond to mis-treatment says more about our faith than our lips do. Our actions speak louder than our words. When we are treated unkindly we are to find a way, through faith in Christ's power, to endure the affliction and not strike back. God is looking for more David's in this world. God sent His Son to take our affliction for us and we should respond in kindness and not in revenge or vindictiveness.
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