By Nathan Washburn
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Greenbrier
Focal Passage: 1 Samuel 24:3-12
“Respect is earned, not given” is the oft-quoted mantra when speaking of people in authority. The idea is that those in authority are to lead well before they will be respected by those who are under them. It’s easy to see why it’s used — no one wants incompetent leaders with mindless followers. When we read Scripture, however, we see that as believers in Christ we are to be subject to every human institution (I Peter 2:13), whether it’s governing authorities (Romans 13:1), parents in the home (Ephesians 6:1-3), or bosses in the workplace (Colossians 3:22-25), including those who are unjust (I Peter 2:18). This means that for believers, respect is to be given regardless of whether it’s earned. This is the kind of respect David had for Saul (I Samuel 24), and it’s the kind of respect we, as a people who are under the authority of Christ, should have toward those in authority over us.
When we respect authority, we show we trust the Lord. We won’t always trust those in authority. Based on the way they speak or govern or act we will know whether authority figures are worthy of our trust. Some will be. Others won’t be. Consequently, this was the situation David found himself in. Saul was not worthy of trust. He had made it clear that he intended to kill David (I Samuel 18:11, 19:2, 19:10-15, 20:31-33), and David did not trust him. However, this doesn’t mean that David didn’t trust the Lord, who was over Saul and had chosen him to be king. This is why David referred to Saul as “the Lord’s anointed” (I Samuel 24:6, 10; 26:9, 11, 16, 23). By respecting Saul’s authority, David was showing he had full confidence in the Lord, under whose authority Saul was operating, even if he didn’t have confidence in Saul himself.
When we respect authority, we seek peace in strife. David could have easily taken revenge against Saul more than once (I Samuel 24; 26). Instead, he chose not to retaliate against Saul, effectively making it a one-sided conflict. When we trust the Lord and refuse to retaliate, this naturally has a de-escalating effect as the other party sees that there’s little reason to continue the pursuit of harm. When we respect (and submit to) authority, an otherwise two-sided fight becomes a one-sided effort and many times fizzles out soon thereafter.
When we respect authority, we shift the burden of responsibility to others. David refused to take matters into his own hands, and by doing so committed Saul to bearing the burden of his own responsibility. This is exactly the prescription given in Romans 12 when we are urged as believers in Christ to “live peaceably with all” and instead of taking our own revenge “leave it to the wrath of God” (Romans 12:18-19). By graciously respecting authority in all circumstances, we put the ball back in the court of those in authority, and they are accountable to the Lord for how they lead.
