Why did David say that Saul and Jonathan were “beloved and pleasant in their lives”? (2 Samuel 1:23). We can understand why he would say this of Jonathan, his good friend. But why say this of King Saul, who had brought him so much sorrow?

There were good things David could say of Jonathan that he could not say of Saul. Yet, instead of pointing out Saul’s faults and failures, he commended what was good in him: his courage, his military victories, and his prosperous kingdom (vv.21-24).

David’s graciousness causes me to wonder: How often have I brooded over and judged the flaws of my opponents? How often have I been offended when others have found good in those who have harmed me? How much do I dwell on the bad I see in someone rather than the good that God and others can see?

The Bible says that we need to leave judgment in the Lord’s hands, for when Jesus returns He will “reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God” (1 Corinthians 4:5).

Do we focus only on the traits that make our enemies so unlikeable? Accentuating the positive qualities of those who trouble us is a good way to deal with resentment, and to transform our hatred into love (Matthew 5:44).  —DHR