Father Mike Schmitz hosts day 117 of The Bible in a Year podcast, a daily Scripture reading program brought by Ascension Press. He reads from 1 Samuel chapter 26 and Psalm 56 using the Revised Standard Version 2nd Catholic Edition and The Great Adventure Bible timeline system.

The episode focuses on David's second opportunity to kill King Saul, exploring three key virtues: mercy, reverence, and faithfulness. Father Mike emphasizes how David's response to injustice provides a model for handling unfair circumstances while maintaining spiritual integrity.

The reading covers David sparing Saul's life again when he and Abishai infiltrate Saul's camp at night, taking only Saul's spear and water jar as proof of their presence. This act demonstrates David's continued respect for God's anointed despite ongoing persecution.

David's Second Act of Mercy Toward Saul

The Ziphites again betray David's location to Saul, leading to another pursuit with 3,000 chosen men of Israel in the wilderness of Ziph.

David and Abishai infiltrate Saul's camp at night, finding the king sleeping with his spear stuck in the ground at his head, while 'a deep sleep from the Lord had fallen upon them.'

When Abishai offers to 'pin him to the earth with one stroke of the spear,' David refuses, declaring 'The Lord forbid that I should put forth my hand against the Lord's anointed.'

David takes only Saul's spear and water jar as proof, then calls out from a distant mountaintop to demonstrate his restraint and loyalty.

Three Virtues for Facing Injustice

Mercy means refusing to take personal revenge, with David saying 'it's not my job to take justice or revenge upon the Lord's anointed' - Father Mike.

Reverence involves honoring God's consecration even when people live unvirtuously, as 'Saul remains the Lord's anointed' despite his evil actions - Father Mike.

Faithfulness means 'I don't know the next step, or I don't know where this ultimately is going to lead, but I know that I'm walking with God' - Father Mike.

David's approach mirrors Jesus' future teaching in the Our Father: 'As I've treated Saul, may the Lord treat me. As I've held his life to be precious, may the Lord hold my life to be precious' - Father Mike.

Saul's Recognition and David's Future Challenges

Saul acknowledges his error, saying 'I have done wrong. Return, my son David, for I will no more do you harm, because my life was precious in your eyes this day.'

David responds with continued respect: 'The Lord rewards every man for his righteousness and his faithfulness, for the Lord gave you into my hand today, and I would not put forth my hand against the Lord's anointed.'

Father Mike warns that David's own 'weaknesses, his woundedness, and his unfaithfulness is going to be highlighted as well' in upcoming readings from 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles.

The lesson applies to daily spiritual life: 'some days we are virtuous and some days we're weak, some days we are faithful and some days we are not faithful' - Father Mike.