Don’t Throw Spears

After his battle with Goliath, David served a king Saul.

He had served the king faithfully. He had fought for the kingdom. He had earned the respect of the people.

But the king became jealous. David had done nothing to deserve the king's anger.

One day, while David was playing music for him, Saul picked up a spear and threw it at David.

David ducked.

The spear struck the wall.

David wisely removed himself from the situation.

Not because he was afraid.

Not because he had given up.

He needed distance from the moment to determine what to do next.

And here's where the story gets interesting.

David could have reached for a spear of his own.

He had every reason to.

He could have said:

You threw yours. I'll throw mine.

But he didn't.

Later, David would have more than one chance to take revenge on Saul.

He chose not to.

He understood something that many leaders learn only after years of experience:

Someone else's behavior does not have to become your behavior.

The king threw a spear.

David didn't throw one back.

That may have looked like weakness in the moment.

It wasn't.

It was character.

The lesson?

You don't always get to choose what someone throws at you.

But you absolutely get to choose how to respond. In that moment, your choice will reveal your character.

What character traits matter most when someone throws a spear your way?