If David Didn’t Vent, Why Do I?

In 2 Samuel 1, David learns of the deaths of Saul and his sons. An Amalekite claims he delivered the fatal blow to Saul, assuming the mortally wounded king could not survive. David has the man executed for killing Saul because Saul was the Lord’s anointed king, and David believed it was wrong for anyone to harm him, even though Saul had been his enemy. David chooses not to speak badly about Saul out of respect for his position as king and out of reverence for God who had chosen Saul. Then he goes on and talks about how the mighty heroes have fallen. He never speaks badly about Saul.

Saul sought to kill David, and David still didn’t say anything about him. I wonder about my own restraint in talking about people that slightly irritate me. It makes me think of the old saying:

If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything.