A recent pop song contains these lyrics: “Do you know the enemy? Do you know your enemy? Well, gotta know the enemy.”

David knew someone who counted him as an enemy—Saul. The troubled king of Israel hated David, and that spelled big trouble for the future king. David nervously thought, “Someday Saul is going to get me” (1 Samuel 27:1).

But David didn’t hate Saul. In fact, he called him “the LORD’s anointed one” (1 Samuel 26:9). And though he had the chance to take Saul’s life, he refused to do it (1 Samuel 26:7-9). So when a young man said he had ended Saul’s life (a lie intended to gain favor), David wasn’t pleased (2 Samuel 1:14-16). A wounded Saul had died, but it was by his own hand and sword (1 Samuel 31:4).

Saul and his son Jonathan, David’s best friend, had perished in a battle with the dreaded Philistines. Filled with grief, David poured out his soul in a “funeral song” (2 Samuel 1:17). It includes these lyrics: “Your pride and joy, O Israel, lies dead on the hills!” (2 Samuel 1:19). This sure doesn’t sound like someone who knew his enemy! “How beloved and gracious were Saul and Jonathan!” (2 Samuel 1:23).

What? Jonathan, I get, but Saul . . .

David went on to state how much he loved Jonathan (2 Samuel 1:25-26). But the fact remains that he also celebrated Saul’s life. Why? Because of his reverence and love for God. He recognized that Saul had been God’s anointed one. This provided all he needed to know.

Jesus said, “Love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!” (Matthew 5:44). Our human adversaries have been deeply affected by our true enemies—sin and Satan. Knowing that helps us to see them as Jesus does.

Yes, know your enemies, but also know that God wants you to love them.

NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: John 13:1-20