June 4

and said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ‘Look, David intends to harm you’? — 1 Sam 24:9 BSB

There was someone who, in the dark, was attacking David’s name. It’s likely that Saul was led to believe David was his enemy, plotting all manner of evil against him. Even today, there are people who slander others, going from person to person and dropping dark hints or making insinuations about people they aren’t even worthy to stand beside. They may speak to one of two close friends, subtly suggesting the other isn’t trustworthy or exaggerating a story to create an impression of betrayal. “A whisper separates close friends.” The damage slanderers do in the world is incalculable—blackened reputations, broken friendships, jealousy, ruined homes, and broken hearts. Slanderous words have limitless power for destruction.