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Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Ephesians 4:31-32
Reflect
In recent years there has been a lot of interest in the duel between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr, largely because of the popularity of the Broadway musical, “Hamilton.” While the show takes some liberties with history, it does capture the essence of the rivalry between Hamilton and Burr. These two men had not always been enemies — they had even served together on the same defense team in a sensational murder trial — but most of their political history had been less than friendly.
Time and again, the two found themselves on opposite sides of the political spectrum, including a Senate election in which Burr defeated Hamilton’s father-in-law. Hamilton was a Federalist, while Burr was a Democratic-Republican, although he tended to change positions on issues as they aided his political fortunes. The feud continued in the presidential election of 1800, in which Burr and Thomas Jefferson tied in the Electoral College. Hamilton was no fan of Jefferson, but he despised Burr and saw him as a danger to the future of the young country. It took 36 ballots, but with Hamilton’s support behind Jefferson, the House of Representatives voted to elect Thomas Jefferson as the third president of the United States. Burr was relegated to vice president.
The rivalry culminated in Burr’s 1804 campaign for governor of New York. Burr’s campaign also became entangled with Federalist hopes for a northern political realignment — even whispers of secession — which Hamilton fiercely opposed. So Hamilton lent his strong support to Burr’s opponent, and Burr once again lost an election in part because of his hated rival. This led to the fateful duel about which most of us are at least a little aware.
On July 11, 1804, Hamilton and Burr met on the Heights of Weehawken, N.J., to have it out once and for all. While Hamilton despised Burr, there is evidence that strongly suggests he intended to “throw away his shot” and intentionally not fire at Burr. Unfortunately, there is also evidence that strongly suggests Burr had every intention of shooting to kill Hamilton. And as we now know, that’s exactly what happened. Hamilton’s shot went high, striking above Burr, and many historians believe this was consistent with his stated intention not to fire at Burr. Burr’s shot struck Hamilton in the lower abdomen near the right hip. The bullet fragmented into Hamilton’s vital organs, and he died the following day.
You may know much or all of that story, but what can we learn from it and apply to our lives? The main lesson I see in this historical tragedy is that both men harbored bitterness in their hearts toward one another for years, and that bitterness festered into resentment and hatred. Initially, Burr wanted an apology from Hamilton for caustic remarks made about him, but Hamilton refused. It was likely pride that kept him from making amends, and to maintain his so-called honor, he ended up losing his life in a duel. Burr, of course, could have chosen not to become so enraged by Hamilton’s comments, but his wounded pride led him into the same duel — and ultimately into court on charges of murder. While the charges didn’t stick, the duel was the beginning of the end of his political career.
We can also learn a lot about charity and forgiveness from the two men. After the duel and in the hours before he died, Hamilton confessed to a priest that, “I have no ill will against Colonel Burr. I met him with a fixed resolution to do him no harm. I forgive all that happened.” As for Burr, after the duel he reportedly noted that only the morning mist kept him from shooting Hamilton in the heart, and even years later he confided that he knew he was skilled enough to kill his rival. He never repented from the deed as far as anyone knows. He believed that history would vindicate him — and if “Hamilton” is any indication, history hasn’t even come close to doing that.
Both of these men grew up in a world that had great reverence for God. Hamilton was connected to the Episcopal Church, and Burr was the son and grandson of Presbyterian ministers. Yet in this long rivalry, neither man consistently allowed the truth of the Gospel to govern his pride, anger, ambition or sense of honor. Hamilton believed it was his sacred duty under God to oppose Burr, but what about the Gospel mandates against bitterness and anger and for kindness, love and forgiveness? Both Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr are proof that mere church membership or the ownership of a Bible mean nothing if the truth of Scripture is not allowed to shape the heart.
Today, take stock of your relationships — especially the difficult ones. Is there someone whose name still stirs resentment in you? Someone whose success bothers you? Someone whose apology you are still waiting for? Someone you have quietly decided does not deserve your kindness?
Pray that the Lord will help you obey Ephesians 4:31-32 not as a theory, but as an act of surrender. Let bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander and malice be put away. Let kindness and forgiveness take their place. And let today be the day you begin to shine the light of Christ’s love even toward those who are difficult to love.
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Reflection copyright © 2026 Doug DeBolt.
Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
