Good Morning Friends,
“David successfully did what Saul gave him to
do so Saul gave him a high rank in the army. This pleased the people, and
Saul's officers. When the men were returning home after David had killed the
Philistine, the women came out from the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with
singing and dancing, with tambourines and lutes. They sang: ‘Saul has slain his
thousands, and David his tens of thousands.’ Saul was very angry; this refrain
galled him. ‘They have credited David with tens of thousands,’ he thought, ‘but
me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?’ From that time
on Saul kept a jealous eye on David.” (1 Samuel 18:5-9)
Saul gave in to pride and jealousy and his sins
led him down a path of self-destruction. Saul could have lived a life that
would have been respected during his lifetime and honored after his death. Saul’s
character was so marred by his own self-interest that he ended life as a
psychotic man, ridiculed and feared by the people he led.
Saul’s jealousy of David led him to distrust
the man who would have been his most loyal follower. David proved himself over
and over in Saul’s service, and his payment was distrust. Later, Saul would
attempt to personally kill David, a goal he continued to pursue for years. Saul
was never able to accomplish that goal because the Lord protected David.
Saul’s jealousy was not only harmful to his
reign, his reputation, it was also harmful to his emotional health. He lived in
fear of David. (1 Samuel 18:12) He was constantly afraid that David would be
able to wrest the kingdom from him. That was an unfounded fear. Samuel had
already anointed David as the next king, but David never sought to overthrow
Saul. Saul’s emotional distress was all in his head, not based in a real threat
from David.
Saul’s experience has been mirrored by millions
through the years. Their jealousy and pride has marred their accomplishments,
destroyed their emotional health, and left them without respect from those
around them.
Say “no” to pride and jealousy. Say “yes” to
trusting the Lord.
His, by Grace, Steve
No comments:
Post a Comment