Jealousy

13. July 2009 by Bernice Davis.

Hello:

Our story today picks up with what happened to David after he defeated Goliath.  Let’s look at the account.

I Samuel 18:1 After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. 2 From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return to his father’s house. 3 And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. 4 Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt. 5 Whatever Saul sent him to do, David did it so successfully that Saul gave him a high rank in the army. This pleased all the people, and Saul’s officers as well.

6 When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with tambourines and lutes. 7 As they danced, they sang: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” 8 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?” 9 And from that time on Saul kept a jealous eye on David. 10 The next day an evil spirit from God came forcefully upon Saul. He was prophesying in his house, while David was playing the harp, as he usually did. Saul had a spear in his hand 11 and he hurled it, saying to himself, “I’ll pin David to the wall.” But David eluded him twice.

The text opens up with how Saul brought David into his house after the defeat of Goliath and how Saul’s son Jonathan and David became the best of friends.   The text says that Jonathan became one in spirit with David and David loved Jonathan as he loved himself.    Jonathan makes a covenant with David by taking off his robe, tunic, sword, bow and belt and he gave it to David.  

I always find this part of the story amazing.  David has already been chosen by God to be the next king and God puts David in the kings house causes the Kings son to love him and David is getting “on the job training.”  David gets to observe up close and personal the running of a kingdom.   The text says that whatever Saul sent David to do, he did it so successfully that Saul gave him a high rank in the army.    Our God is amazing and has quite a sense of humor.

But….. there is a problem within the text.  The bible says that after David’s victory the women came out shouting and singing and dancing and declaring that Saul has slain his thousands, but David his tens of thousands.    This made Saul very angry and envious of David.   One of the major problems in life is the jealousy of other people’s God given talents.  If we could ever get the understanding that all of our talents work together to exemplify God’s glory then it would be simply awesome and so much less complicated.    The old cliché is true;   “It really doesn’t matter who gets the credit as long as God gets the glory.”

But according to human nature, Saul was jealous and it was coming out the mouths of the women.     Saul immediately set out to destroy David.     Saul saw his people more excited about David than him and Saul immediately said;  “what more can David get than the kingdom.” 

When you are driven by fear that someone else is going to take your place or get what you think should be yours; it can only lead to destruction.    It really is true that what God has for you, it is for you and promotion and elevation comes from God.  According to the scriptures; it is God that takes one down and puts another up.  It had already been decided by the hand of God that Saul’s time was up and David time was near.  Do not fear; timing is of God.   Your season has not escaped you and God will perform his promises over your life as he vowed. 

The text then teaches us that an evil spirit came upon Saul and during this encounter, we discover Saul’s first attempt of many to destroy David.

Tomorrow, we will continue our journey on David rise as the 2^nd monarchy in Israel.

These are some of my favorite stories.  They have so much real life parallel to them.   I love the scriptures.  I truly find rest for my soul and peace of mind in them.  As I watch the biblical people deal with their relationship with God, their struggles, inadequacies, fears, etc., it helps me solidify and strengthen mine.     I love you God  ……………   just so much….

God Bless you and don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

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