6When 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 timbrels and lyres. 7As they danced, they sang:
“Saul has slain his thousands,
and David his tens of thousands.”
8Saul was very angry; this refrain displeased him greatly. “They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?”9And from that time on Saul kept a close eye on David.
10The next day an evila spirit from God came forcefully on Saul. He was prophesying in his house, while David was playing the lyre, as he usually did. Saul had a spear in his hand 11and he hurled it, saying to himself, “I’ll pin David to the wall.” But David eluded him twice.
12Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with David but had departed from Saul. (1 Samuel 18)
Thoughts: Saul was jealous of David. It was part of his pride combined with his insecurity. He had lost sight of the Lord- falling from a great height when he was close to God. Now Saul had forsaken God and God had departed from Saul. But God was with David. This made Saul that much more jealous. Why do people persecute strong believers? Most believers offer no threat. David was actually an ally of Saul. Jealousy and pride can turn allies into enemies quickly, and also alienate us from God.
Prayer: Lord, do not depart from me. Help me stay close to you even if all those around me forsake you.
No comments:
Post a Comment