1 Samuel 18:9-30 And Saul eyed David from that day and forward.… The incident teaches three things respecting good and bad men. I. THE WICKED ARE OFTEN JEALOUS OF A GOOD MAN'S POPULARITY. "And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him." Saul's behaviour to David reveals the progress of jealousy in four stages. 1. There is anger. "He was wroth." 2. There is envy. "And Saul eyed him from that day." 3. There is madness. "The evil spirit from God came upon him." 4. There is murder. "And Saul east the javelin: for he said, I will smite David even to the wall."It is a sure sign that the Spirit of God has left a man when he is jealous of his benefactor. Jealousy is a foolish passion, and inflicts self-injury. Jealousy is a wicked passion, and displeasing to God. Jealousy is a dangerous passion, and leads to the most fatal issues. "Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand against envy?" II. THE WICKED ARE OFTEN TERRIFIED BY A GOOD MAN'S SECURITY. "And Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with him, and was departed from Saul." Sin makes a man a coward. "'Tis doing wrong creates such fears as these, renders us jealous, and destroys our peace." Saul's fear led to the adoption of the most desperate measures to ruin David. 1. Saul resolves to dismiss David. "Therefore Saul removed David from him, and made him his captain over a thousand." Saul wished to prevent David from gaining the affections of the courtiers, and also to excite against him the envy of his subordinates. In both intentions he was disappointed; "for all Israel loved David." 2. Saul endeavours to provoke David. Saul's change of purpose in giving his daughter to Adriel was designed to wound David's honour, and excite his resentment. David had just cause of complaint, but he did not utter a word of reproach against the glaring injustice. 3. Saul determines to kill David. Jealousy extorts the most costly sacrifices — gratitude, honour, affection. A bad man will barter away his own child to accomplish his ends. Under the promise of preferment there may lurk the most deadly designs. Fair words may proceed from a foul heart. The face may beam with the light of heaven, while the heart is inflamed with the passions of hell. III. THE WICKED ARE OFTEN DEFEATED BY A GOOD MAN'S VALOUR. 1. In this encounter David fulfils the king's stipulation. 2. In this encounter David thwarts the king's purpose. 3. In this encounter David wins the king's daughter. God can make the impediments that are thrown in the way of His children aids to their progress. The subtle and deadly designs of our enemies are among the ordained purposes of God. (J. T. Woodhouse.) Parallel Verses KJV: And Saul eyed David from that day and forward. |
    |