David, the youngest son of Jesse, rose from humble beginnings as a shepherd boy to become one of Israel's greatest kings. His success is a testament to God's favor and the fulfillment of divine promises. David's journey to prominence began with his anointing by the prophet Samuel, as recorded in 1 Samuel 16:13: "So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward."

David's early success was marked by his victory over Goliath, the Philistine giant, which demonstrated his faith in God and his courage. This victory is detailed in 1 Samuel 17, where David declares, "The LORD, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear, will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine" (1 Samuel 17:37). His triumph brought him immediate fame and favor in the eyes of the people and King Saul.

However, David's rising popularity soon became a source of intense jealousy for Saul. As David's military successes grew, so did Saul's envy. The turning point in their relationship is captured in 1 Samuel 18:7-9: "And as they danced, the women sang out: 'Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.' And Saul was furious and resented this song. 'They have ascribed tens of thousands to David,' he said, 'but only thousands to me. What more can he have but the kingdom?' And from that day forward, Saul kept a jealous eye on David."

Saul's jealousy led to multiple attempts on David's life, forcing David to flee and live as a fugitive. Despite Saul's relentless pursuit, David consistently demonstrated restraint and respect for Saul as the Lord's anointed king. This is exemplified in 1 Samuel 24:6, where David spares Saul's life, saying, "The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the LORD’s anointed. May I never lift my hand against him, since he is the LORD’s anointed."

David's success was not merely a result of his own abilities but was deeply rooted in his relationship with God. His psalms reflect a heart devoted to worship and reliance on the Lord. Psalm 18:1-2 captures David's acknowledgment of God's role in his victories: "I love You, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer."

Saul's jealousy, on the other hand, illustrates the destructive power of envy and disobedience to God. Saul's failure to obey God's commands and his subsequent rejection by God (1 Samuel 15:26) set the stage for his downfall and David's rise. Saul's tragic end, as recorded in 1 Samuel 31, stands in stark contrast to David's eventual establishment as king, highlighting the consequences of turning away from God's will.

David's success and Saul's jealousy serve as a profound narrative of divine providence, human frailty, and the importance of faithfulness to God. Through David, God established a covenant that would ultimately lead to the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who is often referred to as the Son of David.