Saul's Jealous Eye

Read 1 Samuel 18-20, Psalm 59
 
1 Samuel 18:7-9 This was their song: “Saul has killed his thousands, and David his ten thousand!” 8 This made Saul very angry. “What's this?” he said. “They credit David with ten thousand and me with only thousands. Next they'll be making him their king!” 9 So from that time on Saul kept a jealous eye on David.
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1 Samuel 19:1 Saul now urged his servants and his son Jonathan to assassinate David.
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Psalm 59:17 O my Strength, to you I sing praises, for you, O God, are my refuge, the God who shows me unfailing love.
 
SAUL is King of Israel. He was God’s choice to lead. But he was a lousy leader because he neglected God’s leading. To be a good shepherd one must follow the Good Shepherd.
   Saul’s story describes how he did not walk with total faith in his call to kingship. Instead, he has tiptoed in uncertainty and fear. Fear kept Saul stifled under Goliath’s taunts. With great uncertainty Saul sent David, a young shepherd who had just come from the pastures, into a battle with fearsome Goliath.
   In God’s power David won the day and then won other victories for Saul. He then quickly became a loved and respected leader in Israel’s army. David did not seek personal gain but fought to glorify his king. David knew who he was. His words from Psalm 59 declare his full trust in God’s protection, even amid the trouble of Sau’s persecution.
   Saul’s troubling spirit distrusted God and David. Evan as1 Chronicles tells of Saul’s victories, Saul ignored God’s promises and diminished God’s power. Saul’s spirit steadily declined to become jealous, vengeful, murderous and insane. This man’s destructive emotions would devastate his family and lead to civil war in Israel.
   What should Saul have done? He could have used Abraham, Moses, Joshua and Samuel as his examples for servant leadership. Before God and God’s people, Saul should have celebrated David, too. Saul should have thanked and praised God for giving him such a loyal warrior and leader. David’s intelligence and integrity would have served Saul well for many years. How powerful Israel would have become if Saul had fully welcomed David into his kingdom.
   With humility and a servant’s heart, Saul could have been a great first king for Israel. Instead, his weak relationship with God and unfounded fears destroyed him.
   Has God given you opportunities to lead? He has, indeed, made you a leader if he’s made you a Christian. Use, then, your God-anointed strengths to serve the King. Humbly join with others’ strengths, too, so you can together fulfill God’s purpose for his church. When you know the LORD is your strength and your refuge, when he shows you unfailing love, you will surely be a winning warrior with God.
   Just think how your life of faith is a valuable asset to the King of kings.