Friendship killers

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. 1 Samuel 18:4-9

Saul, the king of Israel, wants to kill David because he thinks he is a dangerous rival for the throne. Isn't that our nature, when we think something is about to be taken away from us? Jealousy will kill friendships.

 

1What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? 2You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. 3When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. James 4:1-3

"You want something but don't get it"…what was it that Saul wanted? Was it David's victory over Goliath? Was it David's faith? Was it the fact that David was careful to give the glory to God? Was it David's humility and humble spirit? Was it David's care for the people of Israel? Was it the relationship with Jonathan? His popularity?

Think back to your friendships that are no longer, how many died because someone wanted something but couldn't get it?

Wow, I wonder how many times Saul questioned David's motives? I mean come on, wouldn't you? He wants something of mine…my throne, my son, my money, my fame.

How many of your friendships died because someone was afraid of losing something?

"…that you may spend what you get on your pleasures."

At first, Saul is excited about David because of what David can do for him. Everything David does he seems to prosper, so Saul sees how he can use David to his benefit and promotes him to a full-time employee.

If you love things, you will use people. That's what Saul was doing with David. He was using him.

Ever felt used?

How many of your friendships died because someone felt used?

We should love people and use things!

Think about your current friendships; are they on "life support"?