10 The next day an evil spirit from God came forcefully upon Saul. He was prophesying in his house, while David was playing the harp, as he usually did. Saul had a spear in his hand 11 and he hurled it, saying to himself, "I'll pin David to the wall." But David eluded him twice.
1 Samuel 18:10-11
Praise is a great test of the purity of your heart
Saul was so self centered that he couldn't handle anyone else getting praise.
Think about what happens in you when someone else is getting praise, do you want to shout "but look at me!"?
That jealousy, which turns into rage, eats at Saul until he died in battle.
16For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. James 3:16
Think about that verse, you will find disorder and EVERY evil practice. Man, I need to run from that! Think about that in Saul's life, he became reckless and so full of evil he was determined to kill David.
12 Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with David but had left Saul. 13 So he sent David away from him and gave him command over a thousand men, and David led the troops in their campaigns. 14 In everything he did he had great success, because the LORD was with him. 15 When Saul saw how successful he was, he was afraid of him. 1 Samuel 18:12-15
If you are reading this I'm making an assumption that you are at least seeking what it means to follow God's will for your life. If you are, then take note of what might happen with those around you as you seek to live in the Lord's presence. The more Saul saw the Lord's presence with David, the more he feared him. Now you would think that as we learn to walk with God and we grow in our humility, integrity, and holiness others would admire and cheer us on. But not all some will grow envious, fearful and will attack you.
Notice how David didn't defend himself or attack back, he served, he did his duty.
Who are you in this story Saul or David?
Are you envious of the praise others are getting around you? Can you feel the jealousy? Thought about some crazy things to knock them off their pedestal?
Are you learning to walk in your faith and others are attacking you? Can you feel the jealousy of others?
Maybe you are a Saul in one relationship and a David in another.
Whoever you are "chew on" this passage to remind you what envy and jealousy can do to you, your relationships and your walk with God.
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