Jonathan and David
18 Now it came about when he had finished speaking to Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as himself. 2 Saul took him that day and did not let him return to his father’s house. 3 Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. 4 Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, with his armor, including his sword and his bow and his belt. 5 So David went out wherever Saul sent him, and [a]prospered; and Saul set him over the men of war. And it was pleasing in the sight of all the people and also in the sight of Saul’s servants.
6 It happened as they were coming, when David returned from killing the Philistine, that the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with joy and with [b]musical instruments. 7 The women sang as they [c]played, and said,
“Saul has slain his thousands,
And David his ten thousands.”8 Then Saul became very angry, for this saying [d]displeased him; and he said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, but to me they have ascribed thousands. Now what more can he have but the kingdom?” 9 Saul looked at David with suspicion from that day on.
Don’t be jealous of the success of someone else. Otherwise you do stupid things like Saul did. Here David is, just having defeated the Philistine champion, and Saul loves it. He puts David in charge of the men of war, David becomes close friends with Saul’s son and heir, everything is happy.
Saul continues to send David out to battle, and then he is shocked and surprised that they are singing David’s praises in the streets. Not only that, but he becomes jealous and suspicious of David.
Why did he feel this way? Even though he had been very successful in battle, he couldn’t handle someone getting credit for more than him. Every time I read this passage, it just boggles the mind. But how often are we like that?
We’ve been blessed in this area or that, and it all sounds great, and we feel fantastic, until someone does a little better than us. It turns our attitude sour, and we look at them with distrust. Like they must have done something underhanded to outdo me.
Stop it! Remind yourself of the blessings of God, and give thanks that you are not the only one blessed by God. He may bless you even more, and He might not. But be thankful for what you have, be faithful with what you have been given, and trust God for the rest.