1 Samuel 18 -- Saul Gets Jealous

"David found himself in a life-threatening conflict with King Saul.  David didn't create problems for Saul; he revealed the deep-seated problems that were already there.  David was an honest man of faith, but Saul was a deceitful, scheming man of the world," my commentary began.

The writer of my commentary traced the major stages in Saul's growing opposition to David:

"He wanted David killed -- At one time, Saul loved David, but the king's attitude changed into jealousy and then hatred ... God used the king's hostility to mature David and make him into a man of courage and faith ... Jonathan listened to his father and David converse, and after that interview, took David to his own heart ... When Jonathan gave his official garments and his armor to David, making him a friend and equal, Jonathan was acknowledging that David would one day take his place ... David covenanted to protect Jonathan's family ... Saul threw his spear at David twice while David was trying to soothe the king and help him overcome his depression.  The Lord enabled David to escape ... yet David remained faithful to the king."

"Saul plots to HAVE David killed -- Possessed by anger and envy, and determined to hold on to his crown, Saul decided that young David had to be killed ... Saul gave him assignments that would take him away from camp where the enemy could kill him.  But the plan didn't work because David won all the battles."

Saul saw that his daughter Michal loved David and he decided to use this as a trap for him, demanding that David deliver 100 Philistine foreskins as a bride-price, thinking David would certainly be killed while obtaining them.  Instead, David delivered 200 foreskins.

"Now Saul's twisted emotions so controlled him that he was obsessed with the desire to kill his son-in-law.  David never considered Saul to be his enemy, but Saul remained David's enemy until the day he died on the battlefield."

Father, I face conflicts with people whom I have not harmed as well, and their misunderstandings of my motives and intentions is frustrating.  Please resolve these issues in Your power and heal these relationships.  Help me to react like David, not like Saul.

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford