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.
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.
16. But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he led them in their campaigns.
| |
|
|
|
Reflection |
|
The Bitter Man (18:10–11)
Saul pursues the building of his own kingdom. In doing so, he denies the presence of God in his life. And as a result, he continues to reap the consequences of that decision. As the presence of God departs from him and is with David (v. 12), an evil spirit of God arrives. The author contrasts a life without God in Saul and a life with God in David. The lack of love, or specifically, the building up of envy, jealousy, contempt, and hatred, is evident as the presence of God leaves Saul. A life without God is a life without love. It is not uncommon to find a jaded, pessimistic, and bitter person in the world. Similarly, it is not uncommon to find a joyful, peaceful, and loving person in the church. What is the difference? The presence of God.
The Better Man (18:12–16)
Saul has denied the presence of God, so much so that it has left him fearful. He has always been a man who only thinks of his own gain. So when David is given command over soldiers and Saul sees his success, Saul is not happy. He is utterly selfish at his core. He does not care for the welfare of David. He does not care for the welfare of Israel. He does not care one bit about the glory of God. He only cares about himself. He only seeks to save his life, but ends up losing it. The way to truly find life is to lose it for the sake of Christ.
| |
Application |
- People will give to the world what they receive from it. But the believer will give to the world what they receive in Christ. Receive love from Christ and give love to the world today.
- Do you continue to try to find life through gain? Learn the truth of Christ’s words: Seek Christ; in doing so, you will find true life.
| |
|
|
|
A Letter to
God |
|
| Father, You know how I continue to try to seek life through selfish gain. Though it is scary to give myself fully to You, I want to trust in You and fully give myself to You today. In Jesus’ name. Amen. | | |
