March 27 / I Samuel 18-19; Psalm 59

I Samuel 18-19; Psalm 59

Before we move forward with David, let’s take a closer look at Saul. He provides an excellent example — of what not to do.

Saul initially welcomes David very positively, recognizing what an asset he is, both as a musician to soothe Saul’s own inner turmoil and as a warrior to fight Saul’s enemies. But then Saul catches wind of what the ladies are singing:

“Saul has struck down his thousands,
and David his ten thousands.”

I Samuel 18:7

Hearing that David is praised more highly than himself, Saul sinks into jealousy and paranoia. He no longer sees David for who he actually is but instead through deceptive, distorted lenses: And Saul eyed David from that day on. (I Sam. 18:9)

All of this goes back to the LORD’s rejection of Saul as king and Saul’s failure to fully repent in the face of that rejection. He continues in pride as the king of Israel, forgetting Who made him king to begin with. He continues to seek the approval of others, not the approval of the LORD. He continues to seek what seems best for himself, not what is best for the nation. One sin begets another, and another, and another.

Saul could, presumably, make better choices. He could pursue a path of humility, confessing his disobedience to the LORD, falling down on his face before the people in repentance. He could fully accept God’s rejection and abdicate the throne. He could selflessly honor David for his great heroism, heedless of any comparison to himself. He could strive to build David up, rather than seeking to destroy him. He could trust in the LORD, secure in God’s goodness and love, rather than living in fear and insecurity.

But he doesn’t. He no longer has the Spirit of God upon him, and he operates in the strength of his own flesh instead.

Now the works of the flesh are evident: … enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, … and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Galatians 5:19-21

Having turned from the LORD, Saul exhibits the works of the flesh and is consumed by them. What a tragic figure he is! And so he remains for the rest of his life.

Let’s learn from Saul’s example. Let’s make better choices. The first such choice is to surrender to the Lord, because the Lord Himself provides the only escape from the works of the flesh:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Galatians 5:22-26