Month: August 2016

Saul said to his servants, “Listen, men of Benjamin: Is Jesse’s son going to give all of you fields and vineyards? Do you think he’ll make all of you commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds? 1 Samuel 22:7 HCSB

In America we are in the midst of the presidential campaign. Each candidate is promising what he or she will do when they are elected president. They not only make wild promises, they tell people why the other candidate is not a good choice and how he or she will only make things worse.

Saul was basically doing the same thing with his servants by asking them a rhetorical question about David. He was suggesting that David would not give them fields and vineyards and would not put them in charge of others. His basic plea was the same as it is today – “Pick me as your king and I will take care of you. If David is king he will not care about you.”

Challenge: No matter who is president or who is king, Jesus is the King above all other kings and presidents. We should seek to please Him. Even the leaders of the world are allowed their power and authority by the Sovereign God who is in control of everything. Pray for God’s will to be done in the elections. Go and exercise your freedom to vote. Pray for the leaders of our country to follow God’s principles.

Saul heard that David and his men had been discovered. At that time Saul was in Gibeah, sitting under the tamarisk tree at the high place. His spear was in his hand, and all his servants were standing around him. 1 Samuel 22:6 HCSB

Have you ever wished you could be like someone else who might be physically attractive, smart, or in a position of power? Or maybe you do not like someone because he got the job or position you desired. Jealousy of others will drive us to unusual thoughts and actions.

Saul was jealous of David. In Saul’s mind David was better looking, a better soldier, a better leader, and was more popular and well-liked by the people than himself. His jealousy caused him to seek out David to kill him. Saul was consumed with his own selfish desires and his desire to kill David because he thought David was trying to kill him in order to become king. David was on the run trying to hide from Saul. So paranoid was Saul that he had his spear in his hand and was prepared for battle even though his servants were all standing around him.

Challenge: Of whom are you jealous? Be the person God has created you to be and do not allow your jealousy to cause you to have evil thoughts that might bring you to take actions that you would later regret. Remember to pray for and love your enemies just as Jesus commanded.