SCRIPTURE:
6 When the victorious Israelite army was returning home after David had killed the Philistine, women from all the towns of Israel came out to meet King Saul. They sang and danced for joy with tambourines and cymbals. 7 This was their song: “Saul has killed his thousands, and David his ten thousands!”
8 This made Saul very angry. “What’s this?” he said. “They credit David with ten thousands and me with only thousands. Next they’ll be making him their king!” 9 So from that time on Saul kept a jealous eye on David.
10 The very next day a tormenting spirit from God overwhelmed Saul, and he began to rave in his house like a madman. David was playing the harp, as he did each day. But Saul had a spear in his hand, 11 and he suddenly hurled it at David, intending to pin him to the wall. But David escaped him twice.
12 Saul was then afraid of David, for the Lord was with David and had turned away from Saul.
1 Samuel 18:6-12
OBSERVATION:
As we read of David and Saul, we often place ourselves in the shoes of David. We think we are the righteous, humble, God-fearing, God-honoring one. But are we more like David or are we more like Saul?
When David returns from slaying Goliath under the military leadership of Saul, a crowd comes to meet them. While their chants celebrate both of them, this is what they shout: “Saul has killed his thousands, and David his ten thousands!” (1 Samuel 18:7). And how does this make Saul feel? The word says “8 This made Saul very angry…So from that time on Saul kept a jealous eye on David…Saul had a spear in his hand, and he suddenly hurled it at David, intending to pin him to the wall. But David escaped him twice. Saul was then afraid of David” (1 Samuel 18:8-12).
Saul was angry, then jealous, then afraid. And what did this all stem from? Comparison.
Comparison stole Saul’s joy, killed his character, and pushed God away from his life. When Saul began to compare himself to David, anger blinded him from seeing the great things God had already done through him. Then jealousy took root in his heart and caused him to hate God’s anointed. Then the fear of realizing that he caused God to leave him, made him spiral further and further from God’s presence.
And you may say, “Saul didn’t compare himself to David––the people did.” And that’s true too. However, Saul didn’t have to listen to them, did he? Because look at David––David was praised by the people. He heard the same things that Saul heard. But did David allow these praises from the people affect him? No. As it says in verse 10, “David was playing the harp, as he did each day.” Despite the praises of the people, David minded his own business. He didn’t let it get to his head or take root in his heart; David was focused solely on the approval of God.
When you live for an audience of One––for the approval of God alone––the praises of the people are but whisper in the wind. You don’t care what people say––whether good or bad––because it is not them or their approval that you are living for. Comparison doesn’t kill you because you know that God loves his every son and daughter just the same. So the praises, and curses, of man don’t bother you because you care only what God has to say about you.
APPLICATION:
Do you struggle with comparison? If so, in this case, you’re more like Saul than like David. However, your saving grace is that you’re not all like Saul.
For most of us, the reality is that we are neither David nor Saul; there’s a little bit of both in each of us. Seeing David in ourselves should be a quiet call to continue living, serving, and worshipping God with utmost humility. Seeing Saul in ourselves should be a resounding warning to us to turn from our wicked ways back to God. But our problem is that we do the opposite. We broadcast our successes to the world while we turn a blind eye to the problems within us that need changing. And the more we do that, the more we become like Saul––susceptible to comparison and pushing the presence of God away from us.
Extinguish the Saul within yourself and quietly summon the David out of yourself. Ignore the praises of the crowd and instead, tune your ears to the voice of the Father. For while the approval of the crowd may feel good in the moment, remember that the crowd is not always right. Think about Jesus on trial. The crowds “kept shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” (Luke 23:21) They approved of Barabbas the criminal and despised Christ the Savior.
The crowds aren’t always right, but God is. Don’t let the comparison of the crowds distract you from the approval of God. Tune your ears toward His voice, give your heart fully to Him, and allow God alone to be enough for you.
PRAYER:
Father God,
Thank You for calling me, choosing me, and being with me. I repent for the times I have let comparison kill my character and distract me from You alone. I ask for Your forgiveness and I turn to You. Kill the Saul within me and create in me a clean heart after You alone like David. Help me to hear Your voice clearly, to follow You every second of the day, and to make You proud. You are more than enough for me. I love You, Lord. Thank You for loving me.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
