AN IMPORTANT "LITTLE DETAIL"

 

JUNE 14, 2023

1 Samuel 18:6-8

When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with timbrels and lyres. As they danced, they sang: “Saul has slain his thousands and David his tens of thousands.” Saul was very angry; this refrain displeased him greatly. “They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?”




In the story of David, Goliath, and Saul, God provided victory for the nation of Israel by empowering David, a young shepherd boy, to kill the Philistine giant Goliath. Goliath was so imposing that he left Saul and his entire army “shaking in their boots.”

We notice that David’s faith was stronger than his fear and he refused to allow the giant and the Philistine army to mock his God. David’s courage and faith enabled him, this so-called underdog, to do what seemed impossible: he slayed the giant.

What a great day for God’s people! One would think this would bring joy and celebration, after all Israel was saved! And it did. 

This outcome also brought an immediate temptation to King Saul, comparison. Now kings and rulers historically, tend to be insecure, always looking over their shoulder for the next threat to their position of power. Undoubtedly, when David killed the giant, Saul began to think to himself that it should have been him. He was the mighty king, he was ruler over Israel, and David was, in Goliath’s words, a boy who came to him with sticks.

As the people celebrated the victory and gave homage to both David and Saul, Saul chose to get hung up on one tiny detail of their songs: David was credited with slaying tens of thousands, Saul only thousands. This refrain became his obsession and would send him on a journey of jealousy, envy, hatred of David, and ultimately the pursuit to kill him. In fact, from that time on, Saul kept a jealous and watchful eye on David. Despite David’s complete faithfulness to Saul as the anointed of God, Saul’s suspicion and comparison and sin would eventually cause his destruction. And it all started with one tiny comparison, tens of thousands vs. thousands.

This story is intended to let us in on this little detail: it shows us where sin can be birthed and what it can become in our lives. I am thankful that God in his word gives us this story to teach us and caution us so that we can by leaning on the Spirit's help avoid such stumbling blocks.

REFLECT

 
Can you think of a time when one small statement or comment was implanted in your mind and sent you on a downward spiral of comparison?

 
How did you handle that situation?



LET US PRAY

Jesus,
You are with me always and see everything I do. Fashion me in Your image. Give me Your wisdom and strength to avoid sinning. Show me when and how to flee from situations where I am tempted. 

If it means making some difficult decisions, give me the courage to make them. I want to devote myself to You, and I need Your Spirit to help me. Thank You, Jesus. Amen.