Good morning!
1st Samuel chapter 20.
Saul was so angry at David! Why? Jonathan, his son, asked him why he wanted to kill David but that resulted in Saul not answering the question but instead he became so angry and irrational that even tried to kill his son.
If Saul was rational in answering the question I feel like he would have said, “I want to kill David because I am so jealous and angry with God removing my kingdom from me. I know David will get the kingdom next. So if I could kill David then I can still claim kingship.”
David was a threat to Saul even with his popularity with the people.
You never hear Saul taking ownership for his poor behaviors. He lost his kingship because he was so self focused and not God focused.
His behavior actually reminded me of the Pharisees. They were so angry and jealous of Jesus and were intimidated by his increased popularity and their decreased popularity. As a result, they lost focus of the Truth. Our selfish focus blinds us of God's Truth. Must always be God Truth seekers.
Lord, help me to not get so self-focused that I lose sight of you and your Truth. Help me to be aware of my sinful and selfish thoughts. Help me to confess my sins verses trying to act self-righteous resulting in covering my sin.
Kimberly, you asked about “God Sending an Evil Spirit?” I believe God didn't send the evil spirit as a way of “tempting” Saul but sent it as an act of judgment because of Saul's continual rebellion toward God. Just a thought.
Saul certainly had a selfish focus and he completely lost control. It seems to me that he thought that he didn’t have to be accountable to anyone for his actions. He was the king so he could do whatever he pleased. However, his poor decisions did have consequences whether he liked it or not. I can see how his attitude and behavior was similar to the Pharisees. I think that’s a good comparison.
I’m reminded today of Philippians 2:3.
“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.”
It seems to me that Saul lived out the opposite of this Scripture. It is definitely a verse that is easier said than done.
Kimberly – I think God in his sovereignty allowed this evil spirit to terrorize Saul’s mind.
Three times Saul tried to kill David with a spear and finally tries to kill his own son in the same way. God uses David and Jonathan to show us (me especially) an important lesson in loyalty and love. Saul had a spear in his hand – an instrument of war and hurting; David had a harp – an instrument of worship and healing. When Saul threw the spear at David, David didn’t throw it back. When I feel threatened, do I throw spears or do I rejoice and let others excel? What’s in my hand – an instrument of war or healing? The truth is when I throw spears … I hurt myself in the process.
David asks Jonathan what he had done to deserve Saul’s hatred and his desire to kill him. I’m reminded that when trouble comes into my life, it isn’t always because of what I’ve done. God does sometimes discipline and correct me but sometimes He is preparing me for things ahead. Romans 5:3 and James 1:4 tell us that tribulation/trials bring patience and patience brings perfection.
Thank you, Lord, for the lessons in my life that You use to bring me closer to You. Help me to “get” them the first time so I don’t have to struggle again with the same lesson!