The Success of David and the Jealousy of Saul

Yesterday I preached a 45 minute sermon on this topic based on 1 Samuel 18-20. It turned out better than I had wished for - all 10 point sermon in 45 minutes. I even joked that normally one gets a 3 or 5 point sermon but the church is doubly blessed because in this church you get a 10 point sermon. Three chapters in 45 minutes requires some skill to get all the points across with the context briefly explainee as I read 1 Sam 18:1-15 in full. Why do people get jealous at others’ success? It is perennial problem since the time of Cain and Abel, since the first born of Adam and Eve.

In the beginning Saul liked David and rejoiced at his success at killing Goliath. He did not see David as a threat then as David was only 16 years old. But when David became a commander of soldiers and warred against the Philistines, the maidens of Israel started singing praises for David more than Saul. To Saul they ascribed 1,000 but to David 10,000. When Saul saw the threat of his position he became envious of David and that quickly turned into hatred and the intention to kill David. 

Jealousy leads to envy, envy leads to hatred and hatred leads to murder. It is the same old unredeemed human nature. In fact anger started it all. “Anger does not work righteousness”, says James in his letter. 

Surely it was not an easy sermon to preach, with just a couple of degree holders and only one professional who appreciates my preaching by always thanking me on her way out. But God’s gift in my life is plain speaking. You need no higher education to understand the Bible. There are about 10 or 15 youths studying at local Universities and it will take at least a decade to make this church among educated even if they all remain in the church. 

Besides, only one other member thanked me. But when I went down to the 2nd floor for refreshments, I received a boost seeing the room full for the first time. We had a record of 51 children attending church, all of them enjoying fried meehoon and noodles and hot drinks. I guess for many of them it was their first meal because they seemed to enjoy the food so much. I suggested the fellowship over refreshments two months ago and it is one of the best things that I had done.