1 Samuel 18:7–8

Verse 6 speaks of a time that was evidently later. David was returning from the slaughter of the Philistines, as the margin reads. This was not simply his defeat of Goliath. Apparently David had been sent out and accomplished a clear victory in which Saul had little or no part. The women came to celebrate the victory with singing and dancing. In Saul's presence they sang that Saul had struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands. That was not exactly diplomatic. The tide of popular opinion was evidently turning in David's direction, and this alarmed and aggravated Saul. Samuel had told Saul that God would give his kingdom to another (1 Samuel 15:28), and Saul sees the signs that David may very well be the man. This was another opportunity for Saul to step down willingly and give the kingdom to David. Instead he watched David suspiciously for any sign that he might want the throne.

The women, having more sensitive spirits, according to their nature, seized and spoke the simple truth. It was not that they failed to honour the king, but they certainly paid honour to the one to whom honour was due. They felt who was the instrument of the mighty deliverance in Israel.

In verses 6 and 7 we see the women coming out of all the cities of Israel. What is so clear is the shared appreciation of David in their song. "They answered one another" — there was no disagreement — every affection filled with the sense of David's pre-eminence. Beloved, what an atmosphere to be in!

This great victory was celebrated "when David returned from striking down the Philistine" with "singing and dancing" (1 Sam. 18:6). There was joy in hearts that had recently been full of fear. The women rightly gave the praise to David, answering one another as they played: "Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands." David's victory was only a faint foreshadowing of the victory of his Greater Son. He brought the devil and his power to nothing, and has produced a people delivered from the fear of death who praise and worship Him.

Very different were the feelings with which Saul regarded the person and work of David. He had not learned to forget himself and rejoice to see the work done by another. It is the work of grace to be able to do this. We all naturally like to be or to do something — to be looked at and thought of. So it was with Saul. He was a self-important man, so he could hardly bear the songs of the women of Israel: "Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands." Saul could not stand the idea of being second.

This is not yet irritation against David. It is irritation at people's opinion, which was lifting David up and lowering the king. And it came at the very moment when Jonathan's faith was sacrificing everything for the beloved one. This is because the flesh can never bear being nothing in Christ's presence.

Let us now pass on to Saul in 1 Samuel 18:8. Envy here seems to grip Saul so terribly that it gains complete mastery over him. It leads him three times to try to murder David. Some people do not know how quickly and fatally the poison of envy works. To them it seems almost unbelievable that Saul could have tried to kill the very one who had just delivered Israel, and for such a small reason. Yet I am sure of this: anyone who knows anything of his own heart can trace the seeds of great crimes in the feelings that envy prompts.

The sense of the great service that David had done faded quickly from Saul's spirit. And why? Because his object, his idol, was himself, and David's name that day interfered with it. The women, having more sensitive spirits, seized and uttered the simple truth. It was not that they failed to honour the king, but certainly they paid honour to the one to whom honour was due. They felt who was the instrument of the mighty deliverance in Israel.

He had not learnt to forget himself and rejoice to see the work done by another. It is the work of grace to be able to do this. We all naturally like to be or to do something — to be looked at and thought of. So it was with Saul; he was a self-important man, and therefore little able to bear the songs of the maids of Israel. Saul could not stand the idea of being second. He forgot how he had trembled at the voice of Goliath. He was a coward, yet he wanted to be thought brave and daring.

The tide of popular opinion was turning in David's direction, and this alarmed and upset Saul. Samuel had told Saul that God would give his kingdom to another (1 Sam. 15:28), and Saul sees the signs that David may well be the man. This was another chance for Saul to hand the kingdom over to David of his own will. Instead he watched David with suspicion, looking for any sign that he wanted the throne. Of course, David himself showed no such inclination. It was only the facts of his character and ability that spoke to both Saul and the people.

The anger of his soul exposes him once more to the attacks of the evil spirit, which seemed to have stopped for a while. Now David's harp has lost its power. Saul throws the javelin in his hand to pin David to the wall, and twice David escapes from his presence. Then fear comes on Saul. He realises that Jehovah is with David, and not with himself.

Saul was Satan's tool in his hatred of Christ. Saul only saw David. Satan saw in him a picture of Christ, who is the Son of David… It began with jealousy. David's submissive behaviour never failed, and that alone would have been enough to remove such a groundless feeling, had that been all… So Saul's jealousy ripened into Satan's hatred.

It takes a very simple heart and a single eye to rejoice in the fruit of another's work as genuinely as in the fruit of our own hands. If the glory of God and the good of His people had filled Saul's heart, he would not have given a thought to the numbers credited to him or to David. Sadly, he sought his own glory. This was the secret of his envy and jealousy… When we are honestly seeking the promotion of Christ's glory we shall not be anxious about the instrument.