Today’s reading opens with the Israelite women singing David’s praises; Goliath is dead! Israel is happy! There is singing and dancing in the streets; what a deliverance! Except that Saul the king gets seriously messed up with jealousy. When Saul hears that the women say he has killed his thousands and David his ten thousand, Saul remarks, “Next they’ll be making him their king?” The Bible says that Saul, from that time on, kept a “jealous eye” on David (1 Samuel 18:6-9).
Oh, that eye of jealousy! How self-focused it is! How skewed its perception is! How destructive it is for the one who is infected! The fear that it produces! The shame that it brings! The line that it crosses! The relentlessness of its evil intentions! Its anger, rage, and sourness—what brutality it inflicts on its host! Saul is tormented by his jealousy.
Meanwhile, David is doing everything right, and he can’t seem to catch a break! The LORD God blesses him, but the victories piling up only infuriate Saul all the more! Twice, Saul tries pinning David to the wall with his spear. Saul encourages his men to assassinate David. Saul tries to put David in dangerous situations, hoping the enemy will kill him. The more Saul acts out of jealousy to destroy David, the more God protects David. Eventually, David has to flee and go into hiding.
What has David done wrong? Nothing! Yet he suffers. Why? Isn’t that the question we all would like answered in times like this? Notice how David puts it…
Rescue me from these criminals; save me from these murderers. They have set an ambush for me. Fierce enemies are out there waiting, LORD, though I have not sinned or offended them. I have done nothing wrong, yet they prepare to attack me. Wake up! See what is happening and help me! (Psalm 59:2–4, NLT)
Wow, David gets pretty raw about how he feels! He is asking God to wake up and notice what’s happening to him! Obviously, God wasn’t asleep, but poetically, what an honest feeling! Is this emotion the answer that will solve his problem? No! So, how does David answer this emotion?
You are my strength; I wait for you to rescue me, for you, O God, are my fortress. In his unfailing love, my God will stand with me. He will let me look down in triumph on all my enemies. (Psalm 59:9–10, NLT)
David resolved to wait on God despite his feelings. He resolved to let God be the judge. So, how did he wait on God?
But I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress. O my Strength, I will sing praises to you, for you, O God, are my fortress, the God who shows me steadfast love. (Psalm 59:16–17, ESV)
Wow! What a response! What a way to turn the events on their head! What a way to bring the situation’s emotions under control! What a way to honor God, the One who does everything well and allows all things for our good. Easy? No—but it’s possible. The results? Strength, joy, safety, and a song!
Have you ever suffered jealousy from another person or people? I have. I spent more time asking God to “wake up and notice me” when singing His praise more would have been such medicine for my soul. Yes, in these moments, we find out how frail we actually are, but it is also in these moments that we experience our Strength, that is, our God! Child of God, be comforted and rejoice! He is your fortress and your Strength, and His love is unfailing.
Thank you for joining with me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from 1 Samuel 18:1-20:42, Psalm 11, Psalm 59.