By Kevin Blackwell, Ph.D.
Executive Director, Ministry Training Institute/Assistant to the President for Church Relations, Samford University
DAVID
1 Samuel 18:5–16
After David’s successful leadership of King Saul’s army against Goliath and the Philistines, he returned to a hero’s welcome. The triumphant army was greeted by the women of the town with songs and celebration. Per Hebrew tradition, the women composed songs that signified the army’s military successes.
The words of the song enraged Saul as he heard the mothers, wives and daughters sing, “Saul has killed his thousands, but David his tens of thousands.” From that point forward, everything changed in Saul’s relationship with David.
Give your best to whatever your leaders call you to do. (5–7)
King Saul was a man of deep insecurity. Whether it was Samuel or David, Saul struggled with those the Lord sent to him to benefit his kingship. He saw everyone as a competitor to his throne, though neither Samuel nor David had such ambitions.
Though Saul’s evil spirit would cause outrage in his heart toward David, this did not change the way David sought to serve Saul. David understood that ultimately his service was not to the king but to the King of kings.
Even though those around David saw him as a more capable military and political leader than Saul, it did not change the way David served the one God had placed in authority over him. David felt that as long as his actions under Saul would ultimately bring glory to God, he would do his very best to serve the king.
Excellence in your work is not always valued. (8–11)
After the women sang their lyrics, Scripture describes Saul’s dramatic change toward David. “So Saul watched David jealously from that day forward” (v. 9). The Hebrew word used here means that Saul watched David with iniquity in his heart. He had sinful eyes toward David, even while David continued to serve him with excellence.
Because Saul now believed that David was seeking to usurp the throne from him, he would begin seeking to kill David. His attempts at this were not very subtle.
First, Goliath had a spear in his hand to kill David, and now Saul would attempt to strike him with a spear as well. God, however, would spare the life of David because he lived a life that was pleasing to the Lord and also because it would be for the ultimate good of Israel.
Even when a believer’s work and service are not valued by those in authority over them, a Christian will serve with excellence knowing that the work being accomplished is ultimately for the glory of God.
Even when disrespected or opposed, continue to honor God with what you do. (12–16)
Whether David was being challenged by a 9-foot giant named Goliath or a spear-hurling king named Saul, he enjoyed success in his endeavors because “the Lord was with him” (v. 14). Though Saul tried to murder him twice with a spear, David still left the palace and went right back to his place of service commanding Saul’s army.
When we have relational hardships with those who oppose us, we must continue to serve the Lord in faithfulness. Paul encourages us to remember, “Whatever you do, do it from the heart, as something done for the Lord and not for people, knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord. You serve the Lord Christ” (Col. 3:23–24).
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