1 Samuel 18-21 David's Success and Saul's Jealousy

How well do you handle power?

Odyssey story of Jealousy.

man has a rival all his life

Genie gives a wish to man but his rival with receives double the amount of what he wishes for..

Two shopkeepers were bitter rivals. Their stores were directly across the street from each other, and they would spend each day keeping track of each other's business. If one got a customer, he would smile in triumph at his rival. One night an angel appeared to one of the shopkeepers in a dream and said, "I will give you anything you ask, but whatever you receive, your competitor will receive twice as much. Would you be rich? You can be very rich, but he will be twice as wealthy. Do you wish to live a long and healthy life? You can, but his life will be longer and healthier. What is your desire?" The man frowned, thought for a moment, and then said, "Here is my request: Strike me blind in one eye!"

One sign of jealousy is when it's easier to show sympathy and "weep with those who weep" than it is to exhibit joy and "rejoice with those who rejoice."

Story of Gray Lady (Father Gilbert)

2 things that can happen when someone is jealous of someone else.

The first thing is they will try and tear down the person they are jealous of...

Eliab said, “And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness?

The second thing is they will misinterpret the actions of the person they are jealous of...

Eliab said, “I know your presumption and the evil of your heart, for you have come down to see the battle”

Difference between David and Saul explains it all...

1 Samuel 17:47 (ESV)

47 and that all this assembly may know that the Lord saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give you into our hand.”

1 Samuel 14:24 (ESV)

24 And the men of Israel had been hard pressed that day, so Saul had laid an oath on the people, saying, “Cursed be the man who eats food until it is evening and I am avenged on my enemies.” So none of the people had tasted food.

1 Samuel 18:25 (ESV)

25 Then Saul said, “Thus shall you say to David, ‘The king desires no bride-price except a hundred foreskins of the Philistines, that he may be avenged of the king’s enemies.’ ” Now Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines.

How well do you handle power?

Being a leader is when you have a loaded gun in your hand but never fire it.

Saul used his power to try and pin David to the wall

Whereas David had the power of the people but never used it to destroy King Saul.