1 Samuel 18:10-16 – In need of the Divine Enabler

For Saul, it was impossible not to view David with suspicion since he was wreaked with jealousy.  So 1 Samuel 18:10-11 tell us that “Now it came about on the next day that an evil spirit from God came mightily upon Saul, and he raved in the midst of the house, while David was playing the harp with his hand, as usual; and a spear was in Saul’s hand. Saul hurled the spear for he thought, “I will pin David to the wall.” But David escaped from his presence twice.” Saul was a very different man. His rage had gotten the better of him. Unlike the man who was filled with the Spirit and enabled to prophesy, he was now a man possessed of a different spirit and full of anger. Meanwhile, David was the new kid on the block. In contrast to Saul, The Spirit of God was upon him mightily.

We are told in these verses that the day after the celebration, Saul acted up when the evil spirit came upon him while David was playing the harp. Notice the contrast, one holding a harp in his hand and the other held a spear. One was playing to comfort the other, while the other was harboring evil intention to spear him. Thankfully, we read that David eluded Saul’s presence twice. The love that Saul once had for David had turned into dread and fear. He became afraid of him because the Lord was with David. The Spirit is said to have departed from Saul.

What a sad state of affairs! No guidance, no supernatural enabling, just fear and hatred. The contrasting difference between David and Saul was the presence of the Lord in their lives. So Saul became fearful of David, thus he sent him away from his presence and made him commander of a thousand. With the Spirit of God, the presence of God was with him, and that was the reason for David’s success. So we read here that he was successful in whatever undertakings he was assigned to do. And the people just loved him. When Saul saw how David was flourishing, he was terrified of him.    

What can we take away from these verses? We must not let jealousy jeopardize our calling. Jealousy can create a blind rage leading to hostility. It can even change our love and appreciation for someone into hatred and animosity. If it is not curbed, our once appreciation for that person’s ministry can turn into an intention to sabotage his work. We must not let jealousy transmute our love into hate for a fellow believer or worker. One thing we must be thankful for in our living is this: we have the Holy Spirit with us in our journey. The Lord Jesus had sent Him to travel alongside us. He is our divine enabler, guide, and help. If we are to have an overcoming walk, we must neither grieve nor quench Him. We must be sensitive to His presence as He comes alongside us to help us to order our life. All praises to Him!