1 Samuel 19 - From resentment to murder

In today’s chapter, we see how Saul sought to kill David. His resentment and jealousy towards David started with a song

“Saul has slain his thousands,
And David his ten thousands.” (1 Samuel 18:7)

and have grown to such an extent that he cannot seem to hold it back anymore. Although he was initially persuaded by Jonathan not to take David’s life (1 Samuel 19:6), yet another victorious return by David against the Philistines has once again triggered Saul’s jealousy (1 Samuel 19:9-).

To be honest, from a mental health professional’s point of view, it almost seemed like Saul has “lost it”. His resentment and jealousy was affecting him and he was portrayed as if he was constantly on guard against David. In today’s chapter, he was so bent on getting David that he sent messengers many times and even went to Ramah himself.

There was only one thing on his mind – to kill David.

In the Bible, there are other similar examples (e.g. Cain and Abel, Joseph and his brothers) whereby horrible deeds were committed out of jealousy or resentment. Abel was murdered. Joseph was sold to Egypt. And often these acts of jealousy/resentment started with something harmless...

Abel was simply offering his best to God, while Joseph was simply doted by his father.

The Bible exhorts us to put away all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking (Ephesians 4:31). If we are not careful to exterminate bitterness at the root, bitterness will grow, “spring up”, and “cause trouble” (Hebrews 12:15). Before we know it, we are already murderers (maybe not literally, but in our hearts (c.f. Matthew 5:21-22)).

If there is someone whom we have issues with, or if we find ourselves starting to resent someone or to be jealous of somebody, do not let these feelings grow in secret. The more we feed these negative feelings, the more these feelings will grow, and before we know it, they overwhelm us like how Saul was overwhelmed with his desire to kill David.

Let us confess our sins to someone we trust so that there is accountability, and let us pray for each other and be healed (James 5:16).  

We cannot win the battle alone. We need God, and we need a group of Godly people who will fight together with us. Have you got your army of Godly people? J 

1 Samuel 10

In today's reading, Samuel officially announced the word of God to Saul, and prophesied to him what is to happen so that he may obey. Saul was anointed and later proclaimed to the whole of Israel as King. Indeed, from today's chapter, it appeared that Saul, though initially overwhelmed (1 Sam 9:21), was submissive to the will of God.

Importantly, it was significant to me that Samuel told Saul that the Spirit of the Lord will come upon Saul and that he will be turned into another man (1 Sam 10:6). And indeed, the BIble records that God gave Saul another heart (1 Sam 10:9).

Then the Spirit of the Lord will come upon you, and you will... be turned into another man (1 Sam 10:6).

So it was, ...that God gave him another heart; and all those signs came to pass that day (1 Sam 10:9).

But we know that subsequently, Saul failed; he was not obedient to the word of God, and David took over him as king,

How is it possible that someone with the Spirit of the Lord can fail? Someone who has been turned into another man and given another heart by God?

We might even start to wonder if Saul was true in the first place.

Then, this verse came to my mind,

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Haven’t we also been made new by the precious blood of Jesus? When we enter into the covenant with God, and receive water baptism, our sins are washed away and we are reconciled with God. The old man has died, crucified to the cross, and the new man now lives (cf Romans 6:4,6). Furthermore, the Spirit of God is living in us when we receive the precious Holy Spirit as our Helper.

It’s true! We have become new creations, ....but it does not (and cannot) stop there.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. (2 Corinthians 4:16, emphasis mine)

Apple of His eye talks about being spiritually renewed and how Saul was not, thus leading to his failure. And in the verse above, the Bible says our inward man is being renewed day by day.

We need to be constantly renewed.

God chose Saul. His spirit was upon him and He gave him a new heart. But Saul eventually failed because he was not spiritually renewed day by day. Similarly, God has chosen us; we have become new man in Christ, and have even received His Holy Spirit. But are we renewed day by day?

... that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. (Ephesians 4:22-24, emphasis mine)

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:2, emphasis mine)

Many of us may think that we have been baptised and we have received the Holy Spirit, and that is sufficient. However, in this marathon of faith, we need to keep up our faith. By the grace of God, we are all made new at the starting point, and He has promised He will be with us. While this start is important, only those who endure to the end will be saved. Let every day be a day of renewal as we draw closer to Him day by day until the finishing line.