“When Sha’ul saw how
very successful he was,
he became afraid of him.”
-1 Samuel 18:15
If there’s any one word that sums up Saul’s character, I would say it is “denial”.
Recall that Samuel had already informed Saul that God had removed the throne from him.
But what was Saul’s response?
Complete denial.
He was still trying to keep up the facade that everything was fine and dandy between him and God.
He reminds me of an alcoholic who makes all kinds of stupid excuses for his drinking.
“I can handle my alcohol.”
“I only drink to relax or unwind.”
“It’s just a social thing; everyone else is doing it.”
“I need alcohol to cope with stress or problems.”
“I’ll quit or cut back when I’m ready.”
Total bs, right?
Now, since Samuel was God’s authority in Israel at the time, on some level, Saul must have understood God was no longer with him.
He could sense the Holy Spirit which used to rest upon him had been removed and was now resting upon David.
This filled him with great fear that was only worsened by David’s increasing popularity.
No doubt, the big difference in Saul and David’s demeanors also played a huge role in drawing the people to David.
I mean who would want to be ruled by a paranoid madman?
Verse 15 neatly sums up Saul’s relationship with David.
“When Sha’ul saw how
very successful he was,
he became afraid of him.”
So what’s the takeaway I’m getting for today?
It is that…
“The ungodly will always grow paranoid of and eventually fear the godly”.
If you’ve sensed that some folks resent you for living a Holy lifestyle, this is why.
It’s also why the world has such an irrational hatred of Israel.
If you think about it, anti-Semitism makes about as much sense as believing the moon is made out of green cheese or something.
Ya feel me here?
Recently, I heard one pastor say that anti-Semitism is not an ideology, it’s a demonic spirit.
I agree with him.
CONNECTING THIS TEACHING TO THE NEW TESTAMENT
“Blessed are you when they
revile and persecute you,
and say all kinds of evil
against you falsely for My sake.
Rejoice and be exceedingly glad,
for great is your reward in heaven,
for so they persecuted the
prophets who were before you.”
-Matthew 5:11-12
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