IT IS SO AMAZING what we can learn from the lives of others.
This week we are in 1 Samuel 18. David had just defeated Goliath and was invited by King Saul to stay with him. Later he was promoted to a high rank because he was very successful in all the missions Saul sent him on. David was highly respected and loved by the people of Israel but Saul hated him and that hatred was rooted in jealousy.
When the men were returning home after David had killed Goliath, the women came out from all over Israel to meet King Saul. The Bible states that as they danced, they sang: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” This made Saul very angry and the following day he tried to kill David twice.
Saul was afraid of David because in everything he did, he was successful and he knew that the Lord was with David. What added to the anger was that all of Israel and Judah loved David.
In verse 17, Saul said to David: “Here is my older daughter Merab. I will give her to you in marriage; only serve me bravely and fight the battles of the Lord.” For Saul said to himself: “I will not raise a hand against him. Let the Philistines do that!” David rejected the offer.
In verses 20-21, Saul’s daughter Michal was in love with David. “I will give her to him, he [Saul] thought, so that she may be a snare to him and so that the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” So Saul said to David: “Now you have a second opportunity to become my son-in-law.” David rejected the offer.
Saul then turned to his attendants and sent them to convince David to marry his daughter, offering her to him if he could kill 100 Philistines. Saul’s plan as outlined in verse 24 was to have David killed by the hand of the Philistines.
Lesson 1: It isn’t every gift you should receive.
The gift being offered to David was a bride, one of Saul’s daughters. David knew Saul wanted to kill him, but he had no reason to refuse his daughter in marriage. 1 Samuel 17:25 states that whoever killed Goliath would receive the king’s daughter in marriage, so technically the daughter was already promised to David for killing Goliath. After that, Saul offered his other daughter and initially David refused.
The motive behind Saul’s gift was malicious. His desire was to set up David to be killed. I believe even if David had taken the first daughter in marriage, Saul’s plan could not be fulfilled because throughout the Book of Samuel, it states that the Lord was with David.
Nonetheless, these passages reveal to us how important it is to discern whether to take a gift or a favour or even help from anyone, even friends and family. Sometimes as good as the gift may appear, we must say no.
Lesson 2: Success brings the good and the evil.
When David was just a shepherd boy, no one knew of him or wanted to kill him, but immediately after killing Goliath, all that changed and very quickly. Saul was a king and with it he had authority and wealth, yet he envied and hated David because the people loved him, he was successful in battle and a man who loved and was favoured by God.
There are people who will have more than you and will envy you and plot your demise primarily because your growth, success and elevation are a threat to them, even though all you are doing is being you and fulfilling your role. Also, people will hate you because God’s favour is with you. As my mentor always says, favour ain’t fair.
We all want the sweets and goods of success and popularity, but we don’t want the hatred, jealousy, lies, deception and fake friends that come with it. It’s impossible to get one without the next; that’s just the way it is. Should you slow down, shut down, reverse or give up your position or dream because of talk, envy, lies or hatred? Absolutely not.
Stay focused on your goals and be aware of the evils around you. At all times, walk in the will of the Lord, pursue righteousness, be humble and let Him elevate you and guide you through your success.
• Corey Worrell, a former Commonwealth youth ambassador, is director of C2J Foundation Inc., a project-based NGO focusing on social development. Email [email protected].
