There is an inherent danger that comes from following the Lord. David had just followed God’s lead and killed the giant Goliath. His victory saved Israel and allowed the nation to regain its respect. The king, Saul, should have been overjoyed–but, that was not the case. Saul knew that God had abandoned him as king. So, as Saul grew older, he also knew God was preparing his replacement. So when this young man, David, rose from nowhere to become the hero of Israel, Saul became fearful and jealous.
Jonathan, however, was thrilled to see David rise. Jonathan never lost sight of God being in charge of the kingdom. Jonathan, the heir to the throne, became David’s best friend. So as Saul watched–he saw David taking everything he had built away from him. Saul became increasingly suspicious and jealous. David was becoming public enemy number 1 to Saul. There was nothing David could do–He was loyal to both Saul and to Israel. David played the Lyre to ease Saul’s torment. David stayed at Saul’s side–even at the risk of his own life.
Following God’s lead is never easy–Saul was simply unable to do it. David was beginning to find that despite his faithfulness to God, he was in a spiritual war that would be much more difficult than any battle with a giant. In our lives, the same holds true–we often find that following the Lord is difficult. It is far easier to do what we want–rather than trust God and allow Him to lead. What is more, when we do allow God to lead, the enemy will throw everything he has at us to try to neutralize our impact on others and to try to make us live a life independent of God.
We, like David, must focus on God. We must gratefully walk the path laid out for us. What we will see, over time, is that God’s path is the only sustainable path to take. We will struggle, we will fail, and we will doubt ourselves and God in the process. When we look back through our lives, however, we will see that God’s plan was right and His leadership prepared us for the battles and victories we were able to experience. David’s son–Solomon, said it best, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Do not lean on your own understanding. Acknowledge God in all your ways–and HE, God, will make your path straight!” Proverbs 3:5-6
God Bless You
After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. 2 From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family. 3 And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. 4 Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt.
5 Whatever mission Saul sent him on, David was so successful that Saul gave him a high rank in the army. This pleased all the troops, and Saul’s officers as well.
6 When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with timbrels and lyres. 7 As they danced, they sang:
“Saul has slain his thousands,
and David his tens of thousands.”
8 Saul was very angry; this refrain displeased him greatly. “They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?” 9 And from that time on Saul kept a close eye on David.
10 The next day an evil[a] spirit from God came forcefully on Saul. He was prophesying in his house, while David was playing the lyre, as he usually did. Saul had a spear in his hand 11 and he hurled it, saying to himself, “I’ll pin David to the wall.” But David eluded him twice.
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