Friday, July 14, 2023  

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Today’s Scripture Reading 
1 Samuel 18:5–16

David went out and was successful wherever Saul sent him; as a result, Saul set him over the army. And all the people, even the servants of Saul, approved.

As they were coming home, when David returned from killing the Philistine, the women came out of all the towns of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with songs of joy, and with musical instruments. And the women sang to one another as they made merry, “Saul has killed his thousands, and David his ten thousands.” Saul was very angry, for this saying displeased him. He said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed thousands; what more can he have but the kingdom?” So Saul eyed David from that day on. The next day an evil spirit from God rushed upon Saul, and he raved within his house, while David was playing the lyre, as he did day by day. Saul had his spear in his hand; and Saul threw the spear, for he thought, “I will pin David to the wall.” But David eluded him twice.

Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with him but had departed from Saul. So Saul removed him from his presence, and made him a commander of a thousand; and David marched out and came in, leading the army. David had success in all his undertakings; for the Lord was with him. When Saul saw that he had great success, he stood in awe of him. But all Israel and Judah loved David; for it was he who marched out and came in leading them. (NRSV)

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Reflection
The Bible is a record of people’s understanding of their relationship with God. In these stories about King Saul and David — who would later become King David — we encounter the idea that God is with people when things are going in their favor. When David was successful as a military leader, Saul believed that God was with David but not with himself.

Saul became jealous, afraid, and raving with rage. He tried to pin David to the wall, which might have meant he intended to kill him. As the story continues, Saul does try to kill David in various ways, sometimes by sending him into very dangerous military situations. Saul’s belief that God was not with him led him to do terrible things.

Was God with King Saul? Is God with us, when things are not going “well”?

It seems easy to see that the evil spirit that rushed on Saul was a spirit of violence. It must have been a similar spirit that led David, after he became king, to arrange to have Uriah killed so David could have Bathsheba.

King David and King Saul made huge mistakes. They did evil things. Sometimes our heroes let us down. Sometimes they act with selfishness or fear or anger. They may think that God is not with them, or we may think that God is not with us. But God is always present. We live and move and have our being in God (Acts 17:28).

When things are not going our way, it might be good to remember that God is with us, even at our lowest points. Trusting in God’s presence and love for us may help us avoid inviting in the deadly spirit of fear, jealousy, and rage against others.

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Prayer
God of compassion, forgive us when we slip into fear, jealousy, or rage. Give us courage and open our hearts to know that you are with us in and through every trial and tribulation. Amen.

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Written by Nanette Sawyer, Associate Pastor for Discipleship and Small Group Ministry

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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