“Then Saul became very angry, for this saying displeased him;” 1 Samuel 18:8a
If you remember, the Sad Story of Israel at this time was their ongoing capitulation between the Worship of Jehovah and their forsaking Him for Idols. God establishes a Judge who brings about Victory and a return to God. When that Judge would die, they would once again forsake God and renew their Idolatrous Ways. At this time, the Nation had been ruled by the Philistines and during Samuel’s Judgeship were slowly beginning to win back their freedom. Israel had now replaced their Judge with a King and were continuing that success with Saul. As a result, there were always Battles and Skirmishes going on, and a lot of Dead Enemies!
Not long after David killed Goliath, King Saul had appointed him as one of his Commanders. Because God was with David, protecting and helping him, he was very successful on the battlefield. His Battalion was a Killing Machine! From town to town, the women would greet Saul and the Army saying “Saul has slain his thousands and David his ten thousands”. Today’s Verse was his reaction! Solomon wrote “Wrath is fierce and anger is a flood, but who can stand before jealousy?” David would find out how true this was for the next 14 chapters.
Envy and Jealousy are Serious Sins. Saul succumbed to them and we see them ruling many a heart today. Paul warned the Galatians that those that practiced Envy and Jealousy “would not inherit the Kingdom of God.” May God give us Grace to see these Enemies of our Souls and put them to death before they kill us!