Feelings Are Fickle:
From Love to Jealousy

Scripture Reading:  1 Samuel 18:1-11

Key Verse:  1 Samuel 18:5

Whatever Saul sent him to do, David did it so successfully that Saul gave him a high rank in the army. This pleased all the people, and Saul’s officers as well.

Our story today is an example of how quickly our feelings of love and admiration can turn to feelings of jealousy.  It is another reminder that our feelings are fickle!  King Saul was so impressed with David after David slew Goliath, the pagan Philistine.  As our printed key verse says, Saul gave David a high rank in his army.  From shepherd boy to commander in the king’s army—not a bad promotion!  Saul’s son Jonathon became best friends with David as well.  You might say they were all one big happy family…for a while.

            One day Saul was returning home and the ladies went out to greet them as was their custom.  They were singing and dancing, celebrating the victory of their Israeli army.  Unfortunately, the words of their song really upset King Saul: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.”  Saul’s love for David turned to anger and jealousy in a moment’s time.  Later we see King Saul throw a spear at David trying to kill him.  Of course God’s hand was upon David, protecting him, for he was chosen by God Himself to be the next king of Israel.

            Jealousy is a terrible feeling that most of us, if not all of us, have experienced.  If it is not confronted and controlled, it will consume a person.  It drove King Saul to a state of insanity!  But we are not victims of our emotions and with God’s help we can overcome these feelings!  We must remember that we control our feelings by controlling our thoughts.

Father, I am so grateful for the power to control my thoughts and feelings through your grace working in me.  Remind me often today!  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.