Observation: Immediately after David kills Goliath, Saul's next conversation is very strange. Saul knows David, who is already employed in his home as a harpist. Saul has actually spent the morning this very day with David, preparing him for battle, even giving him his own clothes. Strangely, immediately upon this success, Saul is concerned about ... David's lineage.
The lightbulb has gone on for Saul. This young harpist David is suddenly a threat to his kingship, and he needs to know ... is this the successor prophesized by Samuel? The boy is his neighbor - Bethlehem is <5 miles from Jerusalem, and Judah borders Benjamin - and is now immediately popular with the troops. In the next chapter, Saul's son will become David's best friend, and Saul's daughter will fall in love with and marry David. And even right away, local village women are singing songs about both of them that paint David as more successful that Saul.
It is how Saul responds to this that reveals his character. He does not attempt to prepare David for kingship as his successor, but instead contrives many ways to kill him. These begin as plots to have David die in battle, but will later evolve into direct assault and eventually trying to hunt David down. Yet it is the very first knee-jerk emotion that truly reveals Saul's heart and thus his faith in the Lord. He perceives David's success, remembers the word of God as given to him by Samuel, and is immediately ... paranoid. This rapidly evolves into resentment and jealousy (verses 18:8-9).
To simply this: God has given Saul a word of prophesy that is true and unchangeable. When Saul realizes how that prophesy will manifest, he responds with every possible negative emotion, leading to manipulative behavior and violent actions, instead of embracing and joining in the work of the Lord for the best successful outcome for himself, his family, David, and Israel.
Application: I am not sure I have ever received a word of prophesy from anyone about anything in my life. I have received some revelations directly from the Lord about immediate issues. So the question is, if/when I receive such information, how will I react when I suddenly see the wheels set in motion? Will I praise Yahweh for his faithful and true word? Will I resist change I do not like? Will I be joyful, or angry?
Saul disliked the prophesy about the end of his reign, but when he realized it was true he doubled down in his fight against it. I hope I learn it would be better to join God in the work and to never fight God's will.
Prayer: Lord, there are of course elements of my walk in life I don't particularly like. I hope I am not fighting you in them, however. If I am, please forgive me. May I be aligned with you, joyful about your word and promises, no matter how they impact me, for I know they will ultimately all be for my good. Amen.
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