Saul told Jonathan that as long as David lived, neither Jonathan nor his kingdom would be established: "send and bring him to me, for he shall surely die" (a paraphrase of 1 Samuel 20:31).

Had Saul forgotten what Samuel had prophesied? Samuel had told him that his kingdom would not continue, for the Lord had sought out a man after His own heart and appointed him prince over His people, because Saul had not kept the Lord's command (cf. 1 Samuel 13:14). And again, Samuel had said that the Lord had torn the kingdom of Israel from him that day and given it to a neighbor better than he, and that "the Glory of Israel will not lie or have regret" (a paraphrase of 1 Samuel 15:28–29).

Since Saul knew these things, his attempts on David's life revealed his desire to thwart what God had decreed. Because it was unfavorable to him and his children, Saul could not accept God's word. He rebelled against God's choice and raged against David for the rest of his life.

I wonder whether Saul's attitude mirrors Satan's, who also faces a very unfavorable fate. Unlike Saul, whose rage ended with his death, Satan's rage continues through the ages.

Friends, has any of you been dealt an unfavorable hand in life? Since God is sovereign over all things, whatever misfortune comes is ultimately within His hands. If God did not directly cause it, He certainly could have prevented or at least lessened it. But to blame God and rage against Him would be futile.

What is the best you can do in such a situation? Humbly accept God's decree and praise Him as the One who gives and takes away. This is what Job did when he faced terrible calamity and loss, though he was innocent of any wrongdoing.

When God decreed that David's son would die as a consequence of his sins, David humbled himself and fasted before the Lord. Instead of raging against the Lord, David hoped in God's grace — but in that case it was not granted, for the child died. Yet listen to what David said: while the child was alive he fasted and wept, thinking the Lord might be gracious and let the child live; but now that the child was dead, why should he fast? Could he bring him back? "I shall go to him, but he will not return to me" (a paraphrase of 2 Samuel 12:22–23).

We cannot presume on God's grace in every situation, but we can still humbly appeal to it. In other words, we can ask to be delivered from a bad situation, but we cannot presume He will grant our request. To rage against God — as Job came close to doing in his dialogues with his friends — would be futility and folly. It was for Saul, and it will be for Satan.

Friends, let us humble ourselves before the Lord, accept our lot in life, and serve Him faithfully, acknowledging His sovereignty and striving to honor Him as best we can, even if there is no immediate reward or favorable change in our circumstances.

But though there is no guarantee of earthly prosperity, there is a definite hope of future reward. Listen to Paul's last words: he was already being poured out as a drink offering; he had fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith; and there was laid up for him the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, would award him on that day — and not only to him, but to all who have loved His appearing (a paraphrase of 2 Timothy 4:6–8).

A crown of righteousness! That is our great reward in heaven. It is given by the One who is our chief love, who gave His life so that we might gain eternal life. So, dear friends, let us praise our great God and Savior! Let us remember that no misfortune in this life compares with the glory that will be revealed in us at the redemption of our bodies: the sufferings of this present time "are not worth comparing with the glory" to be revealed (Romans 8:18).

AI-Expanded Reflection

1 Samuel 20 is often remembered for the friendship between David and Jonathan, and it provides a striking contrast to Saul's rage. Saul told Jonathan that David stood between him and the throne — and Jonathan knew it was true. Yet Jonathan had already made a covenant with David, giving him his robe, armor, and sword (18:3–4), symbols of the royal succession. Later he told David, "You shall be king over Israel, and I shall be next to you" (23:17). Where Saul fought against God's choice, his son embraced it at great personal cost. Jonathan is one of Scripture's most beautiful examples of humility and loyal love.

The comment's counsel about accepting hard circumstances is wise, and Scripture balances it with a note worth adding: humble acceptance does not require silence before God. Job's "The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away" (Job 1:21) was followed by chapters of honest lament, and God said Job had spoken rightly of Him (42:7). The psalms of lament model bringing grief and even complaint to God in faith (Psalm 13; 88). What Scripture warns against is Saul's path — rage that refuses God's will and turns against others — rather than the honest cry of a heart that still trusts. David's words about his son, "I shall go to him," have comforted many grieving parents with the hope of reunion.

Then Saul became very angry, for this saying displeased him; and he said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, but to me they have ascribed thousands. Now what more can he have but the kingdom?” Saul looked at David with suspicion from that day on. (1 Samuel 18:8–9).

When Saul saw that he was prospering greatly, he dreaded him (1 Samuel 18:15).

When Saul saw and knew that the Lord was with David, and that Michal, Saul’s daughter, loved him, then Saul was even more afraid of David. Thus Saul was David’s enemy continually (1 Samuel 18:28–29).

Some leaders are so deeply concerned with what others think about them and with guarding their own reputation that even when they know that they are wrong about something, they will not admit to it and resist those that try to expose it. In doing so, their judgment gets clouded and they fail to appreciate the ones that would have been their most loyal and capable servants.

This was Saul. He was so concerned with guarding his own authority and reputation as king, obeying God was no longer a priority. Little did he realize that his paranoid efforts to destroy David would only seal his own fate, which God prophesied through Samuel. Even though it took some time before David ascended to the throne of Israel, by continuing to do what was right and waiting on the Lord, he became a model of righteous leadership for all generations.

Friends, this message from the Scriptures reflects some valuable lessons that I've learned in my short life about leadership. If you would indulge me, I'll share a few of them here:

I have had the privilege of being both a worker and a manager, an employee as well as an employer. As a worker and an employee, I learned that the most important thing was to do my best at my job and to take responsibility for it, even as if I were the owner. I learned that it was wisest to do this without any bitterness or complaint.

As a manager and an employer, an important lesson I learned was never to be jealous of others or to fear that they might displace me. I learned that it was to my credit to support and promote those wiser and more capable than me.

And in whatever position I learned never to compromise integrity, which applies not only to serious matters like lying on a report or staying silent about unbiblical teaching, but even more subtle matters like not taking office supplies for personal use and being on time for meetings.

But today's lesson from Saul is all about leadership, even godly leadership. Saul failed to understand that his authority was given by God, and so he felt that he himself had to guard this authority against anyone or anything that might threaten it.

Friends, the Bible teaches us that all authority is ordained by God (cf. Romans 13:1). And every good thing comes from Him (cf. James 1:17). There is nothing in us that makes us more special or more deserving than anyone else (cf. 1 Corinthians 4:7). If this is so, we don't need to jealously guard our reputation or our position. God will do it. And we must recognize that what He has given, He can also take away. It is sufficient that we humbly and faithfully serve Him without compromising His Word. This is all that God requires of us.

AI-Expanded Reflection

Saul interprets David's success as a threat because he has begun to treat authority as something he must preserve at any cost. The women's song does not give David a crown, but Saul hears the comparison as the beginning of dispossession. Suspicion then distorts his perception of a servant whose ability benefits Israel. The tragedy is that the very qualities a faithful king should welcome become reasons for fear.

The narrative makes this more serious than ordinary competitiveness. Saul recognizes that the Lord is with David, yet that recognition increases his hostility. He is no longer simply uncertain about another person's motives; he resists what he perceives God to be doing. Self-protection has displaced the purpose for which authority was entrusted to him. His response warns leaders that a desire to retain control can continue even after the evidence for another course has become clear.

The original's practical lessons from employment and management fit this theme well. Supporting capable colleagues can serve the work more faithfully than guarding one's own prominence. A manager who develops successors and shares credit demonstrates that the institution's good matters beyond personal indispensability. An employee who acts responsibly without ownership can likewise serve with integrity. These habits are ordinary ways of resisting the envy that becomes so destructive in Saul.

However, working without bitterness does not require silence about wrongdoing. David eventually flees Saul's attempts to kill him, and Jonathan challenges his father's conduct. Faithfulness is compatible with seeking protection, reporting serious misconduct, or leaving an unhealthy setting. Respect for authority does not demand that someone remain exposed to its abuse. The narrative itself provides examples of loyalty to God requiring resistance to a king's intentions.

Romans 13:1 also should not be used to guarantee that God will preserve a particular person's position or reputation. Authority is accountable to him, and its loss may occur through injustice, ordinary change, or rightful correction. The promise is not that faithful service will always be recognized. First Corinthians 4:7 instead supplies the humbling question of what we possess that was not received. Gifts are entrusted resources, not evidence of inherent superiority.

This perspective makes integrity more consistent. Honesty in reports, respect for property, punctuality, and truthful teaching all express a refusal to serve only when the stakes are publicly visible. Small conduct shapes the trust on which larger responsibility depends. Yet these practices should be joined to fairness toward others rather than used as a basis for self-righteous comparison.

A leader can ask whether another person's excellence produces gratitude or anxiety, whether correction is heard before it is defended against, and whether successors are being prepared with generosity. The deepest freedom is to serve a purpose larger than one's own continuation in office. We can work diligently, protect what has been entrusted, and still accept that the role itself is a gift we do not own. Such leadership makes room for the good God may accomplish through someone else.

Today we read about the danger of wrongful jealousy, a form of coveting — desiring what does not belong to you.

After the women of Israel gave greater credit to David for military success, Saul was angry. As the army returned, women came out singing that Saul had killed his thousands and David his ten thousands. This made Saul very angry; he complained that they credited David with ten thousands and him with only thousands, and wondered whether they would next make him king. From that time on Saul kept a jealous eye on David (a paraphrase of 1 Samuel 18:6–9).

Rather than being angry with the women, Saul is angry with David, who was innocent in the matter — he was carrying out the king's orders. What is more striking is that we earlier read that Saul loved David: David came and served him, Saul loved him greatly, and made him his armor bearer, sending word to Jesse asking that David remain in his service (a reference to 1 Samuel 16:21–22).

Saul loved David then because David's music comforted him. In keeping with his character, Saul loved David only when it suited his purposes. Once he felt David was a threat, he turned against him.

Friends, wrongful jealousy is like a cancer. It pays no attention to logic. Among all Saul's servants, David was perhaps the most faithful — and even when Saul was seeking to kill him, David continued to honor him.

AI-Expanded Reflection

The detail the comment identifies — that the song did not actually diminish Saul — is the thing that makes this a study in jealousy rather than in insult. The women credited him with thousands, which is praise. What made it intolerable was a comparison, and the comparison was accurate.

The structure of the chapter reinforces it. Everyone in Saul's household loves David: Jonathan loves him as his own soul, Michal loves him, all Israel and Judah love him, and Saul's own servants are glad. Each of those facts is reported immediately before or after Saul's fear increases. What functions as evidence of David's worth functions for Saul as evidence of threat, and the text lets the two readings sit side by side without explanation.

The comment's observation about David's continued honoring of Saul is borne out later in the most costly way available — twice given an opportunity to kill him, twice refusing, and mourning publicly when Saul dies. Whatever else the long conflict demonstrates, it shows that the response to being hated is not determined by the hatred.

Reading about David and Jonathan's friendship, it saddens me how rarely we see this kind of relationship today. Reflecting on my own friendships, they've often been marked more by jealousy and competition than the love David and Jonathan shared. Jonathan removing his own robe and giving it to David symbolized relinquishing his own future kingship — no small, costless gesture. How was Jonathan able to love David this way? I think the key lies in the phrase describing Jonathan becoming "one in spirit" with David (1 Samuel 18:1). What common spirit did they share? I believe it was the Spirit of the LORD Himself — the same Spirit that came powerfully upon David the moment Samuel anointed him (a paraphrase of 1 Samuel 16:13) seems to have graciously been at work in Jonathan too. Only the Spirit's presence could enable him to love David, who was essentially his own rival for Israel's throne, this completely.

Jesus said the greatest commandment is to love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and the second, equally important, is to love your neighbor as yourself (a paraphrase of Mark 12:29–31). It's remarkable that Scripture specifically says Jonathan loved David "as himself" — exactly what Jesus later commands. We read this beautiful relationship and admire it, but deep down, I wonder how many of us genuinely want that kind of relationship ourselves, since this level of love requires a personal sacrifice many of us aren't even willing to give within our own marriages.

Let's ask the Spirit of the Lord to transform us, so we can love each other with the kind of love that genuinely honors Him.

AI-Expanded Reflection

The rivalry this comment names as the real test of Jonathan's love deserves one more layer, since Jonathan doesn't simply tolerate David's rise passively — he actively works to protect and advance it, at real personal risk, warning David of Saul's murderous intentions and interceding on his behalf multiple times (1 Samuel 19:1–7; 20:1–42). That's a meaningfully more demanding form of love than simply accepting a rival's success without resentment — Jonathan actively participates in securing the very outcome that would permanently cost him the throne, which may be the clearest possible demonstration of loving a rival "as himself" rather than merely refraining from working against him.