1 Samuel 18-21
The Sin of Jealousy

One would think that after the defeat of the Philistines and their great champion, Goliath, Saul would be a happy man. He found in a young shepherd boy his greatest military general, victorious over any enemy. But, Saul was far from happy at chapter 18 begins. He is a man consumed with jealousy. "As they were coming home, when David returned from striking down the Philistine, the women came out of all the cities 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 celebrated, Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands. And Saul was very angry, and this saying displeased him. He said, They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed thousands, and what more can he have but the kingdom? And Saul eyed David from that day on" (1 Samuel 18:6-9). Of course, Saul was jealous because he saw David as a rival, not as a partner in the kingdom of God.

It must be pointed out that while Saul was consumed with jealousy, Jonathan his son was not. It mattered not to him that his best friend would soon be king, and not himself. "If I am still alive, show me the steadfast love of the Lord, that I may not die; and do not cut off your steadfast love from my house forever, when the Lord cuts off every one of the enemies of David from the face of the earth" (20:14-15). Jonathan had such an attitude because he cared more for God and others than himself.

Jealousy is really a nasty sin, because it is so self-centered. It is when we get upset at the attention someone else is getting, and we are not. It is when we are angered at what another has, and we don't. It is when we think others are not worthy of honor, but we really are. It really exemplifies everything the Christian life is not to be. Jealousy thinks of me; the Christian life thinks of others. Jealousy thinks of what I want; the Christian life thinks of what God wants.

All of us struggle with jealousy from time to time. Let's remember the inspired words of Paul from Romans 12:15, "Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep."