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1 Samuel 18 Commentary
by Brad Boyles
“Saul has slain his thousands,
And David his ten thousands.”
The wording here says that “all cities in Israel” had women who danced and sang to this tune. It was literally a Billboard Top Hit in Israel and beyond (as we will find out later). And of course, for Saul, this was not merely a celebratory tune. It was not just a statistic. It was personal and humiliating. These lyrics struck jealousy into King Saul’s heart, and his relationship with David would never be the same.
Even though David was immensely popular, Scripture says he still behaved wisely. This is a tough act for anyone to accomplish, even by today’s standards. It’s amazing, really. How many celebrities do we know who go from rags to riches only to behave unwisely and lose it all in the end? Statistics will tell you that 78% of NFL players and 60% of NBA players will file bankruptcy 5 years after retiring. A lot of them aren’t even that popular!
The point is, David and Saul were polar opposites at how they responded to circumstances. Saul responded out of the flesh. David responded with obedience. It might not seem like a big deal, but it is. It’s the little things that add up over time. And really, it exposes the lens you view life through. Saul’s lenses were clouded over with pride, arrogance, and jealousy. David’s were humility, wisdom, and faith.
Over time, the true nature of the heart will almost always come to fruition. Time will tell if someone’s motives are pure or impure. Those who are putting up a front will eventually have no place to hide any longer. Those who start off well seeking the Lord will only grow stronger. The direction you are headed will always determine your destination.
David was a man true to God’s character and Word. He wasn’t perfect, but he walked it out to the best of his ability. Saul, unfortunately, let the weight of his shortcomings pull him to the ground, never clearly seeing the One who could set him free.