Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 27, 28, 29; Luke 13: 1-18.
“Moreover the LORD will also deliver Israel with thee into the hand of the Philistines: and tomorrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me: the Lord also shall deliver the host of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.” – 1 Samuel 28:19 (KJVS).
Envy is simply a feeling you have when you wish you could have the same thing or quality that someone else has. Saul was so envious of David because he killed Goliath that was threatening the Israelites and the women sang his praises. The bible records in 1 Samuel 18:8 (KJVS), “And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, they have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom?” He became envious of David, his subject, though he was the King. This often arises with men when one does not have faith in God but believes more in his own ability. Otherwise he would have been happier that someone who is like his son has done what he could not do which is the prayer of every good parent; that your child should be greater than you. Besides, the word of God says in Philippians 2:3 (KJVS), “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” So why should you be envious of another? In fact envy leads to personal harm and if not checked it may lead to death. Hence Proverbs 14:30 (KJVS) says, “A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.”
There are several consequences of Envy. Firstly, envy denies your uniqueness. The bible says in Psalm 139:14 (KJVS), “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.” This shows each individual has his unique qualities that make him different from others and also endowed to fulfill a purpose. Why do you then look lustfully at the endowment of others while looking down on yours! If Saul had acknowledged David and truthfully rewarded him, he would have found him useful to subdue the Philistines for the rest of his life.
Secondly, because of envy, his attention was divided such that instead of focusing on his blessings as a king, he focused on what David would take away from him and he lost what he had! And as the Lord Jesus said in Matthew 6:24 (KJVS), “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Saul could not focus on the two opposing forces equally. Thirdly, his time and energy were wasted on the wrong priority. He kept chasing David all over Israel and had no time to focus on serving God and governing Israel! And as is expected, this led to his death! David that could have helped to subdue the Philistines was away in the land of the enemy and the bible records: “And when Saul saw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart greatly trembled. “ – 1 Samuel 28:5 (KJVS). The last time he was afraid to face the Philistines, David won the battle for him! (1 Samuel 17:11).
Sadly, because of his envy, Saul became desperate for answer to his situation that he went back to his vomit by going to witches that he had sent away from the land to seek for solution! And he got his death warrant there! In 1 Samuel 28:19 (KJVS), Samuel told Saul, “Moreover the Lord will also deliver Israel with thee into the hand of the Philistines: and to morrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me: the Lord also shall deliver the host of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.” And indeed within twenty four hours, Saul died on the battle front committing suicide!
Prayer: Father, please uproot every spirit of envy in me in the name of Jesus.
Bro. Biodun Oyapero