Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 17-18; Luke 15:1-10.
Memory Verse: “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?” 1 Samuel 18:8 KJV.
Seeds of discord can be sewn easily among people intentionally or unintentionally. When you tell lies about someone to another or you quote some facts out of context to others that may be affected by it, you are sewing seed of discord. Also when you praise the performance of a junior officer above his superior particularly on the job of the superior as was the case of David being praised by the women. Listen to the women in 1 Samuel 18:7 (KJV), “And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.”
Except for a true child of God, the action of the women in this matter is capable of sewing a seed of discord in the mind of any superior like Saul. And as Saul retorted, so will many superiors have retorted. “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?” 1 Samuel 18:8 (KJV).
You can learn a few lessons from this scene. First is that you should be mindful of praises you shower on subordinates in the presence of their superiors. Do not sing praises that will make the boss inferior to his subordinate. While you can and should shower praises on subordinates, it should be done in such a way that will not show him as being superior to his supervisor. Secondly, as superior, you should not be jealous of your subordinates achievement. Rather, you should encourage him the more and reward him well so as to encourage others to do better. With such, your team will be great and most subordinates will like to work with you. In most organizations, you will be better for the action rather than putting down your subordinate. Thirdly, if you are the subordinate who is being praised as having done better than your boss even in his presence, you need to take some lessons from David.
On this, you need to be humble inspite of your achievement, that will help you to achieve more. (Proverbs 29:23). You need to apply wisdom. In four times (in 1 Samuel 18:5; 14; 15; 30) the Bible says David behaved himself wisely.
Thirdly, you need to be focused. David knew what God can do through him and was not deterred even by his own brother’s harsh words ( 1 Samuel 17:28-30). Next is that you should be diligent as we see David was able to kill two hundred philistines when Saul asked for one hundred (1 Samuel 18:27). Lastly you should have faith in God. That is what won the battle for David and God rewarded David by being with him always as shown in the passage.
I pray that God will be with you always in all your endeavors in Jesus name.
Prayer point: Lord, please guide me not to sow seed of discord among brethren in any form in Jesus name.
Bro. Biodun Oyapero