What is the meaning of 1 Samuel 18:9? And - This opening conjunction ties verse 9 directly to what just happened in verses 6–8, where the women sang, “‘Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands’” (1 Samuel 18:7). - Saul’s anger and hurt pride in verse 8 immediately spill over into the new reality described in verse 9. - Scripture often shows pivotal “and” moments where a heart turns—compare Cain after God accepted Abel’s offering (Genesis 4:5–8) or the brothers of Joseph after his dreams (Genesis 37:4–5). from that day forward - The phrase marks a permanent shift, not a passing mood. Saul’s suspicion hardens into a settled pattern. - Later verses confirm the ongoing nature: “Saul was even more afraid of David, so he became David’s enemy for the rest of his days” (1 Samuel 18:29); “Saul tried to pin David to the wall” (1 Samuel 19:10). - Once jealousy takes root, it grows—Proverbs 27:4 warns, “Who can withstand jealousy?” and James 3:16 notes that “where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice.” Saul kept a jealous eye - Saul, Israel’s king, chooses fixation over repentance. Instead of looking to the Lord who had anointed him (1 Samuel 10:1), he locks his gaze on David. - Jealousy distorts vision: • It compares (“tens of thousands” versus “thousands”). • It suspects (“What more can he have but the kingdom?” 1 Samuel 18:8). • It strategizes harm (1 Samuel 19:1). - Scripture repeatedly warns against envy: “A tranquil heart is life to the body, but envy is rottenness to the bones” (Proverbs 14:30); “The patriarchs, moved by jealousy, sold Joseph into Egypt” (Acts 7:9). on David - David has done nothing but serve Saul faithfully—playing the harp to soothe him (1 Samuel 16:23) and fighting Goliath when no one else would (1 Samuel 17:45–50). - The true issue is not David’s rise but God’s favor: “The LORD was with David” (1 Samuel 18:12). - When God elevates someone, opponents may arise—see Daniel under Darius (Daniel 6:3–4) or the apostles in Acts 5:17. - David responds with continued loyalty (1 Samuel 24:6), modeling how to live when falsely targeted. summary 1 Samuel 18:9 records the moment Saul’s wounded pride crystallized into enduring jealousy. From that day onward, he watched David with suspicion, allowing envy to dominate his thinking and actions. The verse warns that one unchecked look—fixed on another’s God-given success—can open the door to a lifetime of bitterness, while also reminding us that the Lord’s favor on His servants remains unshaken, even under jealous eyes. |
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