David did not have to make the choice of staying or leaving. The choice was made for him…
1 Samuel 18:13-18 (NLT)
13Finally, Saul sent David away and appointed him commander over 1,000 men, and he faithfully led his troops into battle. 14David continued to succeed in everything he did, for the Lord was with him. 15When Saul recognized this, he became even more afraid of him. 16But all Israel and Judah loved David because he was so successful in battle. 17One day Saul said to David, “I am ready to give you my older daughter, Merab, as your wife. But first you must prove yourself to be a real warrior by fighting the Lord’s battles.” For Saul thought, “I’ll send him out against the Philistines and let them kill him rather than doing it myself.” 18“Who am I, and what is my family in Israel that I should be the king’s son-in-law?” David exclaimed. “Our family is dirt poor!” …
When Jonathan concerned for David, he inquired commander Abner and received this missive:
Crown Prince Jonathan,
I reply to your letter of inquiry about David’s whereabouts with a sense of urgency and concern that matches your own. Your words resonate with me. Recent events have cast a shadow over the palace, and your father’s actions towards David have been, to put it mildly, disconcerting.
You’re a man of unimpeachable integrity, and so I find myself compelled to disclose a matter of utmost delicacy. At the King’s request, I unearthed and reported that David has been anointed by none other than the Prophet Samuel. This revelation, I fear, has fueled the King’s escalating animosity towards the young warrior. Regrettably, it appears that envy has driven His Majesty to the brink.
David is currently leading a battalion against the Philistines, as per the king’s orders. The assignment is perilous, and I fear it was given with the hope that David would not return. But as you know, David has never been one to shy away from a challenge. Moreover, the king’s offer of his daughter in marriage to David was another ploy, a bait to lure him into a situation where he would be vulnerable to attack. Should that fail, he can turn to another means to the same end.
I find myself in a precarious position, caught between my unwavering loyalty to the King and my moral duty to God—a duty you so eloquently emphasized. Yes, there is a growing sense that we are on a dangerous path. You are the crown prince; your voice carries weight. If you believe that we are morally obligated to intervene, then I would consider your counsel carefully. But could envy bring good things out of people, like aspiring people to achieve what could be theirs? [2]
May the Lord grant us the wisdom to navigate these treacherous waters.
In service to God and Israel,
Commander Abner
Share with your friends “Could envy bring good things out of people? (Envy was defined as Resentment from Comparison previously)”
[1] 1 Samuel 14:50-51 introduces Abner as Saul’s cousin and the commander of Saul’s army. As commanding officer, Abner was responsible for learning the identity of David after the slaying of Goliath (1 Samuel 17:55–58)
[2] Abner implied that Jonathan is the rightful heir to the throne. When David’s fame began to grow and Saul began to feel threatened, Abner sat by Saul’s side while Jonathan took an active role in protecting the absent David (1 Samuel 20:24–34). Abner’s passive loyalty to Saul remained evident when Saul hunted down David, though David was able to bypass any defenses Abner put in place to protect Saul (1 Samuel 26:1–25)
Personally I don’t think envy can bring good out of people. I do think it can bring a sort of fakeness. Even though envy can cause someone to better themselves I do think it isn’t right because at the root of it the reason why they are getting is due to envy and resentment which is a terrible reason and it isn’t genuine.
I don’t think envy brings out any good in people besides ambition, but for the wrong reasons. Resentment from comparison shows our insecurities and discontentment which, in turn, can lead down a path away from God. In today’s reading we saw the great lengths Saul took to try and have David killed because of his envy and fear.
(from Charles)
If life has taught me anything it is that anything is possible. Although we generally attribute envy to a negative feeling, I think God can bring about good out of any situation or feeling so I think it is possible. I also believe that envy when focused correctly can be something that can help us but when it consumes us can be deadly. Envy afterall is the reason for the first murder when Cain kills Abel. I think envy can motivate us to see the things that we desire and help us to achieve those things. Like seeing someone with a great family life can motivate us to try to have something similar. For me, I didn’t have the best childhood but as I observed those around me, I would take bits and pieces of things that I desired and instead of repeating patterns I saw growing up, I made a conscious effort to be different.
I cheated and googled “Why does God say, “For I the Lord your God am a jealous God,” in Exodus 20:5? It’s because jealousy can be good while envy is always bad. Jealousy is not wanting to share something or someone you possess or hope to possess, and coveting or envy is desiring and resentment toward something that belongs to someone else.”
So envy tries to benefit their own desires toward something that doesn’t belong to them. Envy rarely benefits others, not unless God convicts us and helps us to see our envious hearts and we turn away from it. But with Saul, he forgets he is the king and has been blessed with being wise but still wants what David has.
I don’t think the people helps with Saul’s envy. They cheer, chant, sing songs that compares and puts David above Saul. But we can’t put full blame on the people for adding more fuel to Saul’s envy. God tried so many times through Samuel to address Saul’s heart, but Saul gives in to his desires every time.
Two things I learned:
We can unintentionally add fuel to the flame to people who are weak like Saul by our words and actions.
We have to guard our hearts to not be envious of others and be reminded of who we are in Christ. God blessed us all with different talents and abilities… calls us to different purposes to work together for the unity of the church. And beautifully designed, we will go through seasons in our walk with God. We all need to be a support and encouragement to each other especially during the dry seasons.
This deserves some more thoughts:
Jealousy and envy are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct nuances, especially when examined from a psychological or even biblical perspective.
Envy:
Jealousy:
In the Bible, jealousy can sometimes have a positive connotation, as in “godly jealousy,” where the term refers to a zeal for something good. For example, God is described as a “jealous God” in the sense that He desires wholehearted devotion from His people and does not want them to worship other gods (Exodus 20:5).
However, both jealousy and envy are generally warned against in the Bible as destructive emotions that can lead to sin if not controlled. The Apostle Paul lists both envy and jealousy among the “works of the flesh” that are opposed to the Spirit (Galatians 5:19-21).
I don’t know if Envy can bring good things out of the one who is envying someone. Previously defined as resentment from comparison from the devotion. I think that it can bring people closer to God when they do identify that they’re resentful because they’re not seeking Him and turn towards Him, which I can see as a good thing. At the same time, envy from Saul is what let David’s successes through God shine, which was a good thing for God’s kingdom, but not necessarily for Saul.
I don’t think envy brings out the good things in people at all. I sometimes get jealous, however I wonder if that is about not being satisfied with what God has given us. I think some people try to use envy as motivation to achieve. But I don’t think we should have this mindset. I think it is important to learn to live by supporting others rather than yourself. I feel like that when there is love, there is no envy.
Similarly, I don’t think envy can bring out any good in people. Jealousy and resentment usually leads to more bitterness and anger. On the other hand, when it comes to God’s infinite wisdom and power anything is possible. He can use the bad, our shortcomings and turn it into something good. He can be glorified in our weakness.
If envy is defined as a resentment that came with comparison then I don’t see how it can ever lead to anything good. Resentment taint the heart and by that definition of envy leads to malice which cannot be a good thing.
But perhaps if envy is a comparison of your ability or development or position in relation to someone else you admire which lead to self improvements to reach a new height yourself then that might be a positive force.
Biblically speaking though God gave us each our own abilities. As long as we make the best use of those abilities to further His works then we are pleasing to Him which is our ultimate goal anyway.
“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.” (Roman 12:6-8)
I like Sunday sermon where Pastor Jimmy said compare ourselves with the Lord. It is OK to compare ourselves to Jesus because it leads us to be more like Him.
I don’t think being envy can help people and bring the good out of them. Envy is more negative than positive. It jealously, hatred and resentment. It could make people do bad things and God would not want that. He wants us to continue on our path for we have our own surprises. Being envy can take the Holy inside of you. These things can start small but eventually big up to big things that you can not control. God knows best and we should just pray to him and be thankful for every he has already done for us. Who knows maybe we have our own better path.