Unappreciated

When Saul sought to kill David, it was because the people were singing, "Saul killed his thousands, but David killed his tens of thousands," and Saul feared losing his position and vowed to kill David. Saul even sent troops to David's home, and David's wife Michal, who was also Saul's daughter, thwarted the attack. Jonathan intervened with Saul and reminded him of what David had done for Israel and for himself. David was unappreciated by Saul, and Jonathan's reasoning broke through the fog of hatred in Saul's heart, and he changed.

It is heartbreaking to do so much for someone only to have them turn against you and try to ruin you at every turn. That was the life David had to live with to even keep going. David's killing of Goliath should have been enough for him to be appreciated and even honored by Saul and the people of Israel. But no. Now he is made to fear for his life from the very people he served so well. Unappreciated! Jonathan's intervention fulfilled a pact he had made with David. Jonathan told David to go out to a field and hide until he had a chance to talk to his father. When he showed Saul how much he wasn't appreciating David Saul came to his senses and David was restored to the court. Jonathan yelled to David in the field that all was well and he brought David back to Saul for restoration.

Here are the verses telling the whole story. 1 Samuel 19:1 Saul now urged his servants and his son Jonathan to assassinate David. But Jonathan, because of his strong affection for David, 2 told him what his father was planning. “Tomorrow morning,” he warned him, “you must find a hiding place out in the fields. 3 I’ll ask my father to go out there with me, and I’ll talk to him about you. Then I’ll tell you everything I can find out.” 4 The next morning Jonathan spoke with his father about David, saying many good things about him. “The king must not sin against his servant David,” Jonathan said. “He’s never done anything to harm you. He has always helped you in any way he could. 5 Have you forgotten about the time he risked his life to kill the Philistine giant and how the Lordbrought a great victory to all Israel as a result? You were certainly happy about it then. Why should you murder an innocent man like David? There is no reason for it at all!” 6 So Saul listened to Jonathan and vowed, “As surely as the Lord lives, David will not be killed.” 7 Afterward Jonathan called David and told him what had happened. Then he brought David to Saul, and David served in the court as before.

This restoration was important not only for David, but for the nation of Israel because war broke out after with the Philistines and David led Israel to a great victory.....again. Paul encouraged the church at Philippi to realize just how God works in each of us, and we should encourage each other to shine bright for Jesus and appreciate those who do. Philippians 2:13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. Just because someone steps up to serve Jesus, we should appreciate them and not try to hold them back from shining bright. That is why unity is so important in the Lord's church.

Today's Message,

David Warren