Exceeding Expectations

We read in 1 Samuel 18, about Saul’s jealousy against David, due to his success on the battlefield. Most Kings would be proud, to have one of the fiercest warriors fighting with them against their enemies. Saul however had a spirit of jealousy and felt inferior to David. I think that this was as a result of Saul knowing, that God had promised to take the kingdom away from him. Earlier in Saul’s time as King, he disobeyed God and didn’t listen to the instructions from the prophet Samuel. “Samuel said to him, “The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to one of your neighbors–to one better than you” (1 Samuel 15:28).

Saul must have perceived that God had chosen David to succeed him as King. The crux of this matter arose when David and Saul came back to the city after a battle. The women generally come out to meet the armies after a battle and would sing about their success. On this occasion however, their song made Saul extremely angry. “And the women sang to one another as they celebrated, “Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands””(1 Samuel 18:7). Saul started to plot to see how he could get rid of David.

An evil spirit came upon Saul and while David played music for him, he took a spear and threw it after David. David managed to escape from Saul on two occasions. “Saul was afraid of David because the Lord was with him but had departed from Saul” (1 Samuel 18:12). Saul learnt that his daughter loved David so he devised another plot to try to get rid of him. He told his men to try to convince David that he really loved him and wanted him to become his son-in-law. The condition was that David should kill one hundred Philistines and return their foreskins as the bride price for Saul’s daughter.

David went out with his men and and obtained not one hundred foreskins, but two hundred foreskins. Saul thought he could set up David to be killed by the Philistines. God was with David so not only did he survive Saul’s plot, but he exceeded his expectations. Children of God, the devil will try to set you up to fail. Sometimes situations that seem impossible and insurmountable will be put upon you. Remember that it is not by might or our strength, but we accomplish everything through the strength of the Lord. When God is fighting for us, we will exceed every unreasonable expectation placed upon us.

Do not be discouraged or disheartened. Remember that when God is with you, no one will be able to stand or succeed against you. God will make your yoke easy and your burdens light. He will give you supernatural strength, ability and wisdom. God will bless the work of your hands and whatever you put your hands to will prosper. God will make it easy for you to succeed and not only will you succeed but you will far exceed every expectation. “Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord” (Psalm 31:24)!

A.P.-Y.