Saul Eyed David by G. B. T.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 30, 1915

“Saul Eyed David”

By G. B. T.

“And Saul eyed David from that day and forward.” 1 Sam. 18:9. “Saul eyed David.” In these words is concentrated the very essence of all that is wicked and mean in a depraved human heart. All cruelty, envy, jealousy, ill will, rivalry, spite, hatred, malice, revenge, and even murder itself, lurk in these words. What a wretched condition to be in, to be envious and offended with the excellency and real merit seen in another, and to hate those whom we really should approve.

The very depth of deception, guile, and hypocrisy is thus expressed in one short sentence. In a few words the Spirit lifts as it were the lid, and allows us to look beneath, and, lo! what a cesspool of wickedness is revealed in the natural heart!

And why is David “eyed” by Saul? He had done nothing to merit the wicked glances of the king. Blessed of God, he was coming to the front as the anointed leader. Saul, forsaken of God because of sin, hears the people say that while Saul had slain his thousands, David had slain tens of thousands. He sees the shadows lengthen, and his sun decline. Another whom God had chosen was being regarded by the people as greater than he. Rather than see this, he allowed his envious and rebellious heart of jealousy to lead him to attempt the murder of him whom the Lord had anointed king. Truly, “jealousy is cruel as the grave.” We know of nothing more devilish, whether manifested in the family, the neighborhood, or the church. It is the very spirit of Lucifer himself, for it was envy that transformed the covering cherub, the attendant of the throne of God, into the prince of devils.

The world is filled with the mischief-working elements of envy. It is the

foundation of all evil. “Where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.” James 3:16. Trace all strife, bickerings, and division to their source, and you will find envy and jealousy lurking around. Men talk about having revenge, of retaliating, of a “day of reckoning,” or an “account to settle.” It is all envy. It makes the heart unforgiving, unrelenting, cold, and inexorable.

We find nations are “eying” each other. Statesmen “eye” their rivals for fame and for the plaudits of the people. The business man “eyes” his competitor; and sometimes the venomous glances of the serpent of the bottomless pit are seen in the church of the most high God. It is among the possibilities for this wicked thing to creep into the heart and lead ministers of righteousness to “eye” each other, and, while they profess to be laboring for souls, to be consumed themselves with the hellish fire of jealousy. A retiring church or Sabbath school officer or teacher may “eye” the one chosen by the church to carry the burdens and responsibilities he has been carrying, and while pretending to help the work forward, may secretly hope the administration or work of his successor will be less conspicuous than his own, if not a failure.

Schools and other institutions established by the Lord to advance his work in the earth may “eye” each other; and those responsible for their management, while outwardly giving expression to words of brotherly commendation, may secretly cherish feelings of resentment at the prosperity of another institution. There is nothing too mean to grow on the baneful bush of envy. Its roots reach into the regions of darkness, and takes fast hold upon hell itself. Envy perpetrated on Calvary a crime which shocked the universe—the crucifixion of the Son of God. “For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.” Matt. 27:18.

By nature envy lurks in every human heart. Nothing can uproot this noxious plant except the power of God through the Holy Spirit. But he who holds the winds by his power, and rules the eternal domain by his word, is able and willing to deliver us from this and all other sin.

G. B. T.