DAVID'S STAR RISING
David’s famous victory over the loud giant Goliath had created joy and embarrassment for King Saul. He had tried unsuccessfully to vanquish the Philistines for over six tiresome weeks (1 Samuel 17:16). But as Goliath was toppled by a single shot from David’s sling, using skills learned as a shepherd, the previously unknown David became a celebrated national hero. And he joins the royal family too, first forging a friendship with Jonathan, Saul’s son, (1 Samuel 18:1), and then marrying the princess Michal, making him Saul’s son in law. Promotion came too, as David became a military commander leading a thousand men. Soaring in popularity, David’s star was rising ever higher. But as we will see, as national affection for him increased, Saul’s jealousy and insecurity grew too, which meant that there were sudden violent outbursts with physical threats on David’s life, and eventually he became a fugitive.
For now, let’s notice this: God was with David, but that didn’t exempt him from trouble. In a way, his problems increased because of God’s blessing. Some say that if we walk with God in great faith, we’ll be spared trouble. David’s experience says the opposite.