When Saul realized that the Lord was with David and that his daughter Michal loved David, Saul became still more afraid of him, and he remained his enemy the rest of his days.
1 Samuel 18:28-29
“Why should he be put to death? What has he done?” Jonathan asked his father. But Saul hurled his spear at him to kill him. Then Jonathan knew that his father intended to kill David.
1 Samuel 20:32-33
My interpretation of the readings today is that you can be very successful, but great success creates jealousy and enemies. This is the reality we live in.
Even David had enemies, and what I find really ironic and sad is that his biggest enemy lives in his own backyard, the King of Israel, Saul, who tried to kill him many, many times. This is very sad. The enemy is meant to be outside.
I don’t understand why the readings say that whenever this happens, “it’s the evil spirit from the Lord.” What is the purpose?
Now, we will not have all the answers. I someday would wish to. But for now, the lesson is that one of the consequences of success is enemies, and we have to accept this. Even David, as great as he is, had enemies who wished to kill him.
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