Jealousy and Betrayal in Persecution: The Story of David

Fear and uncertainty during times of persecution can lead to jealousy and betrayal. People feel threatened and act to protect themselves. This can lead to informing on others, selling out friends or loved ones, or even engaging in acts of violence to eliminate perceived threats.

Before God brought him to Israel’s throne, King David faced constant threats to his life – all driven by jealousy and betrayal.

The Scriptures describe David as a man after God’s own heart because of his deep faith and devotion to God. Despite his many flaws and mistakes, David’s heart was fully committed to God, and he sought to please and obey Him. David found favour in the eyes of the Lord and gained support and loyalty of the people of Israel.

All of this made King Saul increasingly jealous. He began to see David as a threat to his own power and position. Saul’s fear and jealousy led to attempted murder. 1 Samuel 18 – 27 recounts Saul’s many efforts to kill David:

• • • Saul tried to pin David against the palace wall with a spear (18:11).
    • Using his older and younger daughters, Saul attempted to lure David into a fatal encounter with the Philistines as the “price” for a royal marriage (18:17,21).
    • Saul encouraged his servants to kill David (19:1).
    • Saul made a second direct attempt on David’s life with a spear (19:10).
    • Saul sent messengers to kill David (19:11).
    • Saul sent messengers (a second time) to apprehend David so Saul could kill him (19:15).
    • Saul sent messengers (a third time) to kill David (19:20).
    • Saul sent messengers (a fourth time) to kill David (19:21).
    • Saul went to kill David himself (19:22).
    • Saul pursued David into the Ziph and Horesh wilderness (23:15).
    • Saul again ventured into the Ziph wilderness, to find and kill David (26:2).

Eventually, David was forced to become a fugitive, living in the wilderness with a group of loyal men. But throughout this time, David trusted in the Lord, who repeatedly protected and delivered David from danger.

The early years of David’s life – marked by God’s blessing and by Saul’s hatred – illustrate Jesus’ warning to his followers:

Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake . . . Matthew 10:21-22

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Persecution Prompts Compassion for Those Without the Gospel

October 3, 2023·0

David was a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22) but this did not guarantee him an easy life, free of jealousy and betrayal. Likewise, during seasons of persecution, we may face jealousy and betrayal by close friends, allies – even by family members. In those seasons, the Bible encourages us to faithfully trust in God’s provision.  Jesus promises: “The one who endures to the end will be saved.”  Matt. 10:22.

As he hid in wilderness caves to escape Saul’s skilful soldiers, David faced great uncertainty and fear. But even in his hiding place, he endured by trusting and relying on and finding comfort in the Lord. The Book of Psalms often express David’s themes of trust in God, deliverance from enemies, and praise for God’s character and actions.

As David writes in Psalms 18:2:

The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my saviour; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.

In times of persecution – and even when facing jealousy and betrayal – let us remain grounded in our faith and keep trusting in God.