JEALOUSY AND ENVY AS SEEN IN KING SAUL

By David J. Riggs

Intro.
   A. Please turn in your Bibles to 1 Samuel chapter 18.
   B. King Saul is the main character of 1 Sam. 18, and he, in a very
      graphic way, illustrates the evils of two sins in particular -
      jealousy and envy.
      1. "Jealousy" and "envy" are very similar in meaning.
         a. They involve the "feelings of displeasure produced by
            witnessing or hearing of the advantages or prosperity of
            another." (Webster).
         b. They also involve "longing after or coveting some
            advantage or possession of another." (Webster)
         c. "Envy" is the stronger of the two words because it not
            only involves ill-feelings toward another, but it
            expresses itself in action against the one envied.
   C. Every sin begins with temptation and, if not repented of, ends 
      in death.
      1. Let us study "jealousy" and "envy," as exemplified in the   
         life of Saul, that we might avoid them.

I. THE SEEDS OF JEALOUSY AND ENVY. 1 Sam. 18:1-9
   A. In the first nine verses we see the seeds of jealousy sown in  
      Saul's heart.
      1. Comparisons were made between Saul and David of which
         Saul did not appreciate. 1 Sam. 18:7-9
      2. The Bible warns us of the folly of comparing ourselves to
         others. 2 Cor. 10:12
      3. Everyone should prove his own work. Gal. 6:4
   B. Also, the seeds of jealousy were sown in Saul's heart by his   
      own insecurity.
      1. He was afraid that David would take away the kingdom from
         him. 1 Sam. 18:8
      2. Saul seemed to forget about God's will in the matter.
         a. His kingship had been a gift to him from God.
         b. Thus, no one could take the kingdom from him unless
            God so willed it.
         c. His responsibility was to strive to stay in the favor of
            God. 
      3. All Christians should try to do their best to serve God, and
         leave all else in the hands of God.

II. THE FRUITS OF JEALOUSY AND ENVY. 1 Sam. 18:10-27
   A. When jealousy or envy takes root, evil actions flow therefrom.
      1. Saul throws his spear at David in an attempt to pin him to
         the wall. 1 Sam. 18:11
         a. As a matter of fact, three times he tries to kill David
            with a javelin.  1 Sam. 18:10-11; 19:9-10
         b. Also, Saul plotted and schemed to have David fall by the
            Philistines. 1 Sam. 18:25
      2. Again, when jealousy or envy takes root in one's heart it
         causes him to do evil things.
         a. Jealousy will cause one to squander precious time and
            resources in evil actions rather than faithfully serving 
            the Lord.
   B. "Fear" is a fruit of jealousy.
      1. Three times in this chapter, the inspired writer says that  
         Saul was afraid of David. 1 Sam. 18:12,15,29
      2. Saul's fear was irrational and unjustified.
         a. David was completely loyal to Saul and would have
            humbly served him in any way he desired.
      3. Sin clouds the mind and darkens the heart. Rom. 1:21-
         22,26,28; Gen. 6:5-8; Eph. 4:17-19

III. THE PITS OF JEALOUSY AND ENVY. 1 Sam. 18:28-29
   A. Hardships and heartache in one's family is a pit in the fruit  
      of jealousy.
      1. Saul sent messengers to kill David, but David was saved by
         David's wife, Michal. 1 Sam. 19:11-17
         a. Remember, Michal was the daughter of Saul. To say the
            least, she did not appreciate what her father was trying
            to do.
      2. Later, Saul tries to kill his own son Jonathan who was
         defending David. 1 Sam. 20:30-34
         a. Again, Saul's envy was putting a hard strain, to say the
            least, on family relations.
   B. "Blindness of heart" is a pit in the fruit of jealousy.
      1. Saul had the priests of God killed because he thought they
         had tried to help David. 1 Sam. 22:13-18
      2. For a long time, he had all the armies of Israel in the
         wilderness hunting David. Chapters 22-26
      3. Saul did not stop pursuing David even though David proved
         to him twice that he was not his enemy. 1 Sam. 24:4-12;
         26:8-11

IV. THE END CONSEQUENCES OF JEALOUSY AND ENVY.
   A. Saul's jealousy and envy became an obsession, and caused him to
      lose everything of any value.
      1. He lost the friendship and loyalty of one who would have
         been a good son-in-law.
         a. 1 Sam. 18:29 says that Saul became the continual enemy
            of David. How sad!
         b. David would have made a great general (and/or servant)
            under Saul's kingship.
      2. He lost the love and respect of his family.
         a. He was trying to hurt, for no reason, the one who his
            son and daughter truly loved.
   B. The Lord departed from Saul and became his enemy. 1 Sam.
      28:16
      1. Thus, Saul lost the most important thing any human being
         can ever have - fellowship with God. John 1:11-13; 1 John
         3:1; Rev. 21:7-8
      2. In the end, in desperation, Saul asked counsel of one that  
         had a familiar spirit, the witch of Endor. Chapter 28
         a. His life ended in suicide on the battle field. 1 Sam.
            31:3-6

Concl.
   A. As we have seen, the root cause of Saul's downfall was his
      jealousy and envy of David.
      1. Instead of controlling jealousy and envy, jealousy and envy
         took control of him, and destroyed him.
      2. They put him in a rapid spiral downward from which he
         never recovered.
   B. Let us be aware of these sins, their powers, and what they can 
      do to us.
      1. Jealousy and envy will bring harm to ourselves, our         
         families, and, worst of all, will destroy our souls.
      2. May God help us to overcome envy and jealousy in our
         hearts and lives.