Saul Pursues David

Text: 1 Samuel 19:1-18

Reflection and Question: We know that Saul envied David’s popularity among the people. This passage hints at another reason Saul sought to destroy David: Jonathan’s “great delight in David.” Saul lies to Jonathan when he promises that he will not kill David, perhaps because he wants to keep his son’s good favor. At the same time, Saul cannot tolerate the shift in Jonathan’s allegiance to David. How do parents respond when their children fall in love? Do you see that at work in Saul?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You know how complicated families can be. We ask You to bless our loving connections with others, so that we may not follow Saul in allowing our complex emotions to hurt the people we love most. Amen.

This meditation is based on the Daily Lectionary Year 1 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993).