7 As they danced, the women sang:
Saul has killed his thousands,
but David his tens of thousands.
8 Saul was furious and resented this song. “They credited tens of thousands to David,” he complained, “but they only credited me with thousands. What more can he have but the kingdom?” 9 So Saul watched David jealously from that day forward. (1 Samuel 18:7-9 CSB)
This life can create in us a heart of comparison and jealousy. And it is a self deluding trick. One the enemy knows has great impact upon our lives and how we see ourselves.
In our scripture, Saul was being greatly blessed by God and David loved Saul. David’s intent was to do nothing more than his best for Saul and God. But as both Saul and God’s blessings overflowed on to David, Saul began comparing not the reality of what they were able to do together but how much the people gushed over David.
Good leadership often means taking the back seat and allowing someone else to shine. It is, in my mind, the mark of a great leader to do so humbly. However, I see this less and less these days.
This is especially true when someone is striving for the greater good and not trying to call what they are doing upon themselves. Too often those people get overlooked because they are quietly doing the job of upholding the one in charge. This may not even be jealousy from the one in charge but simple apathy in regards to recognition.
When we humbly do for God more than man, even when we are not recognized, God is ever mindful of our effort.
