How God Defines Greatness (1 Samuel 18:5-16)

Greatness, according to the world's standards, is measured by things such as achievements, status, education, wealth, and individual or corporate contributions to society. While these traits are admirable, they can also be a source of pride, selfishness, self-centeredness, and arrogance. God's definition of greatness is different. It is not defined in terms of material indulgence or satisfaction, but instead based upon how we live our lives, leaving behind a testimony of character, and a good reputation. This is especially true for anyone who defines themselves as a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. Our talk about Jesus should be in line with our walk. This principle was present in the life of goldy men and women who graced the pages of the Old Testament. In our look at the life of David, we read that his character and reputation were built upon God's definition of what makes a person great.

1 Samuel 18:5-16 gives us the background:

"So, David went out wherever Saul sent him, and he behaved wisely. And Saul sent him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people and also in the sight of Saul's servants. Now it happened as they were coming home, when David was returning from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women had come out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with joy, and with musical instruments. So, the women sang as they danced, and said: "Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousand". Then Saul was very angry, and the saying displeased him, and he said, 'They have ascribed to David ten thousand, and to me they have ascribed only thousands. Now what more can he have but the kingdom?' So, Saul eyed David from that day forward.

"And it happened on the next day that the distressing spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied inside the house. So, David played music with his hand as at other times, but there was a spear in Saul's hand. Saul cast the spear, for he said, 'I will pin David to the wall.' But David escaped his presence twice. Now Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him, but had departed from Saul. Therefore, Saul removed him from his presence, and made him a captain over a thousand, and he went out and came in before the people. And David behaved wisely in all his ways, and the LORD was with him. Therefore, when Saul saw that he behaved wisely, he was afraid of him. But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out and came in before them." (NKJV)

Three times in this chapter we read the phrase, "David behaved himself wisely." It means "to walk properly", or "a person who knows how to carry themselves." This goes beyond just having good manners (which would benefit this nation and the world today) but also refers to anybody who watches what they say, what they do, and how they act because they know they are being watched. In other words, we see the development of maturity and responsibility in David even though he is still a youth. After David defeated Goliath (1 Samuel 17:48-52), he then continued to prove himself to be a loyal and faithful subject as the days progressed. He did not allow his ego to override his responsibilities. While David had been anointed to be the next king of Israel, he also knew that he needed to take each step one at a time and not let ambition get in the way of God's perfect timing. Even when Saul tried to kill him, David carried himself in the right way by not allowing bitterness, anger, or sense of revenge to overcome him. He continued instead to set a good example. By the providence of God, he had become more popular than Saul, had married into Saul's family, and has been both blessed and made prosperous greatly throughout Israel. David did not let any of this take precedence over his desire to wait upon the LORD. He continued to carry himself in spite of the opportunity for self-promotion.

David set priorities in his life that overcame the difficulties he faced from Saul (vv.10-11). David knew that the king was against him, yet he kept his composure and played the harp in front of Saul. He had a job to do and did it faithfully. David showed his steadfastness by keeping calm even though Saul attempted to kill him, not once, but twice! David kept at his post. He knew that Saul's rage would not prevent him from what God had established. We read that Saul hated David and wanted him dead. Saul looked at David with the eyes of a jealous man who was everything he was not. Saul saw how David carried himself and kept himself clean morally. In the beginning, Saul had shown promise but instead lived a life of defiance before the LORD. As a result, God took the kingdom away from him and had given it to a peasant boy who had herded sheep for his father's house. While Saul had all the trappings of royalty and nobility, David wrapped himself in the robe of faith and devotion to God in spite of the circumstances. David's character did not go unnoticed by Saul's subjects, servants, and immediate family. He had the love of Michal, Saul's daughter, and of Jonathan, who saw in David the noble and godly character that would shape his life in the years to come.