Key Bible Verse: This was their song: "Saul has killed his thousands, and David his ten thousands!" (1 Samuel 18:7). Bonus Reading:1 Samuel 18:1—16

When David and the warriors returned from battle with the Philistines, the women sang a song about David's greater sphere. Both Saul and David were anointed by God; but these women discerned that the anointing on David's life was greater: a sphere of "ten thousands," whereas Saul had been granted "thousands." David's greater sphere was demonstrated by his ability to kill the Philistine champion that Saul couldn't kill.

The women's accurate assessment caused envy to explode within Saul's heart, an envy he harbored to the day of his death. Saul assumed that if he released David to his sphere, his own sphere would be threatened and compromised. He equated sphere with hierarchical position—the throne—reasoning that only one man can sit on the throne at a time. So he saw David as his rival for the throne.

He didn't realize that he could have enjoyed the throne while releasing David to the fullness of his sphere in God. If Saul had been secure in his identity, he could have mentored a young man with a sphere greater than his own. He missed an opportunity for thrilling spiritual fatherhood.

My Response: Am I secure enough to affirm my sphere in the body of Christ?

Thought to Apply: If envy were tangible and had a shape, it would be the shape of a boomerang.