June 25 | 1 Samuel 18:6-16
- Beth Voltmann
- Jun 24
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 1
DAILY READING
REFLECTION
Selfish vs. Servant Heart
By Beth Voltmann
Saul and David – a study in contrasts. Two men with very different hearts.
Our reading begins as the men of Israel were returning home “after David had killed the Philistine.” (v. 6) Not just any Philistine...that would be GOLIATH... the 9’9” giant that had caused King Saul and the troops to tremble in their boots in response to his taunts and threats.
Then, a young shepherd boy boldly stepped up without fear, confident in the power of the name of the LORD, and asked if he could give it a go. He took that giant down with just a sling and a stone because he had faith that the battle belonged to the LORD! (1 Samuel 17)
Scripture paints the picture of what happened next as the Israelites returned home from the battlefield. The women met King Saul with joyful dancing and singing:
“Saul has slain his thousands,
And David his tens of thousands.”
Saul was very angry; this refrain displeased him greatly.
“They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought,
“but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?”
(1 Samuel 18:7-8)
“But me.” That was Saul’s reaction.
Consider these two kings:
Saul - Pompous, Selfish, Jealous, Insubordinate
David - Humble, Selfless, Patient, Obedient
Both were anointed by Samuel, and though Saul is referenced in the Bible as a king of Israel, only David is recorded as a shepherd to the people. Saul, placed in the position by God in response to the people’s demands for a king (not long after they had been led into the land of promise), began to seek his own counsel and glory instead of following the Lord’s commands. (1 Samuel 10)
After 42 years of poor leadership, God rejected Saul and sent Samuel to anoint the shepherd boy, David, as the true king, “a man after his own heart”. (1 Samuel 13:14) David’s reign, though not perfect, would reflect the heart of the Father and foreshadow the coming of our eternal King and Good Shepherd, Jesus.
The heart analysis is simple, the message clear.
Saul – A Selfish Sovereign - “But Me.”
David – A Servant Shepherd - “But God.”
PRAYER
Lord Jesus,
Thank you for the truth of your Word and the lessons we can learn from the lives recorded within. Please reveal my own heart in this story. Do I whine that I am not receiving enough credit and glory for how I have served my God? If so, I repent of my selfish ways and ask that you would help me to love and follow you with my whole heart. I long to boldly face my giants, believing in full faith that the battle belongs to the LORD.
Amen.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
BETH VOLTMANN
After moving to Ohio in 1997 with my husband and four children, I developed a hunger for God’s Word through adult teaching and women’s Bible study at UALC. My passion is to help others understand Scripture so that they may grow in their desire for more of God and experience the new life offered to us through Christ Jesus.
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