1 SAMUEL 18
As you read the history of Saul, you often find him with a spear in his hand. It was his symbol of authority and power, and he did not want anybody to forget that he was in charge. David had a harp in his hand—or a shepherd’s crook or a sling or a sword. Whatever task God had for him to do, David was available to do it, and God received the glory.
When you are jealous over your authority and position, as Saul was, you become envious of others and sensitive to what people are saying about you. Saul became almost paranoid about David. First he was envious of David, then suspicious and afraid, then angry, and finally so hateful that he wanted to kill him.
In that difficult situation, David acted with wisdom from God and trusted God to help him. David never considered Saul his enemy, which kept David in the place of God’s blessing. David remained a humble servant in spite of his great victories, for he knew that God’s anointing was upon him. God used those difficult experiences of conflict to help make David a great man of faith.