586
Patriarchs and Prophets
with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of music.” One company
sang, “Saul hath slain his thousands,” while another company took up
the strain, and responded, “And David his ten thousands.” The demon
of jealousy entered the heart of the king. He was angry because David
was exalted above himself in the song of the women of Israel. In
place of subduing these envious feelings, he displayed the weakness
of his character, and exclaimed. “They have ascribed unto David ten
thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can
he have more but the kingdom?”
One great defect in the character of Saul was his love of approba-
tion. This trait had had a controlling influence over his actions and
thoughts; everything was marked by his desire for praise and self-
exaltation. His standard of right and wrong was the low standard of
popular applause. No man is safe who lives that he may please men,
and does not seek first for the approbation of God. It was the ambition
of Saul to be first in the estimation of men; and when this song of
praise was sung, a settled conviction entered the mind of the king that
David would obtain the hearts of the people and reign in his stead.
Saul opened his heart to the spirit of jealousy by which his soul
was poisoned. Notwithstanding the lessons which he had received
from the prophet Samuel, instructing him that God would accomplish
whatsoever He chose, and that no one could hinder it, the king made it
evident that he had no true knowledge of the plans or power of God.
The monarch of Israel was opposing his will to the will of the Infinite
One. Saul had not learned, while ruling the kingdom of Israel, that
he should rule his own spirit. He allowed his impulses to control
his judgment, until he was plunged into a fury of passion. He had
paroxysms of rage, when he was ready to take the life of any who
dared oppose his will. From this frenzy he would pass into a state of
despondency and self-contempt, and remorse would take possession
of his soul.
He loved to hear David play upon his harp, and the evil spirit
seemed to be charmed away for the time; but one day when the youth
was ministering before him, and bringing sweet music from his in-
strument, accompanying his voice as he sang the praises of God, Saul
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suddenly threw his spear at the musician, for the purpose of putting an
end to his life. David was preserved by the interposition of God, and
without injury fled from the rage of the maddened king.