Intermediate Level, Block 6—Establishing Kingdom
Week 57
Saul’s Envy
Point to Emphasize: We should be happy with others’ success rather than being jealous.
Reference Reading: 1 Samuel 18
Memory Verse: Let us not become vainglorious, provoking one another, envying one another. (Galatians 5:26) [Please explain to the children what vainglorious means.]
Story Sample
When Saul was made king, he behaved himself quite well. He took care of the nation of Israel by warring against their enemies. Saul was certainly qualified and capable to rule Israel. At first, he appeared to be for God’s kingdom. He won a mighty victory over the Ammonites when they threatened Israel. This victory uplifted him in the eyes of the people. Then he fought the Philistines, and these two victories gave Saul the way to make a name for himself. He became known as a leader and valiant warrior among the people. Sometimes people who have become leaders and are very good at something often become proud. When someone else comes along who can do as well or better, they react jealously.
When I was young, we had spelling bees every year. I was a good speller, so every year I would win for my grade level. All the children in my class expected me to win every year. But when I got to the fifth grade, someone new moved to my school who was an even better speller than me, and he won that year. I was so upset that I couldn’t even congratulate him. I was jealous and envied him for the award he got. [Storyteller, give an example of when you were jealous of someone.]
Saul was like this. He had started out as a good leader to his people, but when David performed better than him, he became jealous. At first, as a young man, David was just tending sheep and playing the lyre. David didn’t seem to be much of a threat to a king like Saul. But, as David went on every mission that Saul sent him, he started to do well and show how he was even better than Saul. The day that David came back from striking Goliath, the women came out of the towns of Israel singing and dancing to meet Saul the king. And when the women were singing they said “Saul has struck down his thousands; / But David, his ten thousands”. Do you think this made Saul happy or envious? Instead of congratulating David, Saul became very angry and jealous of all the attention David was getting. Instead of caring for what was best for the people, Saul only cared about what was best for him! He wanted to get all the attention and looked at David as his competition, even his enemy.
Some say that playing sports teaches us teamwork. When you are playing kickball and someone on your team kicks and is able to run the bases, what is your reaction? Are you really thrilled for them, or is there something small inside that says, “I wish that were me instead.” If we are really a team, then it should not matter to us who scores the points. But many times we have to admit that we are envious, wishing it had been us instead. [Storyteller, insert your personal experience or age appropriate example.]
This is how Saul was. He and David were really on the same side, but he was envious! He did not want David to be better than him. Saul became so jealous that sometimes he treated David as an enemy. Instead of being thankful to have someone as good as David with him, King Saul was jealous. Does that sound like the behavior of a king appointed by God?
This week if we feel that twinge of jealousy towards someone, I hope we will remember this story of Saul and change our attitude to appreciate what others can do.