People Pleasers

(All Bible references are from the NLT)

I had always been a bit curious about why King Saul turned so sour on David, when David had been serving him faithfully and with honor.  After David took Goliath out in such a miraculous way, the Israelites were able to successfully chase down and defeat the Philistine army that been taunting them for days on end.  David had Saul’s attention now and 1 Samuel 18:5 says:  “Whatever Saul asked David to do, David did it successfully. So Saul made him a commander over the men of war, an appointment that was welcomed by the people and Saul’s officers alike.”  (The stage is now set.)

But soon, because of his great successes on the battlefield, David was receiving the accolades of the people and Saul didn’t have much appreciation for that!  1 Samuel 18:8a:  “This made Saul very angry.”  Then at least part of the reason Saul turned against David becomes obvious – jealousy.  1 Samuel 18:9:  “So from that time on Saul kept a jealous eye on David.”   

So was jealousy the only reason for Saul’s change of heart toward David?  It doesn’t seem that way to me after I did my Bible reading this morning.  A short commentary had a perspective that I hadn’t really paid any attention to before.  This is what it said:

“The author of 1 Samuel intentionally contrasts Saul of Benjamin and David of Judah.  On the one hand, Saul is outwardly tall, rich, and powerful but inwardly lacks courage and has a low view of God.  He also acts hastily.  On the other hand, David is outwardly small and insignificant but inwardly mighty, and courageous and has a majestic view of God.  David’s deep awareness of God fills him with faith and courage that magnifies him in the eyes of Saul and the people.

From the beginning of his reign, Saul seeks the favor of his followers.  So when Saul learns of the people’s high view of David, he becomes jealous and infuriated even though David serves him faithfully.  David, however, was free of what others thought of him.  He lived for the validation of God.  Those bound by others’ approval fear those who are truly free.”  *

David, even with all his success, didn’t have an inflated view of himself – he remained very  humble.  This is made obvious as you read further down in 1 Samuel 18 and Saul offers his oldest daughter to David to be his wife.  In verse 18 David says:  “‘Who am I, and what is my family in Israel that I should be the king’s son-in-law?” David exclaimed. “My father’s family is nothing!’”  David basically declined that offer.  Later King Saul offered his other daughter Michal (who loved David) for his wife.  He had some of his men try to entice David to take up the challenge he would need to win for her hand and David’s reply to them in verse 25 is this:  “‘How can a poor man from a humble family afford the bride price for the daughter of a king?’”   

However, Saul had previously shown his true colors for being arrogant and a people pleaser – being much more concerned about what other people thought of him than being obedient to God.  In 1 Samuel 15, the prophet Samuel had delivered a message to Saul directly from God.  Saul was to go into battle against the Amalekites and he was given very specific directions of what to do.  But Saul chose to do it his way blatantly disobeying the instructions he’d been given.  When confronted by Samuel his reply was (verse 24):  “Then Saul admitted to Samuel, ‘Yes, I have sinned. I have disobeyed your instructions and the Lord’s command, for I was afraid of the people and did what they demanded.’”  In other words, forget pleasing God, I wanted to please the people!    

These stories stand as a testament to all of us.  We need to be cautious about seeking and/or being concerned about the approval and praises of others – as Saul did.  Instead we should desire to be more like David that humbly sought only the favor and approval of God.  It doesn’t serve us well to be people pleasers – we need to be God pleasers!

Written by Karran Martin – April 14, 2025

[All bold emphasis is mine]*The One Year Chronological Study Bible by Tyndale