Whatever mission Saul sent him on, David was so successful that Saul gave him a high rank in the army. This pleased all the troops, and Saul’s officers as well. When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with timbrels and lyres. – 1 Samuel 18:5-6
Slingshot sales would soon skyrocket. His name would be overheard in every major marketplace. “Did you hear about Jesse’s son, David? Can you believe it?! A hero right here in our very own Bethlehem! He took the giant Philistine’s own sword and cut off his head!”
It was truly a hero’s welcome. Women lined the streets, dancing and singing his praises. They might’ve come out for Saul, but I’m betting they wanted to leave with David.
In the span of 24 hours, David had gone from a nobody to arguably the most popular young man in all of Israel, with his fame forever assured. Saul would promote him to general, making him commander of his army. The troops loved him. Even Saul’s own servants loved him. Whatever David did, he did successfully. What was there not to love about him? Young, handsome, fearless… a man after God’s very own heart.
But how would David react to this newfound success?
Something tells me that David didn’t much care for the parade, the limelight, the accolades. After all, he was more accustomed to being alone, fighting the lions and wolves in the wilderness while protecting his father’s flocks. Not once did the sheep ever sing or dance for him upon his victorious return. You see, the Lord had shaped and molded David’s heart and mind during all those years in his father’s fields. This is where David got to know God personally. This is where he learned to trust Him with every ounce of his being. This is where David learned the humility of a servant and the courage of a warrior. Jesse’s fields were the proving grounds for someone who would become the greatest leader in Israel’s history.
The Lord was with David, and David understood that it was God who had delivered him in the battle with Goliath. This was God’s success, not his. And as we read the coming chapters, we’ll see a man continuing to be tested in every possible way, facing danger at every turn, and still relying on God for His success.
How about us? How do we deal with success?
I don’t know about you, but sometimes I enjoy the limelight and the accolades. Sometimes I like it so much that I allow it to cloud my judgment. Next thing you know, I’m not doing things out of love. I’m doing things because I want everyone to know how great I am. The ice is never thinner than when I’m jumping up and down seeking attention!
American race car driver Bobby Unser once said, “Success is where opportunity and preparedness meet.” I think for me it would be, “Success is where my will aligns with God’s will and I simply try to carry that out without being noticed.”
Without being noticed. That sounds very challenging to me. But it also sounds a lot like the humility Jesus wants me to have in my heart.
Former Blackout Artist 