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Jealousy
(1 Samuel 18:6-16)
Yearly Theme: “Faithfulness Is…”
Series Title: ““Respectable” Sins”
May 18th, 2025

Something to think about:

And R.T. Kendall writes, “Jealousy sometimes manifests as fear or resentment of another’s success, speaking against the person, going on a vendetta to hurt their credibility, keeping them from being admired, or actually engaging in a conspiracy to destroy them, as in the case of King Saul pursuing David. The origin of jealousy is to be found in our natural insecurity. It is a part of our fallen nature.”[1]

As we unpack this particular sin that no one wants to talk about, we take a deeper dive into the story of King Saul and his jealousy of young David, son of Jesse. When we come upon this scene, David has just recently slain the Philistine giant named Goliath on the battlefield with just a sling and a stone. As they traveled back home with the armies of Israel, they were greeted in each town with women singing and dancing with joy, shouting praise for the mighty victories of Saul, and the even mightier victories of David. This stokes Saul’s jealousy of David and becomes the source of his imminent downfall. Let’s take a look:


[1] R. T. Kendall, Jealousy: The Sin No One Talks About, (Charisma House: Lake Mary, Florida; 2010), 11.

What is sinful jealousy?

Key Point: “Sinful jealousy is the result of fear of losing our position to another.”

As we consider the narrative of King Saul’s jealousy of David, we need to consider the ultimate ramifications of unchecked and unrepentant jealousy.

· Saul felt ______________ when David was ______________ more than he was.

1 Samuel 18:6-8 (NLT), 6 When the victorious Israelite army was returning home after David had killed the Philistine [Goliath], women from all the towns of Israel came out to meet King Saul. They sang and danced for joy with tambourines and cymbals. 7 This was their song: “Saul has killed his thousands, and David his ten thousands!” 8 This made Saul very angry. “What’s this?” he said. “They credit David with ten thousands and me with only thousands. Next they’ll be making him their king!” 9 So from that time on Saul kept a jealous eye on David.

· Jealousy got such a hold on Saul that ______________ ______________ him.

1 Samuel 18:10-11 (NLT), 10 The very next day a tormenting spirit from God overwhelmed Saul, and he began to rave in his house like a madman. David was playing the harp, as he did each day. But Saul had a spear in his hand, 11 and he suddenly hurled it at David, intending to pin him to the wall. But David escaped him twice.

· Saul’s jealousy drove him to a ______________ ______________ of David and his successes.

1 Samuel 18:12-16 (NLT), 12 Saul was then afraid of David, for the Lord was with David and had turned away from Saul. 13 Finally, Saul sent him away and appointed him commander over 1,000 men, and David faithfully led his troops into battle. 14 David continued to succeed in everything he did, for the Lord was with him. 15 When Saul recognized this, he became even more afraid of him. 16 But all Israel and Judah loved David because he was so successful at leading his troops into battle.

Something to take home:

Jerry Bridges writes, “We must recognize that to be envious or jealous of someone is either eliminating God from the picture or else accusing Him of being unfair.”[1] Either way is damaging and distorts not only our perspective but our relationships with GOD and others.

Jealousy is the result of fear of losing those things that we think make us important, when what really makes us important is dying to self daily, taking up our cross, and following Christ;[2] loving GOD and loving others.[3]

Does jealousy have hold of you? What are you doing to get rid of it and truly rejoice with those who rejoice? What are the insecurities that have driven you to jealousy?

As we take personal inventory of our feelings and responses toward GOD and others, let’s determine to fully trust GOD with all we are, and allow Him to lead us out of the places that our brokenness and insecurities drive us.

Key Point: “Sinful jealousy is the result of fear of losing our position to another.”


[1] Jerry Bridges, Respectable Sins, (NavPress: Colorado Springs, Colorado; 2007), 149.
[2] Luke 9:23.
[3] Matthew 22:37-40.

Read Acts 13:38-52.

A quick read of the passage of Scripture above reveals the devastating effects of jealousy.In fact, sinful jealousy like this is the result of fear of losing one’s position.Have you ever been jealous like this?How did you overcome it (or have you)?

As a result of some Jews’ jealousy toward Paul and Barnabas’ popularity among the people in Antioch of Pisidia, they began to slander them.Why do jealous people slander those with whom they are jealous?

We also read that these jealous Jews argued against whatever Paul said.Have you ever witnessed people arguing against whatever someone says, even if that person is right?Explain...

Realizing the jealous Jews had rejected the Good News that Paul and Barnabas were preaching in the local synagogue, they decided to publicly proclaim that they would instead take the message of salvation and eternal life to the Gentiles.This, of course, stirred up more jealousy and anger, so much so that Paul and Barnabas were driven out of town.How does jealousy harden people’s hearts to the truth?

What is the best way to keep from becoming sinfully jealous?What should one do if they find themselves becoming sinfully jealous?

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