Toxic Relationships!

An incident mentioned in 1 Samuel 18:6-16 (ESV) explains how and why David and Saul came to be at odds. David had killed Goliath. That is when the story unfolds.

“As they were coming home, when David returned from striking down the Philistine, the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with songs of joy, and with musical instruments. And the women sang to one another as they celebrated,

‘Saul has struck down his thousands,
and David his ten thousands.’

And Saul was very angry, and this saying displeased him. He said, ‘They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed thousands, and what more can he have but the kingdom?’ And Saul eyed David from that day on.

The next day a harmful spirit from God rushed upon Saul, and he raved within his house while David was playing the lyre, as he did day by day. Saul had his spear in his hand. And Saul hurled the spear, for he thought, ‘I will pin David to the wall.’ But David evaded him twice.

Saul was afraid of David because the Lord was with him but had departed from Saul. So Saul removed him from his presence and made him a commander of a thousand. And he went out and came in before the people. And David had success in all his undertakings, for the Lord was with him. And when Saul saw that he had great success, he stood in fearful awe of him. But all Israel and Judah loved David, for he went out and came in before them.”

David and Saul’s relationship deteriorated. It became dangerous for David.

Toxic relationships can happen within families, on the job, and even between long-time friends. Discovering the source of the conflict and trying to right the relationship can be difficult. Yet, Don Moen’s song, “God will Make a Way,” reminds us that God can make a way when there seems to be no way.

God does not always choose to heal broken relationships. Yet, in many cases he does provide a way.

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