1 Samuel 18 - Road to Success

In everything he did he had great success, because the LORD was with him. (v14)

When looking at David early life, he was a pretty successful guy, even base on the world standard. David was a person that many people like. Jonathan loved him as himself and willing to take off all the best he had and offered to David (v3); all Israel and Judah loved David, because he led them in their campaigns (v15); Saul's daughter Michal was in love with David (v20). David met with more success than the rest of Saul's officers, and his name became well known (v30).

The question is what make David become so success? Some may say because he was lucky since the day when he defeated Goliath. Some may say his characters and abilities he had, like the ability to play music, his skills and wisdom to react on situations, etc. The world probably tells us that the key to success is hard work, knowledge, plus a little bit of luck. They maybe true, and I can't deny that they are wrong; the world is partially right; but the Bible said because LORD was with him (v14). The Bible have mentioned it many many many times and amplisize it many many times: because the LORD was with him. Not because the outward appearance, but because the LORD was with him.

This is how a person look like when the Lord was with him. David was a humble person. He never boost about his success. Also, David had a pure clean heart to the Lord. When we look back to chapter 17, the reason why David went and fight Goliath was not because he though he could win Goliath, but he couldn't stand stand how Goliath had defy God. He said "What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?"

David loved the Lord and had great faith in the Lord. This is the key to success.

"man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart." (1 Samuel 16)

Compare with Saul, a person without God was full of evil, jealous, revenge, sensitive to criticisms, evil traps and plan, and etc. (v8) (v25)


May God and the Holy spirit be with us. May He show us the way to success according to His eyes. Hold on to what you have. Be strong and courageous!! And you will definitely be successful. Only be careful how you define success thoguh. Don't be deceived by the world.