Welcome back! We're in week three of our David series, and today we'll be talking about the trap of comparison that plagues humanity, and we'll be using David's troubled relationship with King Saul as an example!
--
The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the “easy button” for making disciples – whether you’re looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday.
Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org.
Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.
Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.
Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.
Donate Now
--
DAVID: THE COMPARISON TRAP
Comparison is the silent killer of joy. It slowly steals your confidence, shifts your focus, and leaves you spiritually drained. In 1 Samuel 18, we see this clearly in the lives of Saul and David. David’s moment of victory should have united Israel—but instead, it exposed the dangerous power of comparison in Saul’s heart. His story warns us that comparison doesn’t just affect how we feel; it affects who we become.
The Celebration That Turned Into Jealousy
When David returned from defeating Goliath, the nation erupted with music, dancing, and praise. The women sang:
“Saul has killed his thousands, and David his ten thousands!” (1 Samuel 18:7, NLT)
This wasn’t a protest song or a political statement—it was a celebration of God’s deliverance. But Saul heard something different. Instead of hearing gratitude, he heard threat. Instead of celebrating God’s victory, he fixated on David’s recognition.
“So from that time on Saul kept a jealous eye on David.” (1 Samuel 18:9, NLT)
Comparison took a moment of unity and turned it into a moment of insecurity.
1. Comparison Strangles Your Joy
Saul had every reason to be joyful—his nation was safe, his army victorious, and his reputation still strong. But when he looked sideways at David, his joy collapsed.
The same thing happens to us. Social media has made comparison effortless. Studies show people—especially Gen Z—often feel worse after scrolling, not better. We see what others have and suddenly forget what God has given us.
Scripture reminds us:
“Those who seek the Lord will lack no good thing.” (Psalm 34:10, NLT)
If God hasn’t given it, we don’t need it—not yet, and maybe not ever. Joy isn’t rooted in what others have; it’s rooted in who God is.
Joy grows in gratitude, not in comparison.
2. Comparison Stunts Your Growth
Saul’s jealousy didn’t just affect his emotions—it affected his leadership. The day after the celebration, he tried to kill David (1 Samuel 18:10–11). Instead of mentoring the young man God had raised up, Saul made him an enemy.
Proverbs warns us:
“A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones.”
(Proverbs 14:30, NLT)
Jealousy slowly eats away at your capacity to grow. Jesus had to correct Peter on this very issue. When Peter asked about John’s future, Jesus answered:
“What is that to you? As for you, follow me.” (John 21:22, NLT)
You can’t follow Jesus while watching someone else’s calling.
You can’t grow while looking sideways.
3. Comparison Steals Your Focus
As Saul’s jealousy deepened, his focus narrowed. Instead of ruling his kingdom, he watched David. Instead of building Israel’s future, he spiraled into fear.
“Saul was then afraid of David, for the Lord was with David…”
(1 Samuel 18:12, NLT)
Comparison pulls your attention away from what God is doing in you and puts it on what He’s doing in someone else. It creates what some call “sideways energy”—lots of movement, no progress.
What you stare at is what you steer toward.
If you stare at someone else’s success, you’ll steer your life toward envy and insecurity. But if you stare at Jesus, you’ll steer toward peace and purpose.
From Competition to Confidence
Even Jesus’ disciples struggled with comparison. James and John wanted positions of honor (Mark 10:37). They chased status until Jesus corrected them.
But years later, John wrote these words:
“See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children.”
(1 John 3:1, NLT)
Somewhere along the way, he stopped competing and started resting in God’s love.
That’s what the gospel does.
It replaces insecurity with identity.
It moves us from striving to belonging.
From competition to confidence.
You don’t have to chase approval.
You don’t have to earn your value.
You already belong to God—and that is enough.