1 Samuel 17:28-30

            Goliath was not David’s only enemy. In this illustrious passage 1 Samuel 17, David first had to contend with his own brother, Eliab, who became so angry when he heard David exploring the necessity of confronting the enemy. The question arises, why was Eliab so angry? I can only surmise that 1 Samuel 16, had something to do with it. David was chosen and not him. The youngest was chosen over the eldest. The most unlikely candidate was chosen over the favored frontrunner, not just chosen but divinely chosen. That must have been a little bit off-putting to Eliab, to say the least.

            However, what we do know for sure is that envy is a terrible thing. It undeniably brings out the worst in us and leads to bitterness and anger. No wonder the Scriptures caution us to “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you with all malice” (Ephesians 4:31). Somehow, Eliab could not even attempt to be pleasant and cordial with his own brother, who had come to check on their welfare and bring them food supplies. There can be no place in the Christian’s hearts for these ugly attributes.

            As he saw David, Eliab seemed to go into a crazy rage. He unloads on him. He questions his purpose. He demeans his status. He accuses him of pride and wickedness. He attacks him. According to the NIV, it is said “When Eliab, David’s oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked, Why have you come down here … ?” (v28). Sadly, he goes into this incoherent rant that reveals more of his own depraved mental and spiritual condition, especially when contrasted with David’s calmness and spiritual poise.

            The more you read, is the more you see how angry and painfully unhinged he is, reinforcing the point that envy is really not a good thing. How sad it is when family becomes your biggest haters! Instead of lifting David, he treats him with contempt. Somehow, Eliab forgot who the real enemy was. He opened fire on his own flesh and blood, who was only there to help him. He viciously explodes on him. May God help us never to forget who the real enemy is! How true are the words of the song, “I pray for you, you pray for me. I love you I need you to survive. I won’t harm you with words from my mouth, I love you, I need you to survive!”

            Church of God, may we always keep in mind that we are brothers and sisters, fighting on the same team. We passionately stand in defense of and in league with each other. We do not open fire on each other. How pathetic it was that David’s presence and gifts brought no joy and consolation to his brother. Even to hear and see David’s boyish excitement and enthusiasm brought no sense of adventure and maybe even looking at things from a different lens to Eliab. Instead, “…he burned with anger …” (v28).  Something had just gone sour with him and hearing his brother talk, just seemed to trigger the worst reaction from him.

            I must therefore seriously caution, that now is no time for us to turn on each other. Times are unusually stressful, but now more than ever we  must hang tightly together! Pray earnestly for each other! We are indeed here to lift each other up. We choose to encourage each other with words that inspire and uplift.  We remain brothers and sisters, fighting on the same side and for the same cause. If confronted with evil words like David was in this passage, we do like David did, “And he turned from him …” (1 Samuel 17:30). Instead of engaging Eliab and causing things to escalate, David turned away from him. He ignored the negativity. He refused to let him rent space in his mind.  He had a real giant to fight. We cannot be divided at this point. We are on the same Team!

Leroy V. Greenaway
Presiding Bishop – Northeast Region

October 2, 2021