I Samuel 18:13
“So Saul removed him from his presence and appointed him as his commander of a thousand; and he went out and came in before the people.”
This is an interesting move by Saul. He had just tried to kill David. Was this a move to prevent that from happening again or could he not stand the presence of David? While I don't think it was the kings intent, it almost seems like a promotion. David gets out of a scary environment and placed in a position in which he will grow in leadership and popularity. It seems like a fulfillment of Psalm 23, "Thou preparest a table for me in the presence of my enemies. Circumstances are toggling quickly for David. Some days are good, others are bad. It's all because of an unstable boss.
We will have unstable, influential people in our lives. If we can avoid them, great. However, sometimes they are there for our growth. James 1:2-4 says, "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." The phrase, "let patience have its perfect work" is what we are to do with difficult people. Don't resist, but allow the lesson to teach us it's intention.
Ephesians 2:10 says, "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them." We are His product; He has something, if not several things in mind in each situation. We are to yield to His will.
Jesus said in Luke 9:23, "And He said to them after this, 'If anyone comes after me, he must deny himself, take up his cross and follow me.'" Yielding to Him is part of being a christian. That's what differentiated David from Saul. David was brought in because he was obedient to God. Saul was not.
Going back to the phrase, "let patience have it's perfect work", the lesson maybe that of character. We may need more patience or more love. It's nothing cognitive, but of the heart. We are to yield to that. We should bring this to the Lord, "God help us to be patient". He will answer. It may not be in that moment, but in time.
Lord, thank You that you don't waste our sorrow, but have a purpose. Help us to yield to it, help us to grow through these times.