As a result of the conquest of Goliath, David strikes up a friendship with Jonathan, Saul’s son. Their friendship is very close. It was like being brothers. Saul would not let David go back home. David was a threat to Jonathan’s position but that did not prevent them from becoming close friends. People would expect that Jonathan would be the next king, being Saul’s son. I assume that Jonathan knew that David had been anointed king, even if not, he was indicating that he thought that David should be by making a covenant together, Jonathan giving David his robe, his armour, his sword, bow and belt. They were both brave young men, as we saw in chapter 14 when Jonathan initiated a one-man war with the Philistines. They were bold and both had a trust in God. It is doubtful that they would make a covenant together without a common faith in God.
David was obedient and behaved wisely (v5). Rather than usurping Saul’s authority, he did whatever he was told. He was going to be the next king, but he was loyal to Saul. Saul made him his general, his chief man of war even though he was only a young man. David was respected by all the people and by Saul’s servants. David could have behaved quite differently, he could have said, “I am the future king so Saul should bow down to me.” However, he didn’t and went about the day-to-day business, much of which was in battles. He put himself in danger, but he knew that God was with him, and would exalt him him at the right time, even though, in fact, it would take around twenty years.
All this was taking place on their return from defeating the Philistines through David killing Goliath. If it had not been for David, Saul might have had to fight Goliath himself. If it had not been for David, the Israelites may have been slaughtered, or at very least, as Goliath suggested, they would be slaves.
When they returned (v6-9) the women came out to celebrate, singing and dancing with tambourines and other musical instruments. I’m sure Saul was pleased with this, but his mood changed when they began to sing, ‘Saul has slain his thousands, David, his ten thousands.’
We see that Saul didn’t only suffer from distress and memory-loss, but jealousy – this made Saul very angry, and his jealousy got the better of him. Amazing what effect words can have! The saying – “sticks and stones may break my bones but calling me names won’t hurt me” is not always true. It’s amazing how hurtful words can be, how divisive, cutting and destroying.
Saul becomes very angry in that the people ascribe tens of thousands to David but only thousands to himself (v8).
As a result, “Saul eyed David from that day on” (v9). He sought to kill him. He is suspicious of David and the rest of the book is taken up with Saul’s attempts to get rid of him.
Jealousy should have no part in the Christian’s life. What great trouble has been caused in the Church by jealousy? Some cannot stand others receiving some sort of praise or recognition. We should, of course, be careful in our accolades of praise, we should not forget to recognize what all do, however small. But some are very touchy – I have experienced it and I’m sure you have. It is important to remember that we are a body – when one suffers, we all suffer, when one is praised, we should all benefit and be joyful. Paul talks about this in his letter to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 12).
If it were not for those who use their God-given gifts in the Church, your church might not be here. Maybe you are using your gift, if so, we should praise God for that, but maybe you are not! Maybe you’re not sure what your gift is, or whether you have one at all! There are several lists of gifts in the New Testament – most are specific gifts that are obvious, but at least one of them states the gift of “helps” (1 Corinthians 12). Even if you do not appear to have a gift or you are not sure what it is and remember – “The Holy Spirit distributes the gifts as He wills” it is not as we want; but I believe we all fall within the gift of “helps”. I believe that The Holy Spirit has given us all a gift and there can be no doubt that we can all be “helps”. It may not be fashionable or outstanding, but it is vital and – without it the Church will falter, and The Name of Jesus will be brought into disrepute.
Remember though – If God has given you a ‘gift’ dedicate it to Him and wait His opportunity to use it, don’t just rush in and try to use it. David could have said “I am a man of war therefore I should be fighting in the battle; I have also been anointed the next king, so I should not be looking after the sheep.”
He was obedient to his father and when the time was right, God made it possible for him to use his ‘gift’. Pray that God will show you your gift if you are not sure and also, when to use it.
Saul should have been grateful to David but instead he was very jealous, jealous to the point of hatred and murder, and treated David very shabbily. I don’t know if Saul knew that David had been anointed by Samuel as the next King. One would have thought the message had leaked out especially when David’s three elder brothers were fighting in Saul’s army. But maybe they said nothing, because of course; they weren’t overjoyed about it either.
There was no certainty that Jonathan would automatically be the next King – Saul was the first King they had ever had so there was no law that this kingship was to be handed down to the king’s son and heir. It was not the Royal Family.
The people of Israel wanted a king like the other nations had (1 Samuel 8). The Lord had told Samuel to warn the people that the consequences of having a King would be that he would rule over them and they would have to obey. They had not obeyed God and He had only wanted to do them good and had promised them success for their obedience. However, with a man ruling them they would have to obey – he could take their sons and daughters as soldiers and slaves and order them around without the guarantee of success – but that’s what they chose.
Even at Saul’s coronation there were those who rebelled – (1 Samuel 10) – after Samuel had presented Saul to the people they shouted, “Long live the King”. (v 24) “Samuel explained the behaviour of royalty and wrote it in a book and laid it before The Lord. ” (v 25). “But some rebels said “How can this man save us? So they despised him and brought him no presents.””. (v27)
I know that God didn’t want them to have a king, but He reluctantly allowed it and Saul was His choice, but some rebels didn’t accept it. Here again we see that there are those who grumble and complain even when God allows us to go our own way, apparently with His blessing.
You ask – does God do that? Yes! But as He did here, He warns us that it will not be all plain sailing and that His way would have been best in the first place. You might think that that is not correct – but that is certainly how it appears especially from His dealings with Israel.
In the New Testament, we have a similar situation in Romans 1 where we read that men suppressed the truth of God by their wickedness (v18) and that God had made it plain to them since the creation of the world, but they turned against Him and in v24 “Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie…….. Because of this God gave them over to shameful lusts (to practice homosexuality women with women and men with men) and they received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.” Here of course, God doesn’t give His blessing whatsoever, but it is clear that He allows them to go their own way warning them of the dire consequences.
Some say that you only learn from making mistakes. Well, it is true that you can learn that way, I often have. But it is not the best way – the best way is to do it right in the first place – to obey God whatever the cost and even though we cannot see the end result – that’s true faith. Anything else is second best, might even be God’s second best – rather it is man’s way with God’s approval but a stern warning of what will ensue on the way.
Whenever the will of God is clear – and that usually is contained in God’s word, let us obey – God’s way is the best (the only) way.
Not only did a Saul become angry and jealous he became very distrusting and insecure. It is apparent that Saul was a reluctant ruler because at his coronation he went missing and couldn’t be found (1 Samuel 10:21). The sin of jealousy always leads to something else. It can be anger, spite, malicious gossip, hatred and even worse.
We see Saul’s jealousy of David resulting in those words – “Now what more can he have but the kingdom” (v8). He became obsessed and feared for his position that David was going to usurp him or even the people would remove him and replace him with David. The statement makes me think that Saul probably didn’t know of David’s anointing! But God works amazingly – Saul invites David to the palace and thus makes David known to all – God’s plans at work!
It manifested itself in hatred and suspicion. “Saul eyed David from that day forward”.
On the very next day something happened (v10) –“The distressing spirit from God came over Saul and he prophesied inside the house”. It is interesting that Saul often prophesied (1 Samuel 10:10; 19:24) indeed God through Samuel had told him that, “The Spirit of the Lord will come upon you, and you will prophesy with them (of the prophets) and be turned into another man”. (v9 explains that “God changed his heart”). Saul prophesied among the prophets – when with them he did as they did – a proverb was known “Saul among the prophets” (v12).
So, when Saul (to use a common phrase) “was in Rome he did as the Romans did”. He had the potential to be a changed man, but he wasn’t. The Hebrew word sometimes indicates uncontrolled ecstatic behaviour. In 1 Kings 18:29 the prophets of Baal – frantic prophesying – that is how this can be best understood – reminds me of some churches or gatherings today! So, let’s not get carried away with those who apparently prophesy! We must be aware of false prophets, and, apparently, there are many around, sadly in our churches and on TV in charlatan ‘so-called Christian’ programs.
It is thought by those far more gifted than I am, that the word ‘prophesied’ is a poor translation. It is more like ‘he babbled like a man not in his right mind’.
Saul was emotionally a very unstable man. David played his music to soothe Saul in his distress. The very man he was jealous of came and took the low place of helper to his King. He was a loyal and obedient subject, so humble that, where many would have thought this kind of service was beneath them for someone so famous, yet David was willing to humbly minister to Saul, and despite this, Saul distrusted him. So much so that the last phrase tells us that Saul had a spear in his hand while David played soothing music. His jealousy overflowed to hatred as he threw his spear intending to pin David to the wall (v11). This occurred twice and each time David escaped. One would have thought that David was afraid of Saul but, in fact, it was the other way around (v12). The reason for Saul’s fear is stated here, “Saul was afraid of David because The Lord was with him but had departed from Saul.” How sad. Saul had great privileges and great potential, but he blew it by wanting his own way and sinning against God.
The presence of God in a person prior to the coming of The Holy Spirit as promised by Jesus when here on earth, was different. In Old Testament times (and early New Testament) we read of the Holy Spirit coming upon people for certain times and tasks – some maintained the presence, but others, The Holy Spirit left them, sometimes to return again. When we are born again by God’s Spirit, we receive The Holy Spirit and He never leaves us.
David might have been excused for wanting to throw the spear back at Saul, but he didn’t, he simply left. David had a different heart to Saul. The LORD was with him. Remarkably, this happened twice, therefore, David came back after the first one and played again. One could be excused for keeping away from the danger, but David trusted in God, and it was Saul who was the more afraid.
Saul did what many do when they are convicted or challenged by God – move. He removed David from the palace and made him captain over a thousand. How ironic when the women had chanted that Saul has slain his thousands but David his ten thousands. Perhaps Saul thought it was an insult to David, and thinking he could get rid of him, but it backfired in that “David behaved wisely in all his ways and The LORD was with him.” (V13). Saul became even more afraid, but David’s popularity grew more and more among all the people (v15,16)
We might find it difficult to behave wisely when things are going against us, but we must, and can, when The Lord is with us.
When Goliath challenged Israel, Saul promised his daughter to the man who defeated the giant. He now makes good his promise and offered his older daughter, Merab to David, provided he was valiant for Saul and fought the LORD’s battles (v17). He was taking advantage of David because there was no doubt that David would fulfill both of those conditions. What Saul was scheming was really to get rid of David, hoping that in battle, the Philistines would kill him. David would be a marked man, having killed their champion. This was a different plot by Saul, to save himself doing the nasty job and making the complicated explanation of killing David himself.
David, himself, stooped to this later when he plotted to get rid of Uriah after he had committed adultery with Uriah’s wife, Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11,12). It seemed to be a common way of getting rid of people, they didn’t like or who were an inconvenience.
It happens today, to get rid of someone, pile on the pressure until they go off with stress or leave in dissatisfaction. Sadly, it happens in the church too. Such schemes will never be blessed by God.
David is surprised and overwhelmed that Saul should consider him worthy to be his son-in-law (verse 18), but Saul is totally unreliable and again fails to keep his promise and his daughter Merab is given to someone else (v19).
Saul’s younger daughter, Michal, fancied David (v20-25). Most of the women probably did, they certainly danced and chanted for him. When Saul was told, he was pleased and ‘cogs of his mind went into overtime’. He thought that this would help his trap to snare David by his daughter and the Philistines (v21). Did Saul know what his daughter Michal was really like – a snare? Does seem a strange thing to say about your daughter. The message is communicated to David who can’t understand why Saul is so keen to have him as his son-in-law. David considers it no light thing and indicates that he has no dowry to offer, being a poor man. Saul sends a strange reply that indicates that he is still determined to get David killed (v25). Saul sent a message saying that he delights in David, no doubt through gritted teeth, and all the servants love him. He did not want a dowry but one hundred foreskins of the Philistines. Saul seemed to be reasonable, not asking for money etc but he was really asking for far more. David would have to kill 100 Philistines to get them. Actually, David had already provided the dowry by killing Goliath, that was the agreement, but David, humbly agreed to Saul’s demand and was happy with the offer and he and his men killed 200 Philistines (v26,27). Saul only asked for one hundred – he had no way out – he received double what he asked, although just what he would do with 200 foreskins, I don’t know? He simply thought that David would be killed in the process, but he was wrong.
Saul concedes defeat, recognizing that The Lord was obviously with David (v28) and gave him Michal as his wife. But he becomes even more afraid of David and despite being his father-in-law, Saul is David’s enemy continually (v29). What a strange family relationship! This beats all the mother-in-law stories! David is very wise and careful and exceeds all of Saul’s servants and thus becomes highly esteemed by all the people (v30). Despite Saul’s efforts to kill him, David is only really brought to the forefront by Saul’s actions. The more Saul tried to get rid, the more David is esteemed by the people.
