1 Samuel 18:1 – 16 “After David had finished speaking with Saul, the souls of Jonathan and David were knit together, and Jonathan loved him as himself. And from that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return to his father’s house.
Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. And Jonathan removed the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, his sword, his bow, and his belt.
So, David marched out and prospered in everything Saul sent him to do, and Saul set him over the men of war. And this was pleasing in the sight of all the people, and of Saul’s officers as well.
As the troops were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out of all the cities of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs, and with tambourines and other instruments. And as the women danced, they sang out:
“Saul has slain his thousands,
and David his tens of thousands.”
And Saul was furious and resented this song. “They have ascribed tens of thousands to David,” he said, “but only thousands to me. What more can he have but the kingdom?” And from that day forward Saul kept a jealous eye on David.
The next day a spirit of distress sent from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied inside the house while David played the harp as usual. Now Saul was holding a spear, and he hurled it, thinking, “I will pin David to the wall.” But David eluded him twice.
So, Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with David but had departed from Saul. Therefore, Saul sent David away and gave him command of a thousand men. David led the troops out to battle and back, and he continued to prosper in all his ways, because the LORD was with him. When Saul saw that David was very successful, he was afraid of him. But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he was leading them out to battle and back.”
Jonathan, Saul’s son, was a brave warrior. When Jonathan met David, they realized they were kindred souls. David had already killed Goliath and was now leading the army of Israel out to war. The two men understood each other and had no need for lengthy explanations. Once a military person, always a military person. Most former military people have little use for people who have never served but who still feel they are experts on military matters. Trying to describe the experience of being under fire is almost impossible, and fielding ignorant observations leaves many military men and women fed up with the general public. Remember that Jonathan and his armor bearer had tackled a Philistine camp by themselves and had come out victorious. By this point, Jonathan may also have begun to realize that there was something wrong with his father and that his father was becoming emotionally and mentally unhinged. Both Jonathan and David needed a close friend and God allowed them to find each other. As tokens of close friendship, Jonathan gave David the robe he was wearing, along with his tunic, his sword, his bow and his belt.
God gave David success in all his efforts. Saul’s officers and fighting men were undoubtedly relieved to have someone sane leading them, and they responded admirably. But a new problem surfaced; the people in the street were singing songs about Saul slaying thousands while David slayed tens of thousands. Saul became insanely jealous! Saul was the king and David was an interloper! Surely, David must have his eye on the kingdom!
Was Saul aware that Samuel had already anointed David as the next king? Possible but doubtful. Samuel had been careful to disguise that assignment as a routine sacrifice. Perhaps the elders of Bethlehem gossiped about the situation; however, it’s possible that only Jesse and his sons were parties to David’s anointing. Certainly, David’s older brothers wouldn’t be in a hurry to spread the news; they were still furious about being passed over by Samuel.
“The next day a spirit of distress sent from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied inside the house while David played the harp as usual. Now Saul was holding a spear, and he hurled it, thinking, “I will pin David to the wall.” But David eluded him twice.” Saul was becoming increasingly paranoid and may have become delusional as well. The mention of “prophesying” is confusing. Was Saul actually prophesying by the power of the Holy Spirit, or was he speaking by the inspiration of a demonic spirit? Saul’s attempt to spear David twice suggests that Saul was increasingly coming under the influence of the demonic.
“So, Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with David but had departed from Saul. Therefore, Saul sent David away and gave him command of a thousand men. David led the troops out to battle and back, and he continued to prosper in all his ways, because the LORD was with him. When Saul saw that David was very successful, he was afraid of him. But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he was leading them out to battle and back.” What’s happening? If Saul was worried about David’s influence over the people, why didn’t Saul take over military leadership instead of giving David an even – larger stage on which to perform? By this point, Saul was close to the end of his reign and was probably in his late 60’s. Perhaps Saul was tired of fighting or perhaps he was hoping that the Philistines would kill David, saving him the trouble. At any rate, God was blessings David’s efforts magnificently.
APPLICATION: The progressive deterioration of King Saul is one of the saddest stories in the Old Testament. Rebellious and arrogant, first, Saul lost the opportunity to found a dynasty, and then he lost the kingdom. By all accounts, Jonathan, Saul’s son, was an excellent man who deserved a better father. There is nothing to indicate that David was doing anything to undermine Saul. As a young military commander acting under the guidance of the Lord, David was simply glad to be fulfilling God’s will. Throughout David’s life, he consistently honored Saul as a second father and refused to do anything to damage Saul.
What can we learn from this situation? There is a slogan painted on small public buses that reads “No condition is permanent.” Proverbs 27:24 asks, “For riches are not forever; does a crown endure to all generations?” As long as King Saul was alive, he still had the chance to turn his heart back to the Lord of Israel and to truly worship and serve Him. Even though Saul had lost the kingdom, he still had the opportunity to do good. But at some point, Saul had already turned away from the Lord. Not once did Saul refer to the Lord of Israel as his Lord, but he continued to refer to the Lord as the God of Samuel, the Lord of Samuel, or merely the Lord. Saul never really knew God at all. It’s entirely possible that as a young man, Saul may have gotten caught up in some kind of idol worship that blinded his eyes to the Lord.
David was doing nothing to harm Saul but was only proceeding to follow the calling God had placed on his life. But years of involvement with the demonic was causing Saul to become increasingly confused and violent. David and Saul were on a collision course. Perhaps Saul had told himself that there would be plenty of time to worship the Lord later. But “later” never came.
What are we doing with our lives? Whom are we worshiping? We are in Easter Week and you are reading this devotional on Maundy Thursday, the day that commemorates Jesus’ last supper with His disciples. That night, Jesus knew He was going to die, even if the disciples did not. Jesus knew that He had been sent to be the sinless blood sacrifice for the sins of all those who would believe in Him.
Saul or David, eternal damnation or eternal salvation. Saul continually turned away from the Lord and eventually died a confused and bitter man. David followed the Lord and received the accolade that he was a man after God’s own heart. The choice is ours. Choose wisely.
PRAYER: Father God, please help all who read this to know You in Your love, Your mercy, Your fullness, and Your grace. Help us to follow hard after You all the days of our lives. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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