1 Samuel 18
-This chapter begins with the connection that Saul’s son,
Jonathan, formed with David post the killing of Goliath. The text claims that
Jonathan was “knit to the soul of David,…loved him as himself,…made a covenant
with David,…and gave him his robe, armor, sword, bow, and belt.” David was made
to come with Saul from his father Jesse’s house to live with them in royalty
being sent out where Saul desired. Everywhere David went he prospered, and soon
he was set over the Israeli men of war. This thing was pleasing in the sight of
all the people including Saul’s servants. The anointed David was gaining
immense favor and blessing by the Hand of the LORD. Prophecy was being
fulfilled. It so happened one day as he had returned from killing the
Philistine (presumably Goliath) that the women came out of all the cities of
Israel singing and dancing before King Saul. With great joy and instruments of
tambourines, triangles, and other three stringed instruments they sang, “Saul
has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands (1 Samuel 18:1-7).”
-Obviously, this did not sit well in the psyche of the
fragile minded Saul. He became angry as this saying displeased him very much
because they were ascribing much more greatness to the young David than himself
as the presiding king. He began to fear his kingdom was slipping away to this
upstart, and looked on David with suspicion from that day on (1 Samuel 18:8-9).
Notice that David did nothing to instigate or entice this action. He was doing
his national service under the authority of the LORD in faith. But, he now had
to face the tribulation of a jealous autocrat that was out to remove him from
the scene.
-This jealous spirit in Saul is described as “an evil spirit
from God,” which came mightily upon him. He raved (naba' – coming under the influence
of a divine spirit, as in self-prophesying, a trance, false prophesy)
in the midst of his house much like a lunatic. As was David’s custom which we
have previously read (1 Samuel 16:16-23), he was attempting to soothe the
spirit of the wayward king with his hand to the harp playing some inspirational
melodious music in the king’s house. Saul, who had a spear in his hand,
however, hurled his weapon at young David thinking that he would pin this
fellow to the wall, but David providentially escaped his presence (1 Samuel
18:10-11). Wow! Talk about heightening the tension. The Bible says at this
point that Saul was actually afraid of his new counterpart, David, “for the
LORD was with him but had departed from Saul.” David was removed by the king
from his presence, and now he was appointed as Saul’s commander of a regiment
of 1,000. He went out and came in before the people as their general basically,
still prospering in all his ways as the LORD continued to be with him.
Observing the ascension of this new leader, Saul detested his prosperity and
dreaded David with a vehement passion (1 Samuel 18:11-15).
-But, all Israel was loving their newfound hero, God’s anointed,
and he continued to gain more and more favor amongst them. Then, Saul cunningly
offered his oldest daughter, Merab, as a wife if he would go out and valiantly
fight the LORD’s battles. His secret deception was intended to expose him on
the battlefield before the enemy so that his own hand would not be against the
national superstar. However, David expressed humility stating, “Who am I, and
what is my life or my father’s family in Israel, that I should be the king’s
son-in-law?” Ironically, when the time came for Merab to be given away, she was
actually given to Adriel the Meholathite for a wife sparing David from having
to go to a potentially dangerous battle with the Philistines. But, there would
still be a family connection between Saul and David. A younger daughter,
Michal, loved David and Saul was agreeable to the matrimony. Saul, again being
the mischievous-fearful king, concluded in his own mind that Michal would be a
snare to David making him more vulnerable before the Philistines. The
arrangements were made between Saul and David through his servants. Again David
expressed unpretentiousness as he replied to the marriage offer, “Is it trivial
in your sight to become the king’s son-in-law, since I am a poor man and
lightly esteemed?” Upon hearing this reported back to him, Saul said, “The king
does not desire any dowry except a hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to
take vengeance on the king’s enemies.” Saul, the text plainly states, planned
to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines as before. He had sinister
plans inspired by the devil himself. But, these words found favor with David,
and he did desire to become the king’s son-in-law. Therefore, before the days
expired to complete his requirement, David rose up and went, with his men
alongside, striking down 200 men among the Philistines capturing their
foreskins. He presented these to the king that he might became the king’s
son-in-law, and Saul consented to give away his daughter to his arch nemesis.
The chapter concludes with this ominous statement, “When Saul saw and knew that
the LORD was with David, and that
Michal, Saul’s daughter, loved him, then Saul was even more afraid of David.
Thus Saul was David’s enemy continually. Then the commanders of the Philistines
went out to battle, and it happened as often as they went out, that David
behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul. So his name was
highly esteemed (1 Samuel 18:16-30).”
-*Application* There is a reason why the sin of jealousy is
such a big deal with God (2 Corinthians 12:20, Galatians 5:19-20, James 3:14-16).
It leads to disorder and every evil thing. In other words, it simply destroys
things. Whether it’s a relationship, a home, a community, an organization, or a
church, when jealousy persists, a lot of demonic activity is present and severe
damage occurs. Notice the evil things that flowed from this spirit of demonic
jealousy: suspicion, fear, dread, bitterness, deception, cunning, selfishness,
anger, rage, etc. We must determine in our lives that we will yield to the Holy
Spirit and resist the temptation to be overcome by jealousy. Ask the LORD today
to forgive any jealousy we might be holding on to in our hearts.
Verses to Memorize:
1 Samuel 18:9, 12, 15
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