Everybody Loves David (Except Saul)
October 15, 2022
Commentary
After David killed Goliath, he and Jonathan became the closest of friends (v. 1). Their friendship is one of the deepest and closest in the Bible and this remained to the end. Saul wanted to keep David around so he could use him for personal gain, but Jonathan loved David as a person. We have already seen Jonathan’s character (1 Samuel 14). He was one who, to quote William Carey, “Expected great things from God & Attempted great things for God”. Jonathan could see the Lord working through David. His only option then was to fully support David at the expense of his own welfare (vv. 3-4). Jonathan displayed true friendship, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”(John 15:13).
After this, David became Saul’s General (v. 5). Saul was hoping his new inexperienced general would be killed by the Philistines, but David was always successful. After one of his victories, the women of Israel started singing “Saul has killed his thousands, and David his tens of thousands” (v. 7). Saul was angry. His anger came from his fear that David would replace him as king (v. 8). The next day, the evil spirit returned, and Saul was raving in his house (v. 10). David went in to play for him as he always did, but his time, Saul tried to kill him. He threw two spears at David and missed both times (v. 11). After that, Saul gave David an independent command over a thousand men (vv. 13-16). This was partially to keep David away from him, but also in the hopes that David would be killed while fighting with only a part of the army. Yet again, David, aided by the Lord, was successful in all his endeavors. Saul lived in fear and the people loved David more and more because of his leadership and victories.
Next Saul tried to overcome his fear of David by bringing him into his family (vv. 17-30). First, he offered David his eldest daughter, Merab, as a wife (vv. 17-19), but David, not feeling worthy of such an offer, politely refused. Then Saul discovered that his younger daughter, Michal, was already in love with David. Saul saw this as a triple win. (1) his daughter would be happy with David, and (2) David would join the family, but also (3) Saul saw this as an opportunity to kill David before the wedding. Saul said David could have her for 100 Philistine foreskins (v. 25). He thought that in the process he would be killed. However, instead David killed 200 and brought back their foreskins (vv. 26-27). The number was doubled, partly to show his respect and attachment to the princess, and partly to oblige Saul to the fulfilment of his pledge.
David marries Michal and becomes Saul’s son-in-law (v. 28). David was likely hopeful that the marriage would restore his relationship with Saul, but instead Saul became David’s enemy continually (v. 29). The commanders of the Philistines came out to battle; and as often as they came out, David had more success than all the servants of Saul, so that his fame became very great (v. 30).
Application
Through all these experiences, the scripture says that David behaved himself wisely. David continues to protect and comfort Saul despite the way Saul treats him. Have I ever been in a situation where people have been jealous of my accomplishments and have attacked me? If so, what was my reaction? It is so easy to strike back, but a better way to respond is to befriend those who speak evil against me (Matt. 5:43-44).
1 Samuel 18:1– 30 (NET)
1 When David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan and David became bound together in close friendship. Jonathan loved David as much as he did his own life. 2 Saul retained David on that day and did not allow him to return to his father’s house. 3 Jonathan made a covenant with David, for he loved him as much as he did his own life. 4 Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with the rest of his gear including his sword, his bow, and even his belt.
5 On every mission on which Saul sent him, David achieved success. So Saul appointed him over the men of war. This pleased not only all the army, but also Saul’s servants.
6 When the men arrived after David returned from striking down the Philistine, the women from all the cities of Israel came out singing and dancing to meet King Saul. They were happy as they played their tambourines and three-stringed instruments. 7 The women who were playing the music sang, “Saul has struck down his thousands, but David his tens of thousands!”
8 This made Saul very angry. The statement displeased him and he thought, “They have attributed to David tens of thousands, but to me they have attributed only thousands. What does he lack, except the kingdom?” 9 So Saul was keeping an eye on David from that day onward.
10 The next day an evil spirit from God rushed upon Saul and he prophesied within his house. Now David was playing the lyre as usual. There was a spear in Saul’s hand, 11 and Saul threw the spear, thinking, “I’ll nail David to the wall!” But David escaped from him on two different occasions.
12 So Saul feared David, because the Lord was with David but had departed from Saul. 13 Saul removed David from his presence and made him a commanding officer. David led the army out to battle and back. 14 Now David achieved success in all he did, for the Lord was with him. 15 When Saul saw how very successful he was, he was afraid of him. 16 But all Israel and Judah loved David, for he was the one leading them out to battle and back.
17 Then Saul said to David, “Here’s my oldest daughter, Merab. I want to give her to you in marriage. Only be a brave warrior for me and fight the battles of the Lord.” For Saul thought, “There’s no need for me to raise my hand against him. Let it be the hand of the Philistines!”
18 David said to Saul, “Who am I? Who are my relatives or the clan of my father in Israel that I should become the king’s son-in-law?” 19 When the time came for Merab, Saul’s daughter, to be given to David, she instead was given in marriage to Adriel, who was from Meholah.
20 Now Michal, Saul’s daughter, loved David. When they told Saul about this, it pleased him. 21 Saul said, “I will give her to him so that she may become a snare to him and so the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” So Saul said to David, “Today is the second time for you to become my son-in-law.”
22 Then Saul instructed his servants, “Tell David secretly, ‘The king is pleased with you, and all his servants like you. So now become the king’s son-in-law.’” 23 So Saul’s servants spoke these words privately to David. David replied, “Is becoming the king’s son-in-law something insignificant to you? I’m just a poor and lightly esteemed man!”
24 When Saul’s servants reported what David had said, 25 Saul replied, “Here is what you should say to David: ‘There is nothing that the king wants as a price for the bride except 100 Philistine foreskins, so that he can be avenged of his enemies.’” (Now Saul was thinking that he could kill David by the hand of the Philistines.)
26 So his servants told David these things and David agreed to become the king’s son-in-law. Now the specified time had not yet expired 27 when David, along with his men, went out and struck down 200 Philistine men. David brought their foreskins and presented all of them to the king so that he could become the king’s son-in-law. Saul then gave him his daughter Michal in marriage.
28 When Saul realized that the Lord was with David and that his daughter Michal loved David, 29 Saul became even more afraid of him. Saul continued to be at odds with David from then on. 30 The leaders of the Philistines would march out, and as often as they did so, David achieved more success than all of Saul’s servants. His name was held in high esteem.