CONFLICT BETWEEN SAUL AND DAVID
A. David, Jonathan and Saul
1. (1 Sam 18:1-4) The friendship between David and Jonathan
Now it came about when he had finished speaking to Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as himself. Saul took him that day and did not let him return to his father's house. Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, with his armor, including his sword and his bow and his belt.
Now it came about when he had finished speaking to Saul: We have in this and the following chapters a detailed account of David at the Court of Saul. This conversation is a continuation of the discourse begun in 1 Samuel 17:55. When David returned from killing Goliath, the Philistine, Abner took David and presented him to King Saul. With the start of this conversation, a new beginning commences. We are told of the beginning of Jonathan and David's friendship, of the growth of Saul's hatred toward David and of the trials which befall David which eventually drives him away and compels David to lead the life of an outlaw. Jonathan's love for David is as beautiful contrasts sharply with Saul's deep cruelty toward David.
The soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David: The Hebrew here is very strong. The same expressive phrase is used of Jacob's love for Benjamin in Genesis 44:30-31a: "Now, therefore, when I come to your servant my father, and the lad is not with us, then, as his life is bound up in the lad's life, when he sees that the lad is not with us, he will die." An interesting note, Jonathan was the oldest son of Saul, making Jonathan both a prince and the slated next king of Israel. ("Ner became the father of Kish, and Kish became the father of Saul, and Saul became the father of Jonathan, Malchi-shua, Abinadab and Eshbaal" 1 Chronicles 9:39.) On the other hand, David was the youngest of eight brothers.
Saul took him that day: It appears that before this, David had not had his constant residence at the court. It seems from the text, prior to this, he would come to the court to soothe Saul, and when Saul became well, David returned home to his father. From this time forth, it appears David did not have the luxury of returning back to his family.
Jonathan made a covenant with David: We are not to suppose this happened immediately. David most likely continued on friendly terms with Saul for a considerable period, during which time he went on many military expeditions and grew in military renown. During this time, David and Jonathan's friendship blossomed and grew deeper and deeper until they entered this solemn bond of mutual friendship--a bond of true friendship and faithfulness to one another.
Jonathan stripped himself of the robe: In confirmation of the bond, Jonathan gave David his robe (in Hebrew meil), a tunic worn close to the skin. Additionally, Jonathan gave David his battle accessories--his sword, bow and belt. In clothing David with his own princely attire, Jonathan was showing David his greatest personal honor. Such a gift is still highly esteemed in the East. An example of honor given by clothing one in royalty attire can be seen in Esther 6:7-9: "Then Haman said to the king, 'For he man whom the king desires to honor, let them bring a royal robe which the king has worn, and the horse which the king has ridden, and on whose head a royal crown has been placed; and let the robe and the horse be handed over to one of the king's most noble princes and let them array the man whom the king desires to honor and lead him on horseback through the city square, and proclaim before him, "Thus it shall be done to the man whom the king desires to honor."'"
2. (1 Sam 18:5-9) Saul's jealousy of David
So David went out wherever Saul sent him, and prospered; and Saul set him over the men of war. And it was pleasing in the sight of all the people and also in the sight of Saul's servants. It happened as they were coming, when David returned from killing the Philistine, that the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with joy and with musical instruments. The women sang as they played, and said, "Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands." Then Saul became very angry, for this saying displeased him; and he said, "They have ascribed to David ten thousands, but to me they have ascribed thousands. Now what more can he have but the kingdom?" Saul looked at David with suspicion from that day on.
David went out: David was appointed to some post of command and "went out" on military expeditions. On these campaigns, David "prospered". This word combines the ideas of prudence and subsequent success. In spite of his sudden promotion, which might have naturally excited the jealousy of the courtiers, David won their good-will. This verse is a summary of events which may have occupied a very considerable amount of time. It was only gradually that David's fame became so great as to rouse great hatred in Saul's mind.
When David was returned: The triumphant return of David does not refer to the homecoming after the death of the giant, Goliath. But this event occurs after the close of the campaign which followed the event. A series of victories after the fall of the dreaded champion--very likely spread out over a considerable period of time--had restored the supremacy of Israel in the land of Canaan. In this war, David established his character for bravery and skill.
The women came out: The women came out to celebrate to escort the victors home with singing and dancing. Dancing was the usual expression of rejoicing upon occasions of national triumph. For example, Miriam and the women of Israel celebrate after God delivers Israel through the Red Sea: "Miriam the prophetess, Aaron's sister, took the timbrel in her hand, and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dancing. Miriam answered them, 'Sing to the LORD, for He is highly exalted; the horse and his ride He has hurled into the sea'" Exodus 15:20-21. As a rule, these dances were confined mostly to women, with David dancing in 2 Samuel 6:14 being an exception.
When women sing and dance in your honor, you are popular. When "women came out in all the cities of Israel", you are VERY popular. When you are praised and popular, it isn't wise to let it go to your head. David was happy to hear these affirming words, but he did not let it dominate his thinking or change his opinion of himself. He kept the heart and mind of a shepherd, even in times of great success. And this was not easy. This was a test, one the devil wanted to use to bring David down, and one the LORD wanted to use to build David up. David never received this kind of affirmation when he kept his father's sheep. The sheep never danced and praised him. Now that David has been appointed a military post and has been victorious, he faces the challenge success. hen people can handle the trials of adversity, but they fall prey to pride when success is sprung upon them.
Because David could be so content and happy before the LORD in keeping sheep with no praise or popularity, it puts David's heart in the right place to handle it when he received praise and fame. Out in the shepherd's field, David had his heart set; he was doing everything for the LORD. Because his heart was right in the shepherd's field, David behaved wisely in all his ways when accolades and popularity came his way. Moreover, David lived his life more for the LORD than for people. It was not that David did not care about people or what they thought, but he could put the opinion of man in the right perspective. David cared more about the opinion of God.
Saul has slain thousands, and David his ten thousands: These words seem to have been sung in a call and response manner, similar to the way the psalms are composed. This refrain became very popular, so popular that is became widely known even among the Philistines. ("Is this not David, of whom they sing in the dances, saying, 'Saul has slain thousands, and David his ten thousands?" 1 Samuel 29:5)
Now what more can he have but the kingdom: Although many years had passed since Saul first heard for Samuel the Divine sentence of his rejection from the kingdom, yet, it was a thing the king could never forget. No doubt, Saul had looked for signs of the person destined to be his successor. And now, when he had stood powerless before the enemy, a shepherd boy had stepped forward and given him the victory. David, a military novice, had shown so great of qualities of bravery and military skill that people reckoned him at ten times Saul's worth. Had Saul been the high-minded man he was at the time he was appointed as king over Israel, he would have banished such thoughts from his mind. Unfortunately, Saul's mind had become consumed with discontent and brooding thoughts. Saul would now look upon David with suspicious thoughts in everything that David did.
B. Saul's first attempt to kill David
1. (1 Sam 18:10) The scene in Saul's royal court
Now it came about on the next day that an evil spirit from God came mightily upon Saul, and he raved in the midst of the house, while David was playing the harp with his hand, as usual; and a spear was in Saul's hand.
An evil spirit from God: The evil spirit comes over the unhappy king in quite a new form. Up until this time, when the evil spirit came upon Saul, the madness showed itself as a hopeless melancholy--an entire indifference to everything connected with life. Now, the new phase of Saul's madness presents itself as a murderous jealously that fills Saul's whole soul, and drives him to open deeds of rough violence.
David was playing the harp with his hand: The same hands that had killed Goliath and carried the trophy of his severed head now sweetly played music unto the LORD, ministering to a troubled king. David obviously had skillful hands, both in war and in music. More remarkable was his humble heart. Most men, after the fame that came to David, would consider this kind of service beneath them. David was a great military leader, famous in all of Israel and had women dancing and singing his praises. Yet, he faithfully performed this job of personally ministering to Saul with music.
And a spear was in Saul's hand: The spear served as a scepter and was the symbol of royalty. The king often held the spear in his hand, especially when he held council or sat in a place of authority. ("Then Saul held that David and his men who were with him had been discovered. Now Saul was sitting in Gibeah, under the tamarisk tree on the height with his spear in his hand, and all his servants were standing around" 1 Samuel 22:6.)
2. (1 Samuel 18:11) Saul brandishes a spear at David
Saul hurled the spear for he thought, "I will pin David to the wall." But David escaped from his presence twice.
Saul hurled the spear: Both the Chaldee and the Septuagint render this verse as "Saul lifted the spear" or "Saul brandished the spear". This translation would make more sense since it is hardly credible that if Saul had actually thrown the spear, David would have returned a second time to the king's chamber.
If a spear is in your hand, you will probably use it. As Saul held the spear, the distressing spirit moved him. Instead of receiving ministry from David's music, the distressing spirit prompted Saul to lash out at David. We must say that the distressing spirit did not make Saul do this. Bit, the spirit prompted him to do it. Saul was able to choose and never lost his free will. The same music ministry that once soothed Saul and made him refreshed, giving him relief from the distressing spirit (1 Samuel 16:23) now had no effect at all. David's music ministry and heart did not change. However, Saul's heart did, which set the stage for violence and hatred of David.
David escaped twice: It is amazing that after David was threatened once that he even returned to Saul's presence a second time. But, David was submissive. He knew Saul's heart, and he knew he had to trust God. After God delivered David from the hand of Goliath, who was David to doubt God's saving power? If David would have struck Saul after being threatened, we can suppose David would have still become king. But if David would have done this, he would have surrendered his destiny to be the greatest king in Israel's history. He would still have become king, but he would not have become the king the LORD destined him to be.
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