1 Samuel 18:1-30
Q.1. Why was Jonathan attracted to David? How deep was the friendship between them? What soured Saul’s relationship with David? How did Saul treat David? Did Israel share Saul’s feelings? – (1 Sam.18:1-16)
Jonathan was a general in Saul’s army. He had proved that he was both godly and courageous (c.f. 1 Sam.13:2; 14:6-15). He was a grown man, and David was just out of his teenage years, so their bond was not based on age related friendship. Doubtless, Jonathan was drawn to David because of his godliness and courage. It is recorded – that the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as himself (1 Sam.18:1). This led to Prince Jonathan’s making of a covenant with David, that would include a promise that – the Lord will be between me and you, and between my descendants and your descendants forever (1 Sam.20:42 c.f. 1 Sam.18:3; 23:16-18). Jonathan was one of the great men of the Bible. There was not a jealous bone in his body. He even – stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, with his armour, including his sword and his bow and his belt (1 Sam.18:4). Wherever King Saul sent David, God prospered him. All the people loved David. He was a favourite with the women, who sang – Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousand’s (1 Sam.18:7). This made Saul insanely jealous. He became suspicious of David (1 Sam.18:8-9). David continued to accompany Saul in battle, while still trying to ease his dark moods with his music (1 Sam.18:5 & 10). On two occasions Saul tried to kill David with his spear, because he feared him (1 Sam.18:11-13). He then removed David from his court and appointed him to lead his troops, with the hope that the Philistines would kill him (1 Sam.18:13 & 17). However – David was prospering in all his ways for the Lord was with him … and all Israel and Judah loved David … (1 Sam.18:14 & 16). The commentary on Saul and David is significant. We are told that – an evil spirit from the Lord came mightily upon Saul (1 Sam.18:10). It is recorded twice in this context that – the Lord was with David (1 Sam.18:12 & 14). This reminds us that the Lord is utterly sovereign over all the evil in the world, and that the godly are completely safe under His control.
Q.2. What motivated Saul to send David on his mission? Was Saul true to his word? How did he try to have David killed? What do we learn from David’s response? Why did Israel trust David? – (1 Sam.18:17-30)
Saul played games with David’s mind, and offered his daughter, Merab, to him in marriage … and then gave her to another man. David was too humble to believe that he should marry into the king’s family (1 Sam.18:17-19). Saul’s plan in promoting David was to get rid of him – for Saul thought – ‘My hand shall not be against him but let the hand of the Philistines be against him’ (1 Sam.18:17). Next, Saul was told that his daughter Michal loved David (1 Sam.18:20). Saul then renewed his efforts to trap David by offering Michal and setting up attendants to encourage David to pursue this romance (1 Sam.18:21—22). However, though David had given faithful service to the king, he would not accept that he was worthy to marry the king’s daughter, or that he could afford the dowry (1 Sam.18:23). Saul then sent men to tell David that he could pay a dowry by slaying a hundred Philistines – to take vengeance on the king’s enemies. Saul planned to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines (1 Sam.18:25). The challenge convinced David that he could become the king’s son-in-law. He soon was able to produce the evidence of his success – so Saul gave him Michal his daughter for a wife (1 Sam.18:27). Saul ended up with two members of his family, namely Jonathan and Michal, deeply in love with David. This caused Saul to be David’s fiercest enemy. By contrast, the people trusted David because – … as often as they went out, David behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul. His name was highly esteemed (1 Sam.18:30).