I. The Setting
A. David’s Recent History
1. David is about 20 years old as this chapter starts.
a. He is at the beginning of a ten-year period of tremendous suffering.
b. During this 10-year period, he will be chased like an animal.
c. When God uses you to kill a Goliath, many people will notice you.
d. You will have more supporters, but also more enemies.
e. During this 10-year time period, David will not handle himself perfectly.
f. He will have brilliant moments, and shameful moments.
g. But this will be a time of preparation for David to be Israel’s greatest king.
h. All during this time, he is God’s chosen man.
2. During this time, Saul will become an enemy of David.
a. God took the kingdom away from Saul and would give it to David.
b. Saul could have done the right thing, confessed his jealousy and stepped aside.
c. Instead, Saul’s jealousy will cause him to try to kill David.
B. Application For Us
1. If God has called you to a certain task, it may include a long time of preparation.
2. Certainly, Satan will oppose you. He opposes every good thing that God wants to do.
3. There may be some people that will oppose you because of their jealousy.
a. As we have been called by God, he will be working in our lives for great purposes.
b. He will work in our lives today for what He has planned for tomorrow.
II. David, Jonathan, & Saul
A. David Is Initially Welcomed Into Their Lives Vs. 1-5
1. V. 1 Jonathan saw the faith and godliness in David and was attracted to that.
a. Knit- a likeness of soul, a likeness of heart. They had the same heart towards God.
b. You don’t knit yarn and wire, or yarn and chain. They are not similar elements.
c. There needs to be a likeness of heart in order to be spiritually knit together.
d. God blessed David with Jonathan, who would help him through this long trial.
e. Jonathan should have been jealous of David even more than his father Saul was.
f. Jonathan was next to ascend to the throne. But Jonathan saw in David a heart like his own: a love for God, a boldness in battle, a holy faith.
2. V. 2 Saul was carnal yet attracted to the godliness of David. EX.-Herod & John the Baptist
a. Perhaps Saul wanted to use the courage of David to gain something.
b. David would no longer be a shepherd, but he would always have a shepherd’s heart.
3. Vs. 3, 4 Covenant- They made a pledge of brotherhood.
a. JFB- To receive any part of the dress which had been worn by a sovereign, or his eldest son and heir, is deemed, in the East, the highest honor which can be conferred on a subject. The girdle, being connected with the sword and the bow, may be considered as being part of the military dress, and great value is attached to it in the East.
b. Jonathan clothed David with royal robes, and with his weapons of warfare.
c. What belonged to Jonathan now belonged to David. Jonathan recognized that David was called to be King. He graciously submitted himself to David’s future position.
d. David received these items, submitting to God’s plan to someday make him king.
e. David and Jonathan both loved God than they loved the idea of being the next king.
4. V. 5 David was obedient to Saul. Behaved wisely- to be prudent, be circumspect.
a. He was accepted-The people knew that David had faith in God when he went out to meet Goliath. David was attentive and careful his service to Saul. Faithful & loyal.
b. 1 Cor. 10:31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
c. People notice our godly faith. That inspires them and makes us acceptable in the sight of godly people. That gives us more opportunity to minister to God and to others.
d. Saul was probably happy that the public loved his new assistant.
B. Saul Became Jealous Of David Vs. 6-9
1. Vs. 6, 7 It was a normal custom to go outside of town and welcome home the victorious army. They recognized David above Saul. This became a flash point for Saul’s jealousy.
2. Vs. 8, 9 John the Baptist was a great example of someone who didn’t have jealousy.
a. John 3:27-30 John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before Him.’ 29He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore, this joy of mine is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease.
b. You can only have that kind of humility if the “kingdom of God” is what you are interested in, and not your own reputation and fame.
c. Jonathan- willing to bless David, and even give away his own royal equipment.
d. Saul- he was jealous and would try to kill David.
e. How do you feel when God is blessing someone else, and they are having great successes in the kingdom of God? Saul knew that God’s plan was to anoint another king, yet he was still jealous.
f. It’s better to be glad for whomever God uses. We should be glad that God uses any of us on any level.
III. Saul’s Murderous Intentions Against David Vs. 10-16
A. Saul’s Spiritual Decline
1. Vs. 10a, 12 (1 Sam 18:10 NLT) The very next day, in fact, a tormenting spirit from God overwhelmed Saul, and he began to rave like a madman.
a. Saul’s spiritual backsliding turned him into a murderous man.
2. V. 11 David escaped because God had a plan for David’s life.
a. Notice also, David doesn’t take that spear and try to kill Saul.
b. This happened twice. David tried to serve Saul, but he finally had to escape.
3. V. 13 Saul promoted David to a military position, perhaps hoping he would be killed.
4. V. 14 A David will not act like the Saul that is against him.
a. NOTE- 3x’s in this chapter it says that the Lord was with David.
b. Notice how difficult life can be even when the Lord is with you.
c. We may be tempted at times like that to think the Lord isn’t with us.
d. We may be fooled into thinking that if spears are being thrown at us, that the Lord isn’t with us. We are wrong to think that way. God was with David.
B. David’s Godly Behavior
1. V. 10b David tried to minister to the tormented Saul.
2. Vs. 13b, 14, 16 David’s godliness cause Israel to love him.
3. NOTE- Saul has tried to murder David.
a. Why should David be faithful to Saul? The temptation would be to sabotage Saul.
b. Even though David has been and is being treated unfairly, he is still blessed by God.
c. David will be king one day. God is teaching him about war. God is teaching him about how to choose commanding officers. God is endearing him to the troops.
d. Nothing is wasted, and David can’t see it now, but he will see it later.