David & Jonathan, Saul's Jealousy I Samuel 18

I Samuel 18:1 "And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul."

We come to a chapter where David is winning favor with the people. Jonathan, the son of Saul, values David's life above the will of king Saul. As for Saul, he sees David as a rival instead of a helper. Saul heard the praise heaped on himself and on David. The praise for David was more.

v7 "And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands."

David had respect for the king. He fought his battles but still played for the king. It was during these sessions that Saul attempted to kill David.

v11 "And Saul cast the javelin, for he said, I will smite David even to the wall with it. And David avoided out of his presence twice."

Saul had two main problems with David. He was jealous of him and afraid of him.

v15-16 "Wherefore when Saul saw that he(David) behaved himself wisely, he was afraid of him. But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out and came in before them."

Saul promised David his eldest daughter Merab but gave him Michal. He turned out Michal loved David v20. Then Saul sent David on a mission which Saul thought would get him killed but David succeeded. All of Saul's efforts to put David down were fruitless. Finally, Saul saw the light but did not humble himself or accept that the kingdom was lost to him.

v28-29 "And Saul saw and knew that the LORD was with David, and that Michal Saul's daughter loved him. And Saul was yet the more afraid of David; and Saul became David's enemy continually."

In the book of Acts the apostles had been called before the council for the gospels sake. One of the council spoke up (Gamaliel) to advise the council.

Acts 5:39 "But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it, lest haply ye be found even to fight against God."

So it is with Saul. David has been anointed king. Saul has been rejected. He is not fighting against David alone but the very will of God. He will not win.

The LORD to Job:

Job 40:2 "Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it."

keywords: Old Testament, Bible Study, Israel, Samuel, David, Saul, Jonathan, Milton Southerland