1 Samuel 18:1-16

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Prayer- Lord, Open our hearts and open our minds and help us learn. Go-Fight-Win. Amen.

1 Samuel 18

Saul's Jealousy of David

¹ After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. ² From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return to his father's house. ³ And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. ⁴ Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt.

⁵ Whatever Saul sent him to do, David did it so successfully ^a]'>[a] that Saul gave him a high rank in the army. This pleased all the people, and Saul's officers as well.

⁶ When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with tambourines and lutes. ⁷ As they danced, they sang:
"Saul has slain his thousands,
and David his tens of thousands."

⁸ Saul was very angry; this refrain galled him. "They have credited David with tens of thousands," he thought, "but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?" ⁹ And from that time on Saul kept a jealous eye on David.

¹⁰ The next day an evil ^b]'>[b] spirit from God came forcefully upon Saul. He was prophesying in his house, while David was playing the harp, as he usually did. Saul had a spear in his hand ¹¹ and he hurled it, saying to himself, "I'll pin David to the wall." But David eluded him twice.

¹² Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with David but had left Saul. ¹³ So he sent David away from him and gave him command over a thousand men, and David led the troops in their campaigns. ¹⁴ In everything he did he had great success, ^c]'>[c] because the LORD was with him. ¹⁵ When Saul saw how successful ^d]'>[d] he was, he was afraid of him. ¹⁶ But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he led them in their campaigns.

Footnotes:

1. 1 Samuel 18:5 Or wisely
2. 1 Samuel 18:10 Or injurious
3. 1 Samuel 18:14 Or he was very wise
4. 1 Samuel 18:15 Or wise

David has killed the enemy, now he has to put up with what that causes.Saul's own son, Jonathan, becomes very good friends with David. This is interesting because Jonathan is in line to be king, and also is a very good person. David becomes successful in everything he does, he has the golden touch, so Saul puts him in charge of the army.

David is successful with the army, instead of dying, he and the army kill many of the enemies of Israel. The people love him and sing his praises. Now Saul starts to get jealous. Saul tries to kill David, twice, at his palace as David plays. ( Is that a way to treat the band?) Saul becomes afraid and paranoid, and removes David from his presence.

Questions:

1. Why would Jonathan love David? Why would David trust Jonathan?

2. If someone is very successful and you are scared of him, why put him in charge of the army? Isn't Davis still kind of young?

3. Why does David hang around after Saul tries to kill him?