Jonathan Befriends David
18:1-4
After David slew Goliath, Saul’s son, Jonathan, was drawn to David in deep friendship. Jonathan was older than David, maybe as much as 30 years older. So, this may have been a father & son type of relationship.
Jonathan made a covenant of friendship and loyalty with David. He loved David as his own soul. (3) It was a unilateral covenant by Jonathan. He initiated it and he did not require anything of David.
The terms are not spelled out in this passage, but Jonathan’s actions indicate his pledge to support David at the expense of his own rights.
Jonathan appears to have recognized that David was to be the next and greatest leader of Israel. We see this in the items Jonathan gave David. He gave him his robe. This was certainly a robe that identified him as royalty, the king’s first born son. He would have expected to be the next king after his father. Saul even warned Jonathan that his kingdom would not be established as long as David lived. (1 Samuel 20:31)
Jonathan also gave David his weapons: his sword, bow, and shield. He expected David, not himself or his father, to be the leader of the Israelite forces. He recognized that the Lord was with David, so he supported him. That meant stepping aside as the heir apparent and military leader.
David is presented to us as God’s man, empowered by the Spirit, defeating God’s enemies and loved by his people. We can see him as a type of Christ, who did these same things.
Saul, at this point, was favorably impressed with David. He took him into his household on a full time basis. He did not allow David to go and tend his father’s sheep in Bethlehem. (2)
David’s Military Success
18:5
Jonathan’s thoughts about David turned out to be correct. David began to win battles against the Philistines. The people recognized this success, since it was a great change of fortune.
Saul even liked David for his successes. He put David in charge of the army. Israel was defeating its enemies under David, and that was good for Saul. However, Saul’s affection was short lived.
Saul Becomes Jealous
18:6-9
As the army returned home from victory, the women of the country came out to welcome them and celebrate. They sang, danced, and played musical instruments. There was great joy. (6)
All was well until Saul heard the lyrics of the song. Although they credited Saul will striking thousands, they credited David with 10 times as much. This made Saul angry and jealous. Without the Spirit to help him, his depraved nature could not enjoy David’s success. Rather, he began to see David as a rival, even a rival to the throne. He said “what more can he have but the kingdom”. (8) So, Saul began to watch David. Jealousy is one of the works of the flesh against the Spirit. (Galatians 5:19)
Saul Attempts To Harm David
18:10-11
Again the harmful spirit affected Saul. David’s music did not calm him; rather it enraged him. He threw his spear at David twice, but David was able to evade it. Saul’s anger and jealousy had turned murderous. One of the works of the flesh is “fits of anger”. (Galatians 5:19)
Anger Leads To Fear
18:12-16
Saul had now realized that God was no longer with him, but with David. So he began to fear David. Saul sent him away from his house to the army, evidently hoping David would be killed it battle.
In his confused state, Saul actually paved the way for David’s further success. He made David a commander of a thousand men to send him away.
David had success in all his battles. He was also available to the people, going out among them. This made the people love David. But it made Saul even more afraid. “He stood in fearful awe of him.” (18)
Takeaways
The contrast between David and Saul is based on the Spirit of God. David is a success because the Spirit is on him. Saul disintegrates and fails because the Spirit has left him.
The contrast between Saul and Jonathan is based on their willingness to accept God’s will regarding kingship. Saul does not want to give up his position as king even though the Spirit has left him. Jonathan accepts God’s choosing of David and responds with love and support.
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