SCRIPTURE: 1 SAMUEL 18
SAUL’S JEALOUSY OF DAVID (vs. 1-30)
The son of Saul Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved David as himself. Jonathan gave David his robe, tunic, sword, bow and belt.
Since David did everything so successfully, Saul gave him a high rank in the army. As the men were returning home after David had killed Goliath, the women came out from all towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing of joyful songs and with tambourines and lutes. As they danced, they sang: “Saul has slain his thousands and David his ten of thousands” (v. 7). Upon hearing this, Saul was very angry. He got jealous of David and was afraid of losing his kingship.
The next day, an evil spirit came upon Saul. As David was playing the harp, Saul hurled a spear against David twice but David was able to escape. In order to get rid of David, Saul sent David away and gave him command over a thousand men. David led the troops and had great success. Saul then set a plan to eliminate David. He offered his older daughter Merab in marriage with the condition to serve him bravely and fight so that the Philistines could kill him. But David refused, so Saul’s daughter Merab was given in marriage to Adriel of Meholah.
Saul’s daughter Michal was in love with David. When Saul knew, he told his attendants to tell David to become his son-in0law but David denied saying: “Do you think it is a small matter to become the king’s son-in-law? I am only a poor man and little know” (vs. (v. 23) When Saul’s servants told him what David had said, Saul replied: “Say to David: “The king wants no other price for the bride than a hundred Philistines foreskins to take revenge on his enemies” (vs. 24-25). Saul’s motive was to have David fall by the hands of the Philistines.
So, David was pleased to become the king’s son-in-law. He and hsi men went out to kill 200 Philistines and brought their foreskins to the kings. So Saul gave his daughter Michal in marriage.
Saul became more afraid of David when he realized that the Lord was with David. His daughter loved him and he was more successful than the rest of the officers.
THOUGHTS:
Saul was jealous over authority and position. He was sensitive to what people were saying. when he heard people praising David more than him, he became paranoid about David. His envy led to suspicion and fear, then angry to hateful. So he wanted to kill David. But David was humble. He acted with wisdom and trusted God to help him. He never considered Saul his enemy and continued to serve him faithfully.
By rights, Jonathan should be the next king. But he never envied David. On the contrary, they became best friends. The friendship between theses two men is a great example for us to follow.
Saul tried to use his daughter Michah as a tool to slay David. He demanded an impossible dowry hoping that David will be killed in trying to obtain it. But the hand of the Lord was with David. He completed the mission successfully. If we are under the protection of DGod, no matter how people try to harm us, they will never succeed.