1 Samuel :1 Jonathan saw the faith and godliness in David, and was attracted to that.

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1 1 Samuel 18 David is about 20 years old as this chapter starts. He is at the beginning of a ten years period which will be a tremendous trial in his life. When God uses you to kill a Goliath, many people will notice you. You will have more supporters, but also more enemies. Saul will become an enemy of David. Saul could do the right thing, confess his jealousy and repent. In this 10 year period, David has been anointed king, and yet he will struggle terribly. During this 10 year period, he will be chased like an animal. All during that time, he was God s chosen man. If God has called you, and anointed you, don t be surprised if before you step into that office, that there is a long trial period first, which will include a Saul among some others. During this time period, David will not handle himself perfectly. He will have brilliant moments, and embarrassing moments. AS we have been called by God, he will be working in our lives for purposes that we will never imagine. He will work in our lives today for what He has planned for tomorrow. We can settle for what is happening today. Life is good, we are content, and we don t imagine that there is more that God wants us to do. We usually fail to consider that God is working in our lives to day to prepare us for what is next year, 5 years or 10 years away. 18:1 Jonathan saw the faith and godliness in David, and was attracted to that. Some homosexuals use this verse to support their position of homosexuality. There is nothing of that here. They were simply best of friends. Knit- a likeness of soul, a likeness of heart. You don t knit yarn and wire, or yarn and chain. They are not like each other. There needs to be a likeness of heart in order to be knit together on this level. When we head into these trials, God is faithful to give us Jonathans to help us along. Jonathan should have bee jealous of David even more than his father Saul was. 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. They were men who were like each other regarding the things of God.

2 Paul found that kind of relationship with Timothy Philippians 2: But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state. 20 For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. 21 For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus. 22 But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel. 2 With all that David would go through, he would be greatly encouraged by Jonathan 2 Samuel 1:26 26 I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; You have been very pleasant to me; Your love to me was wonderful, Jonathan was one who encouraged the heart of David b/c of his love for him. 18:2 Saul drafted him into his army. 18:3, 4 Covenant- covenant, alliance, pledge between men, treaty. They made a covenant of brotherhood. 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. 1 Samuel 13:22 says that when a certain battle was fought in that chapter, that only Saul and Jonathan had swords. The Israelites may have had swords now, but you see the value of what Jonathan is doing. Jonathan is equipping David for battle. He is also clothing him with royal robes, and with his weapons of warfare and victory. What belonged to Jonathan now belongs to David. Jonathan recognized that David was called to be King. He would give no competition to David. He graciously submitted to David s future position. 18:5 David was obedient to Saul. Behaved wisely- to be prudent, be circumspect, wisely understand, prosper, to give attention to he was accepted They knew the faith that David had in God when he went out to meet Goliath David was attentive and careful his service to Saul, and that brought him victories. David wasn t slack or lazy in his service to Saul. He was careful and diligent to serve Saul.

3 1 Cor. 10:31 31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 3 People notice our faith, attentiveness, and diligence as we serve the Lord. 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. Col. 3:23, And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. 18:6, 7 It was a normal custom to go outside of town and welcome home the victorious army. They recognized David as over and above Saul. David had been successful in battle, but Saul had been fighting a lot longer and had more victories. Nevertheless, the people ascribed to David greater honor and success. This provides a flash point for his jealousy to come out. John the Baptist is a great example of someone who didn t have jealousy. John 3: After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea, and there He remained with them and baptized. 23 Now John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there. And they came and were baptized. 24 For John had not yet been thrown into prison. 25 Then there arose a dispute between some of John s disciples and the Jews about purification. 26 And they came to John and said to him, Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified behold, He is baptizing, and all are coming to Him! 27 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but, I have been sent before Him. 29 He 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. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease. You can only have that kind of humility of the kingdom of God is what you are interested in, and not your own reputation and fame. Jonathan- willing to bless David, and even give away his own equipment Saul-he was jealous and would try to kill David 18:8, 9 How do you feel when God is blessing someone else, and they are having great successes in the kingdom of God? Saul was jealous, even though it had been clearly explained to him that the kingdom had been torn from his hands and given to another by God. Even when Saul knew that God s plan was to anoint another king, he was still jealous.

4 It is so much better to be glad for whomever God uses. We should be glad that God uses any of us on any level. 4 Instead, Saul is very jealous over David s success. QUOTE- If we will take care of our character, God will take care of our reputation. Instead, we will see Saul trying to maintain his position in life, even though God has already told him that he will be removed. James 3: Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. Saul is the opposite of all that we see in James 3: Saul will leave a terrible destruction behind him. The solution to jealousy is to trust the Lord with your own life and with other s lives. The solution wasn t for David to change. The solution was for Saul to trust God w/his own life and w/david. 18:10, 11 (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. (1 Sam 18:10 NIV) The next day an evil spirit from God came forcefully upon Saul. He was prophesying in his house (1 Sam 18:10 NASB) Now it came about on the next day that an evil spirit from God came mightily upon Saul, and he raved in the midst of the house David gets away b/c God has a plan or David s life. Notice also, David doesn t take that spear and try to kill Saul Davids can t act like the Sauls that are against them. NOTE- 3x s in this chapter it says that the Lord was with David. Notice how difficult life can be even when the Lord is with you. We may be tempted at times like that to think the Lord isn t with us. 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.

5 Saul is acting under the influence of this evil spirit. Perhaps it is his jealousy of David that has brought forth this activity. 5 1 John 4:1-4 1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world. Test- doikimazo-to test, examine, prove, scrutinize (to see whether a thing is genuine or not), as metals, to recognize as genuine after examination, to approve, deem worthy. The way that the Christian is to test the Spirit is to examine and consider the words being spoken as someone prophesies, or brings forth some kind of utterance. There are three sources: God, the flesh, or the Devil. We see this same kind of jealousy in the NT church. It is directly attributed to Satan. Acts 5:1-4 1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. 2 And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles feet. 3 But Peter said, Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? 4 While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God. Ananias and his wife Sapphira were jealous of the attention being given to those who were willingly sharing all they had with others. They had a desire for recognition. It was jealousy. Anger can allow the same opportunity for Satan to work in our hearts. Ephesians 4: Therefore, putting away lying, Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor, for we are members of one another. 26 Be angry, and do not sin : do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 nor give place to the devil. Harboring anger against someone gives Satan a foothold in our lives. 18:12 The Holy Spirit never departs from a person after they have become a Christian. We can grieve and quench the Spirit, and can allow Satan to have an opportunity for advancement in our lives, but the H.S. will never leave the Christian. In the OT, the HS came upon people for service, prophesying, etc., but he would come and go.

6 Here we see Saul afraid of David b/c God is with David. Saul knew what it was like to be anointed with the HS. He knows how he used to feel like that, but now he doesn t. He becomes afraid of David, simply b/c God is with David. 6 2 Cor. 2: Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. 15 For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. 16 To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. Do the actions of Saul typify your life? You are uncomfortable around godly people? Or are you attracted to godly people? 18:13 Instead of dealing with his jealousy, Saul sought to remove the problem from himself. Saul puts David in charge over some troops, and David would out to battle and then return. NOTE- Saul has tried to murder David. 1. Why should David be faithful to Saul? 2. The temptation would be to sabotage Saul s army 3. Speak poorly of Saul in front of others 4. Start a rebellion against Saul NOTE- Even though David has been and is being treated unfairly, he is still blessed by God. 1. David will be king one day 2. God is teaching him about war 3. God is teaching him about how to choose commanding officers 4. God is endearing him to the troops 5. Nothing is wasted, but David can t see it now, only later. 18:14 Behaved wisely- to be prudent, be circumspect, wisely understand, prosper, to give attention to 18:15, 16 David was able to live his life before the people. He was living a godly life, there was nothing to hide, God brought victories, and the people were attracted to his life.

7 Saul continued to be afraid of David. Saul knew that he couldn t control David, and had no power over him. That is frightening for a man with selfish ambition. 7 18:17 Saul had already promised his daughter to whoever would kill Goliath. He hadn t delivered on that promise. Now Saul is devising a way to get rid of David. He will do it in such a way so as to not look guilty. 18:18 David is still humble in his own eyes. 18:19 This was probably done to humiliate David, and perhaps cause him to commit some wrong action. 18:20, 21 Saul s jealousy is so bad that he will even use his daughter s pure love for David in order to lure David into a dangerous situation where he might be killed. Michal s emotions don t matter to Saul, this is just another opportunity. 18:22 Saul is trying to persuade David to become his son-in-law 18:23 David doesn t feel worthy of being the King s son. In actuality, he is a very young man, with no real resources. In the East, a man would purchase his bride; he would pay a bride price, a dowry A dowry was money paid to the father-in-law in case the marriage doesn t work out. It s kind of like alimony in advance. 18:24, 25 On the one hand.this could seem like a generous alternative. Since David was poor, he could perform some act of public service instead. This might even make Saul look like a generous man. But this was not what was in Saul s heart. Saul wants David killed, so he sets the price of the dowry to be 100 Philistine foreskins. This will happen one of two ways

8 1. Either David can request that 100 Philistine volunteer to become circumcised 2. He will have to kill 100 Philistines. David would have to kill 100 Philistines, and be able to prove it, in order to marry Michal. 8 18:26 It seems that the offer was good for a set period of time. 18:27 David went above the minimum number needed. Saul would have to comply. 18:28, 29 Not only is God with David, but Saul s own daughter (and son, Jonathan) love him as well. And now, with marrying his daughter, David even has an outside sort of claim to the throne as well. Saul continues to pursue his stubborn direction. He acknowledges that God is with David, but he continues to try to kill David. Life will only get more difficult for Saul. He wasn t going to be able to get back his kingdom, but he could have graciously recognized David as future king, and worked with him, and not against him. But that is not how Sauls think or act. 18:30