http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 1 Commentary by Ron Thomas Questions by John C. Sewell SAUL S JEALOUSY OF DAVID 1 SAMUEL 18:1-30 Landmark Publications, Inc., 1045 Maynor Avenue, Nashville, TN., 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 2 Text: 1 Samuel 18:1-30, Saul s Jealousy of David Commentary by Ron Thomas 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 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.
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 3 10. The next day an evil 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, because the LORD was with him. 15 When Saul saw how successful he was, he was afraid of him. 16. But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he led them in their campaigns. 17. Saul said to David, "Here is my older daughter Merab. I will give her to you in marriage; only serve me bravely and fight the battles of the Lord." For Saul said to himself, "I will not raise a hand against him. Let the Philistines do that!" 18. But David said to Saul, "Who am I, and what is my family or my father's clan in Israel, that I should become the king's son-in-law?" 19. So when the time came for Merab, Saul's daughter, to be given to David, she was given in marriage to Adriel of Meholah. 20. Now Saul's daughter Michal was in love with David, and when they told Saul about it, he was pleased. 21. "I will give her to him," he thought, "so that she may be a snare to him and so that the hand of the Philistines may be against him." So Saul said to David, "Now you have a second opportunity to become my son-in-law." 22. Then Saul ordered his attendants: "Speak to David privately and say, 'Look, the king is pleased with you, and his attendants all like you; now become his son-in-law.' " 23. They repeated these words to David. But David said, "Do you think it is a small matter to become the king's son-in-law? I'm only a poor man and little known."
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 4 24. When Saul's servants told him what David had said, 25. Saul replied, "Say to David, 'The king wants no other price for the bride than a hundred Philistine foreskins, to take revenge on his enemies.' " Saul's plan was to have David fall by the hands of the Philistines. 26. When the attendants told David these things, he was pleased to become the king's son-in-law. So before the allotted time elapsed, 27. David and his men went out and killed two hundred Philistines. He brought their foreskins and presented the full number to the king so that he might become the king's son-in-law. Then Saul gave him his daughter Michal in marriage. 28. When Saul realized that the LORD was with David and that his daughter Michal loved David, 29. Saul became still more afraid of him, and he remained his enemy the rest of his days. 30. The Philistine commanders continued to go out to battle, and as often as they did, David met with more success than the rest of Saul's officers, and his name became well known. (NIV) Commentary: 1 Samuel 18:1-4, After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return to his father's house. And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. 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. (NIV) I. Jonathan and David. A. Saul no longer allowed David to go back and forth between the home of his father Jesse and royal service to the king. 1. From here on out David was Saul s servant, leading the king s army to victory after victory.
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 5 B. Again we read of Jonathan, Saul s son. 1. This time we read of his high regard for the victor in the battle with Goliath. 2. The NKJV says that Jonathan was knit (bound) to David he loved him as his own soul (18:1-4). a. It is most unfortunate that some expositors have looked at the word love (Hebrew, aheb) and have interpreted it as some sort of immoral, homosexual love. i. There is nothing remotely suggested in the context of any such thing! ii. This unfounded opinion is a forced interprettation for an agenda purpose! iii. In any case, Jonathan s regard for David was so great that the two became something corresponding to best friends in a political, not to mention in the genuine sense as well. iv. Youngblood cites the work of J. A. Thompson who said the Hebrew word for love has political overtones in diplomatic and commercial contexts. v. The word was used (probably) because it denoted more than natural affection however deep and genuine this may have been (pp. 706-707).
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 6 b. The significance of Jonathan s taking off his robe and giving it to David was more symbolic than anything else. c. Both Jonathan and David were warriors who credited their victories against the Philistines to God. i. In this regard, they were both spiritually connected to God. d. God would not have blessed David in battle if he and Jonathan had been homosexuals. i. 2 Kings 23:7, He also tore down the quarters of the male shrine prostitutes, which were in the temple of the LORD and where women did weaving for Asherah. (NIV) 1 Samuel 18:5-30, Whatever Saul sent him to do, David did it so successfully that Saul gave him a high rank in the army. This pleased all the people, and Saul's officers as well. 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. As they danced, they sang: "Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands." 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?" And from that time on Saul kept a jealous eye on David. The next day an evil 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 and he hurled it, saying to himself, "I'll pin David to the wall." But David eluded him twice. Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with David but had left Saul. So he sent David away from him and gave
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 7 him command over a thousand men, and David led the troops in their campaigns. In everything he did he had great success, because the LORD was with him. When Saul saw how successful he was, he was afraid of him. But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he led them in their campaigns. Saul said to David, "Here is my older daughter Merab. I will give her to you in marriage; only serve me bravely and fight the battles of the Lord." For Saul said to himself, "I will not raise a hand against him. Let the Philistines do that!" But David said to Saul, "Who am I, and what is my family or my father's clan in Israel, that I should become the king's son-in-law?" So when the time came for Merab, Saul's daughter, to be given to David, she was given in marriage to Adriel of Meholah. Now Saul's daughter Michal was in love with David, and when they told Saul about it, he was pleased. "I will give her to him," he thought, "so that she may be a snare to him and so that the hand of the Philistines may be against him." So Saul said to David, "Now you have a second opportunity to become my son-in-law." Then Saul ordered his attendants: "Speak to David privately and say, 'Look, the king is pleased with you, and his attendants all like you; now become his son-in-law.' " They repeated these words to David. But David said, "Do you think it is a small matter to become the king's son-in-law? I'm only a poor man and little known." 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 Philistine foreskins, to take revenge on his enemies.' " Saul's plan was to have David fall by the hands of the Philistines. When the attendants told David these things, he was pleased to become the king's son-in-law. So before the allotted time elapsed, David and his men went out and killed two hundred Philistines. He brought their foreskins and presented the full number to the king so that he might become the king's son-in-law. Then Saul gave him his daughter Michal in marriage. When Saul realized that the LORD was with David and that his daughter Michal loved David, Saul became still more afraid of him, and he remained his enemy the rest of his days. The Philistine commanders continued to go out to battle, and as
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 8 often as they did, David met with more success than the rest of Saul's officers, and his name became well known. (NIV) I. Saul s response to David. A. Saul was jealous at the women s praise of David. 1. 1 Samuel 18:5-9, Whatever Saul sent him to do, David did it so successfully that Saul gave him a high rank in the army. This pleased all the people, and Saul's officers as well. 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. As they danced, they sang: "Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands." 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?" And from that time on Saul kept a jealous eye on David. (NIV) a. David behaved himself wisely, in the NKJV, is rendered achieved success and also in the NET (similar in NIV). i. The two thoughts are compatible as a warrior cannot achieve success without doing what is necessary to succeed; thus, he behaved in battle in a prudent way. ii. Respect is not granted to people without it s being earned.
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 9 iii. David earned the respect of those in Saul s army. b. Saul, noting all this, put David in a position of leadership over his army. i. 1 Samuel 18:5 may be understood in summary fashion. ii. 1 Samuel 18:6-8, however, is to be read sequentially after 17:58. iii. 1 Samuel 17:58, "Whose son are you, young man?" Saul asked him. David said, "I am the son of your servant Jesse of Bethlehem." (NIV) iv. Note the singular use of the word Philistine (18:6). Not just any Philistine, but the Philistine. v. That would be Goliath. vi. Saul s army sent the Philistines into disarray, slaughtering thousands (Josephus said upwards of thirty thousand (30,000) were killed with twice that number wounded, Antiquities 6.9.5). vii. If 18:5 should be treated in summary fashion,... viii. then perhaps what we have is the army s returning from the slaughter of the Philistines, (1 Samuel 17:57, As soon as David returned from killing the Philistine, Abner took him and brought him before Saul, with David still
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 10 holding the Philistine's head; (1 Samuel 18:5,6), Whatever Saul sent him to do, David did it so successfully that Saul gave him a high rank in the army. This pleased all the people, and Saul's officers as well. 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. (NIV) ix. The praise was sung loudly by the women. x. Saul cast an eye on David and feared him. xi. Then Saul put him over his army because he was a warrior and the people loved him. 1 Samuel 18:13, So he sent David away from him and gave him command over a thousand men, and David led the troops in their campaigns. NIV c. At this point, as the army was coming home, the women did what they customarily did sang the praises of the army after having returned from battle. i. On this particular occasion Saul in all his insecurities responded strongly against the praise extended to David. ii. To Saul, it was the king who should receive the greatest praise. iii. There is nothing like a man s ego to bring disaster upon himself!
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 11 d. With his suspicious mind Saul wondered and perhaps concluded that David was seeking the kingdom. B. David s actions before Saul. i. From Saul s vantage point, perhaps he thought David would seek to usurp the throne from him, killing him in the process. ii. What better way to prevent this than to preempt David? 1. 1 Samuel 18:10-16, The next day an evil 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, because the LORD was with him. 15 When Saul saw how successful he was, he was afraid of him. 16. But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he led them in their campaigns. (NIV) a. With Saul s distressing spirit coming upon him, he evidently refused to be soothed by the music David played. i. Consequently, with a spear in his hand and his by now interpretation that David was out to get him, he flung the spear at David hoping to pin him to the wall (18:10-11).
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 12 ii. 1 Samuel 18:10, 11, The next day an evil 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 and he hurled it, saying to himself, "I'll pin David to the wall." But David eluded him twice. (NIV) b. However, in this state of mind, Saul prophesied (NKJV, NET). i. This seems mighty strange when we think about the word used in contexts surrounding the Lord s gift (10:11-12). ii. 1 Samuel 10:11, 12, When all those who had formerly known him saw him prophesying with the prophets, they asked each other, "What is this that has happened to the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?" A man who lived there answered, "And who is their father?" So it became a saying: "Is Saul also among the prophets?" (NIV) iii. Keil and Delitzsch, on the other hand, think something less than prophesying is taking place here: תח נבּאּ does not mean to prophesy in this instance, but to rave (E-Sword). c. Saul s fear of David prompted him to relocate David from his own presence to the leader of his army. i. He feared David because he saw the Lord was with him.
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 13 ii. After a number of attempts, it is quite easy to begin to believe that a greater force is behind the one being sought if the one sought can t be apprehended. iii. Saul concluded this and interpreted the greater force to be God. iv. Why, then, did he continue to seek David? v. When something so powerful is felt, one feels compelled to satisfy it. vi. That is what you have here. d. When Saul put David with the soldiers, Saul unwittingly placed David in an environment in which sympathy could be gained (18:13-16). i. 1 Samuel 18:13-16, So he sent David away from him and gave him command over a thousand men, and David led the troops in their campaigns. In everything he did he had great success, because the LORD was with him. When Saul saw how successful he was, he was afraid of him. But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he led them in their campaigns. (NIV) ii. Couple that with the quality of his leadership, and it is easy to see that David was in a prime position to usurp Saul however, he never did.
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 14 iii. It has been suggested by some that Saul put David in the position he did in order for him to be killed in battle (Josephus, among others). C. Saul sought to use others to ensnare David. 1. 1 Samuel 18:17-27, Saul said to David, "Here is my older daughter Merab. I will give her to you in marriage; only serve me bravely and fight the battles of the Lord." For Saul said to himself, "I will not raise a hand against him. Let the Philistines do that!" 18. But David said to Saul, "Who am I, and what is my family or my father's clan in Israel, that I should become the king's son-inlaw?" 19. So when the time came for Merab, Saul's daughter, to be given to David, she was given in marriage to Adriel of Meholah. 20. Now Saul's daughter Michal was in love with David, and when they told Saul about it, he was pleased. 21. "I will give her to him," he thought, "so that she may be a snare to him and so that the hand of the Philistines may be against him." So Saul said to David, "Now you have a second opportunity to become my son-in-law." 22. Then Saul ordered his attendants: "Speak to David privately and say, 'Look, the king is pleased with you, and his attendants all like you; now become his son-in-law.' " 23. They repeated these words to David. But David said, "Do you think it is a small matter to become the king's son-in-law? I'm only a poor man and little known." 24. When Saul's servants told him what David had said, 25. Saul replied, "Say to David, 'The king wants no other price for the bride than a hundred Philistine foreskins, to take revenge on his enemies.' " Saul's plan was to have David fall by the hands of the Philistines. 26. When the attendants told David these things, he was pleased to become the king's son-in-law. So before the allotted time elapsed, 27. David
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 15 and his men went out and killed two hundred Philistines. He brought their foreskins and presented the full number to the king so that he might become the king's son-in-law. Then Saul gave him his daughter Michal in marriage. a. Saul s conniving continues. i. This time he put his daughter in the plan in order to accomplish his purpose. ii. In other words, he used people. iii. This gets us back to the point made earlier; when one feels strongly about something, he believes all means to obtain satisfaction are justified. iv. It is true that she was promised to the victor over Goliath (17:25), but because of Saul s state of mind, additional motives were in view. v. 1 Samuel 17:25, Now the Israelites had been saying, "Do you see how this man keeps coming out? He comes out to defy Israel. The king will give great wealth to the man who kills him. He will also give him his daughter in marriage and will exempt his father's family from taxes in Israel." (NIV) b. Saul offered his daughter to David with another condition added to the earlier promise (18:17). i. 1 Samuel 18:17, Saul said to David, "Here is my older daughter Merab. I will give her to you in marriage; only serve me bravely and
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 16 fight the battles of the Lord." For Saul said to himself, "I will not raise a hand against him. Let the Philistines do that!" (NIV) ii. It is apparent that Saul felt David could not collect on the promise because he is sure the Philistines will kill David in battle; therefore, his daughter is given to another man (18:19). iii. 1 Samuel 18:19, So when the time came for Merab, Saul's daughter, to be given to David, she was given in marriage to Adriel of Meholah. (NIV) iv. David s reply to this is noted to be selfeffacing (18:18); surely David was suspicious of Saul s activities toward him. v. 1 Samuel 18:18, But David said to Saul, "Who am I, and what is my family or my father's clan in Israel, that I should become the king's son-in-law?" (NIV) vi. If he had nothing on which to base his conclusion except the vent in 18:11, he would have enough. vii. 1 Samuel 18:11, and he hurled it, saying to himself, "I'll pin David to the wall." But David eluded him twice. (NIV) viii. In any case, David is more than willing to do the king s bidding perhaps this will convince the king that David is no threat.
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 17 c. Perhaps when David returned, Saul learned that David was victorious, which put him in a terribly tight spot. i. Saul then learned that his younger daughter, Michal loved David. ii. This pleased Saul and he set out to, again, give David a place of honor in having the king s daughter. iii. Youngblood mentioned the work of another in the unusual phrase where it is said that Michal loves David. iv. An expression like this in a biblical narrative is rare. It is asserted that this is the only place where, explicitly, a woman (Michal) is said to love a man (David) (p. 709). d. Again Saul gave his daughter to David in order to ensnare him (18:21-25). i. 1 Samuel 18:21-25, "I will give her to him," he thought, "so that she may be a snare to him and so that the hand of the Philistines may be against him." So Saul said to David, "Now you have a second opportunity to become my sonin-law." Then Saul ordered his attendants: "Speak to David privately and say, 'Look, the king is pleased with you, and his attendants all like you; now become his son-in-law.' " They repeated these words to David. But David said, "Do you think it is a small matter to become the king's son-in-law? I'm only a poor man and
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 18 little known." 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 Philistine foreskins, to take revenge on his enemies.' " Saul's plan was to have David fall by the hands of the Philistines. (NIV) ii. When, David again learned of Saul s offer he gave a self-effacing reply concerning his affluent status in society (18:23). iii. 1 Samuel 18:23, They repeated these words to David. But David said, "Do you think it is a small matter to become the king's son-in-law? I'm only a poor man and little known." (NIV) iv. It was customary in the society at that time for a groom to give a gift to the bride s father. v. David s status did not allow him the luxury of giving to a king an appropriate gift for a princess. vi. Saul accepted a lesser gift provided he agreed to go into battle once again and earned (take) this lesser gift (18:25). vii. 1 Samuel 18:25, Saul replied, "Say to David, 'The king wants no other price for the bride than a hundred Philistine foreskins, to take revenge on his enemies.' " Saul's plan was to have David fall by the hands of the Philistines. (NIV)
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 19 viii. It is strange that men have to die for such an occasion. ix. Before we feel sorry for the Philistines, let us remember that they were Israel s enemies. x. Foreskins? Josephus does not mention foreskins, but heads - six hundred (600) of them. xi. The biblical record is the accurate record of the event, but the words of Josephus and the biblical record indicate that men had to die. xii. David agreed to such an offer and, to Saul s chagrin, came back with not only the dowry replacement, but with double the number, (18:26, 27, David and his men went out and killed two hundred Philistines. He brought their foreskins and presented the full number to the king so that he might become the king's son-in-law. Then Saul gave him his daughter Michal in marriage). NIV xiii. With a suspicious mind like Saul had, imagine his feelings and thinking toward David now (18:14-15; 28-29). xiv. 1 Samuel 18:14, 15, 28, 29, In everything he did he had great success, because the LORD was with him. When Saul saw how successful he was, he was afraid of him. When Saul realized that the LORD was with David and that his daughter Michal loved David, Saul became still more afraid of him, and he remained his enemy the rest of his days. (NIV)
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 20 D. Saul became more frightened of David. 1. 1 Samuel 18:28-30, When Saul realized that the LORD was with David and that his daughter Michal loved David, Saul became still more afraid of him, and he remained his enemy the rest of his days. The Philistine commanders continued to go out to battle, and as often as they did, David met with more success than the rest of Saul's officers, and his name became well known. (NIV)
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 21 Questions 1 Samuel 18:1-30 (Questions based on NIV text.) 1. Describe the love of Jonathan and David. 2. Why did Saul not allow David to visit his father s house? 3. What is the meaning of Jonathan s gift of clothing, sword, bow and belt to David? 4. Whatever sent him to do, did it so that gave him a in the.
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 22 This all the, and s as well. 5. Are the events of 1 Samuel 18 in chronological order? If not, which events are not in chronological order? 6. When David returned from killing Goliath, what did the women do? How did Saul react to this acclaim? 7. Were Saul s actions as stated in verses 10 and 11 Saul s responsibility? Remember than an evil spirit from God came forcefully upon Saul. Was God, therefore, responsible for Saul s behavior? 8. Saul was afraid of David. How did fear affect Saul s behavior? How has fear affected your life for good or evil?
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 23 9. Why was Saul afraid of David? Was David a threat to Saul? 10. Why did Saul give David command over a thousand men? 11. Why did Saul promise to give his older daughter, Merab, in marriage to David? 12. What happened when the time came for David and Merab to be married? 13. Locate Meholah. What does the Bible say about Adriel?
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 24 14. How would you like to have Saul as your father-in-law? How would you like to have Saul as your business partner? 15. List Saul s dealings with David; that is, ways in which Saul treated David? 16. How did David reciprocate? How would you have reacted? 17. Why was Saul pleased to learn that his younger daughter Michal loved David?
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 25 18. What dowry did Saul request of David? What dowry was paid? 19. Was Michal a good wife to David? Why or why not? 20. When realized that the was with and that his, became still more of him, and he remained his the of his. 21. Give other biblical examples of life long enemies. What do you think of the concept of life long enemies? 22. David met with ongoing as he did battle with the and his became.
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 26 23. What words best describe David s character? 24. What words best describe Saul s character? 25. Is jealousy ever a good thing? Is God ever jealous?
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 27