Now, this is 1
Samuel 18 in a nutshell
I.
The development of David’s victories: He became Saul’s attendant (vs
2). Jonathan’s covenant friend (vs 1, 3, 4). The darling of his country (v. 5,
7, 16).
II.
The result of his triumphs: Saul envies and is jealous of David. Envy turns to hatred, and Saul sought to kill
David (vs 8-11). He feared David, but devised many plans to harm David (vs 12-25).
Nonetheless,
III. David performed his conditions bravely (vs 26, 27), and grew to be more
and more esteemed (v. 28-30).
When David finished
the “after-killing-Goliath” talk (Chapter 17:58) with Saul, David meets Jonathan.
We’ve read about Jonathan in chapters 13 and 14. But this is the first time we
see David and Jonathan together. Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and
he loved him as himself. (1 Samuel 18:1). They became best of friends.
‘Loved him as
himself’ speaks of a true love which has no false motives. Jonathan obviously
was impressed by David’s faith in going up against Goliath. Jonathan had shown
a similar faith on when he led the attack on the Philistines (14:6). Certainly,
they had the same faith so they were in the same spirit and purpose. Faith
keeps you in a trusting relationship.
Jonathan gave David his
robe and, armor, we can assume these clothes and weapons were symbolic of
Jonathan’s position as heir to the throne, but he was passing his right to David.
Because Jonathan saw the hand of the LORD upon David, he put David before
himself.
You are to seek
the honor of others above yourself when the Holy Spirit prompts you to. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit,
but in humility consider others better than yourself. Phil 2:3
In verses 5-11 we read
Saul’s jealousy of David. And here Saul’s jealousy stands in direct contrast to
Jonathan’s love.
After the incident
with Goliath, David becomes a national hero! So, the women came out from all
the towns of Israel with joyful songs, 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?” (Vs
6-8) It’s hard to count your own blessings when you’re busy counting someone
else’s. Doesn’t it rob you of the joy of your own victories?
Saul perhaps was
constantly worried about when God will cast him off the throne and who will be
raised to replace him. He presumed it was his throne, his kingdom, little did
he realize, it was God’s Kingdom! It was for God’s chosen one, a man after
God’s own heart! God’s thinking stands in sharp contrast to the thinking
of Saul.
What are the
things in your life that are hindering you from letting God’s Word shape your
thinking and behavior? “But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish
ambition in your hearts, …there you find disorder and every evil practice.”
(James 3:14-16)
In his fury Saul aimed to kill David, throwing his
spear in the direction of David, twice. Don’t you admire David’s self-control
in not throwing the spear back the second time? None of Saul’s plot formed to
kill David prospered but in everything David had great victory because the Lord
was with him.
We are not to
retaliate. We are to show restraint. Romans
12:17 Do not repay any one evil for evil. He knows when we have suffered under
the hands of another, and He will honor His people. The Lord is with you!
