1 Samuel 18
Today's Passage: 1 Samuel 18
Remember the context: David has just defeated Goliath and become a national hero.
Chapter 18 is basically answering the question: what is Saul’s reaction to this?
In verses 1-5, we see the beginning of David and Saul’s son Jonathan’s close friendship.
But then in verses 6-9, the heart of Saul begins to be exposed. David was receiving praise and admiration from the people of Israel for his valiant performance against Goliath. Really, we know from the text that it was God who was with David and was blessing him that led to his outward success. Regardless of the source, Saul was not a fan of David getting this type attention, and it caused him to react in anger (v. 8).
Then in verses 10-16, Saul’s anger turns deadly—he tried to spear him (!) but David escaped.
Then it says in verse 12 that Saul became fearful. Fearful of what? Of David retaliating by attacking him or killing him? Maybe. But the text says in verse 12 that Saul is fearful because the LORD was with [David].
Saul feared losing his power and control to a more popular and successful leader, and scariest of all a leader whom God was with.
What did this lead to? Another scheme to take David’s life, but this time through a challenge meant to earn him the marriage to a daughter of Saul. Again, David immerges victorious because of God, and we read in verse 29 that, “Saul was even more afraid of David.”
When we look at the example of David and Saul we see two different men: one who trusts in God, and one who trusts in man. The one who trusts in God is marked by confidence in God and before men; the one who trusts in man is marked by anger and fear before men, and little regard to God whatsoever.
Jump over to Jeremiah 17 and read versus 5-11. What type of life do you want to live? Ask God to help you live a life that is marked by trusting in God, rather than man.
Written By: Graham Withers
Remember the context: David has just defeated Goliath and become a national hero.
Chapter 18 is basically answering the question: what is Saul’s reaction to this?
In verses 1-5, we see the beginning of David and Saul’s son Jonathan’s close friendship.
But then in verses 6-9, the heart of Saul begins to be exposed. David was receiving praise and admiration from the people of Israel for his valiant performance against Goliath. Really, we know from the text that it was God who was with David and was blessing him that led to his outward success. Regardless of the source, Saul was not a fan of David getting this type attention, and it caused him to react in anger (v. 8).
Then in verses 10-16, Saul’s anger turns deadly—he tried to spear him (!) but David escaped.
Then it says in verse 12 that Saul became fearful. Fearful of what? Of David retaliating by attacking him or killing him? Maybe. But the text says in verse 12 that Saul is fearful because the LORD was with [David].
Saul feared losing his power and control to a more popular and successful leader, and scariest of all a leader whom God was with.
What did this lead to? Another scheme to take David’s life, but this time through a challenge meant to earn him the marriage to a daughter of Saul. Again, David immerges victorious because of God, and we read in verse 29 that, “Saul was even more afraid of David.”
When we look at the example of David and Saul we see two different men: one who trusts in God, and one who trusts in man. The one who trusts in God is marked by confidence in God and before men; the one who trusts in man is marked by anger and fear before men, and little regard to God whatsoever.
Jump over to Jeremiah 17 and read versus 5-11. What type of life do you want to live? Ask God to help you live a life that is marked by trusting in God, rather than man.
Written By: Graham Withers
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