1 Samuel 18:1-30

Jealousy is a very dangerous thing in the heart of men, especially in the heart of a leader.  David becomes more and more successful in his service for Saul and even though he has been nothing but loyal to Saul, his success brings about great jealousy on the part of Saul.  It becomes obvious that the hand of God is upon David and Saul can see it plainly.  It also is plainly clear that the Lord has left Saul and the result is a very tormented, bitter and jealous leader who is trying to kill his best soldier.  This is contrasted starkly by David’s faithfulness, dedication and the love of the people and even the rest of Saul’s family for David.  This passage demonstrates the difference between those who are led by the Lord and those that are controlled by the flesh.

THE SPIRIT PRODUCES LOVE: As soon as Jonathan, Saul’s son and heir to the throne, hears about David; his heart is full of love for him.  Jonathan sees in David a kindred spirit who loves the Lord and trusts the Lord in all circumstances.  Jonathan showers David with gifts and establishes a friendship that will last for the rest of their life.  Perhaps one of the saddest parts of Saul’s downfall is that, in all likelihood, Jonathan would have made a great king.   It is a terrible thing when the sins of the father hurt the son.  David has a loving heart and he and Jonathan have a friendship that is a vital part of their lives.  Too often men tend to be closed off to close relationships, but I believe this is a great weakness that causes many men to fall.  Men must learn to have deep and loving relationships with other men who will encourage them and hold them accountable if they are going to be successful in following the Lord.

THE FLESH PRODUCES LIVIDNESS: Saul has just won multiple battles against the Philistines, but his heart is full of jealousy and anger.  His lividness comes from the fact that his heart is no longer controlled by the Spirit of God but by an evil spirit that comes from within his own flesh.  David is plying the harp in an effort to calm and comfort Saul but Saul strikes out to kill David in a fit of rage.  When David escapes, Saul decides to kill David in a more “civilized” way by sending him out into battle in hopes that he will be killed.  The result is that David is successful and this only furthers the jealousy and hatred that is fuming in Saul’s heart.  The human heart is an ugly thing when it is devoid of the Spirit of God.  When the heart of man seeks only its own good and fame things get ugly in a hurry.  Only God can prevent and transform our hateful and selfish hearts so that we can turn from the worship of self to the worship of God and service of others.

THE SPIRIT PRODUCES LOYALTY: Saul’s desperate antics are contrasted vividly by David’s constant loyalty.  He simply goes out and does whatever Saul asks him to do and he does it well.  He is victorious on the battlefield, he serves Saul within his own household and he refuses to be critical of or disloyal to Saul.  The people love David and they even make in clear that they consider him to be a greater hero than Saul, but David has nothing to do with this type of promotion.  David is extremely loyal to Saul even though it is clear that Saul is a very disturbed man.  David knows that Samuel has anointed him to be the next king, but David will not take this into his own hands, he is simply going to be faithful with the tasks at hand and demonstrate his loyalty to both God and the king that is trying to kill him.  It is only by God’s Spirit that we are able to be kind to those who are being cruel to us, but this is the kind of contrast that He produces in us that God might be glorified through us.

THE FLESH PRODUCES LYING: Saul has promised to give his daughter in marriage to the killer of Goliath.  However, time has gone by and that promise has not been fulfilled.  Saul must have been getting pressure about that from the people so he promises to give his older daughter to David in marriage.  However, in a cruel and dishonest way he gives her to another man just to spite David.  This demonstrates the desperate condition of Saul’s heart.  David is unfazed by this act and simply continues to serve.  Saul’s younger daughter is in love with David, so once again, a marriage is promised, but David admits that he has no way of paying the brides price.  The truth is that Goliath was the bride’s price, but Saul ignores this and asks David to collect the foreskins of 100 Philistines as the bride price.  Saul hopes that David will be killed in the process of doing this, but David is a valiant warrior and goes out and collects double the requested number.  Saul is left without a choice and makes his loyal enemy his son-in-law.  Lying in order to promote our own agenda is an unquestionable evidence of our flesh being in control.