OVERVIEW:
David and Jonathan become friends; David is promoted in the sight of Israel and despised in the eyes of Saul; Saul plots and attempts to kill David; David is helped by Jonathan and others to escape Saul.
HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:
As we move into chapter 18 in today’s reading, we are introduced to what is perhaps the greatest record and example of friendship the world has ever seen. Would to God that every believer had the benefit of experiencing a deep friendship like that of Jonathan and David. Note some of the key statements found in today’s reading about their incredible relationship:
“…the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David…” (18:1)
“…Jonathan loved him (David) as his own soul.” (18:1)
“…he (Jonathan) loved him (David) as his own soul.” (18:3)
“…Jonathan Saul’s son delighted much in David…” (19:2)
“Then said Jonathan unto David, Whatsoever thy soul desireth, I will even do it for thee.” (20:4)
“And Jonathan…loved him (David) as he loved his own soul.” (20:17)
What a 21st century travesty it is that because many homosexuals seek to use these statements as justification to support their sinful and reprobate lifestyle (Romans 1:24-28), that clarification even needs to be given regarding the relationship between Jonathan and David. What an indication of how corrupt our world has actually become! To interpret the love shared between Jonathan and David as something romantic or sensual is as perverted as homosexuality itself, and only proves the trustworthiness of Scripture, because those who seek to use this as rationalization or justification for their sinful lifestyle are doing exactly what God said they would do in Romans 1:25: “[They] changed the truth of God into a lie.” Again, how sad it is to even have to give an explanation of such perversion of Scripture, but there appears to be a satanic agenda in the 21st century to promote this biblically defined reprobation as normal and culturally acceptable, demanding that it be mentioned.
Chapter 18 also begins to show us the “wisdom” by which David conducted his life. Notice the repetition of this unique quality David possessed that began to elevate him into a national leader:
“And David…behaved himself wisely…” (18:5)
“And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the Lord was with him.” (18:14)
“…David behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul; so that his name was much set by.” (18:30)
But not only was David rising in popularity in the kingdom because of his noticeable wisdom, but also because he was viewed as a military hero (and rightfully so!) for defeating the Philistine’s champion, Goliath! David’s wisdom was so apparent to King Saul that he quickly promoted him to the position of commander over the entire military. (18:5) This position was short-lived, however, as Saul soon recognized that David’s character and courage was also making him extremely popular throughout the entire kingdom, especially with the ladies! (18:7-8) The resulting jealousy in Saul’s heart caused him to fear that David would try to overthrow his kingship and 18:9 is a very telling sign of what was to come: “And Saul eyed David from that day and forward.”
Note that the book of Numbers talks about “jealousy” as a “spirit” (i.e. “the spirit of jealousy”—Numbers 5:14,30), and apparently, as in Saul’s case, it makes a person see things that aren’t really there! Note also that the book of Proverbs warns that “jealousy is the rage of a man.” Interestingly enough, as soon as Saul selfishly opened himself up to that “spirit”, the Lord allowed that “evil spirit” to overtake him, and in his rage, Saul makes his first attempt to take David’s life. David was able to dodge Saul’s javelin (twice!), however, and successfully fled from his presence. (18:10–11)
Saul recognized that the Lord’s hand had not only been removed from his life but that it had been placed on David, making him even more jealous, and thus, more fearful. Saul demoted David from the commander over the entire army to a mere captain over a band of a 1000 soldiers. (18:12–13) What David was experiencing from the hand of Saul would be so devastating and humiliating to most leaders, it would cause them to react carnally. David, however, continues to conduct himself according to godly wisdom, causing Saul to, ironically, become even more afraid of him. Saul’s demotion of David had actually caused David to become more accessible to the people causing them to become all the more endeared to him! (18:16)
Evidently, as Saul is able to step back to analyze David’s popularity, he determines that it wouldn’t be in his own best interest to blatantly murder him, so he concocts a plan to attempt to kill him by making it look like it happened as due course on the field of battle. He promises to David the hand of his oldest daughter in marriage if he will promise to continue to fight the king’s battles. Do note that David had already been promised the hand of Saul’s daughter as the reward for defeating Goliath! (17:25)
Saul reneged on his promise and gave the hand of his daughter to another man but promised David the hand of his other daughter, Michal, in exchange for the foreskins of 100 Philistine soldiers. Saul was obviously convinced that attempting such an incredible feat would certainly result in David’s death, but because the Lord’s hand was on his life, David promptly delivered double the “dowry” the king requested: the foreskins of 200 Philistine soldiers!
Chapter 18 ends with Saul having to face the reality that not only was the Lord’s hand upon David, but that the heart of his son, Jonathan, and the heart of his daughter, Michal, were with David. Rather than celebrate this obvious God-ordained reality, 18:29 says, “And Saul was yet more afraid of David; and Saul became David’s enemy continually.” A practical lesson we glean from today’s reading is that the hand of God upon a person’s life will bring two opposite extremes from the people around us: extreme LOVE from those who are in tune with God and extreme HATRED from those who aren’t!
In chapter 20, rather than David and Jonathan using their blessed friendship to inspire one another to cry out in faith to the Lord for His wisdom, direction, and protection against the attacks of Saul, the entire chapter is really nothing more than the unfolding of their elaborate plan of lying and scheming in order to create David’s needed protection. Once again, as the old saying goes, “It is never right to do wrong in order to get the chance to do right.”
The lying and scheming continues into chapter 21, as David gives evidence that he is no longer trusting the “wisdom of God” but the “wisdom of men”. (1st Corinthians 1:5-7) Notice in chapter 21 that first, in verses 1–9, David lies to Ahimelech, and then in verses 10–15, he lies to Achish. James reminds us that “the wisdom that is from above is first PURE!” (James 3:17)
It is important to remember, that this blatant deception, lying, and obvious expression of a lack of faith in God, is actually coming forth out of the life of “the man after God’s own heart”! If “trusting the arm of the flesh” as opposed to the “power of God” and resorting to the “wisdom of men” after expressing such dependence upon the “wisdom of God”, was this great of a temptation to the likes of David, we might do well to ask ourselves a couple of questions!
What situation or situations am I presently facing in which I could be tempted to scheme, lie and/or deceive in order to protect myself? What would it look like in this potentially tempting situation, or these potentially tempting situations, to trust the “wisdom of God” (exemplified through David in chapter 17 and 18) rather than the “wisdom of men” (exemplified through David in chapters 19 through 21)?
CHRIST IS REVEALED:
As the friend that sticketh closer than a brother – 1st Samuel 18:3 (Proverbs 18:24, John 15:13–16)
By JONATHAN, knowing that it was God’s will to make David king, stripped himself of his royal robe, promising all that he had to David — 1st Samuel 18:3–4. (Philippians 2:5–8 – Jesus, knowing, the will of the Father, stripped Himself of His royal robe, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men…and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.)