1 SAMUEL LESSON 20

     We will begin this lesson in I Samuel 18:1 "And it came to pass,
when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of
Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as
his own soul."

     Sometimes, there is a friend that is even closer than a person's
natural brother. This is the case with David and Jonathan, here. These
two young men became close friends from the very beginning. The
fighting with the Philistines had stopped at this point, and they had
separated the spoil. Jonathan, probably, greatly admired David for his
bravery against the giant, Goliath. It could, possibly, be almost like
hero worship. Whether Saul was jealous of this extremely close
friendship that Jonathan and David had, we do not know. We do know
that about this time, Saul begins to dislike David. This is one of the
greatest examples of the love of friends in the Bible. They did not
have a flesh relationship, such as homosexuality. Their relationship
was a pure friend relationship.  They had kindred spirits.

     I Samuel 18:2 "And Saul took him that day, and would let him go
no more home to his father's house."

     Saul needed David to play for him, when he was sick. He, also,
was aware of the strength of David to protect him, in case someone
wanted to destroy him.

     I Samuel 18:3 "Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because
he loved him as his own soul."

     The love of these two friends grew, after the admiration started
it. These two decided to make an agreement that they would remain
faithful to one another, regardless of circumstances.

     I Samuel 18:4 "And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that
[was] upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his
sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle."

     This was the highest honor that Jonathan could pay David. He was
saying, whatever power and authority he had, was now equally David's.

     I Samuel 18:5  "And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him,
[and ] behaved himself wisely: and Saul set him over the men of war,
and he was accepted in the sight of all the people, and also in the
sight of Saul's servants."

     Whatever David did, he did well. He did not have any enemies
among the men he worked with. He did what Saul directed him to, and
with the blessing of the LORD upon him, he did everything well. It
appears that, the servants of Saul liked David. Saul set him over the
men of war, because of his bravery in war, and because the men all
respected him.

     I Samuel 18:6 "And it came to pass as they came, when David was
returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out
of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with
tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of music."

     It really does not matter, whether this was one Philistine giant
spoken of here, or whether this was speaking of the Philistines he had
killed in the several battles after the incident with Goliath. The
people became aware that God was with David. They greatly admired him
for what he had done for the Israelites. It was customary to make
merry, when they won a great battle. That is what happened here. These
women were shaking their tambourines, and playing their musical
instruments, in celebration of the battle they had won.

     I Samuel 18:7 "And the women answered [one another] as they
played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten
thousands."

     It seemed, the women made up their lyrics, as they went along.
They were singing about the wonderful feats of David in battle. They
were still singing of Saul's victories, but glorifying David over
Saul.  There is no king who would like that. This would cause Saul to
be jealous of David.

     I Samuel 18:8 "And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased
him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to
me they have ascribed [but] thousands: and [what] can he have more but
the kingdom?" I Samuel 18:9 "And Saul eyed David from that day and
forward."

     Saul feared losing the kingdom to David, if he were this popular
with the people. Saul watched David's every move, to make sure he
would not mount a revolt against him. David had no intention of doing
this, but Saul did not realize this.

     I Samuel 18:10  "And it came to pass on the morrow, that the evil
spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the
house: and David played with his hand, as at other times: and [there
was] a javelin in Saul's hand." I Samuel 18:11 "And Saul cast the
javelin; for he said, I will smite David even to the wall [with it].
And David avoided out of his presence twice."

     This evil spirit that came into Saul, caused him to want to kill
David. This is the spirit of hate and murder. Saul had been thinking
about what the women had sung about him and David. He feels the only
way to stop David, is to kill him. David was playing to calm Saul down
and make him feel better. Saul threw the javelin at David two
different times. It did not hit David, because he was quick enough to
dart out of the way. Really, God protected him.

     I Samuel 18:12  "And Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD
was with him, and was departed from Saul."

     Saul remembered what Samuel had told him earlier. He knew the
kingdom had been taken away from him by God. It just had not
physically happened yet. The blessings of God were not with Saul.
He, also, knew that the blessings of God were upon David. It was the
power of God within David that made him strong enough to kill Goliath.

     I Samuel 18:13 "Therefore Saul removed him from him, and made him
his captain over a thousand; and he went out and came in before the
people."

     Saul had David to leave his home, and go out with the people. He
made David one of his captains of his army. David was over just 1,000
men. Saul thought he would put David in a dangerous situation in
battle, and he would be rid of David. Saul was very jealous of David.

     I Samuel 18:14 "And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways;
and the LORD [was] with him."

     The blessings of God were upon David. He had already been made
king in the sight of God. David was very respectful of the office of
king. He would never harm Saul, because he was God's anointed. David
was not aware that God had removed his blessings from Saul.

     I Samuel 18:15 "Wherefore when Saul saw that he behaved himself
very wisely, he was afraid of him."

     Even the loyalty of David concerned Saul. He wanted David to rise
up against him with just this handful of men, so he could kill him.
David did not rise up against Saul, however.

     I Samuel 18:16 "But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he
went out and came in before them."

     He was out with the people, and they learned to love David. They
knew how brave he was in battle, and they, also, knew of his loyalty
to the king. They greatly admired David, because of his high
principles.

     I Samuel 18:17  "And Saul said to David, Behold my elder daughter
Merab, her will I give thee to wife: only be thou valiant for me, and
fight the LORD'S battles. For Saul said, Let not mine hand be upon
him, but let the hand of the Philistines be upon him."

     We remember, from a previous lesson, that Saul had promised his
daughter to anyone who would kill the giant, Goliath. When David, who
was just a youth, killed Goliath, no more was said about it, until
now. Saul did things for selfish reasons. He was not just keeping his
promise, but assuring himself of a little more safety from David. He
felt his son-in-law would not attack him, because of his daughter. He
really wanted David to be killed by the Philistines, so his blood
would not be on his hands.

     I Samuel 18:18 "And David said unto Saul, Who [am] I? and what
[is] my life, [or] my father's family in Israel, that I should be son
in law to the king?"

     David thought he was from a family not worthy of marrying the
king's daughter. He was more humble than Saul. In a sense, David is
saying, marrying Saul's daughter would not be a help to her father.

     I Samuel 18:19 "But it came to pass at the time when Merab Saul's
daughter should have been given to David, that she was given unto
Adriel the Meholathite to wife."

     Perhaps, David was too young for Merab. For some unexplained
reason, Merab was given to the Meholathite. It could have been that
David and Merab had no attraction for each other.

     I Samuel 18:20 "And Michal Saul's daughter loved David: and they
told Saul, and the thing pleased him."

     We must remember that, David had played in their home to keep
Saul feeling better. In fact, he lived with them for a time. I am sure
this attraction started during that time. When this daughter of Saul
told that she loved David, this pleased Saul.

     I Samuel 18:21 "And Saul said, I will give him her, that she may
be a snare to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against
him. Wherefore Saul said to David, Thou shalt this day be my son in
law in [the one of] the twain."

     Saul would even use his daughter to destroy David. He does not
give her to David in good faith. He wants David to get killed, trying
to pay the dowry that Saul requires. He believes, even if the
marriage takes place, that she will act as a spy in David's home.

     I Samuel 18:22  "And Saul commanded his servants, [saying],
Commune with David secretly, and say, Behold, the king hath delight in
thee, and all his servants love thee: now therefore be the king's son
in law."

     Saul is deceiving David into believing that he loves him, so he
can get him killed. David is not so unwise, that he knows some
conspiracy is going on.

     I Samuel 18:23 "And Saul's servants spake those words in the ears
of David. And David said, Seemeth it to you [a] light [thing] to be a
king's son in law, seeing that I [am] a poor man, and lightly
esteemed?"

     David is telling them, again, of his upbringing, and the fact
that he would not have enough money to pay for the king's daughter.
They must pay a dowry to the father of the bride.

     I Samuel 18:24 "And the servants of Saul told him, saying, On
this manner spake David."

     Saul wants to be as distant from David as he can in all of this.
He does not want to be blamed by the people, when David is killed. He
forgets the special protection that God has upon David.
     I Samuel 18:25 "And Saul said, Thus shall ye say to David, The
king desireth not any dowry, but an hundred foreskins of the
Philistines, to be avenged of the king's enemies. But Saul thought to
make David fall by the hand of the Philistines."

     This would not be in an ordinary battle in war. This would be a
special raid on the Philistines. This would not be the whole army that
would go out, but the few men that David had under his control.  Saul
felt sure that David would be killed in this raid. Saul did not want
to kill David himself, because of the love of the people for David. He
was aware that he might not win, if he tried to kill him. He wanted
the Philistines to kill David for him. The 100 foreskins would be
proof David had killed them.

     I Samuel 18:26 "And when his servants told David these words, it
pleased David well to be the king's son in law: and the days were not
expired."

     It appears that, David wanted to marry Michal. He loved Jonathan
as a friend, too. He would be pleased to be in their family. Perhaps,
David thought that Saul's hate for him would diminish, if he were
David's father-in-law. David let no time pass, until he goes on this
raid to kill 100 Philistines.

     I Samuel 18:27 "Wherefore David arose and went, he and his men,
and slew of the Philistines two hundred men; and David brought their
foreskins, and they gave them in full tale to the king, that he might
be the king's son in law. And Saul gave him Michal his daughter to
wife."

     We see, in this, David brought twice as many as were required for
the dowry. God was with them against the wicked Philistines. Saul,
indeed, gave his daughter Michal to David in marriage.

     I Samuel 18:28  "And Saul saw and knew that the LORD [was] with
David, and [that] Michal Saul's daughter loved him."

     Everything Saul had done to get rid of David, had backfired on
him. Even, Saul's daughter truly loved David. It becomes more and more
apparent to Saul, that David is protected by the LORD.

     I Samuel 18:29 "And Saul was yet the more afraid of David; and
Saul became David's enemy continually." I Samuel 18:30 "Then the
princes of the Philistines went forth: and it came to pass, after they
went forth, [that] David behaved himself more wisely than all the
servants of Saul; so that his name was much set by."

     Saul's fear of David had to do with the fact that Samuel had told
Saul he would not remain king. He knew that God would anoint another
to take his place. He becomes more aware that God's anointed is David.
Saul believes, if he can get rid of David, he can remain the king.
David became more and more popular with the people with each victory
in battle. Even this, was not what Saul planned.

                        1 Samuel 20 Questions


1.  How much did Jonathan love David?
2.  What, probably, started Jonathan thinking of David as a close
    friend?
3.  Where did Saul require David to live?
4.  Why did Saul require this?
5.  Jonathan and David made a ___________, because he loved him as his
    own soul.
6.  They would be true to their friendship, regardless of ___________.
7.  What did Jonathan do for David, that greatly honored him?
8.  What did Saul set David over?
9.  When David came back from fighting the Philistines, who came out
    to sing and play instruments of music?
10. What did they say about David, that would anger Saul?
11. Saul repeats what the women have said, in verse 8, and then says,
    and what can he have more but the ___________?
12. Why did Saul watch every move of David?
13. What happened to Saul, just before he prophesied in the house?
14. How many times did Saul throw the javelin at David?
15. Why was Saul afraid of David?
16. Saul removed David, and made him captain over a __________.
17. David behaved himself ___________.
18. But all ________ and ______ loved David.
19. How did they learn to love David?
20. Who did Saul offer to give to David for a wife?
21. Who did Saul want to kill David?
22. Saul had promised his daughter to anyone who would kill ________.
23. How did David reply, when Saul offered him Merab?
24. Who, actually, was Merab given in marriage?
25. Which of Saul's daughters loved David?
26. Paul was willing to give his daughter to David, that she might be
    a __________ to him.
27. Who did Saul send to speak to David about the arrangements?
28. Why does Saul want to be distant from these arrangements?
29. Saul wanted David to fall at the hands of the ____________.
30. What was the dowry for Michal's hand in marriage?
31. How many Philistines did David kill?
32. Why did Saul fear David so greatly?
33. David became more and more __________ with the people.