Trusting God Rather Than Human Ideas

Saul and the army were constantly chasing David around the wilderness of Ziph, disturbing herds of livestock, trampling down the grasses, and driving away game.  Hoping to end the disruptions and curry favor with Saul, the local people offered to help capture David, in I Samuel 23:19-23.  “Then came up the Ziphites to Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself with us in strong holds in the wood, in the hill of Hachilah, which is on the south of Jeshimon?  Now therefore, O king, come down according to all the desire of thy soul to come down; and our part shall be to deliver him into the king's hand.”

And Saul said, Blessed be ye of the LORD; for ye have compassion on me.  Go, I pray you, prepare yet, and know and see his place where his haunt is, and who hath seen him there: for it is told me that he dealeth very subtly.  See therefore, and take knowledge of all the lurking places where he hideth himself, and come ye again to me with the certainty, and I will go with you: and it shall come to pass, if he be in the land, that I will search him out throughout all the thousands of Judah.”

Learning of the Ziphites offerto help Saul, David moved further south, to the wilderness of Maon, just south of Carmel.  Thanks to the Ziphites help, Saul almost captured David, according to I Samuel 23:24-26.   And they arose, and went to Ziph before Saul: but David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon, in the plain on the south of Jeshimon.   Saul also and his men went to seek him. And they told David: wherefore he came down into a rock, and abode in the wilderness of Maon. And when Saul heard that, he pursued after David in the wilderness of Maon.  And Saul went on this side of the mountain, and David and his men on that side of the mountain: and David made haste to get away for fear of Saul; for Saul and his men compassed David and his men round about to take them.”

The Philistines were still looking for the opportunity to invade Israel, and took advantage of Saul’s hunt for David.  Saul had David surrounded, and was just about to capture him when he learned the Philistines had invaded.  It was such a serious threat he didn’t dare wait to make the capture, according to I Samuel 23:27-28.  “But there came a messenger unto Saul, saying, Haste thee, and come; for the Philistines have invaded the land.  Wherefore Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines: therefore they called that place Selahammahlekoth.”  God caused Saul to learn of the invasion just at the right time.

Realizing how close he had come, when Saul went to fight the Philistines, David moved east to the limestone cliffs along the western coast of the Dead Sea in the area known as Engedi.  Upon his return, Saul learned of the move and pursued him with a large group of special forces, according to I Samuel 23:29-24:2.  “And David went up from thence, and dwelt in strong holds at Engedi.  And it came to pass, when Saul was returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, Behold, David is in the wilderness of Engedi.  Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats.”

The rocky cliffs made the area popular for herds of sheep and goats, and there were a number of corrals for holding flocks overnight.  There were also a number of caves in the area where the shepherds stayed.   David and his men had hidden one of the large caves, and Saul came into the cave alone to take a nap.  David’s men believed God was giving him the chance to get rid of his enemy, according to I Samuel 24:3-4.   “And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet: and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave.  And the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the LORD said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee…”

David refused to murder Saul, but he did want him to know he could have killed him, so he cut off a piece of hi robe.  Later, he felt guilty about even doing that, as I Samuel 24:4b-7 tells us.  “Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul's robe privily.  And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt.  And he said unto his men, The LORD forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the LORD'S anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD.  So David stayed his servants with these words, and suffered them not to rise against Saul. But Saul rose up out of the cave, and went on his way.”

While David knew God intended him to be the next king, he also recognized God had chosen Saul.  He refused to try to accelerate his taking control by doing something that was wrong himself, preferring to wait and trust God to remove him at the proper time.  He allowed Saul to go unharmed. 

Putting His Faith In God Rather Than Man

David had protected Keilah even though his men were concerned that they might get caught between Saul” army and the Philistines.   Saul soon learned of his accomplishment and organized an expedition to capture him, in I Samuel 23:7-8.  “And it was told Saul that David was come to Keilah. And Saul said, God hath delivered him into mine hand; for he is shut in, by entering into a town that hath gates and bars. And Saul called all the people together to war, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men.”

David learned of Saul’s intentions, and was concerned that the people of Keilah might betray him to Saul.  He asked the Lord for what he should to in I Samuel 23:9-13.  “And David knew that Saul secretly practiced mischief against him; and he said to Abiathar the priest, Bring hither the ephod.  Then said David, O LORD God of Israel, thy servant hath certainly heard that Saul seeketh to come to Keilah, to destroy the city for my sake.  Will the men of Keilah deliver me up into his hand? will Saul come down, as thy servant hath heard? O LORD God of Israel, I beseech thee, tell thy servant.

And the LORD said, He will come down.

Then said David, Will the men of Keilah deliver me and my men into the hand of Saul?

And the LORD said, They will deliver thee up.

Then David and his men, which were about six hundred, arose and departed out of Keilah, and went whithersoever they could go. And it was told Saul that David was escaped from Keilah; and he forbare to go forth.”

Saul had hoped to surround the city and trap David.  David only had about six hundred men by this time, and Saul was sure his much larger army could wipe them out if necessary.   Though they appreciated David’s rescuing them, the people of Keilah would feel they had no choice but to help Saul, so David left Keilah.  It is important to understand that people tend to place their immediate problems ahead of philosophy or friendship, and their betrayals should not be taken as a personal attack, even though they affect us personally.  Our faith needs to be in God rather than in the people. 

Realizing his plans had failed, Saul called off his expedition.  David went into hiding in the wilderness areas of Ziph, picking easily defended hideouts with multiple escape routes so he could not be easily trapped, repeatedly escaping Saul’s constant searches, according to I Samuel 23:14.  “And David abode in the wilderness in strong holds, and remained in a mountain in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hand.”

During this time, David and Jonathan met secretly, and Jonathan encouraged him, telling him that he knew one day David would be king and he would be his prime minister because of what God had said.  He warned that Saul was upset because he knew that was God’s plan, according to I Samuel 23:15-18.  “And David saw that Saul was come out to seek his life: and David was in the wilderness of Ziph in a wood.  And Jonathan Saul's son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God.  And he said unto him, Fear not: for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee; and thou shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be next unto thee; and that also Saul my father knoweth.  And they two made a covenant before the LORD: and David abode in the wood, and Jonathan went to his house.”

Once again we see the difference between Saul and Jonathan.  Both of them knew what God’s plan was, and Jonathan accepted it, while Saul was determined to thwart it and get his own way.   Because he was selfish, the opposition only made Saul more determined.  Because Jonathan was focused on pleasing God rather than himself, he supported David, even against his own father. 

Fulfilling Prophecy

Angry that David had escaped again, Saul ordered that the entire city of Nob be killed.  Fearing the Lord and knowing what he Law said, the soldiers refused.   Doeg, was an Edomite, some of Israels enemies, and, although he participated in the Jewish religion, had little or no concern for the God’s law or the Jewish people.  When Saul asked him to kill the people of Nob, he didn’t hesitate, as II Samuel 22:18-19 tells us.  “And the king said to Doeg, Turn thou, and fall upon the priests. And Doeg the Edomite turned, and he fell upon the priests, and slew on that day fourscore and five persons that did wear a linen ephod.  And Nob, the city of the priests, smote he with the edge of the sword, both men and women, children and sucklings, and oxen, and asses, and sheep, with the edge of the sword.”

Doeg murdered everyone in the city, including eighty five priests and their families.  Only one priest, Abiathar, one of Eli’s great-great grandsons escaped, as I Samuel 22:20-23 tells us.  “And one of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped, and fled after David.  And Abiathar showed David that Saul had slain the LORD'S priests.  And David said unto Abiathar, I knew it that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul: I have occasioned the death of all the persons of thy father's house.  Abide thou with me, fear not: for he that seeketh my life seeketh thy life: but with me thou shalt be in safeguard.”

Doeg’s murder of the priests at Nob was a partial fulfillment of the prophecy against Eli, in I Samuel 2:31-33.  “Behold, the days come, that I will cut off thine arm, and the arm of thy father's house, that there shall not be an old man in thine house.  And thou shalt see an enemy in my habitation, in all the wealth which God shall give Israel: and there shall not be an old man in thine house for ever.  And the man of thine, whom I shall not cut off from mine altar, shall be to consume thine eyes, and to grieve thine heart: and all the increase of thine house shall die in the flower of their age.”  It happened because of Saul’s selfishness, but David felt responsible for their deaths and offered to protect Abiathar.   Saul blamed their deaths on Ahimelech’s effort to help David and took no responsibility for it, like most proud and selfish people.    

While Saul was busy trying to find David, The Philistines had invaded Judah, attacking the city of Keilah, terrorizing the surrounding area.  When David prayed about whether he should go help them God directed him to go, in I Samuel 23:1-5.  “Then they told David, saying, Behold, the Philistines fight against Keilah, and they rob the threshingfloors.  Therefore David inquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go and smite these Philistines?

And the LORD said unto David, Go, and smite the Philistines, and save Keilah.

And David's men said unto him, Behold, we be afraid here in Judah: how much more then if we come to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?

Then David inquired of the LORD yet again. And the LORD answered him and said, Arise, go down to Keilah: for I will deliver the Philistines into thine hand.  So David and his men went to Keilah, and fought with the Philistines, and brought away their cattle, and smote them with a great slaughter. So David saved the inhabitants of Keilah.”

David’s men were hesitant about fighting the Philistines at Keilah.  As king, it was Saul’s responsibility to protect Israel, and they were concerned that taking time to fight the Philistines might leave them open to an attack by Saul.  God told him to go anyway, so they went and defeated the Philistines, killing many of them and taking herds of cattle from them.  It was after the battle at Keilah that Abiathar caught up with David and told him about the slaughter of the Priests at Nob, as I Samuel 23:6 tells us.  “And it came to pass, when Abiathar the son of Ahimelech fled to David to Keilah, that he came down with an ephod in his hand.”  When he came, Abiathar brought the necessary accoutrements of the high priest. 

Feeding Corruption

Fearing he was insane, and that the evil spirit causing it would get loose if they killed him, the Philistines allowed Him to leave unharmed.  David took refuge in the cave Adullam, about thirteen miles west of Bethlehem.  There are a number of large caves in the area, providing ready and easily defended hiding places.  It was in an area he was familiar with from herding his father’s sheep.  Learning of his presence, others soon joined him, according to I Samuel 22:1-2.  “David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave Adullam: and when his brethren and all his father's house heard it, they went down thither to him.  And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men.”

David was not the only person hurt by Saul’s selfishness and fits of rage, and many people were looking for a way to escape his tyranny.  They joined David for mutual protection against Saul’s government.  Fearing Saul would retaliate against his family, David moved his parents to Moab for protection, in I Samuel 22:3-4.  “And David went thence to Mizpeh of Moab: and he said unto the king of Moab, Let my father and my mother, I pray thee, come forth, and be with you, till I know what God will do for me.  And he brought them before the king of Moab: and they dwelt with him all the while that David was in the hold.”

Hunters and herdsmen frequently visited the caves around Adullam, and while a small group could easily escape detection, it would be almost impossible to hide a group of four hundred for long.  The prophet Gad warned David to leave the area and go south into Judah where they would be more difficult to trap, in I Samuel 22:5.  “And the prophet Gad said unto David, Abide not in the hold; depart, and get thee into the land of Judah. Then David departed, and came into the forest of Hareth.”

Saul and his army were camped just a short distance from the Cave, waiting to find out where David was.  Learning that David had been spotted at Adullam but had left, Saul got angry at his men, accusing them of conspiring against him and helping David to escape, in I Samuel 22:6-8.  “When Saul heard that David was discovered, and the men that were with him, (now Saul abode in Gibeah under a tree in Ramah, having his spear in his hand, and all his servants were standing about him;) Then Saul said unto his servants that stood about him, Hear now, ye Benjamites; will the son of Jesse give every one of you fields and vineyards, and make you all captains of thousands, and captains of hundreds; That all of you have conspired against me, and there is none that showeth me that my son hath made a league with the son of Jesse, and there is none of you that is sorry for me, or showeth unto me that my son hath stirred up my servant against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?

The more fixated against David he became, the more paranoid Saul became.  When his herdsman, Doeg mentioned seeing David talking to the Priests at Nob, he turned on the priests, accusing them of conspiring against him and ordering them killed, in I Samuel 22:9-17.  “Then answered Doeg the Edomite, which was set over the servants of Saul, and said, I saw the son of Jesse coming to Nob, to Ahimelech the son of Ahitub.  And he inquired of the LORD for him, and gave him victuals, and gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine.

Then the king sent to call Ahimelech the priest, the son of Ahitub, and all his father's house, the priests that were in Nob: and they came all of them to the king.  And Saul said, Hear now, thou son of Ahitub.

And he answered, Here I am, my lord.

And Saul said unto him, Why have ye conspired against me, thou and the son of Jesse, in that thou hast given him bread, and a sword, and hast inquired of God for him, that he should rise against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?

Then Ahimelech answered the king, and said, And who is so faithful among all thy servants as David, which is the king's son in law, and goeth at thy bidding, and is honourable in thine house?  Did I then begin to inquire of God for him? be it far from me: let not the king impute any thing unto his servant, nor to all the house of my father: for thy servant knew nothing of all this, less or more.

And the king said, Thou shalt surely die, Ahimelech, thou, and all thy father's house.  And the king said unto the footmen that stood about him, Turn, and slay the priests of the LORD; because their hand also is with David, and because they knew when he fled, and did not show it to me. But the servants of the king would not put forth their hand to fall upon the priests of the LORD.”

Ahimelech tried to explain he had not known that Saul was seeking David and had not conspired against him, but Saul refused to listen, ordering that all the priests and their families be killed.  The soldiers still had respect for their constitution, the Jewish Law, and refused to obey such an immoral and unlawful order.   

There is a familiar saying that “Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.  Power does not cause corruption but it does feed itb y enabling them to get by  with it.  As we have seen, the longer Saul was in power, the less concern he had for what was right, even to the point of ordering the entire population of a city murdered because of one person.

Fleeing From Saul

Saul’s response to David’s absence had convinced even Jonathan that there was no hope of reconciliation, and he had advised him escape while he could.  Since the Philistines had returned the Ark, it had not been reunited with the Tabernacle, and they could not offer the sacrifices exactly as God had commanded.  As a result, like Samuel, the priests had begun to hold sacrifices in various places.   One of those priests, Eli’s great grandson Ahimelech held worship services in Nob.  Having been forced to flee without taking time to get what he needed, David went to Ahimelech for assistance, in I Samuel 21:1.  “Then came David to Nob to Ahimelech the priest: and Ahimelech was afraid at the meeting of David, and said unto him, Why art thou alone, and no man with thee?”

Saul had become increasingly autocratic and even the priests were afraid to incur his wrath.  Ahimelech had undoubtedly heard rumors of Saul’s hatred toward David, and became suspicious when David was alone.  David told him he was on a secret errand and needed some food, in I Samuel 21:2-3.  “And David said unto Ahimelech the priest, The king hath commanded me a business, and hath said unto me, Let no man know any thing of the business whereabout I send thee, and what I have commanded thee: and I have appointed my servants to such and such a place.  Now therefore what is under thine hand? give me five loaves of bread in mine hand, or what there is present.”

The only food Ahimelech had was the showbread which was dedicated to God and reserved for the priests to eat.  He agreed to give him that if David could promise they had not been sexually active, in I Samuel 21:4-6.  “And the priest answered David, and said, There is no common bread under mine hand, but there is hallowed bread; if the young men have kept themselves at least from women.

And David answered the priest, and said unto him, Of a truth women have been kept from us about these three days, since I came out, and the vessels of the young men are holy, and the bread is in a manner common, yea, though it were sanctified this day in the vessel.  So the priest gave him hallowed bread: for there was no bread there but the showbread, that was taken from before the LORD, to put hot bread in the day when it was taken away.” 

David told Ahimelech it had been at least three days since any of them had been home with their wives or had been around a woman, and while the showbread had been dedicated to God, it was little different than any other bread.  On that assurance, Ahimelech gave him some of the leftover bread from the day before.  One of Saul’s employees was there and saw David talking to Ahimelech, in I Samuel 21:7.  “Now a certain man of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before the LORD; and his name was Doeg, an Edomite, the chiefest of the herdmen that belonged to Saul.”

David told Ahimelech the secret mission was so urgent he hadn’t even taken time to get his weapons and asked if he had any he could use.  Since the priests were not expected to serve in the army, the only weapons he had was Goliath’s sword, which had been placed in their care after David killed him, but he offered it, in I Samuel 21:8-9.  “And David said unto Ahimelech, And is there not here under thine hand spear or sword? for I have neither brought my sword nor my weapons with me, because the king's business required haste.

And the priest said, The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom thou slewest in the valley of Elah, behold, it is here wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod: if thou wilt take that, take it: for there is no other save that here.

And David said, There is none like that; give it me.”

Knowing Doeg would report seeing him, David didn’t dare stay with Ahimelech and fled to the Philistines at Gath for safety, hoping he wouldn’t be recognized.  When he was recognized, he pretended to be insane, in I Samuel 21:10-15, hoping they would not see him as a threat.  “And David arose, and fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath.  And the servants of Achish said unto him, Is not this David the king of the land? did they not sing one to another of him in dances, saying, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands?

And David laid up these words in his heart, and was sore afraid of Achish the king of Gath.  And he changed his behaviour before them, and feigned himself mad in their hands, and scrabbled on the doors of the gate, and let his spittle fall down upon his beard.  Then said Achish unto his servants, Lo, ye see the man is mad: wherefore then have ye brought him to me?  Have I need of mad men, that ye have brought this fellow to play the mad man in my presence? shall this fellow come into my house?”

Believing that insanity was caused by evil spirits people were afraid to kill them for fear of releasing the evil spirits to attack someone else.  At the same time, they knew how erratic an insane person’s behavior could be and Achish didn’t want him around to cause trouble so David was allowed to leave unharmed.   Our treatment of the insane today is little more effective.  We either isolate them in psychiatric facilities, or keep them so drugged up they are incapable of normal emotional reactions.   When the drugs wear off and they feel things, they are terrified by the feelings and react even more violently than before.   Far too often our rush to calm them down hinders their learning to deal with those feelings, accentuating the problem.    Unfortunately, like David, some pretend to be insane in hopes that people will think they can’t help it and let them go free. 

Selfishness Can No Longer Be Hidden

Jonathan really had trouble believing his father was deliberately trying to kill David, but he had finally been convinced to find out if it was true.  If it wasn’t true, there would be no problem, but if it were, Even letting David know could put him in danger, so Jonathan devised a secret way of warning David while pretending to be practicing with his Bow and arrow, in I Samuel 20:18-23.  “Then Jonathan said to David, Tomorrow is the new moon: and thou shalt be missed, because thy seat will be empty.  And when thou hast stayed three days, then thou shalt go down quickly, and come to the place where thou didst hide thyself when the business was in hand, and shalt remain by the stone Ezel.  And I will shoot three arrows on the side thereof, as though I shot at a mark.  And, behold, I will send a lad, saying, Go, find out the arrows. If I expressly say unto the lad, Behold, the arrows are on this side of thee, take them; then come thou: for there is peace to thee, and no hurt; as the LORD liveth.  But if I say thus unto the young man, Behold, the arrows are beyond thee; go thy way: for the LORD hath sent thee away.  And as touching the matter which thou and I have spoken of, behold, the LORD be between thee and me for ever.”

There was a special feast on the first of every month.  Jonathan advised David to stay hidden until after the feast to see how Saul reacted to his absence.  If he got unreasonably angry he would know something was going on and warn David by shouting instructions at his armor bearer that he needed to go further but if he thought it safe he would tell him he’d gone too far.   It was a really simple code, but shouldn’t ever be suspected. 

The next day was the day of the celebration and Saul didn’t seem upset at first, as we see in I Samuel 20:24-25.  “So David hid himself in the field: and when the new moon was come, the king sat him down to eat meat.  And the king sat upon his seat, as at other times, even upon a seat by the wall: and Jonathan arose, and Abner sat by Saul's side, and David's place was empty.  Nevertheless Saul spake not any thing that day: for he thought, Something hath befallen him, he is not clean; surely he is not clean.”

Under the law, if a person had come into contact with a dead body or someone with a potentially contagious disease, they were to avoid considered unclean and were to avoid contact with other people for twenty four hours to eliminate the likelihood of spreading any possible pathogens.  When David didn’t show up for the celebration, Saul assumed this was why he was absent.  It hardly ever occurs to selfish and self-centered people that their actions are causing people to distrust and avoid them.  David was supposed to forget that Saul had made repeated efforts to kill him and act as if nothing had happened. 

When David didn’t show up the second day, Saul began to suspect maybe he hadn’t forgotten, and began to question his absence, in I Samuel 20:27-29.  “ And it came to pass on the morrow, which was the second day of the month, that David's place was empty: and Saul said unto Jonathan his son, Wherefore cometh not the son of Jesse to meat, neither yesterday, nor to day?

And Jonathan answered Saul, David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Bethlehem: And he said, Let me go, I pray thee; for our family hath a sacrifice in the city; and my brother, he hath commanded me to be there: and now, if I have found favour in thine eyes, let me get away, I pray thee, and see my brethren. Therefore he cometh not unto the king's table.”

Like most selfish people, Saul could not stand losing control.  When told Jonathan had given David permission to go to his own family’s celebration Saul became enraged, insisting David had to be killed and accusing Jonathan of working against him, in I Samuel 20:30-32.  “Then Saul's anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said unto him, Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman, do not I know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own confusion, and unto the confusion of thy mother's nakedness?  For as long as the son of Jesse liveth upon the ground, thou shalt not be established, nor thy kingdom. Wherefore now send and fetch him unto me, for he shall surely die.”

Saul’s outburst didn’t make sense to Jonathan, and he questioned Saul’s reasons, in I Samuel 20:32-33.  “And Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said unto him, Wherefore shall he be slain? what hath he done?  And Saul cast a javelin at him to smite him: whereby Jonathan knew that it was determined of his father to slay David.”  Like many self-centered people, Saul couldn’t stand having his decisions questioned, probably because he had no valid reason.  In I Samuel 19:1-7, Jonathan had been able to reason with Saul.   This time his selfishness had grown so much he could not be reasoned with.   Instead, he turned his anger on Jonathan, attempting to kill him.  Jonathan could longer overlook his father’s selfishness. 

Embarrassed and hurt by Saul’s outburst, Jonathan refused to stay for lunch.  It was obvious David was right about his father, and the following morning Jonathan sent David the warning he had promised, in I Samuel 20:34-39.  “So Jonathan arose from the table in fierce anger, and did eat no meat the second day of the month: for he was grieved for David, because his father had done him shame.  And it came to pass in the morning, that Jonathan went out into the field at the time appointed with David, and a little lad with him.  And he said unto his lad, Run, find out now the arrows which I shoot. And as the lad ran, he shot an arrow beyond him.  And when the lad was come to the place of the arrow which Jonathan had shot, Jonathan cried after the lad, and said, Is not the arrow beyond thee?  And Jonathan cried after the lad, Make speed, haste, stay not. And Jonathan's lad gathered up the arrows, and came to his master.  But the lad knew not any thing: only Jonathan and David knew the matter.”

Knowing it might be the last chance to visit his friend, Jonathan sent his helper home and met with david in I Samuel 20:40-42.  “And Jonathan gave his artillery unto his lad, and said unto him, Go, carry them to the city.  And as soon as the lad was gone, David arose out of a place toward the south, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times: and they kissed one another, and wept one with another, until David exceeded.  And Jonathan said to David, Go in peace, forasmuch as we have sworn both of us in the name of the LORD, saying, The LORD be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed for ever. And he arose and departed: and Jonathan went into the city.”

What’s Going On?

After Saul’s attempt to have him murdered, David went to Samuel for advice and protection.  Samuel had been afraid Saul would try to kill him for anointing David to be the next king, and Saul had become increasingly erratic and irrational over the years, so he didn’t dare stay at his home in Ramah.  He and David fled to Naoth, hoping to escape his attention.  Both Samuel and David were well known, and it wasn’t long before Saul learned their whereabouts, in I Samuel 19:19-21.  “And it was told Saul, saying, Behold, David is at Naioth in Ramah.  And Saul sent messengers to take David: and when they saw the company of the prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing as appointed over them, the spirit of God was upon the messengers of Saul, and they also prophesied.  And when it was told Saul, he sent other messengers, and they prophesied likewise. And Saul sent messengers again the third time, and they prophesied also.”

Three times Saul sent officers to arrest David, but each time, the Holy Spirit so impressed them with a message from God that they stopped to share the message instead of pursuing David.   Frustrated, Saul decided he would have to kill David himself, as we see in I Samuel 19:22-24.  “Then went he also to Ramah, and came to a great well that is in Sechu: and he asked and said, Where are Samuel and David? And one said, Behold, they be at Naioth in Ramah.  And he went thither to Naioth in Ramah: and the spirit of God was upon him also, and he went on, and prophesied, until he came to Naioth in Ramah.  And he stripped off his clothes also, and prophesied before Samuel in like manner, and lay down naked all that day and all that night. Wherefore they say, Is Saul also among the prophets?”  Even the demonic spirit who was stirring up Saul’s hatred was no match for the Holy Spirit, and Saul was unable to kill David.  Like the others, he was so influenced by the Spirit’s power he stopped to prophesy, raising serious questions in the people’s minds. 

Dumbfounded by Saul’s attacks, David went to Jonathan to find out why Saul hated him so much, in I Samuel 20:1.  “And David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and came and said before Jonathan, What have I done? what is mine iniquity? and what is my sin before thy father, that he seeketh my life?”  Because they are unpredictable and seem irrational, Satanic attacks usually leave people confused about what caused them. 

Jonathan knew David had done nothing to incur such enmity and couldn’t believe his father would be that set on killing him, thinking it was just a momentary surge of uncontrollable anger.   He was sure he would have told him if it went deeper than that.  It is a common response for those raised in a home with an abusive parent.    David pointed out that Saul knew how close David and Jonathan were and would hesitate to tell him about such plans, in I Samuel 20:2-3.  “And he said unto him, God forbid; thou shalt not die: behold, my father will do nothing either great or small, but that he will show it me: and why should my father hide this thing from me? it is not so.  And David sware moreover, and said, Thy father certainly knoweth that I have found grace in thine eyes; and he saith, Let not Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved: but truly as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, there is but a step between me and death.”

David was so insistent Johnathan agreed to check out his concerns and report back what he learned, in I Samuel 20:4-17.  “Then said Jonathan unto David, Whatsoever thy soul desireth, I will even do it for thee.

And David said unto Jonathan, Behold, to morrow is the new moon, and I should not fail to sit with the king at meat: but let me go, that I may hide myself in the field unto the third day at even.  If thy father at all miss me, then say, David earnestly asked leave of me that he might run to Bethlehem his city: for there is a yearly sacrifice there for all the family.  If he say thus, It is well; thy servant shall have peace: but if he be very wroth, then be sure that evil is determined by him.  Therefore thou shalt deal kindly with thy servant; for thou hast brought thy servant into a covenant of the LORD with thee: notwithstanding, if there be in me iniquity, slay me thyself; for why shouldest thou bring me to thy father?

And Jonathan said, Far be it from thee: for if I knew certainly that evil were determined by my father to come upon thee, then would not I tell it thee?

Then said David to Jonathan, Who shall tell me? or what if thy father answer thee roughly?

And Jonathan said unto David, Come, and let us go out into the field. And they went out both of them into the field.  And Jonathan said unto David, O LORD God of Israel, when I have sounded my father about to morrow any time, or the third day, and, behold, if there be good toward David, and I then send not unto thee, and show it thee; The LORD do so and much more to Jonathan: but if it please my father to do thee evil, then I will show it thee, and send thee away, that thou mayest go in peace: and the LORD be with thee, as he hath been with my father.  And thou shalt not only while yet I live show me the kindness of the LORD, that I die not: But also thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house for ever: no, not when the LORD hath cut off the enemies of David every one from the face of the earth.  So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, Let the LORD even require it at the hand of David's enemies.  And Jonathan caused David to swear again, because he loved him: for he loved him as he loved his own soul.”

Jonathan knew God had chosen David as the next king instead of himself.  Unlike Saul, he was willing to accept God’s will, promising to warn him of Saul’s plans and asking only that he not turn against him in the future, but show respect to his family when he became king. 

Driving Himself Insane

After repeated defeats, the Philistines withdrew for a while to regroup.  During this interlude, David earned a great deal more respect from the people, aggravating Saul’s paranoia. Since he had been unable to trick David into getting killed by the Philistines, he ordered his servants to execute David, in I Samuel 18:30-19:1.  “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.  And Saul spake to Jonathan his son, and to all his servants, that they should kill David.”

Because they had similar attitudes, Jonathan and David had formed a strong bond, with Jonathan treating David like a beloved younger brother.  Unwilling to destroy that relationship, and realizing the anger was all on Saul’s side, Jonathan tried to resolve the issues, in I Samuel 19:2-7.  “But Jonathan Saul's son delighted much in David: and Jonathan told David, saying, Saul my father seeketh to kill thee: now therefore, I pray thee, take heed to thyself until the morning, and abide in a secret place, and hide thyself: And I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where thou art, and I will commune with my father of thee; and what I see, that I will tell thee.

And Jonathan spake good of David unto Saul his father, and said unto him, Let not the king sin against his servant, against David; because he hath not sinned against thee, and because his works have been to thee-ward very good: For he did put his life in his hand, and slew the Philistine, and the LORD wrought a great salvation for all Israel: thou sawest it, and didst rejoice: wherefore then wilt thou sin against innocent blood, to slay David without a cause?

And Saul hearkened unto the voice of Jonathan: and Saul sware, As the LORD liveth, he shall not be slain.  And Jonathan called David, and Jonathan showed him all those things. And Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence, as in times past.”

Reminding  of what all David had done for him, and warning him that it was wrong to hold such a grudge against him Jonathan convinced Saul to drop the issues for a while, is underlying selfish attitude did not change.  He still begrudged the attention David had earned, and as soon as something drew attention to David his anger and hatred resurfaced, as I Samuel 19:8-10 describes.  “And there was war again: and David went out, and fought with the Philistines, and slew them with a great slaughter; and they fled from him.  And the evil spirit from the LORD was upon Saul, as he sat in his house with his javelin in his hand: and David played with his hand.  And Saul sought to smite David even to the wall with the javelin; but he slipped away out of Saul's presence, and he smote the javelin into the wall: and David fled, and escaped that night.”

There is an old saying, “He who does you wrong will never forgive you.”  It seems like the more irrational und unjustifiable their anger is, the more unwilling people are to let it go.  I suspect that the problem is that when they are honest they feel guilty for their attitude, and instead of admitting they were wrong, they invent excuses to justify their anger.  Marriage counselors see this frequently, and it is very obvious among our political figures.   If the underlying attitude is not chanced, sooner or later it will resurface, and Satan uses this irrational hatred and anger to blind their minds so that they do not even consider the facts or the effects of what they are doing.  Because they have let their emotions override their intelligence, they are under Satanic control

When his attempt to murder David failed, Saul gave orders to have him murdered while he slept, in I Samuel 19:11-18.  “Saul also sent messengers unto David's house, to watch him, and to slay him in the morning: and Michal David's wife told him, saying, If thou save not thy life to night, to morrow thou shalt be slain.  So Michal let David down through a window: and he went, and fled, and escaped.  And Michal took an image, and laid it in the bed, and put a pillow of goats' hair for his bolster, and covered it with a cloth.  And when Saul sent messengers to take David, she said, He is sick.

And Saul sent the messengers again to see David, saying, Bring him up to me in the bed, that I may slay him.  And when the messengers were come in, behold, there was an image in the bed, with a pillow of goats' hair for his bolster.  And Saul said unto Michal, Why hast thou deceived me so, and sent away mine enemy, that he is escaped? And Michal answered Saul, He said unto me, Let me go; why should I kill thee?  So David fled, and escaped, and came to Samuel to Ramah, and told him all that Saul had done to him. And he and Samuel went and dwelt in Naioth.”

Michal loved David, and helped him escape, even delaying pursuit to give him time to get away, but she knew that Saul had been determined to kill his son Jonathan for unknowingly disobeying him in I Samuel 14:44.  She had no doubt he would kill her if he knew she had deliberately helped David, so she lied, claiming David had forced her to help him.  Though he was still able to function normally, Saul had allowed his selfishness and hatred to effectively drive him insane.  The longer he clings to that anger and hatred the worse it will become.

Saul Tries To Get David Killed

Saul had gotten jealous when the women had sung about Saul killing thousands and David killing tens of thousands, fearing David might try to usurp the throne.  After brooding about it all night, he had developed a bad attitude, and David came to play for hin and help him settle down, in I Samuel 18:10-11.  “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.  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.”

Seeing David playing the harp reminded Saul why he was so upset.  In a fit of rage, he hurled a spear at David, intending to kill him, but David managed to dodge it twice.  His failure to kill David increased Saul’s paranoia, as I Samuel 18:12-13 tells us.  “And Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him, and was departed from Saul.  Therefore Saul removed him from him, and made him his captain over a thousand; and he went out and came in before the people.”  People tend to judge others by what their own attitude and actions, and he feared David would try to kill him.  Knowing it would cause trouble if he had David executed, Saul promoted to be a field commander so he wouldn’t get the chance to kill him. 

David quickly earned the respect of his troops, worrying Saul even more.  Fearing any action against David would result in rebellion, Saul tried to put in a position where he would be killed by the Philistines, in I Samuel 18:14-18.  “And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the LORD was with him.  Wherefore when Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely, he was afraid of him.  But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out and came in before them.  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.

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?”  In an effort to motivate David to take unnecessary risks, Saul promised to give David his daughter Merab as his wife if he defeated the Philistines.   David was young and didn’t feel qualified to be a princess’ husband so he just performed his duties without taking chances.  He successfully defeated the Philistines, but Saul broke his promise, as I Samuel 18:19 tells us.  “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.” 

Like many political figures, Saul had only made the promise in an effort to get his own way, expecting David to be killed.    When David survived, Saul either had to keep his promise or lose his credibility, and since Merab had married someone else he had a problem.  Fortunately, his younger daughter, Michal had a crush on David and was close to the same age.  Saul thought he could use her to get rid of David.  He encouraged his servants to tell David he really wanted him as a son in law, and that if he could bring proof that he had killed a hundred Philistines, there would be no question of his deserving her, in I Samuel 18:20-25.  “And Michal Saul's daughter loved David: and they told Saul, and the thing pleased him. 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. 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.  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?

And the servants of Saul told him, saying, On this manner spake David.  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.”

David fell for Saul’s trickery, and did twice as much as Saul had requested, in I Samuel 18:26-29.  “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.  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.  And Saul saw and knew that the LORD was with David, and that Michal Saul's daughter loved him.  And Saul was yet the more afraid of David; and Saul became David's enemy continually.”

Saul’s plot failed and he was forced to keep his promise to let David marry Michal.  Realizing it was God protecting David, he became even more determined to kill him.  Sometimes it is amazing how dumb selfishness makes people, as we are seeing in American politics.  Please note that a person’s attitude is a product of their spirit, and affects everything they do.   While we can’t see the spirit, any more than we can see the wind, like the wind, we can see its effects in a person’s life. 

Selfishness Turns Saul Against David

David had served as Saul’s personal musician and armor bearer for some time, yet saul was so wrapped up in himself he didn’t even know who he was, according to I Samuel 17:55-58.  “And when Saul saw David go forth against the Philistine, he said unto Abner, the captain of the host, Abner, whose son is this youth?

And Abner said, As thy soul liveth, O king, I cannot tell.

And the king said, Inquire thou whose son the stripling is.  And as David returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, Abner took him, and brought him before Saul with the head of the Philistine in his hand.  And Saul said to him, Whose son art thou, thou young man?

And David answered, I am the son of thy servant Jesse the Bethlehemite.”

When David had been brought to play for Saul and help soothe his spirit, I Samuel 16:21 tells us, “And David came to Saul, and stood before him: and he loved him greatly; and he became his armourbearer.”  That Saul had so quickly forgotten who he was shows that Saul did not care about David himself, but only about what he did for him.  Over the years, Saul had become increasingly selfish, as his position allowed him to indulge his selfishness, and his only concern was how he could use men like David to accomplish his goals.    

Saul’s son Jonathan was apparently somewhat older than David, but as we have seen, he had a similar attitude of faith.  He treated David as a beloved younger brother, as I Samuel 18:1-4 tells us.  “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.  And Saul took him that day, and would let him go no more home to his father's house.  Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.  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.  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.”

Saul drafted David into the army, setting him over the army.  David was careful to follow orders and avoid offending more experienced soldiers, quickly earning their respect.  When the army returned home, they were accorded a triumphal procession, with David being given a hero’s acclaim, as I Samuel 18:6-7 tells us.  “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.  And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.”

Saul was a selfish person and became quite jealous of the admiration David received, in I Samuel 18:8-9.  “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?  And Saul eyed David from that day and forward.”   Saul knew that without David’s defeating Goliath, they might not have won the war, but he wanted the credit.   He became afraid the people might think David was better leader and make him king instead.  Assuming David wanted power as much as he did, Saul never quite trusted him from that time on. 

Sooner or later, selfishness destroys what could otherwise be good relationships.    

God Gets The Glory

Desperate to stop Goliath from demoralizing his troops, Saul accepted David’s offer to fight him.  In an effort to improve David’s chances for success, Saul gave him his own armor and weapons.  Trying it on, David discovered it didn’t fit properly, and he wasn’t experienced with the weapons.  That unfamiliarity with his weapons could well cause his death.  Laying aside those weapons, he took up the ones he was more confident about, even though they were not considered as good, in I Samuel 17:40.  “And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine.”

In one of his books about starting a business, Michael Masterson wrote that having too much money available when you start out can set one up for failure, and advises against getting a loan from the Small Business Administration.  With plenty of money, it is easy to over reach one’s abilities, signing contracts won can’t fulfill, purchasing stock that may not sell, or spending excessive amount on a new office or equipment and vehicles before there is sufficient income to pay for it and leaving the business without money to operate.  It can also result in one investing too much in one area that he cannot adjust to changing trends or unexpected competition. 

Masterson pointed out that  businesses that grow naturally are five times as likely to succeed as those who were given huge amounts of money to get started, partly because the owner is spending his own money and tends to be more careful how it is spent, working harder to make sure he is making good decisions.  As a result, mistakes or bad decisions tend to be manageable, and as he learns, become less common, enabling him to grow the business. 

David had used his sling and his staff to fight a bear and a lion, and knew how to use them, understanding that his success depended on God rather than his own skill.  As a result, he was able to boldly confront Goliath, despite his superior size and weapons.  Goliath was insulted that they didn’t even bother to send out an armed soldier to fight him, as I Samuel 17:41-44 tells us.  “And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David; and the man that bare the shield went before him.  And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance.  And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.  And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field.”  While a dog might run away if struck with a rock or a stick, surely they didn’t think an armored soldier would.  It was really insulting and he cussed him out. 

David pointed out that Goliath was depending on his weapons for success while he was depending on God, who Goliath had defied.  He thoroughly expected God to give him the victory just to show the Philistines who God was, as I Samuel 17:45-47 says.  “Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.  This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.  And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord's, and he will give you into our hands.”

The contest ended almost before it began.  God guided David’s stone so that it struck just below the edge of Goliath’s helmet, fracturing his skull and knocking him out, as I Samuel 17:48-51a describes.  “And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew nigh to meet David, that David hasted, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.  And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth.  So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David.  Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith…”  With Goliath unconscious, David had no trouble using his own sword to cut off his head, killing him. 

Confident no one could defeat Goliath, the Philistines were horrified to see him killed by an unarmed boy.  They were totally demoralized and panicked, as I Samuel 17:51b-53 describes.  “…And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled.  And the men of Israel and of Judah arose, and shouted, and pursued the Philistines, until thou come to the valley, and to the gates of Ekron. And the wounded of the Philistines fell down by the way to Shaaraim, even unto Gath, and unto Ekron.  And the children of Israel returned from chasing after the Philistines, and they spoiled their tents.”  The Philistines didn’t stop running until they were safe in the forts at home. 

Clearly, David had not needed Saul’s weapons when he had God to make him succeed.  Had he used Sau’s armor and weapons, his defeat of Goliath would have been less shocking, even if he had won.  God gets far more glory when we just use what he has given us instead of depending on what somebody else gives. 

Contrast Between Saul And David

Saul was desperate for someone to stop Goliath from demoralizing his army.  When he heard what David had said, he sent for him, in I Samuel 17:31.  “And when the words were heard which David spake, they rehearsed them before Saul: and he sent for him.”  David had not bragged that he would kill Goliath or anything of the sort, but had simply said he was making fun of god and his army.  Saul was hoping he could use those comments some way to motivate the army and prevent their being demoralized by Goliath’s challenge.   

It was obvious someone needed to fight Goliath, and since no one else was willing, David volunteered.  Like David’s older brother, Saul assumed David’s offer was just braggadocio, and that he had nor real idea what he was facing, as I Samuel 17:32-33 tells us.  “And David said to Saul, Let no man's heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine.

And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.”  After all, David wasn’t even old enough to join the army, and Goliath was a mature experienced soldier. 

David explained this was not the first time he had faced danger.  He also made it clear he recognized his victory had been because of God’s power, rather than his own skill and strength, in I Samuel 17:34-37.  “And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.  Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.  David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.”  If God would protect him against a lion and a bear that were just trying to kill some sheep, surely he would protect him against a giant who was trying to kill God’s people. 

With no one else willing to even try, Saul was stuck with David.  Hoping to improve his chances, he gave David the best weapons available, his own suit of armor, in I Samuel 17:38.  “And Saul armed David with his armour, and he put an helmet of brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail.”

Saul was the tallest man in Israel, nearly a foot taller than anyone else, according to I Samuel 10:23.  David was just a teen ager who had not yet reached his full height, and the armor was way too big for him.  David realized it would actually hamper his ability to fight, and especially since he had never practiced using it, in I Samuel 17:39.  “And David girded his sword upon his armour, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him.” 

Right here we see the contrast between David and Saul.  Saul’s entire focus was on human weapons and human abilities.   Like many leaders today, he thought he could win the victory if he had enough weapons and people were properly motivated. Like Jonathan, in I Samuel 14:6. David realized the victory depended on God rather than on military might or motivation. Too often, like Saul, we forget what II Chronicles 20:15 tells us. “…Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's.”   Frequently the very things people think are most needed to do God’s work hamper us, just like the armor would have hampered David.  

Intimidation

Time after time the Judges led Israel, depending on God for victory and turning the people back to following Him, and each time their enemies were unable or afraid to attack again until the leader died, because they recognized the power of God.   Saul was more dependent on his own abilities  and motivational skills.  While he had defeated the Philistines decisively, they had no sense of having been fighting God, and attacked again just a few years later, as I Samuel 17:1-3 describes.  “Now the Philistines gathered together their armies to battle, and were gathered together at Shochoh, which belongeth to Judah, and pitched between Shochoh and Azekah, in Ephesdammim.  And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered together, and pitched by the valley of Elah, and set the battle in array against the Philistines.  And the Philistines stood on a mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on a mountain on the other side: and there was a valley between them.”

After their previous battle against Saul, the Philistines were convinced they could win if they used the proper strategy.  They were not concerned about God’s role in battle, sending Goliath to intimidate the Israelites, according to I Samuel 17:4-10.  “And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span.  And he had an helmet of brass upon his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail; and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of brass.  And he had greaves of brass upon his legs, and a target of brass between his shoulders.  And the staff of his spear was like a weaver's beam; and his spear's head weighed six hundred shekels of iron: and one bearing a shield went before him.

And he stood and cried unto the armies of Israel, and said unto them, Why are ye come out to set your battle in array? am not I a Philistine, and ye servants to Saul? choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me.  If he be able to fight with me, and to kill me, then will we be your servants: but if I prevail against him, and kill him, then shall ye be our servants, and serve us.  And the Philistine said, I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together. ”

Goliath was huge, standing about nine foot nine.  He was immensely strong, wearing a coat of mail that weighed about a hundred fifty pounds, besides all the other armor.  His weapons were huge, with his spear being a large around as a wooden fence post, and the head weighed almost as much as a twenty pound sledge hammer.  Ordinary armor would provide almost no protection from such a weapon.  The promise that the Philistines would surrender if he was killed did nothing to allay their fear, as I Samuel 17:11 tells us.  “When Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid.”

David was the youngest of Jesse’s sons, and was much too young to fight in the battle, so he was sent home, while the three oldest boys joined the army.  About forty days after the two armies had met, Jesse send David to take some food to his brothers.  He arrived just in time to hear Goliath make his challenge again, in I Samuel 17:20-25.  “And David rose up early in the morning, and left the sheep with a keeper, and took, and went, as Jesse had commanded him; and he came to the trench, as the host was going forth to the fight, and shouted for the battle.  For Israel and the Philistines had put the battle in array, army against army.  And David left his carriage in the hand of the keeper of the carriage, and ran into the army, and came and saluted his brethren.  And as he talked with them, behold, there came up the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, out of the armies of the Philistines, and spake according to the same words: and David heard them.  And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him, and were sore afraid.  And the men of Israel said, Have ye seen this man that is come up? surely to defy Israel is he come up: and it shall be, that the man who killeth him, the king will enrich him with great riches, and will give him his daughter, and make his father's house free in Israel.”

In an effort to motivate the people, Saul had offered great rewards, including financial rewards, membership in the royal family, and exemptions from taxes and property seizures or being drafted for military service or labor on public projects.  While the people were impressed by the promised rewards, none of them had any hope of defeating Goliath.  Like the Philistines, the Israelites had discounted any role God might play in the battle.  In the previous battle with the Philistines, Saul had made the same mistake, saying, “…Cursed be the man that eateth any food until evening, that I may be avenged on mine enemies…” in I Samuel 14:24. 

David recognized that Goliath’s attack was not just on Israel, but was an attack on God’s power, in I Samuel 17;26.  “And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?”

The people had no understanding of what David was saying.  Even his older brother thought he was daydreaming about being the big hero and winning those rewards, in I Samuel 17:27-30.  “And the people answered him after this manner, saying, So shall it be done to the man that killeth him.

And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle.

And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?  And he turned from him toward another, and spake after the same manner: and the people answered him again after the former manner.”

David believed God was still able to do miracles like he had done in the past, and couldn’t understand why the others didn’t think he would.   He was not intimidated by Goliath’s threats as a result.

David Becomes Saul’s Personal Assistant

Because of Saul’s sin, God had made it very clear he was no longer to be king of Israel.  Were originally, the Spirit of God came on Saul directing him, Saul’s sin blocked the Holy Spirit from working in him as I Samuel 16:14 tells us.  “But the spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him. “  Galatians 5:22-23 describes the results of the Spirit in a person’s life.  “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”  Saul’s attitude changed as a result of the absence of the Holy Spirit, and he began to suffer bouts of depression and anger, overreacting to even minor annoyances. 

Concerned by the changes in Saul’s attitude and behavior, his servants recommended he start listening to soothing music to help calm him down when he began to feel upset, in I Samuel 16:15-16.  “And Saul's servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee.  Let our lord now command thy servants, which are before thee, to seek out a man, who is a cunning player on an harp: and it shall come to pass, when the evil spirit from God is upon thee, that he shall play with his hand, and thou shalt be well.”

When Saul agreed to try it, one of his servants recommended David for the job, in I Samuel 16:17-18.  “And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me.

Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the LORD is with him.”  Not only was David a skilled musician, but he would also make a valuable addition to the staff when Saul wasn’t struggling with depression and anger. 

Based on the servants recommendation Saul agreed to interview David, in I Samuel 16:19-21.  “Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said, Send me David thy son, which is with the sheep.  And Jesse took an ass laden with bread, and a bottle of wine, and a kid, and sent them by David his son unto Saul.  And David came to Saul, and stood before him: and he loved him greatly; and he became his armourbearer.”

Saul was impressed by David, and made him his personal assistant,  responsible for seeing that his armor and other needs were available at any time.  Because David was still a minor, Saul informed David’s father of the plan, and David  began his job in I Samuel 16:22-23.  “And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, Let David, I pray thee, stand before me; for he hath found favour in my sight.  And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.”

God had already named David to be the next king, and this would give David the opportunity to observe how Saul’s decision making and the results of his decisions first hand, preparing him for his future position.  In the meantime, at least for a while, his music soothed Saul’s spirit, and helped him control his emotions.  Unfortunately, because the music only alleviated the symptoms but did nothing for root cause of Saul’s anger and depression, his resentments continued to grow, just as happens so often today with efforts to treat depression and anger.  Physical approaches can only temporarily alleviate the symptoms of spiritual problems.  They can never cure the problem.