An Insult Almost Leads David Into Sin

After David spared his life at Engedi, even Saul had to admit his hatred was unreasonable.  About the same time, Samuel died and all Israel came together to mourn his death.  David came and Saul did not attack him during the time of mourning, as I Samuel 25:1 tells us.  “And Samuel died; and all the Israelites were gathered together, and lamented him, and buried him in his house at Ramah. And David arose, and went down to the wilderness of Paran.”

 

David did not forget Saul’s unprovoked attacks, so after the funeral, he went to the wilderness of Paran for safety.  While in the wilderness, he and hs men protected the various farmers and sheepherders from both wild animals and raids by the Philistines and other groups, and helping with shearing and other needs.  Some of the shepherds they had helped worked for a rich man by the name of Nabal, as described in I Samuel 25:2-3.  “And there was a man in Maon, whose possessions were in Carmel; and the man was very great, and he had three thousand sheep, and a thousand goats: and he was shearing his sheep in Carmel.  Now the name of the man was Nabal; and the name of his wife Abigail: and she was a woman of good understanding, and of a beautiful countenance: but the man was churlish and evil in his doings; and he was of the house of Caleb.”

 

Shearing sheep is a very labor intensive job, and men would often help other shepherds with the job, expecting only their food and help with their own shearing.  David sent ten of his men to Nabal offering to help out, and asking for food for David’s men for the help they had already provided, in I Samuel 25:4-8.  “And David heard in the wilderness that Nabal did shear his sheep.  And David sent out ten young men, and David said unto the young men, Get you up to Carmel, and go to Nabal, and greet him in my name: And thus shall ye say to him that liveth in prosperity, Peace be both to thee, and peace be to thine house, and peace be unto all that thou hast.  And now I have heard that thou hast shearers: now thy shepherds which were with us, we hurt them not, neither was there ought missing unto them, all the while they were in Carmel.  Ask thy young men, and they will show thee. Wherefore let the young men find favour in thine eyes: for we come in a good day: give, I pray thee, whatsoever cometh to thine hand unto thy servants, and to thy son David.”

 

Nabal was a rude or churlish man, and took pride in putting down and embarrassing other people.  When Davids men came to him for help, he was very rude to them accusing them of being just a bunch of runaway slaves and beggars, as I Samuel 25:9-11 tells us.  “And when David's young men came, they spake to Nabal according to all those words in the name of David, and ceased.  And Nabal answered David's servants, and said, Who is David? and who is the son of Jesse? there be many servants now a days that break away every man from his master.  Shall I then take my bread, and my water, and my flesh that I have killed for my shearers, and give it unto men, whom I know not whence they be?”

 

Even the most godly of men can get angry when they are insulted, and David decided to kill Nabal and his descendants for insulting him and his men, in I Samuel 25:12-13.  “So David's young men turned their way, and went again, and came and told him all those sayings.  And David said unto his men, Gird ye on every man his sword. And they girded on every man his sword; and David also girded on his sword: and there went up after David about four hundred men; and two hundred abode by the stuff.”

 

Knowing how offensive Nabal’s behavior was, one of his employees told his wife what he had said, and how unjustifiable it was.  He warned that David and his men would not overlook such an insult, and that Nabal was so controlled by Satan no one could change his mind or get him to admit he was wrong.  They wanted to know if anything could be done to prevent what David might do, as I Samuel 25:14-17 tells us.  “But one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal's wife, saying, Behold, David sent messengers out of the wilderness to salute our master; and he railed on them.  But the men were very good unto us, and we were not hurt, neither missed we any thing, as long as we were conversant with them, when we were in the fields: They were a wall unto us both by night and day, all the while we were with them keeping the sheep.  Now therefore know and consider what thou wilt do; for evil is determined against our master, and against all his household: for he is such a son of Belial that a man cannot speak to him.”

 

 Abigail had had to deal with people Nabal had offended in the pastand knew how angry he could make people.  She quickly got things together that she hoped would placate David’s anger. She didn’t bother telling Nabal, knowing he would refuse to let her go, as I Samuel 25:18-20 tells us.  “Then Abigail made haste, and took two hundred loaves, and two bottles of wine, and five sheep ready dressed, and five measures of parched corn, and an hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid them on asses.  And she said unto her servants, Go on before me; behold, I come after you. But she told not her husband Nabal.  And it was so, as she rode on the ass, that she came down by the covert on the hill, and, behold, David and his men came down against her; and she met them.”

 

David had been so offended by Nabal’s words he had decided to kill Nabal and every man that worked for him. Fortunately, Abigail got there in time to talk to David and apologize for her husband’s behavior.  She was honest about his wicked attitudeand asked David not to do something stupid just because Nabal was stupid.  She recognized David and his men had every right to sak Nabal’s help for what they had done for him, in I Samuel 25:21-28.  “Now David had said, Surely in vain have I kept all that this fellow hath in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that pertained unto him: and he hath requited me evil for good.  So and more also do God unto the enemies of David, if I leave of all that pertain to him by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall.

 

And when Abigail saw David, she hasted, and lighted off the ass, and fell before David on her face, and bowed herself to the ground,  And fell at his feet, and said, Upon me, my lord, upon me let this iniquity be: and let thine handmaid, I pray thee, speak in thine audience, and hear the words of thine handmaid.  Let not my lord, I pray thee, regard this man of Belial, even Nabal: for as his name is, so is he; Nabal is his name, and folly is with him: but I thine handmaid saw not the young men of my lord, whom thou didst send.  Now therefore, my lord, as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, seeing the LORD hath withholden thee from coming to shed blood, and from avenging thyself with thine own hand, now let thine enemies, and they that seek evil to my lord, be as Nabal.  And now this blessing which thine handmaid hath brought unto my lord, let it even be given unto the young men that follow my lord.  I pray thee, forgive the trespass of thine handmaid: for the LORD will certainly make my lord a sure house; because my lord fighteth the battles of the LORD, and evil hath not been found in thee all thy days”

 

She continued by reminding David that he had been chosen to be king by God, and that if he did what he planned, he would have to live with the guilt for the rest of his life, in I Samuel 25:29-31.  “Yet a man is risen to pursue thee, and to seek thy soul: but the soul of my lord shall be bound in the bundle of life with the LORD thy God; and the souls of thine enemies, them shall he sling out, as out of the middle of a sling.  And it shall come to pass, when the LORD shall have done to my lord according to all the good that he hath spoken concerning thee, and shall have appointed thee ruler over Israel; That this shall be no grief unto thee, nor offence of heart unto my lord, either that thou hast shed blood causeless, or that my lord hath avenged himself: but when the LORD shall have dealt well with my lord, then remember thine handmaid.”

 

Unlike Nabal, David was not controlled by Satan, and was willing to listen to other opinions.  He appreciated Abigail’s warning and changed hi mind about what he was going to do, as I Samuel 25:32-35 describes.  “And David said to Abigail, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, which sent thee this day to meet me:  And blessed be thy advice, and blessed be thou, which hast kept me this day from coming to shed blood, and from avenging myself with mine own hand.  For in very deed, as the LORD God of Israel liveth, which hath kept me back from hurting thee, except thou hadst hasted and come to meet me, surely there had not been left unto Nabal by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall.  So David received of her hand that which she had brought him, and said unto her, Go up in peace to thine house; see, I have hearkened to thy voice, and have accepted thy person.” 

David Spares Saul’s Life

Saul had been forced to temporarily forget his effort to capture and kill David due to a Philistine invasion, but as soon as the threat was eliminated, he went back to his pursuit of David, with three thousand special forces, as described by I Samuel 24:1-2.  “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.”

 

In the wilderness of Engedi were a number of large sheep corrals where shepherds would shut up their sheepfor protection at night.  Near these corrals were  caves where the shepherds spent the night, and some of the caves were quite large.  Tired of hunting David, Saul went into one of the caves to take a nap.  As it happened, David and his men were hiding in that cave but Saul didn’t see them, as I Samuel 24:3 tells us.  “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.”

 

Almost everyone knew that God had chosen David as the next king of Israel. and David’s men saw this as God giving him an opportunity to get rid of his enemy, as I Samuel 24a:4describes.  “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 cut off the skrt of Saul’s robe as proof he could have killed him, but refused to kill him, hoping it would embarrass him and make him realize David had no intention of killing him.  Later he regretted even doing that, because although Saul was trying to kill him, he realized he still had no right to murder him and especially since he was a man God had chosen, as I Samuel 24b-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.”

 

After Saul left the cave, David revealed himself to him, Asking why Saul had listened to lies about his wish to kill him and showing he had no such intention, refusing to do so even when he had the chance, by displaying Saul’s skirt, as I Samuel 24:8-15 describes.  “David also arose afterward, and went out of the cave, and cried after Saul, saying, My lord the king. And when Saul looked behind him, David stooped with his face to the earth, and bowed himself.  And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men's words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt? Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the LORD had delivered thee to day into mine hand in the cave: and some bade me kill thee: but mine eye spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he is the LORD'S anointed.

 

Moreover, my father, see, yea, see the skirt of thy robe in my hand: for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe, and killed thee not, know thou and see that there is neither evil nor transgression in mine hand, and I have not sinned against thee; yet thou huntest my soul to take it. The LORD judge between me and thee, and the LORD avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.  As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.  After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea.  The LORD therefore be judge, and judge between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thine hand.”

 

David was willing to trust God to make things right and refused to try to force things to happen before God intended it.   Saul was forced to admit David was not trying to kill him and his own actions were wicked.  He admitted he knew David was following God and would one day be king, and asked David to promise not to destroy his family, in I Samuel 24:16-2.  “And it came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words unto Saul, that Saul said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And Saul lifted up his voice, and wept.  And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil.  And thou hast showed this day how that thou hast dealt well with me: forasmuch as when the LORD had delivered me into thine hand, thou killedst me not.  For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away? wherefore the LORD reward thee good for that thou hast done unto me this day.

 

And now, behold, I know well that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thine hand.  Swear now therefore unto me by the LORD, that thou wilt not cut off my seed after me, and that thou wilt not destroy my name out of my father's house.  And David sware unto Saul. And Saul went home; but David and his men gat them up unto the hold.”

 

Saul had repeatedly broken agreements in the past and David did not trust him not to break another one, so he and his men found another hiding place.    

God Intervenes To Save David

Knowing that Saul was determined to kill him, David took refuge in the wilderness.  Jonathan found out where he was and came out to encourage him, as described in 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. “

 

Hoping to incur the Kings favor, the inhabitants of the wilderness agreed to betray David to Saul, 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.”

 

By the time they came to the wilderness of Ziph, David had moved to wilderness of Maon.  In the wilderness of Maon, Saul was able to surround David and his men and his capture appeared certain, as 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.”

 

Desperate to kill David, Saul had taken the entire army to the wilderness, leaving the borders unguarded.  The Philistines had taken advantage of the situation to invade Israel, and if they were not stopped, they might take over all Israel.  To save the nation, Saul was forced to withdraw and fight the Philistines, as we see in 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.”

 

When Saul withdrew his army, David seized the opportunity to go to  place where he would be harder to trap, oing to the hills and caves of Engedi, as I Samuel 3:29 tells us.  “And David went up from thence, and dwelt in strong holds at Engedi.”

 

God had repeatedly saved David from Saul, but this is the most obvious time he directly intervened on David’s behalf. Only he could cause the Philistines to attack at just the right time to force Saul to withdraw.  Its easy to forget how powerful God is.  As Romans 8:31 asks,”…If God be for us, who can be against us?”  With all the power of the Israelite government behind him, Saul could not capture or kill David because God was protecting him.

  

Saul Neglects Business To Satisfy Obsession

As king, Saul’s primary job was to protect his people against foreign raiders, but he was so busy trying to kill David he didn’t have time to take care of business.  When David learned of Philistine raids, he asked God what he should do about them, in I Samuel 23:1-2.  “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.”

 

David’s men were concerned about getting caught between the Philistines and Saul’s army, so David asked the Lord again to make sure he was doing the right thing, in I Samuel 23:3-5.  “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 had done what was Saul’s responsibility, but Saul did not appreciate it, viewing it as an opportunity to trap David, as I Samuel 23:7-8 describes.  “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.”  A complete narcissist, Saul didn’t care about anyone or anything except getting his own way.  Instead of rescuing Keilah from the Philistines, he was going to attack the city in an effort to kill David. 

 

When Ahimelech’s son Abiathar fled Nob to escape Saul’s executioner, he had carried the Ephod, part of the High Priest’s garment with him, 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.”  Knowing Saul would not give up, David asked Abiathar to act as high priest and ask God what Saul would do, in I Samuel 23:9-12.  “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.”

 

God warned that not only would Saul come against him, but that because of their fear of Saul and his threats, the people of Keilah would betray David in an effort to keep Saul from attacking them.  David and his men left quickly, seeking a good and easily defended hiding place.  Upon learning of their departure, Saul turned elsewhere seeking them, as I Samuel 23:13-14 describes.  “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.  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.”

 

Demonically obsessed with killing David, Saul neglected everything else, but God prevented him from catching David.    

Saul Orders The Priests Killed

David had fled for asylum to Gath, but upon learning he had been recognized, he didn’t dare stay, hiding out in the cave Adullam, accompanied by his brothers and about four hundred other men.  Fearing for his parents safety, he took them to the king of Moab for safety, 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.”

 

The prophet Gad warned David not to stay in the cave as his presence there was known so he went and hid in a forest, 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 learned that David had been in the cave Adullam.  In his obsession, he accused his followers of selling out to David and betraying him, 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?”

 

In an effort to relieve Saul’s anger, Doeg the Edomite told about seeing David visiting with Ahimelech the priest, in I Samuel 22:9-10.  “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.”

 

Doeg successfully turned the anger away from Saul’s followers by redirecting it toward God’s priests.  Like many narcissists or sociopaths, once Saul got an idea into his mind, no amount of evidence or logic would change it, as we see in I Samuel 22:11-19.  “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.  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.”

 

While Doeg worshipped at the Tabernacle, he had no real fear or respect for God and he killed eighty five of the priests at Saul’s command.  Saul’s refusal to obey had turned God away from him, and his killing the priests started turning the people away from him, although he didn’t realize it at the time.  David protected the one priest who had escaped, gaining people’s respet when they learned about it, in I Samuel 22:20-23.  “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.” 

David Flees To The Philistines

Saul’s selfish attitude and determination to kill David was embarrassing enough to Jonathan, but when it went so far as trying to kill Jonathan for just asking why he was mad, it made him feel like his father was insane, and for the first time, he understood David’s efforts to avoid Saul.  As early as he could the next morning he went to warn David of Saul’s intentions, in I Samuel 20:35-40.  “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.  And Jonathan gave his artillery unto his lad, and said unto him, Go, carry them to the city.”

 

David was Jonathan’s best friend, but after what happened the day before, Jonathan knew3 Saul would kill him if he caught them together.  He had warned David with his tricks with the arrows, but when he sent his helper home, he wanted to spend a few minutes with David personally, making it clear he did not hate David like his father did, in I Samuel 20:41-42.  “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.”

 

Although Saul had tried to kill him while he was staying with Samuel at Naioth, David was sure the Priests would not betray him, and he felt public opinion and God’s law would make even Saul hesitate, so he went to Nob, to the High Priest for help.  Knowing Saul’s reputation, even Ahimelech was hesitant to help, but David assured him he was on a secret emergency mission for Saul.  Taking his word for it, Ahimelech provided food, in I Samuel21:1-6.  “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?  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.

 

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.”

 

As so often happens when we try to do something secretly, the priest’s efforts to help David were observed, according to 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 also requested any weapons the priests had, and was given the sword he had taken from Goliath, in I Samuel 21:8-10.  “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. 1sa 21:9 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.  And David arose, and fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath.”

 

Fearing Saul would send people to detain him, David took the food and the sword and fled to the Philistine city of Gath for safety.  Unfortunately, he was recognized, and in an effort to save his life, he pretended to be insane, knowing that they would hesitate to kill an insane person, as we see in I Samuel 21:11-15.  “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?”

 

The Philistines had enough mentally ill people and Achish didn’t want to be stuck supporting any more so David was left alone.  He went back into Israel, hidingin a cave.  Learning where he was, his brothers and others who had suffered from Saul’s sefishness joined him there, 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.”

Jonathan Realizes Saul’s Anger Is Not Normal

 People had accepted Saul’s uncontrolled rages as fairly normal, not realizing they were the result of demonic influence, and hired David to try to calm him down.  Even David did not take them particularly seriously, until he made a concerted planned effort to kill him, even trying to kill him when surrounded by the priests.  David went back to his friend Jonathan to try to learn why Saul hated him so bad.  Jonathan still didn’t really believe his father would do something like David described without sharing it with his family, as I Samuel 20:1-2 describes.  “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?  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.”

 

David reminded Jonathan that Saul knew of their friendship and might hide his plans, in I Samuel 20:3.  “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.”

 

Realizing how concerned David was, Jonathan agreed to help him find out if it was just a spur of the moment outburst or a serious threat, in I Samuel 20:4-8.  “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?

 

Jonathan suggested  a way of finding out if Saul was serious was serious about killing David and secretly communicating what he learned, in I Samuel 20:9-23.  “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.  Then Jonathan said to David, To morrow 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.

 

Jonathan understood that David had been chosen by God to be the next king and made a covenant with him that they would remain friends when David became king.  The plan worked like a charm, with Saul getting angry at Jonathan for taking up for Davidand when Jonathan questioned his anger, attempting to kill him, as Described in I Samuel 20:24-34.  “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.  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?

 

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.  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.

 

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.   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.”

 

In his selfishness, Saul didn’t even care if his own son was killed as long as he got his way.  It was a shocking revelation to Jonathan, who stormed away from the table, embarrassed by his father’s abusive behavior.  Even he had not realized how out of control his father was.

 

Saul’s Demonic Obsession Grows

 The more successful David was, the more Saul’s evil spirit or attitude toward him grew, controlling his thinking.  When the Philistines invaded again, David’s strategies were more successful than  others leaders, earning him a lot of respect, as I Samuel 18:30 tells us.  “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.” Obsessed with the idea David was trying to seize his position, Saul ordered his advisors and body guards to kill David in I Samuel 19:1.  “And Saul spake to Jonathan his son, and to all his servants, that they should kill David.”

 

David and Jonathan were best friends, so Jonathan warned David what Saul had said.  Hoping it was just a spur of the moment statement and not something Saul actually meant, Jonathan encouraged David to hide out until he could find out how serious Saul was, in I Samuel 19:2-3.  “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.”

 

Jonathan then reminded Saul of how faithful David had been and how much he had done for Saul.  Saul agreed that his order had been illogical and unfair, promising David would not be killed.  Believing everything was okay, Jonathan brought David to meet with Saul, in I Samuel 19:4-7.  “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.”

 

Everything seemed fine until the Philistines attacked again and David was successful in defeating them.  Reminded of his hesitation and feeling inferior to David, Saul again attempted to kill him, in I Samuel 19:8-10.  “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.”

 

When David dodged the bullet, Saul sent men to follow him home and kIll him when he left the house the next morning.  Knowing her father’s anger, Michal had no doubt what he would do, and helped David to escape, in I Samuel 19:11-17.  “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?” Fearing for her own life, Michal intimated that David had threatened to kill her if she didn’t help him. 

 

David fled to Samuel for protection, as the prophet and representative of god for sanctuary. Demonically obsessed, Saul repeatedly sent men to kill David, in defiance of God and his law, but God stopped them, in I Samuel 19:18-21. 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.  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.”

 

When his assassins failed to kil David, Saul decided he would have to do it himself.  The Spirit of God came over him, temporarily distracting him from his plan< 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?”

 

God’s spirit came on Saul, overpowering the demonic spirit and causing him to prophesy.  As a result some people concluded Saul must be a prophet of God even though he was being led of a demonic spirit.  Many times we forget God is so powerful he can even cause Satan or the demons to do what he wants. 

Saul Attempts to Get David Killed

Saul’s attempts to kill David had failed, as had his effort to get him out of the public eye, David’s increasing popularity began to be a real concern for Saul, but it was apparent any open attack would turn people against him.  Believing David was trying to take over the kingdom, Saul decided to use his ambition to destroy David, in 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.”

 

Like most selfish people, Saul did not love even his own, children, just using and manipulating them to get his way,  David was not interested in marrying Saul’s daughter to gain power, so Saul broke his promise, trading her for benefits from someone else, as I Samuel 18:18-19 describes.  “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?  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.”

 

David had not been interested in Saul’s oldest daughter, but his youngest developed a crush on Him and Saul decided to use it against him, in I Samuel 18:20-23a.  “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. …”

 

David liked Michal, but he didn’t feel like he could afford the dowry he would need to marry the king’s daughter.   Saul had his servants tell David that he would accept proof that he had killed a hundrd Philistines would be payment enough., in I Samuel 23b-25.  “…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 liked Michal and the offer sounded Good.  Not being conniving like Sau, he never thought that the offer was made in the hopes that in trying to kill a hundred Philistines within a set amount of time, one of them would kill him, so David agreed, fulfilling and exceeding the agreement, in I Samuel 18:26-27.  “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.”

 

David’s success in killing not just one hundred but two hundred Philistines and his growing popularity made Saul more jealous of him.  He became increasingly concerned that David would kill him and seize the kingdom, as I Samuel 18:28-29 describes.  “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 became obsessed with trying to get rid of David. 

 

Saul Gets Jealous

 Saul’s fear of one man had held up the Israelite army for forty days. When David trusted God and defeated Goliath, the entire army dared to attack the Philistines, as I Samuel 17:51-54 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.  And David took the head of the Philistine, and brought it to Jerusalem; but he put his armour in his tent.”  The only thing holding Israel back was their leader’s lack of faith. 

 

David had spent considerable time as Saul’s armor bearer and playing music to soothe him when he was struggling with his anger and depression, but Saul was so wrapped up in himself he didn’t recognize him as I Samuel 17:55-58 tells us.  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.”

 

Jonathan had an attitude or spirit similar to David’s, as demonstrated by his willingness to trust God to give him victory, in I Samuel 14.  He and David immediately became best friends, as I Samuel 18:1-4 describes.  “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.”

 

Saul basked in the glory of David’s victory over Goliath and the subsequent victory over the Philistines, insisting David stay with him, but when people began to focus on David rather than himself Saul became jealous, as we see in I Samuel 18:5-9.  “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.  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.  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.”

 

Selfish people tend to assume others have the same attitudes they have, and Saul assumed David was trying to take over the kingdom.  The more he dwelt on that assumption the more angry he became, even though David had done nothing to indicate any such desire. Letting his mind be controlled by a demonic spirit of jealousy, Saul tried to kill David, 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.”

 

When two attempts to kill David failed, Saul realized God was protecting him and became afraid David would seize control.  He had him transferred to a little known base far from the capital in an unsuccessful  effort to get him out of the public eye, as I Samuel 18:12-16 describes.  “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.  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.”

 

David And Goliath

 Unlike the other Judges, Samson had never fought to glorify God, but always to accomplish his own goals, and the Philistines repeatedly attacked Israel under his leadership and under Eli’s.  After the defeat under Samuel’s leadership, they didn’t come again until Saul became king.  Like Samson, Saul was focused on his own goals and strengths, and while he had defeated the Philistines the first time, they were convinced they could still defeat him. 

 

The Philistines invaded Israel, and Saul went out to fight them, as described in I Samuel 17:1-3.  “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.

 

In the previous fight with the Philistines, Saul had been afraid to attack, fearing god would not give the victory.  He had the same attitude when they came back, and a single man, Goliath was able to terrify Saul, and the entire army, as described in I Samuel 17:4-11.  “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.   When Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid.”

 

Though David had served as Saul’s armor bearer, he was under age for military service, so when the Philistines Invaded Israel, David was sent home while his older brothers were drafted, as I Samuel 17:12-15 describes.  “Now David was the son of that Ephrathite of Bethlehemjudah, whose name was Jesse; and he had eight sons: and the man went among men for an old man in the days of Saul.  And the three eldest sons of Jesse went and followed Saul to the battle: and the names of his three sons that went to the battle were Eliab the firstborn, and next unto him Abinadab, and the third Shammah.  And David was the youngest: and the three eldest followed Saul.  But David went and returned from Saul to feed his father's sheep at Bethlehem.:

 

Saul had dithered around, afraid to attack the Philistines for forty days, and finally David’s father sent him to check on his brothers and find out what was happening, , in I Samuel 17:16-21.  “And the Philistine drew near morning and evening, and presented himself forty days.  And Jesse said unto David his son, Take now for thy brethren an ephah of this parched corn, and these ten loaves, and run to the camp to thy brethren; And carry these ten cheeses unto the captain of their thousand, and look how thy brethren fare, and take their pledge.  Now Saul, and they, and all the men of Israel, were in the valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines.  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.”

 

The armies were all prepared to fight, but just as David arrived, Goliath challenged the Israelite and they ran away from him, as I Samuel 17:22-25 describes.  “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.”

 

David was stunned that for forty days, they had been prepared to fight but fear of Goliath had prevented them doing anything.  When he heard talk about a reward for destroying Goliath, it was apparent this was not something new and he enquired further, in  I Samuel 17:26-27.  “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?  And the people answered him after this manner, saying, So shall it be done to the man that killeth him.”

 

David couldn’t understand how they could have let a single man stop the entire army and his questions embarrassed his older brother, who accused him of running away from his own responsibility to come and watch the battle.  David kept asking his questions, and after a while, Saul heard about it, in I Samuel 17:23-31.  “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.  And when the words were heard which David spake, they rehearsed them before Saul: and he sent for him.”

 

It was embarrassing to have one man stop his entire army, but Saul was not about to start the fight himself, though he was the biggest man in Israel.  He was willing to do almost anything, and jumped at David’s offer to fight Goliath, especially after learning that David had fought a bear and a lion, in I Samuel 17:32-37.  “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.  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.”

 

Saul had the best weapons available, and afraid to go himself, he didn’t think David could possibly win without equally good weapons, so he gave David his own, in I Samuel 17:38-39.  “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.  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.”

 

David realized that the weapons Saul was giving him were more likely to get him killed than to save him, so he reverted back to what he was used to, trusting God to give the victory, as described 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.”

 

The Philistine was offended tht they didn’t take him seriously enough to send a full grown man out 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.”

 

David’s response to Goliath reveals the difference between his and Saul’s attitudes.  While Saul was concerned about his own reputation, David was concerned about God’s reputation, as I Samuel 17:45-47 describes.  “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.”

 

Without God’s support, there was no way that David could have defeated Goliath, but God cause the stone to hit exactly the proper place to knock Goliath out then use his own sword to behead him, in I Samuel 17:48-51.  “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. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled.”

Saul Taken Over By a Demonic Spirit

From the beginning, Saul’s faith had been in his ability to manipulate people to do what he wanted, and he tried to manipulate God in a similar fashion by his sacrifices and prayers.  At first, he allowed God to direct his actions, but as time passed he became more confident of his own rightness and less concerned with what God wanted, eventually even ignoring god’s commands and getting angry when confronted.  Eventually Samuel was forced to withdraw his support, and no longer allowed god to guide him.    His selfish attitude caused the Holy spirit to withdraw and opened the door for demonic influence in his life, as we see in I Samuel 16:14.  “But the spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him.” 

 

Not understanding that the problem was a spiritual problem, Saul’s servants sought for physical things to calm him down, in I Samuel 16:15-17.  “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.  And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me.”

 

As a result of their decision, David was brought before Saul, in I Samuel 16:18-22.  “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.  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.  And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, Let David, I pray thee, stand before me; for he hath found favour in my sight.”

 

As Saul’s armor bearer, David was in a position to meet the leaders of Israel and see what was needed for leadership as well as learning how the political system worked so that when he became king he would be prepared to take charge. 

 

Unfortunately, Saul’s problem was a spiritual problem, not a physical one, and the efforts to quiet his spirit did not cure the problem although the music would temporarily calm his anger, as I Samuel 16:23 describes.  “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.” 

 

Today, our Psychologists and psychiatrists make the same mistake, using Drugs and counseling to temporarily relieve the symptoms but doing nothing to cure the problems, which continue to get worse.  Curing such problems requires a whole new spirit or attitude.  Just teaching them to use more socially acceptable ways of releasing their feelings or drugging them up does not fix the underlying problem. 

David Anointed as King

Saul had disobeyed God, but his refusal to admit his sin was the biggest problem, as I John 1:8-10 tells us.  “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”  

 

Saul’s refusal to admit his guilt was a definite rejection of God and his authority, and Samuel could no longer work closely with him, even though he had been chosen by God as the leader of Israel.  God told Samuel not to let his concern for Saul to distract him from following the Lord, in I Samuel 15:35-16:1.  “And Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death: nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul: and the LORD repented that he had made Saul king over Israel.  And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.” 

 

Because of Saul’s sin, God wanted Samuel to anoint David as the next king. Samuel knew that Saul was very selfish and would get angry at losing his authority.  He asked God for guidance to keep from being killed, in I Samuel 16:2-3.  “And Samuel said, How can I go? if Saul hear it, he will kill me. And the LORD said, Take an heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the LORD.  And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show thee what thou shalt do: and thou shalt anoint unto me him whom I name unto thee.”

 

The people knew about the separation between Saul and Samuel, and remembered Saul’s determination to have his own way, even to the point of ordering the execution of his own son.  When Samuel came to Bethlehem, the people were afraid of what Saul might do.   Samuel asked the men to participate in a feast to the Lord, in I Samuel 16:4-5.  “And Samuel did that which the LORD spake, and came to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, Comest thou peaceably?  And he said, Peaceably: I am come to sacrifice unto the LORD: sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice. And he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice.”

 

God had told Samuel that the next King was to be one of Jesse’s sons, and Samuel was observing them, trying to guess which one it was.  God made it very clear that his choice was not based on the things people normally look at, in I Samuel 16:6-7.  “And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the Lord's anointed is before him.  But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.”

 

Unfortunately, people still frequently look for the wrong things in choosing a leader, whether political or religious.  We get wrapped up in his education, their appearance, and their ability to raise money and motivate people while God is more concerned with their heart attitude. None of the seven who were present were the ones God had chosen, as we see in I Samuel 16:8-10.  “Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this.  Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this.  Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The LORD hath not chosen these. “

 

God had told Samuel one of Jesse’s sons was the one he had chosen.  When none of those present were selected, Samuel asked if there were any other sons.  Jesse Said that because he was so young, they had left the youngest to take care of the sheep while the older ones went to the feast.  When he was brought in, God told Samuel this was the right one, in I Samuel 16:11-12.  “And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither.  And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he.”

 

Though David seemed an unlikely successor to Saul, Samuel believed God when he told him to anoint him as king, acting without question, in I Samuel a6:13.  “Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.”