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.