Tomorrow I have to teach 100+ nine year old students about 1 Samuel 18:1-16. Here is what I have learned so far...
1 Samuel 18:2- 16 1 After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. 2From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family. 3 And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. 4 Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt.
5 Whatever mission Saul sent him on, David was so successful that Saul gave him a high rank in the army. This pleased all the troops, and Saul’s officers as well.
6 When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with timbrels and lyres. 7 As they danced, they sang:
“Saul has slain his thousands,
and David his tens of thousands.”
8 Saul was very angry; this refrain displeased him greatly. “They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?” 9 And from that time on Saul kept a close eye on David.
10 The next day an evil[a] spirit from God came forcefully on Saul. He was prophesying in his house, while David was playing the lyre, as he usually did. Saul had a spear in his hand 11 and he hurled it, saying to himself, “I’ll pin David to the wall.” But David eluded him twice.
12 Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with David but had departed from Saul.
13 So he sent David away from him and gave him command over a thousand men, and David led the troops in their campaigns. 14 In everything he did he had great success, because the LORD was with him. 15 When Saul saw how successful he was, he was afraid of him. 16 But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he led them in their campaigns.
So What can we learn about David, Jonathan, and Saul from this passage?
Jonathan- When Jonathan gave David the robe and his armor, he was saiding with his actions, “You will be the next king of Israel. You should be dressed and armed as the crown prince. God’s hand is one you, and these rightfully belong to you.” Jonathan surrendered to God, as he could see the hand of the LORD upon David. He knew David was called to be king and was perfectly willing to set aside his own desires to rule and to honor the LORD’s choice as king.
David- David was fully submitted to Saul, and sought to serve Saul in every way. He would not take Saul’s position or authority in any way. David quickly become popular. But, why? David became popular because he was a man after God’s own heart and people could see the love and the wisdom that God had given him. David was happy to hear these affirming words, but he didn’t let it dominate his thinking. He kept the humility of a shepherd, even when he was set up to be the king. You can also see this as well when David deals with the criticism from his brother Eliab (1 Samuel 17:28-30). When Eliab tried to discourage and mock him, David didn’t like it, but it didn’t crush him. It didn’t stop him. David could put the opinion of man in the right perspective because he cared more about the opinion of God. The same hands that had killed Goliath was now playing music unto the LORD, ministering to a king troubled by a distressing spirit! Most men, after the fame that came to David, would consider this kind of service “beneath” them. David was a general in the army, famous in all Israel, and had women dancing and singing his praises. Yet he will perform this job of personally ministering to Saul in music.
Also, Saul was trying to kill David. What did David do? David didn’t pick up the spear and he didn’t throw it back. He simply got out of the way. No one could blame David if he struck back; We all have heard of self-defense. However, David had a different heart. David had made up his mind to leave the situation in God’s hands, and not take the throne himself. God would have to take care of Saul, because David wouldn’t do it! Why was this? Was it because David was scared to do so? No, he showed his courage in the battle with Goliath. So, he was saying... "LORD, you put Saul on the throne. And I know I’m supposed to the be next king, because You have given me Your promise and Your anointing. But getting Saul out of the way is Your business. I won’t touch it, because he is an authority appointed by You. You started his reign, so You have to end it.”Saul- Saul couldn't do this. Saul did not have a right relationship, or a close relationship, with the LORD. All he had to affirm his heart was the praise of man, so when David was more praised than he, it really bothered Saul. The crowds did praise Saul. They did sing, “Saul has slain his thousands.” What’s wrong with that? Isn’t it enough to slay thousands? For Saul, it wasn’t enough as long as someone else was slaying his ten thousands. In fact, Saul should have been grateful! Saul was treated better than he deserved, and he still resented it! So Saul was out to get David from that day forward: He was suspicious towards David. All that he thought of David wasn't reality, but his own twisted reality. Do you have a twisted reality of those around you? Do you get upset when people don't treat you as they should...do you treat those more successful, more beautiful, more happy than you, with contempt?Lastly, how does the Bible story point to Jesus? Like David, Jesus suffered at the hands of unjust authorities, but He obeyed because He loved God. His sacrifice allows you to know and experience God’s love, faithfulness, and mercy (lovingkindness) in the midst of injustice.
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