1 Samuel Chapter 18

Conflict Between Saul and David
A. David, Jonathan, and Saul

1 Samuel 18:1-4
“Now when he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. Saul took him that day, and would not let him go home to his father’s house anymore. Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul. And Jonathan took off the robe that was on him and gave it to David, with his armor, even to his sword and his bow and his belt.”

When David had finished speaking to Saul after the victory over Goliath, the attention of all Israel turned to him. His fame was sealed, and his reputation as a man of courage and faith became known among the people and leadership of Israel. At that moment, Jonathan, Saul’s son, witnessed David’s courage, humility, and faith in the living God. The Scripture says that “the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David,” meaning that their hearts were bound together in a deep and godly friendship rooted in their shared faith and character. Jonathan loved David as his own soul, indicating a spiritual and brotherly affection grounded in loyalty and righteousness, not in selfish interest.

Jonathan was first introduced earlier in 1 Samuel 14, where he displayed his own courage and trust in the Lord by single-handedly attacking a Philistine garrison with only his armor-bearer, saying, “It may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few.” Jonathan was a man of faith, courage, and action, just as David was. The two were similar in temperament, boldness, and godly conviction. Both men loved and trusted the Lord and were willing to risk their lives for His glory. Though they shared many similarities, they also had striking differences. Jonathan was the son of a king, the crown prince of Israel (1 Chronicles 9:39), while David was the youngest son of a simple shepherd from Bethlehem. By all human expectations, Jonathan was heir to Israel’s throne, yet the Lord had chosen David.

The bond between Jonathan and David was not formed out of politics or ambition but out of a shared reverence for God. When Jonathan heard David speak, he recognized in him the same heart for the Lord that he possessed. Their friendship was a spiritual union, a knitting together of souls because of their mutual faith and devotion. Despite Jonathan’s position as heir to the throne, he did not see David as a rival. Instead, he loved him as a brother and accepted God’s will. This selfless love is what defined Jonathan’s character.

Saul, recognizing David’s growing importance, took him into his service permanently, not allowing him to return home to his father’s house. David’s life as a shepherd was now behind him. Yet, though he would no longer watch over sheep, he still retained a shepherd’s heart — one that cared deeply for God’s people and sought to lead them with humility.

Jonathan and David then made a covenant, a solemn agreement before God, binding themselves in friendship, loyalty, and faithfulness. This covenant would endure trials, political tension, and even Saul’s murderous jealousy. It was a bond of integrity and spiritual brotherhood that transcended personal ambition.

Jonathan confirmed this covenant by giving David his robe, his armor, his sword, his bow, and his belt. In ancient custom, such an act symbolized the transfer of honor, authority, and even one’s claim to succession. By giving these to David, Jonathan was effectively recognizing David as God’s chosen one for the throne. He willingly set aside his own right to the crown out of submission to the Lord’s plan. Jonathan’s humility and faith were remarkable, demonstrating that he sought God’s will above his own advancement.

David, in turn, accepted Jonathan’s gifts with gratitude and humility. Unlike Saul, who tried to impose his armor upon David before the battle with Goliath, Jonathan’s armor fit not only physically but spiritually. Their hearts and faith were aligned, allowing David to receive what Saul could not give. David did not become proud or arrogant at Jonathan’s gesture. He did not boast or act as if he were now the rightful ruler. Instead, David waited patiently for God’s timing, knowing that the Lord who anointed him through Samuel would establish him as king in His own way and at His own time.

This passage also makes it clear that Jonathan and David’s love for one another was not romantic or sexual, as some modern interpreters mistakenly suggest. Scripture condemns homosexuality as sin (Leviticus 18:22, Romans 1:26–27), but the love described here is brotherly and covenantal, born from a deep spiritual connection and mutual respect. It reflects the kind of godly love that should exist between believers. Jesus Himself said in John 15:13, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” Jonathan would later prove this by risking his life to defend David from Saul’s wrath.

Their friendship serves as a model of selfless devotion, humility, and godly loyalty. Both men placed their love for the Lord above personal ambition. They valued obedience to God more than the pursuit of power or position. The throne of Israel was not as important to them as honoring God’s will. Because of that, their friendship endured persecution, separation, and even death. It was a bond sanctified by faith, courage, and covenant loyalty.

2. Saul’s Jealousy of David
1 Samuel 18:5–9
“So David went out wherever Saul sent him, and behaved 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. Now it had happened as they were coming home, when David was returning from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women had come out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with joy, and with musical instruments. So the women sang as they danced, and said: ‘Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.’ Then Saul was very angry, and the saying displeased him; and he said, ‘They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed only thousands. Now what more can he have but the kingdom?’ So Saul eyed David from that day forward.”

David continued to serve Saul faithfully after his victory over Goliath. The text tells us that he “behaved wisely,” meaning that his conduct was governed by humility, discernment, and reverence toward God. David did not seek to advance himself through manipulation or ambition; he simply obeyed Saul’s commands and did his duty with excellence. His faithfulness and prudence were so evident that Saul promoted him to a high position over the men of war, a remarkable responsibility for one so young. Though only in his early twenties, David handled this responsibility with maturity and godly wisdom.

David’s leadership brought him favor among both the people and Saul’s servants. This was not because David was a flatterer or a man-pleaser, but because his integrity and godliness were unmistakable. The people saw in him a man whose strength and success came from the Lord, not from political skill or self-promotion. It is natural that Saul initially appreciated this. At first, he likely felt proud of his decision to elevate David, thinking, “I chose well. My servant brings victory and praise to my name.” Yet, as often happens with insecure leaders, that initial pride quickly turned to envy when David’s success began to overshadow his own.

As Israel returned victorious from battle, the women came out from all the cities, singing and dancing to celebrate the triumph. Their joyful song was meant to honor both Saul and David, yet the comparison was clear: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.” In their enthusiasm, the women exalted David as the greater warrior. Their intent was not to insult Saul, but to express gratitude and admiration for the man through whom God had delivered Israel from the Philistines. However, for Saul, the words were like a dagger to his pride.

Saul’s anger and jealousy erupted immediately. The Scripture says, “Then Saul was very angry, and the saying displeased him.” His heart, already distant from God, could not handle the success of another man. Instead of rejoicing that God had raised up a deliverer for Israel, Saul saw David’s popularity as a personal threat. His statement, “Now what more can he have but the kingdom?” revealed the depth of his insecurity. Saul’s mind leapt to extremes, concluding that David’s growing fame meant he would soon take the throne.

Jealousy in leadership is always a sign of spiritual decay. A godly leader rejoices when others succeed, knowing that all victory belongs to the Lord. But Saul, walking in the flesh and estranged from God’s Spirit, viewed David’s achievements as competition rather than cooperation. The same David who had risked his life to save Israel now became the object of Saul’s suspicion and resentment. This marks the beginning of Saul’s descent into paranoia, as he allowed envy to take root in his heart.

David’s rise to popularity was a test of character — one that many fail. It is often harder to remain humble in success than to remain steadfast in hardship. Yet David passed this test. He did not let the song of the women inflate his ego or cause him to despise Saul. The text later says, “And David behaved wisely in all his ways, and the LORD was with him.” His focus remained on serving God faithfully, not on seeking glory. Because David’s heart had been trained in the obscurity of the shepherd’s field, he knew how to handle fame without losing sight of who gave it. He had learned to be content when no one praised him, and therefore, he could remain humble when everyone did.

Saul’s jealousy, however, exposed the weakness of his soul. He was dependent upon the praise of men for his sense of worth. When David received greater praise, Saul’s fragile ego collapsed. The man who once stood head and shoulders above all Israel now revealed the smallness of his spirit. This jealousy was not merely emotional but spiritual. Saul knew that Samuel had told him, “The LORD hath rejected thee from being king over Israel” (1 Samuel 15:26). His guilty conscience reminded him that his days on the throne were numbered. When he saw the Lord’s favor resting upon David, he recognized his replacement. Rather than repenting and accepting God’s will, Saul hardened his heart and began to fight against what he knew was inevitable.

From that day forward, Saul “eyed David,” meaning he watched him with suspicion and hostility. Every word and deed of David’s was now twisted in Saul’s mind. As the commentator John Trapp observed, envy became like “a worm continually gnawing upon his entrails,” consuming his peace and sanity. This marked the beginning of Saul’s spiritual and psychological unraveling.

This passage is a sober reminder that pride and envy can destroy even the strongest of men. Saul’s jealousy not only alienated him from David but also from God Himself. The Lord resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. David’s humility and wisdom contrasted sharply with Saul’s insecurity and pride, setting the stage for the long conflict that would follow between them.

B. Saul’s First Attempt to Kill David

1 Samuel 18:10
“And it happened on the next day that the distressing spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied inside the house. So David played music with his hand, as at other times; but there was a spear in Saul’s hand.”

The very next day after Saul’s jealousy began to fester, the spiritual darkness that plagued him returned. Scripture says, “the distressing spirit from God came upon Saul.” This spirit had first appeared earlier in 1 Samuel 16:14, where we read: “But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him.” Because Saul had persistently disobeyed the Lord and rejected His commands, the Spirit of God had withdrawn from him, and in God’s righteous judgment, He permitted a distressing or tormenting spirit to trouble Saul. This did not mean that God Himself was the author of evil, but that He allowed an evil spirit to afflict Saul as divine discipline and as a means of exposing his hardened heart.

David had originally been brought into Saul’s court for this very reason. In those earlier days, David’s music had soothed Saul’s tormented spirit, bringing temporary relief from his inner turmoil. But now, the situation was far different. The same David who had once ministered comfort to Saul was now the object of his envy and rage. The soothing music that once calmed him now stirred up his jealousy.

The text says Saul “prophesied inside the house.” However, this is not true prophetic speech from the Lord. The Hebrew verb used here can refer either to divine inspiration or to ecstatic ravings. In this context, Saul’s “prophesying” was not the utterance of God’s truth but the incoherent speech of a man overcome by spiritual torment and mental instability. He raved like one possessed, perhaps muttering half-formed prayers or delusional curses, as Clarke notes: “He was beside himself; made prayers, supplications, and incoherent imprecations: ‘God preserve my life,’ ‘Destroy my enemies,’ or such like prayers, might frequently escape from him in his agitated state.”

David, meanwhile, continued to fulfill his role with humility and faithfulness. The same hands that had once wielded the sling against Goliath now played the harp before Saul. The same hands that had carried the severed head of the Philistine giant now ministered in gentleness and worship. This contrast displays David’s remarkable character. He was as skilled in the stillness of worship as he was in the heat of battle. His greatness was not only in his courage but in his humility. Though now a national hero and a high-ranking officer, David did not view the task of playing music for Saul as beneath him. He continued to serve faithfully wherever God had placed him, demonstrating a servant’s heart even toward a man who was becoming his enemy.

The scene also presents a striking visual contrast: David held a harp, but Saul held a spear. The harp symbolized peace, worship, and spiritual ministry; the spear symbolized violence, jealousy, and the fleshly attempt to control circumstances by force. David’s heart was filled with the Spirit of God, while Saul’s was filled with torment and rage. This picture captures the great divide between a man after God’s own heart and a man who has turned from God.

Saul’s spear reveals his inward condition. Though outwardly still the king of Israel, inwardly he was consumed by fear, suspicion, and wrath. The weapon in his hand symbolized his hostility toward David and, more broadly, toward God’s will. The presence of the distressing spirit shows that Saul’s rejection of the Lord had opened a door to demonic influence. What once began as simple insecurity now matured into spiritual bondage. The Spirit of the Lord had left him, and the result was torment without peace.

This moment marks the beginning of open hostility between Saul and David. David’s harp could calm Saul’s spirit temporarily, but it could not change his heart. Saul’s problem was not mental but spiritual. Until he repented and sought the Lord, his torment would only grow worse. The spear in his hand would soon reveal what was already festering in his heart — murder.

David’s attitude in this situation exemplifies the patience and submission of a man who trusts in God’s timing. Even though Saul was unjust and unstable, David did not retaliate or flee prematurely. He remained faithful in service, honoring Saul’s position as king while entrusting his future to the Lord. This faithful endurance would become one of the defining traits of David’s character throughout his years of persecution under Saul.

2. Saul Throws a Spear at David
1 Samuel 18:11
“And Saul cast the spear, for he said, I will pin David to the wall. And David escaped his presence twice.”

The tension that had been brewing in Saul’s heart finally erupted into open violence. The same hand that once beckoned David to play the harp now hurled a spear with murderous intent. The text says plainly, “And Saul cast the spear,” showing that the jealousy which had been allowed to fester within Saul had now given birth to sin and violence. Scripture warns in James 1:15, “Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” Saul’s envy of David’s favor and success led to hatred, and hatred, when unchecked, sought to destroy.

The spear in Saul’s hand became the instrument of his inward corruption. Just as the Spirit of God had once empowered him for victory, now a distressing spirit prompted him to destruction. Yet, this evil spirit did not force Saul to act—it merely provoked what was already in his heart. Saul still made a choice. He could have humbled himself before the Lord, confessed his sin, and asked David for forgiveness. Instead, he chose to indulge his rage and attempted to murder the very man who had served him faithfully. The same David who once soothed his spirit with music was now the target of his wrath.

It is worth noting that Saul’s problem was never David—it was his own heart. The same music that once brought peace now stirred up torment because Saul’s spiritual condition had changed. As 1 Samuel 16:23 records, “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.” That same melody, once healing, now agitated him. The difference was not in David’s playing, but in Saul’s soul. A heart hardened by envy and sin can no longer receive the peace of God, no matter how beautiful the ministry.

Saul’s intention was clear. He said to himself, “I will pin David to the wall.” This was not an accident or an impulsive gesture; it was premeditated murder. His goal was not to frighten or wound David, but to kill him outright. The rage of a jealous man, unchecked and unrepented, knows no boundaries. What had begun as silent envy in Saul’s heart now manifested as open violence against God’s anointed.

Yet, the Lord preserved David. “But David escaped his presence.” We are not told how—whether Saul’s poor aim caused him to miss, or whether David swiftly dodged the blow, or whether God Himself guided the spear away—but what is certain is that divine providence intervened. God protected David because His plan for David’s life could not be thwarted by human anger. Saul’s spear could not end what God had ordained.

Remarkably, David did not retaliate. Many in his position would have seized the spear from the ground and struck back in self-defense. It would have been easy to justify: “If Goliath could not kill me, neither will Saul. I will end this threat once and for all.” But David refused to take matters into his own hands. His faith and submission to God governed his actions, not fear or pride. He would not harm the man whom God had once anointed, no matter how wicked that man had become. David understood a profound truth: authority belongs to God, and only God can remove it. As Psalm 75:6–7 declares, “For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: He putteth down one, and setteth up another.” David trusted that God would remove Saul in His own time and way.

David’s restraint in this moment is one of the clearest demonstrations of his heart for God. His reverence for divine authority and his refusal to avenge himself reflect the principle later written in Romans 12:19, “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” David’s response reveals his complete trust in the Lord’s justice. He would not seize the throne by violence, nor defend himself at the cost of rebellion against God’s appointed ruler.

The text then adds, “But David escaped his presence twice.” The word twice is profoundly significant. It indicates that Saul threw the spear at David not once, but twice. After escaping the first time, David returned again to minister before Saul. This is where true submission and faith are revealed. Many would have called one close encounter enough. Most men would have refused to serve again after such a betrayal. But David went back, not because he was naïve or foolish, but because he trusted God to protect him until his appointed time.

It was not courage alone that brought David back—it was obedience. He refused to flee the calling God had given him until God Himself released him from it. His submission did not end with the first attack; it deepened in the face of danger. This is the difference between mere endurance and spiritual maturity. As one writer observed, “Submission does not begin until obedience becomes difficult.”

David could have defended himself and still become king. But had he done so, he would not have been God’s kind of king. He would have been no different from Saul—a man who seized power by force rather than waiting for God’s timing. It is better to wait for the Lord’s deliverance than to win by one’s own hand. As Proverbs 20:22 teaches, “Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and He shall save thee.”

Gene Edwards beautifully summarized this principle when he wrote, “In doing this small feat of returning thrown spears, you will prove many things… You will not be wronged. All of these attributes then combine to prove that you are also obviously a candidate for kingship. Yes, perhaps you are the Lord’s anointed. After the order of King Saul.” The true test of leadership is not in the ability to strike back, but in the willingness to refrain when provoked.

David’s behavior in this scene sets the foundation for his future reign. His mercy, humility, and patience under persecution mirror the heart of Christ Himself, who, though wronged, refused to retaliate but entrusted Himself to the Father who judges righteously (1 Peter 2:23).

3. David Is Transferred from the Palace to the Army
1 Samuel 18:12–16
“Now Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him, but had departed from Saul. Therefore Saul removed him from his presence, and made him his captain over a thousand; and he went out and came in before the people. And David behaved wisely in all his ways, and the LORD was with him. Therefore, when Saul saw that he behaved very wisely, he was afraid of him. But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out and came in before them.”

The dynamic between Saul and David shifted dramatically after Saul’s failed attempt to kill him. Instead of repentance, Saul’s heart became further hardened by fear and jealousy. Scripture tells us, “Now Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him, but had departed from Saul.” Though Saul possessed the outward symbols of power — the throne, the army, and the crown — he lacked the one thing that truly establishes authority: the presence of God. David, on the other hand, though a servant and soldier, carried the divine anointing. Saul instinctively recognized this and was terrified.

Spiritual fear arises when the ungodly perceive God’s favor resting upon another. Saul had once known what it was to walk in the Spirit’s power, to conquer enemies in the strength of the Lord, and to receive divine guidance. But now that the Spirit had departed from him, he could not bear to be near someone who still possessed what he had lost. The presence of God upon David’s life exposed Saul’s emptiness. As light exposes darkness, so the favor of the Lord upon David revealed the spiritual barrenness of Saul’s heart.

Unable to endure David’s presence, Saul “removed him from his presence, and made him his captain over a thousand.” This was not a promotion in good faith, but a political maneuver rooted in deceit. Saul disguised his malice with apparent honor, sending David out with troops under the pretense of leadership, but in truth hoping that the dangers of battle might eliminate him. As Clarke notes, “This was under pretence of doing him honour, when it was in effect only to rid himself of the object of his envy.” Saul’s scheme was that David might perish at the hands of the Philistines without Saul having to stain his own hands with blood.

Despite Saul’s malicious intent, God turned this manipulation into another step in David’s preparation for kingship. As captain over a thousand, David gained valuable military experience and learned how to lead men effectively. What Saul meant for evil, God used for good — a recurring theme in the lives of those whom the Lord calls. Just as Joseph later told his brothers, “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good” (Genesis 50:20), so David’s exile from the palace became a divine classroom for leadership.

Even under unjust treatment, “David behaved wisely in all his ways, and the LORD was with him.” This phrase reveals the secret of David’s success. He did not let bitterness or resentment rule his spirit. He did not retaliate or seek revenge. He continued to act with wisdom, faith, and humility. It is easy to behave wisely when circumstances are favorable, but David’s wisdom shone brightest in adversity. The true test of godly character is how one responds when wronged or betrayed. David’s heart remained steadfast in trusting God, which is why the Lord’s favor never left him.

Saul’s fear of David only increased as he observed David’s conduct. “When Saul saw that he behaved very wisely, he was afraid of him.” Saul’s fear was both psychological and spiritual. His jealousy was inflamed each time David succeeded, and his conscience tormented him as he witnessed in David the qualities of a man truly led by God. Saul’s authority as king was slipping away, and he knew it. Fear gripped him because he recognized that the Lord had chosen David to take his place.

In contrast to Saul’s fear, “all Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out and came in before them.” The expression “went out and came in” is a Hebrew idiom meaning that David conducted himself faithfully and successfully in his duties, especially in military leadership. David was visible among the people, not secluded in pride or arrogance. He shared in their struggles, fought their battles, and earned their admiration through genuine service. The people loved him not only because he was victorious, but because he was righteous and relatable — a man who walked among them, not above them.

David’s growing popularity could have easily become a weapon of rebellion. Many in his position would have been tempted to use public affection to challenge Saul’s rule. Yet David refused to exploit his influence. His heart remained loyal to the Lord, not to his own ambition. He would not use the “spear” of popularity to attack Saul, even though Saul used every opportunity to attack him.

Even as he was unjustly removed from the palace, David did not see himself as a victim. He might have looked like one — a faithful servant exiled by a jealous king — but David’s mindset was rooted in faith. He knew that his life was not in Saul’s hands but in God’s. This conviction gave him peace in the midst of betrayal. David’s example teaches that no believer is truly a victim when they walk under God’s sovereignty. As long as the Lord is with us, no weapon formed against us can prosper (Isaiah 54:17).

Every demotion in the world can become a promotion in God’s kingdom when handled with faith and integrity. Saul’s attempt to disgrace David only elevated him further in the eyes of the people and in the plan of God. The Lord used Saul’s hatred to shape David’s humility and to prove his worthiness for the crown that would one day be his.

C. Saul Sets a Trap for David, but He Escapes and Is Blessed

1 Samuel 18:17–19
“Then Saul said to David, Here is my older daughter Merab; I will give her to you as a wife. Only be valiant for me, and fight the LORD’s battles. For Saul thought, Let my hand not be against him, but let the hand of the Philistines be against him. So David said to 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 happened at the time when Merab, Saul’s daughter, should have been given to David, that she was given to Adriel the Meholathite as a wife.”

After Saul’s previous attempts to destroy David by force failed, he turned to deceit and manipulation. Having realized that open hostility against David would only expose his wickedness, Saul decided to disguise his hatred under the pretense of generosity. He offered his eldest daughter, Merab, to David as a wife, saying, “Here is my older daughter Merab; I will give her to you as a wife. Only be valiant for me, and fight the LORD’s battles.” This seemed to be a noble offer, even fulfilling Saul’s earlier promise in 1 Samuel 17:25, which said that whoever killed Goliath would receive the king’s daughter in marriage. To an onlooker, it appeared that Saul had finally recognized David’s worth and was honoring his word. But in reality, this was a calculated trap.

Scripture reveals Saul’s inner motive: “Let my hand not be against him, but let the hand of the Philistines be against him.” Saul was not seeking reconciliation but David’s death. Having failed to kill David himself, he now sought to make the Philistines his assassins. This reveals the deceitfulness of sin—it always finds new ways to express itself when one method fails. Saul thought, “I can maintain the appearance of goodwill while still achieving my evil goal.” Such duplicity may seem clever in the eyes of men, but it is detestable in the sight of God.

Saul’s manipulation revolved around the concept of the dowry. In ancient Israel, a dowry was a required payment from a groom to the bride’s family as a sign of his commitment and ability to provide. For a common man to marry a king’s daughter was unthinkable—he could never afford the bride price. Saul knew this and planned to use it against David. He would later demand that David kill one hundred Philistines as the price for the marriage, assuming that David would die in the attempt. Saul’s thinking was carnal, not spiritual. He sought to use David’s loyalty and courage against him, hoping that David’s faithfulness in battle would lead to his destruction. From a worldly perspective, Saul’s plan was cunning. But as always, man’s wisdom is foolishness before God.

David, unaware of Saul’s deceit, responded with humility and grace: “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?” Despite his fame, David’s heart remained humble. This is the same humility that had characterized him from the time he was a shepherd. Though celebrated as Israel’s hero, he did not consider himself worthy of royal honor. His focus was not on self-promotion or advancement but on serving the Lord faithfully wherever he was placed.

This humility was also David’s protection. Pride blinds a man to traps, but humility opens his eyes to God’s leading. David’s lack of ambition shielded him from Saul’s schemes. He did not chase after the marriage or demand his promised reward. Instead, he left it in God’s hands. Even when Saul’s promise was broken, David did not seek revenge or complain. He simply moved on, trusting the Lord to direct his path.

Saul, seeing that his plan to ensnare David had failed, changed tactics again. Verse 19 records, “But it happened at the time when Merab, Saul’s daughter, should have been given to David, that she was given to Adriel the Meholathite as a wife.” This was a cruel betrayal. Saul had dangled the promise before David, only to snatch it away and give Merab to another man. His intention was to provoke David to anger or jealousy, hoping he would act rashly and bring judgment upon himself. As Meyer observes, “He treacherously withdrew the offer as the time of nuptials approached—the intention being to arouse his ardent spirit to retaliate, and so become liable to the charge of treason. But all his efforts failed to arouse even a transient impulse for revenge.”

David’s reaction once again demonstrated spiritual maturity. He did not retaliate or accuse Saul of deceit. He did not allow the insult to poison his heart. Instead, he continued to trust in the Lord’s sovereignty and timing. This patience and restraint revealed the difference between David and Saul. Where Saul manipulated, David submitted. Where Saul schemed, David waited. David’s humility and faith shielded him from Saul’s traps, for “The meek will He guide in judgment: and the meek will He teach His way” (Psalm 25:9).

This episode also illustrates how God frustrates the devices of the wicked. Saul’s plan to use David’s loyalty and courage against him only served to elevate David further in the eyes of the people and in the plan of God. The Lord was shaping David through adversity, teaching him endurance and self-control under unjust authority. These trials were not accidents but divine preparation for kingship. A man who cannot submit under an unjust ruler is not fit to rule with justice.

Saul’s manipulation demonstrates the contrast between a man led by the Spirit and a man led by the flesh. Saul’s methods were deceitful, driven by fear and envy; David’s conduct was open, pure, and trusting in the Lord. Manipulation operates through hidden motives, but true leadership flows from integrity and faith. God blesses the transparent heart that walks in obedience, not the cunning hand that plots in secrecy.

2. David’s Agreement to Marry Michal
1 Samuel 18:20–25
“Now Michal, Saul’s daughter, loved David. And they told Saul, and the thing pleased him. So Saul said, I will give her to him, that she may be a snare to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him. Therefore Saul said to David a second time, You shall be my son-in-law today. And Saul commanded his servants, Communicate with David secretly, and say, Look, the king hath delight in thee, and all his servants love thee. Now therefore, become the king’s son-in-law. And Saul’s servants spake those words in the ears of David. And David said, Seemeth it to you a light thing to be a king’s son-in-law, seeing 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.”

After Saul’s deception with Merab failed, God’s providence again worked in a way that confounded Saul’s schemes. His younger daughter, Michal, fell in love with David. The Scripture says, “Now Michal, Saul’s daughter, loved David. And they told Saul, and the thing pleased him.” Saul was not pleased because his daughter loved a godly man; he was pleased because he saw in her affection another opportunity to destroy David. A man who is consumed by envy cannot rejoice in what is good, only in what he might exploit.

It is not surprising that Michal loved David. His courage, faith, and reputation made him the most admired man in Israel. His character and valor naturally drew people to him. Yet Scripture makes it clear that Michal’s love for David was not rooted in shared faith or spiritual devotion. Her later actions (as seen in 2 Samuel 6:16–23) show that her heart did not align with David’s heart for the Lord. Her affection was emotional, not spiritual. She loved the hero David, not the worshipper David. This difference would later bring sorrow into their marriage.

Saul, ever the manipulator, immediately began plotting. He said, “I will give her to him, that she may be a snare to him.” Saul’s words reveal his cold calculation. Michal’s love became a tool in her father’s hands. Saul intended for her to become a stumbling block to David, both through her influence and through the dangerous dowry he would demand. This is an example of how wicked men can use what is good for evil purposes. Saul was willing to use his own daughter as bait to destroy the man God had chosen.

Saul’s plan was twofold. First, he would use emotional manipulation, pretending to favor David. He instructed his servants to approach David privately, saying, “Look, the king hath delight in thee, and all his servants love thee. Now therefore, become the king’s son-in-law.” Saul’s deception was wrapped in flattery. He sought to make David feel honored and secure, to lower his guard so that he would not suspect danger.

David, however, responded with humility and sincerity: “Seemeth it to you a light thing to be a king’s son-in-law, seeing I am a poor man, and lightly esteemed?” Though David was by this point a national hero, he still saw himself as a humble servant of the Lord. He never demanded reward or recognition for his victories. He had no sense of entitlement. His humility disarmed Saul’s manipulation because David’s motives were pure. He had no ambition for wealth or power; therefore, he could not be bribed or deceived by promises of advancement.

Saul’s servants relayed David’s words back to the king, and Saul responded with even greater cunning. He 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.” Saul pretended to be gracious, making it seem as though he was waiving the dowry requirement. In truth, he was setting a deadly trap. Instead of money, he demanded proof that David had killed one hundred Philistines—a task so perilous that Saul was sure David would die in the attempt.

The way Saul phrased the demand was devilishly clever. By saying, “The king desireth not any dowry,” he made it sound as though he was doing David a favor. By saying, “to be avenged of the king’s enemies,” he made it appear as though he was giving David an opportunity for valor. Yet, in reality, Saul’s heart was filled with hatred. His true thought, as Scripture records, was “to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines.” Saul wanted to exploit David’s zeal for the Lord’s battles, turning it into the very means of his destruction.

The specific request for one hundred foreskins of the Philistines was particularly cruel and provocative. It required not only that the Philistines be slain but that their bodies be mutilated—an act that would deeply offend and enrage them. Saul hoped this would stir the Philistines into greater hostility toward David, ensuring that they would hunt him down. John Trapp aptly commented, “Here is a fair glove drawn upon a foul hand.” Outwardly, Saul’s demand appeared as a royal favor, but inwardly it was an evil scheme.

This episode again demonstrates the vast difference between Saul’s heart and David’s. Saul was a man of manipulation, always scheming to maintain control. David was a man of faith, content to let the Lord govern his life. Saul sought to advance his own agenda by deception, while David sought to honor God through humility and obedience. Saul’s worldly wisdom was crafty but godless; David’s simplicity was pure and God-protected.

A believer walking in integrity can rest secure, even among those who conspire against him. As Proverbs 21:30 declares, “There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.” Saul’s schemes could not succeed because David’s heart was aligned with God’s purposes.

3. David Fulfills Saul’s Request for a Dowry and Marries Michal
1 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.”

To Saul’s surprise, the plan backfired completely. “It pleased David well to be the king’s son-in-law.” David’s heart was so innocent and devoted to the Lord that he did not perceive Saul’s malice. His motivation was pure: to serve the king, defend Israel, and bring glory to God. He saw the challenge not as a trap but as an opportunity to fight the Lord’s battles and honor the king’s command.

David’s faith turned Saul’s wicked plan into triumph. He and his men went out and slew not one hundred but two hundred Philistines. David doubled the required number, demonstrating his zeal and courage. This act not only fulfilled the condition but exceeded it, completely overturning Saul’s scheme. The one who plotted David’s death was forced to bless him instead. God’s providence turned Saul’s weapon against himself.

When David brought the evidence to Saul, “they gave them in full tale to the king.” This blunt and graphic act humiliated Saul. He had to keep his word and give Michal to David as his wife. What Saul meant for harm, the Lord used for good. Through this marriage, David gained royal status, and Saul’s plan collapsed once again.

David’s response throughout this episode exemplifies the truth of Romans 8:31, “If God be for us, who can be against us?” No scheme of man can succeed against one whom God has chosen. Saul’s manipulations, though clever in appearance, only advanced the divine plan. David’s humility, obedience, and faith were his shield.

4. David’s Constantly Growing Popularity
1 Samuel 18:28–30
“Thus Saul saw and knew that the LORD was with David, and that Michal, Saul’s daughter, loved him; and Saul was still more afraid of David. So Saul became David’s enemy continually. Then the princes of the Philistines went out to war. And so it was, whenever they went out, that David behaved more wisely than all the servants of Saul, so that his name became highly esteemed.”

By this point, Saul could no longer deny what was plain before his eyes. Scripture says, “Saul saw and knew that the LORD was with David.” He had witnessed it in David’s victory over Goliath, in his favor with the people, in his success on the battlefield, and now even in the affection of Saul’s own daughter. Everything about David’s life bore evidence of divine blessing. The Spirit of the LORD that once empowered Saul now rested upon David. But rather than responding with repentance and submission to God’s will, Saul hardened his heart. He recognized that God’s hand was upon David, yet instead of revering it, he fought against it.

This moment demonstrates the tragic nature of spiritual rebellion. Saul knew the truth, yet he refused to yield to it. Like Pharaoh in the days of Moses, he hardened his heart against the clear evidence of God’s presence. Saul’s awareness of David’s divine favor did not lead him to humility but to deeper fear and hostility. The Scripture says, “Saul was still more afraid of David.” Fear, when not surrendered to faith, turns into hatred. Saul’s fear was not the reverent fear of the Lord that leads to wisdom, but the carnal fear of losing control and power. The more God exalted David, the more Saul’s insecurity consumed him. The verse concludes with chilling finality: “So Saul became David’s enemy continually.” From this point forward, Saul ceased even to disguise his enmity. The battle lines were drawn—not between David and Saul, but between Saul and the purposes of God.

Next, we are told, “Then the princes of the Philistines went out to war.” The Philistines likely sought revenge for David’s humiliating victories over them. Saul’s earlier scheme had succeeded in one sense—David was now a marked man, hated by the Philistines. But Saul’s wicked plan backfired once again. God used the very circumstances Saul designed for David’s destruction as the platform for David’s further exaltation. Every attack from Saul and every battle from the Philistines only caused David to rise higher in favor and honor.

The text says, “Whenever they went out, David behaved more wisely than all the servants of Saul.” This phrase captures the key to David’s success. It was not merely his strength, his courage, or his tactical brilliance—it was his godly wisdom. David continually sought the Lord’s guidance, trusting in His presence rather than his own ability. His wisdom was the fruit of fellowship with God. Just as Proverbs 9:10 declares, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the Holy is understanding,” David’s reverence for the Lord guided every decision he made.

It is remarkable that David maintained such wisdom and restraint while living under constant attack. Saul’s hatred, deceit, and manipulation would have driven most men to retaliation or despair. But David’s wisdom preserved him. The more he was oppressed, the more wisely he acted. The greater Saul’s hostility, the more David trusted in God. True wisdom is not merely knowledge—it is righteousness applied through faith under pressure.

The passage concludes, “So that his name became highly esteemed.” God continued to elevate David in the eyes of the people. His reputation spread throughout Israel as a man of courage, integrity, and godliness. The people could see the contrast between Saul and David. Saul’s kingdom was unraveling through pride, but David’s influence grew through humility. This pattern reflects a timeless spiritual principle: when a man humbles himself before God, the Lord will exalt him in due time (James 4:10).

The connection between David’s humility and exaltation is a foreshadowing of the greater “Son of David,” Jesus Christ. Just as David’s name was honored because of his humility and obedience, so the Lord Jesus was exalted above every name because He willingly humbled Himself for the salvation of mankind. Philippians 2:5–9 declares, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name.”

The same spirit of humility that characterized David’s life pointed forward to the perfect humility of Christ. David’s rise came not through ambition, but through submission. He did not seek the throne by force; he waited for God to bring it to him. Likewise, Jesus did not seize His crown through earthly conquest but through obedience unto death. Both lives show that the path to true exaltation is through humility before God.

Saul’s life, on the other hand, is a warning to all who resist the will of God. Pride isolates a man from grace, and fear hardens the heart against truth. Though Saul had every opportunity to repent, his jealousy and rebellion drove him further into darkness. The more he opposed David, the more he fought against God Himself.

David’s growing popularity was not the result of self-promotion, but of divine favor. His wisdom, humility, and trust in the Lord made him a vessel through whom God’s glory could be seen. Even in the midst of persecution, God continued to build his reputation and prepare him for the throne. The Lord was shaping David into a man after His own heart—faithful in obscurity, patient under pressure, and steadfast in faith.