Jonathan and David are the subject at the beginning of 1 Samuel Chapter 18. They had a true friendship which maintained a great amount of loyalty and devotion to one another. The friendship of Jonathan and David has actually become the key comparison used by many biblical thinkers to compare biblical friendships.
Saul kept David in his service and did not let him return home to Jesse’s house. Thus, Jonathan, Saul’s son, and David became very close friends. They were such good friends that they kept a covenant between them.
Jonathan gave David his robe to wear. He also gave David his tunic, his sword, his bow and his belt. I suppose these fit David much better than the tunic, helmet, and sword that Saul had loaned to David just before he slew the giant. David decided to leave those articles behind when he went out to defeat Goliath. However, It seems that these same gifts from Jonathan suited David just fine. They were a better fit, and David was proud for the world to see that he wore them.
DAVID GAINS MUCH SUCCESS
Saul began to send David on missions. Whatever mission David pursued, he was successful. Eventually, David moved up to a high rank within Saul’s army. All of the troops, including all of Saul’s high-ranking officers, were pleased with David.
DAVID’S TENS OF THOUSANDS
After defeating the Philistines, David was marching home with the army of Saul. The women came out from the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing. They brought forth joyful songs, playing timbrels and lyres. As they danced they sang:
“Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.”
These songs displeased Saul. He said, “they have credited David with tens of thousands, but with me only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?”
SAUL’S JEALOUSY
So, from that moment, Saul began to keep a careful eye on David.
The next day an evil 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 and he hurled it at David. He was thinking he would pin David to the wall and end the problem of having him around. This happened twice. Both times David eluded Saul.
THE LORD IS WITH DAVID
It was clear that The Lord was with David and had departed from Saul. This made Saul afraid of David. So, he sent David away. To do this Saul gave David command over a thousand men. David led these troops well. He had great success in all that he did because the Lord was with him.
Saul continued to note David’s success with growing fear. All Israel and Judah loved David who fearlessly led them in their campaigns.
Remember how David had won the hand of Saul’s daughter when he defeated Goliath? It was time to reward David as Saul had promised. Saul said to David, “Here is my older daughter Merab. I will give her to you in marriage; only serve me bravely and fight the battles of the Lord.”
WHO AM I?
Secretly, Saul hoped for David to be killed in these battles. He would let the Philistines do his dirty work.
David was very humble about this marriage. He said, “Who am I to become the King’s son-in-law?” When the time came for Merab to be given in marriage, Saul gave her to Adriel of Meholah instead of David.
However, Saul had another daughter who was younger. Her name was Michal and she was in love with Daivd. This actually pleased Saul. He thought surely she would tempt David to fight more battles for Saul, and Saul thought the hand of the Philistines might be against him yet.
A POOR MAN WHO IS LITTLE KNOWN
Saul pulled David aside and informed him that he now had a second opportunity to become his son-in-law. Saul encouraged his attendants to speak to David in private and to tell him that he was favored by the King. They were to advise David to become Saul’s son-in-law.
However, when David heard their words he said, “Do you think it is a small matter to become the king’s son-in-law? I’m only a poor man and little known.”
DAVID MARRIES MICHAL
When Saul heard of David’s reply he told his servants to say to David, ‘The king wants no other price for the bride than a hundred Philistine foreskins, to take revenge on his enemies.’ Saul’s plan again was to have David fall by the hands of the Philistines.
So, David on hearing these things decided he was pleased to become the king’s son-in-law. David took his men and went out and killed two hundred Philistines. Then he brought back their foreskins. The officials of Saul’s court counted out the full number to the king so that David might become the king’s son-in-law.
Then Saul gave David his daughter Michal in marriage.
DAVID’S EARLY VICTORIES
Saul was more afraid of David than ever. David remained Saul’s enemy for the rest of Saul’s life.
The Philistines continued in battle. As often as they came, David met them with great victory and success. David’s name became very well known in the nation of Israel.