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Commentary on 1 Samuel 18 verses 12–30
Saul had now, in effect, proclaimed war with David. He began in open hostility when he threw the javelin at him. Now we are here told how his enmity proceeded, and how David received the attacks of it.
I. See how Saul expressed his malice against David. 1. He was afraid of him, Sa1 18:12. Perhaps he pretended to be afraid that David would do himself mischief, to force his way to the crown. Those that design ill against others are commonly willing to have it thought that others design ill against them. But David's withdrawal (Sa1 18:11) was a plain evidence that he was far from such a thought. However, he really stood in awe of him, as Herod feared John, Mar 6:20. Saul was sensible that he had lost the favourable presence of God himself, and that David had it, and for this reason he feared him. Note, Those are truly great and to be reverenced that have God with them. The more wisely David behaved himself the more Saul feared him, Sa1 18:15, and again Sa1 18:29. Men think the way to be feared is to hector and threaten, which makes them feared by fools only, but despised by the wise and good; whereas the way to be both feared and loved, feared by those to whom we would wish to be a terror and loved by those to whom we would wish to be a delight, is to behave ourselves wisely. Wisdom makes the face to shine and commands respect. 2. He removed him from court, and gave him a regiment in the country, Sa1 18:13. He made him captain over 1000, that he might be from under his eye, because he hated the sight of him; and that he might not secure the interest of the courtiers. Yet herein he did impolitely; for it gave David an opportunity of ingratiating himself with the people, who therefore loved him (Sa1 18:16) because he went out and came in before them, that is, he presided in the business of his country, civil as well as military, and have universal satisfaction. 3. He stirred him up to take all occasions of quarrelling with the Philistines and engaging them (Sa1 18:17), insinuating to him that hereby he would do good service to his prince (be thou valiant for me), and good service to his God (fight the Lord's battles), and a kindness to himself too, for hereby he would qualify himself for the honour he designed him, which was to marry his eldest daughter to him. This he had merited by killing Goliath, for it was promised by proclamation to him that should do that exploit (Sa1 17:25); but David was so modest as not to demand it, and now, when Saul proposed it, it was with design of mischief to him, to make him venture upon hazardous attempts, saying in his heart, Let the hand of the Philistines be upon him, hoping that he would some time or other be the death of him; yet how could he expect this when he saw that God was with him? 4. He did what he could to provoke him to discontent and mutiny, by breaking his promise with him, and giving his daughter to another when the time came that she should have been given to him, Sa1 18:19. This was as great an affront as he could possibly put upon him, and touched him both in his honour and in his love. He therefore thought David's resentment of it would break out in some indecency or other, in word or deed, which might give him an advantage against him to take him off by the course of law. Thus evil men seek mischief. 5. When he was disappointed in his, he proffered him his other daughter (who it seems had a secret kindness for David, Sa1 18:20), but with this design, that she might be a snare to him, Sa1 18:21. (1.) Perhaps he hoped that she would, even after her marriage to David, take part with her father against her husband, and give him an opportunity of doing David an unkindness. However, (2.) The conditions of the marriage, he hoped, would be his destruction; for (so zealous will Saul seem against the Philistines) the conditions of the marriage must be that he killed 100 Philistines, and, as proofs that those he had slain were uncircumcised, he must bring in their foreskins cut off; this would be a just reproach upon the Philistines, who hated circumcision as it was an ordinance of God; and perhaps David, in doing this, would the more exasperate them against him, and make them seek to be revenged on him, which was the thing that Saul desired and designed, much more than to be avenged on the Philistines: For Saul thought to make David fall by the Philistines, Sa1 18:25. See here, [1.] What cheats bad men put upon themselves. Saul's conscience would not suffer him, except when the evil spirit was actually upon him, to aim at David's life himself, for even he could not but conceive a horror at the thought of murdering such an innocent and excellent person; but he thought that to expose him designedly to the Philistines had nothing bad in it (Let not my hand be upon him, but the hand of the Philistines), whereas that malicious design against him was as truly murder before God as if he had slain him with his own hands. [2.] What cheats they put upon the world. Saul pretended extraordinary kindness for David even when he aimed at his ruin, and was actually plotting it: Thou shalt be my son-in-law, says he (Sa1 18:21), notwithstanding he hated him implacably. Perhaps David refers to this when (Psa 55:21) he speaks of his enemy as one whose words were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart. It is probable that Saul's employing his servants to persuade David to enter into a treaty of a match with his daughter Michal (Sa1 18:22) arose from an apprehension that either his having cheated him about his elder daughter (Sa1 18:19) or the hardness of the terms he intended now to propose would make him decline it.
II. See how David conducted himself when the tide of Saul's displeasure ran thus high against him.
1.He behaved himself wisely in all his ways. He perceived Saul's jealousy of him, which made him very cautious and circumspect in every thing he said and did, and careful to give no offence. He did not complain of hard measure more make himself the head of a party, but managed all the affairs he was entrusted with as one that made it his business to do real service to his king and country, looking upon that to be the end of his preferment. And then the Lord was with him to give him success in all his undertakings. Though he procured Saul's ill-will by it, yet he obtained God's favour. Compare this with Psa 101:2, where it is David's promise, I will behave myself wisely; and that promise he here performed; and it is his prayer, O, when wilt thou come unto me? And that prayer God here answered: The Lord was with him. However blind fortune may seem to favour fools, God will own and bless those that behave themselves wisely.
2.When it was proposed to him to be son-in-law to the king he once and again received the proposal with all possible modesty and humility. When Saul proposed his elder daughter to him (Sa1 18:18) he said, Who am I, and what is my life? When the courtier proposed the younger, he took no notice of the affront Saul had put upon him in disposing of the elder from him, but continued in the same mind (Sa1 18:23): Seemeth it a light thing to you to be a king's son-in-law, seeing that I am a poor man and lightly esteemed? He knew Michal loved him, and yet did not offer to improve his interest in her affections for the gaining of her without her father's consent, but waited till it was proposed to him. And then see, (1.) How highly he speaks of the honour offered him: To be son-in-law to the king. Though his king was but an upstart, in his original as mean as himself, in his management no better than he should be, yet, being a crowned head, he speaks of him and the royal family with all due respect. Note, Religion is so far from teaching us to be rude and unmannerly that it does not allow us to be so. We must render honour to whom honour is due. (2.) How humbly he speaks of himself: Who am I? This did not proceed from a mean, abject, sneaking spirit, for when there was occasion he made it appear that he had as high a sense of honour as most men; nor was it from his jealousy of Saul (though he had reason enough to fear a snake under the green grass), but from him true and deep humility: Who am I, a poor man, and lightly esteemed? David had as much reason as any man to value himself. He was of an ancient and honourable family of Judah, a comely person, a great statesman and soldier; his achievements were great, for he had won Goliath's head and Michal's heart. He knew himself destined by the divine counsels to the throne of Israel, and yet, Whom am I, and what is my life? Note, It well becomes us, however God has advanced us, always to have low thoughts of ourselves. He that humbleth himself shall be exalted. And, if David thus magnified the honour of being son-in-law to the king, how should we magnify the honour of being sons (not in law, but in gospel) to the King of kings! Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us! Who are we that we should be thus dignified?
3.When the slaying of 100 Philistines was made the condition of David's marrying Saul's daughter he readily closed with it (Sa1 18:26): It pleased David well to be the king's son-in-law upon those terms; and, before the time given him for the action had expired, he doubled the demand, and slew 200, Sa1 18:27. He would not seem to suspect that Saul designed his hurt by it (though he had reason enough), but would rather act as if Saul had meant to consult his honour, and therefore cheerfully undertook it, as became a brave soldier and a true lover, though we may suppose it uneasy to Michal. David hereby discovered likewise, (1.) A great confidence in the divine protection. He knew God was with him, and therefore, whatever Saul hoped, David did not fear falling by the Philistines, though he must needs expose himself much by such an undertaking as this. (2.) A great zeal for the good of his country, which he would not decline any occasion of doing service to, though with the hazard of his life. (3.) A right notion of honour, which consists not so much in being preferred as in deserving to be so. David was then pleased with the thoughts of being the king's son-in-law when he found the honour set at this high price, being more solicitous how to merit it than how to obtain it; nor could he wear it with satisfaction till he had won it.
4.Even after he was married he continued his good services to Israel. When the princes of the Philistines began to move towards another war David was ready to oppose them, and behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul, Sa1 18:30. The law dispensed with men from going to war the first year after they were married (Deu 24:5), but David loved his country too well to make use of that dispensation. Many that have shown themselves forward to serve the public when they have been in pursuit of preferment have declined it when they have gained their point; but David acted from more generous principles.
III. Observe how God brought good to David out of Saul's project against him. 1. Saul gave him his daughter to be a snare to him, but in this respect that marriage was a kindness to him, that his being Saul's son-in-law made his succeeding him much the less invidious, especially when so many of his sons were slain with him, Sa1 31:2. 2. Saul thought, by putting him upon dangerous services, to have him taken off, but that very thing confirmed his interest in the people; for the more he did against the Philistines the better they loved him, so that his name was much set by (Sa1 18:30), which would make his coming to the crown the more easy. Thus God makes even the wrath of man to praise him and serves his designs of kindness to his own people by it.
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SUMMARY
1 Samuel 18:14 profoundly encapsulates David's burgeoning success and the unwavering divine favor that undergirded his actions, even as King Saul's jealousy intensified. It highlights David's consistent prudence and discernment in all his endeavors, attributing his remarkable prosperity not merely to personal skill but primarily to the active, guiding presence of the Lord. This verse serves as a pivotal theological statement, sharply contrasting David's divinely blessed ascent with Saul's escalating decline, thereby setting the stage for the dramatic transition of the kingdom.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices to convey its profound message. Juxtaposition is subtly yet powerfully at play, as David's divinely-enabled wisdom and consistent success are implicitly but clearly contrasted with Saul's increasingly unwise, erratic, and self-destructive behavior, which is driven by his consuming jealousy. This sets up a clear moral and spiritual dichotomy between the two figures, powerfully foreshadowing the inevitable transfer of the kingdom. The Repetition of the phrase "the LORD was with him" (seen also in 1 Samuel 18:12, 1 Samuel 18:14, and 1 Samuel 18:15) functions as a potent Leitmotif, a recurring theme or image that emphasizes the consistent and central role of divine presence as the singular source of David's prosperity and the ultimate explanation for Saul's fear and the people's widespread admiration. This Divine Presence as a Motif serves as a foundational theological statement, asserting God's active, sovereign involvement in human affairs and His ultimate control over the destiny of His chosen ones. Furthermore, the verse functions as a concise yet powerful Summary Statement, encapsulating David's exemplary character and the profound divine blessing upon him, providing a succinct and compelling explanation for his rapid ascent despite growing opposition and mortal danger.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Samuel 18:14 stands as a profound theological statement, asserting that genuine wisdom and lasting success are not merely human attributes or achievements but are ultimately gifts and direct outcomes of God's active presence, favor, and empowerment in one's life. David's "wise behavior" is explicitly and causally linked to the Lord being "with him," thereby establishing a clear and undeniable relationship between divine accompaniment and human flourishing. This foundational principle transcends the specific historical context of David's rise to power, offering a timeless truth about the ultimate source of genuine prosperity, discernment, and resilience. It teaches that true wisdom is not self-derived but is rooted in a deep reliance on God, demonstrating that dependence on the Almighty, rather than self-sufficiency, is the pathway to navigating life's myriad challenges with prudence and achieving God-ordained purposes.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Samuel 18:14 offers a powerful and enduring paradigm for contemporary believers: the indispensable intertwining of godly character (manifested as wisdom) and divine presence as the foundational elements for true success, resilience, and spiritual fruitfulness. In a world that frequently equates success with human ingenuity, strategic planning, or sheer relentless effort, this verse serves as a crucial reminder that the ultimate and enduring source of flourishing is God's active, guiding, and empowering involvement in our lives. David's wisdom was not merely intellectual cleverness but a profound, practical discernment that enabled him to navigate exceedingly treacherous circumstances with grace and effectiveness. Crucially, this wisdom was a direct result of the Lord being with him, empowering his decisions and sanctifying his actions. For us today, this means that our effectiveness in life, whether in our vocations, our relationships, our ministries, or our personal walk, is profoundly and inextricably tied to our intimate fellowship with God. When we actively seek His presence, His divine guidance, and His wisdom, we are supernaturally equipped to act prudently, discern rightly, and persevere faithfully, even in the face of adversity, opposition, or unfair treatment. This verse calls us to cultivate a life marked by radical dependence on God, trusting implicitly that His abiding presence will enable us to walk wisely and effectively in "all our ways," leading to outcomes that genuinely honor Him and faithfully fulfill His eternal purposes.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "behaved himself wisely" truly mean in this context?
Answer: The phrase "behaved himself wisely" (from the Hebrew word sâkal) signifies much more than mere intellectual intelligence. It implies acting with profound insight, practical prudence, and discerning judgment, which consistently leads to successful outcomes. In David's specific case, it refers to his practical wisdom demonstrated in all his actions—whether in his military leadership, his administrative duties, or his personal interactions within the volatile environment of Saul's court. This divinely-enabled wisdom allowed him to navigate complex and dangerous situations with remarkable effectiveness, earning him the widespread respect of the people and even the grudging admiration of Saul's servants, even as Saul himself grew increasingly hostile. It suggests that David's conduct was always measured, thoughtful, and effective, never reckless or impulsive, and was directly enabled by God's active presence.
Why is it so important that "the LORD [was] with him"?
Answer: The declaration that "the LORD [was] with him" is arguably the most crucial and theologically significant part of this verse, serving as the ultimate explanation for David's wisdom and his consistent success. In the biblical narrative, God's presence signifies His active favor, His protective hand, His divine guidance, and His empowering Spirit. It emphatically indicates that David's achievements were not merely due to his natural abilities or human cleverness but were supernaturally enabled and orchestrated by God. This phrase highlights God's sovereign hand in preparing David for kingship, contrasting sharply with Saul, from whom the Spirit of the Lord had departed (1 Samuel 16:14). It assures the reader that David's prosperity and wisdom were divine manifestations, legitimizing his rise and powerfully demonstrating God's faithfulness to His chosen one, even amidst intense human jealousy and opposition. This theme of God's active presence is a recurring and central motif throughout the book of 1 Samuel, underscoring the divine orchestration of events leading to the establishment of the Davidic dynasty.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Samuel 18:14, with its profound declaration that "David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the LORD [was] with him," finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While David's wisdom and success were a powerful testament to God's active presence with a chosen earthly king, they were but a shadow, a prophetic type, of the perfect wisdom and unparalleled divine presence embodied in Christ. Jesus is the true and greater David, the King who perfectly "behaved himself wisely in all his ways," not merely by human prudence or giftedness, but as the very embodiment of divine wisdom itself, "in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Colossians 2:3). The explicit statement that "the LORD was with him" for David points forward to the unique and unparalleled relationship between God the Father and God the Son, where Jesus could declare, "I and the Father are one" (John 10:30) and "the Father who dwells in me does his works" (John 14:10). Unlike David, whose wisdom was a bestowed gift and whose presence with God was by grace, Jesus is wisdom personified, and the Father's presence with Him was not a temporary anointing but an eternal, intrinsic, and inseparable reality. His perfect obedience, culminating in His sacrificial death on the cross, was the ultimate act of divine wisdom, securing eternal salvation for humanity (1 Corinthians 1:24). Thus, David's divinely enabled wisdom and success serve as a profound prophetic type, pointing to the perfect, eternally wise, and triumphantly successful reign of Christ, the King who truly has the Lord always and perfectly with Him, and through whom all believers can also experience God's empowering presence (Matthew 28:20).