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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.
And Saul feared David, etc. The people of the Jews feared the Church of Christ, because they saw the grace of divine power in it while they themselves were forsaken. For it is written: Many signs and wonders were done among the people by the apostles in Jerusalem, and great fear was upon all. For all who believed were together and had all things in common (Acts 2); which also, this society of mutual love, is proof of the present heavenly grace. And elsewhere: And by the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people, and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch; but of the rest no one dared join them, but the people magnified them (Acts 5).
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SUMMARY
1 Samuel 18:12 marks a critical turning point in the narrative of Saul and David, powerfully revealing the spiritual underpinnings of their escalating conflict. It succinctly captures the profound fear that grips King Saul as he recognizes the undeniable divine favor and active presence of the LORD with David, starkly contrasted with the Lord's definitive departure from himself. This verse encapsulates the spiritual dynamics of God's sovereign transfer of anointing and presence from a disobedient king to His divinely chosen successor, thereby intensifying Saul's paranoia and setting the stage for his relentless, and ultimately futile, pursuit of David.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound and tragic message. Contrast is central to its impact, starkly juxtaposing God's active, empowering presence "with him" (David) against His definitive, judgmental departure "from Saul." This sharp opposition highlights the divine shift in favor and the spiritual chasm that has opened between the two men, signifying a transfer of divine legitimacy. Foreshadowing is also powerfully evident, as Saul's fear, rooted in this profound divine reality, predicts the escalating conflict, Saul's increasingly irrational behavior, and his ultimate demise. The verse subtly hints at the inevitable transfer of the kingdom from Saul to David. Furthermore, there is a strong element of Irony: Saul, the reigning king, is terrified of David, his subordinate and loyal servant, not because of any rebellion on David's part, but precisely because David embodies the very divine favor and presence that Saul has tragically lost. This irony underscores Saul's spiritual decline and David's divinely orchestrated ascent.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The theological weight of 1 Samuel 18:12 lies in its profound declaration about the nature of divine presence and absence within the covenant relationship. God's "being with" someone signifies His active favor, empowering presence, sovereign blessing, and providential guidance, making that individual a vessel for His purposes. This divine accompaniment ensures success and validates authority. Conversely, God's "departure" is presented as the gravest spiritual judgment, indicating the withdrawal of His Spirit, guidance, protection, and blessing, leaving an individual vulnerable to spiritual distress, moral decay, and ultimately leading to their downfall and rejection. This verse underscores that true authority, success, and spiritual vitality are derived not from human strength, political position, or past anointing, but from God's active, abiding presence and anointing. It serves as a powerful reminder that continued obedience, humility, and faithfulness are paramount to retaining God's favor, and that His sovereign will cannot be thwarted by human opposition or jealousy.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Samuel 18:12 serves as a timeless mirror for profound self-examination, prompting us to consider the true source of our confidence, success, and spiritual well-being. Saul's tragic example offers a solemn warning against the destructive power of unchecked jealousy and fear, particularly when these emotions are fueled by a recognition of God's favor on others while neglecting our own vital relationship with Him. His story reminds us that outward position, past anointing, or even initial divine blessing do not guarantee continued divine favor; rather, it is persistent obedience, genuine humility, and a heart fully yielded to God that secure and sustain His life-giving presence. We are called to cultivate a deep, abiding dependence on God, recognizing that our true strength, wisdom, and success come from His being "with us." When we walk in His ways, we can trust in His guidance and protection, even amidst opposition and adversity. Conversely, we must heed the solemn warning that rebellion, disobedience, and unconfessed sin can lead to a withdrawal of His empowering presence, leaving us vulnerable to spiritual distress, torment, and destructive patterns. Our primary focus should always be on cultivating a vibrant, obedient, and humble relationship with God, rather than succumbing to envy or insecurity when we witness His hand at work in the lives of others.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why was the LORD "departed from Saul"?
Answer: The Lord had departed from Saul primarily due to Saul's repeated and deliberate acts of disobedience to God's direct commands, demonstrating a pattern of rebellion and a lack of genuine repentance. Key instances include his unlawful sacrifice at Gilgal, where he presumed to offer a burnt offering instead of waiting for Samuel (1 Samuel 13:8-14), and, most significantly, his failure to utterly destroy the Amalekites as commanded by God, instead sparing King Agag and the best of the livestock under the pretext of sacrificing them (1 Samuel 15:1-9). Samuel explicitly confronts Saul, stating, "Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has rejected you from being king" (1 Samuel 15:23). The departure of the Spirit of the Lord and the subsequent torment by a distressing spirit (1 Samuel 16:14) were direct, divinely ordained consequences of this rejection due to his persistent rebellion and lack of a truly repentant heart.
How did Saul know the LORD was "with" David?
Answer: Saul knew the Lord was with David through a combination of observable evidence and his own spiritual discernment, which was heightened by his personal experience of God's presence and its subsequent withdrawal. David's consistent and remarkable success "wherever Saul sent him" (1 Samuel 18:5) and his wise, prudent conduct were clear, undeniable indicators. David's iconic victory over Goliath, which David himself explicitly attributed to the Lord's power and intervention (1 Samuel 17:45-47), was a public and irrefutable demonstration of divine favor. Furthermore, Saul himself had experienced the empowering presence of the Spirit of the Lord in his early reign (1 Samuel 10:6) and now acutely felt its absence, coupled with the torment of a distressing spirit. This personal, painful experience of divine presence and its withdrawal, combined with David's undeniable, divinely-enabled success, led Saul to correctly discern that God's favor had decisively shifted to David.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Samuel 18:12, with its stark contrast between God's empowering presence with David and His judgmental departure from Saul, profoundly foreshadows the ultimate and perfect divine favor resting upon Jesus Christ, the true King of Israel. While Saul lost God's Spirit due to his disobedience and rebellion, Jesus, the perfect Son and the true Davidic King, was always in unbroken, perfect communion with the Father, and the Spirit of the Lord remained upon Him without measure (John 3:34). The fear Saul felt was a recognition of divine anointing and authority; similarly, the demonic forces recognized Jesus' inherent divine authority and presence, crying out, "What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!" (Mark 1:24). David's success was a testament to the Lord being with him, but Christ's entire ministry—His miracles, teachings, and redemptive work—was empowered by the Spirit of God, fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah 11:2. Unlike Saul, who was rejected for his sin and disobedience, Jesus, the ultimate Lamb of God, perfectly obeyed the Father, even to the point of death on a cross (Philippians 2:8), thereby securing not just a temporary presence but eternal reconciliation and the indwelling Holy Spirit for all who believe (Hebrews 5:8-9). In Christ, believers receive the permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit, ensuring God's abiding presence, a far greater reality than the Old Testament anointing, for He promised, "I am with you always, to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:20). Thus, 1 Samuel 18:12 ultimately points to the perfect King, Jesus, in whom God's presence is eternally manifest and never departs from His people.