1 Samuel18

Jonathan forms a deep covenant with David, loving him as himself. David's military success and public acclaim, however, provoke intense jealousy in King Saul, who attempts to kill David and later schemes to have him fall in battle against the Philistines. Despite Saul's enmity and treacherous marriage offers, David continues to prosper and is given Michal, Saul's daughter, as his wife.

Jonathan's Covenant with David

When he had made an end of speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.

Saul took him that day, and would let him go no more home to his father’s house.

Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.

Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him, and gave it to David, and his clothing, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his sash.

David went out wherever Saul sent him, and behaved himself wisely: and Saul set him over the men of war, and it was good in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul’s servants.

Saul's Jealousy Erupts

As they came, when David returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tambourines, with joy, and with instruments of music.

The women sang one to another as they played, and said, “Saul has slain his thousands, David his ten thousands.”

Saul was very angry, and this saying displeased him; and he said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands. What can he have more but the kingdom?”

Saul eyed David from that day and forward.

Saul Attempts Murder

On the next day, an evil spirit from God came mightily on Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house. David played with his hand, as he did day by day. Saul had his spear in his hand;

and Saul threw the spear; for he said, “I will pin David even to the wall!” David escaped from his presence twice.

Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him, and was departed from Saul.

Therefore Saul removed him from him, and made him his captain over a thousand; and he went out and came in before the people.

David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the LORD was with him.

When Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely, he stood in awe of him.

But all Israel and Judah loved David; for he went out and came in before them.

Saul Sets a Trap with Marriage

Saul said to David, “Behold, my elder daughter Merab, I will give her to you as wife. Only be valiant for me, and fight the LORD’s battles.” For Saul said, “Don’t let my hand be on him, but let the hand of the Philistines be on him.”

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 at the time when Merab, Saul’s daughter, should have been given to David, she was given to Adriel the Meholathite as wife.

Michal, Saul’s daughter, loved David; and they told Saul, and the thing pleased him.

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, “You shall this day be my son-in-law a second time.”

Saul commanded his servants, “Talk with David secretly, and say, ‘Behold, the king has delight in you, and all his servants love you: now therefore be the king’s son-in-law.’”

Saul’s servants spoke those words in the ears of David. David said, “Does it seems to you a light thing to be the king’s son-in-law, since I am a poor man, and lightly esteemed?”

The servants of Saul told him, saying, “David spoke like this.”

Saul said, “You shall tell David, ‘The king desires no dowry except one hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to be avenged of the king’s enemies.’” Now Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines.

When his servants told David these words, it pleased David well to be the king’s son-in-law. The days were not expired;

and David arose and went, he and his men, and killed of the Philistines two hundred men; and David brought their foreskins, and they gave them in full number to the king, that he might be the king’s son-in-law. Saul gave him Michal his daughter as wife.

Saul saw and knew that the LORD was with David; and Michal, Saul’s daughter, loved him.

Saul was yet the more afraid of David; and Saul was David’s enemy continually.

Then the princes of the Philistines went out: and as often as they went out, David behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul; so that his name was highly esteemed.

Study Notes for 1 Samuel 18

Verse 1

This verse establishes the deep, immediate bond between Jonathan, the crown prince, and David, the shepherd, a relationship built on mutual respect and loyalty that transcends political rivalry.

Verse 3

The covenant (a binding formal agreement) signifies that their relationship was meant to be permanent and unconditional, forming the basis of David’s safety later in the narrative.

Verse 4

Jonathan’s symbolic transfer of his royal robe and military gear acknowledges David’s superior status and destiny, effectively surrendering his own claim to the throne in favor of his friend.

Verse 5

The recurring phrase that David 'behaved himself wisely' (repeated in vv. 14, 15, 30) attributes his success not only to skill but to divine favor and prudence, contrasting sharply with Saul’s impulsive behavior.

Verse 7

The women’s song reveals the spontaneous shift of popular allegiance. By assigning David 'ten thousands' and Saul 'thousands,' they unwittingly trigger Saul’s deep insecurity over his kingship.

Verse 8

Saul immediately interprets the popular praise as a direct challenge to his authority, demonstrating that his primary concern is retaining power rather than celebrating God's victory.

Verse 9

To 'eye' David suggests intense, hostile scrutiny. This verse marks the psychological turning point where Saul moves from admiration to obsessive suspicion and hatred.

Verse 10

The 'evil spirit from God' is often interpreted as a severe psychological torment or paranoia, divinely permitted or sent, which amplifies Saul's rage and impels him to violence.

Verse 11

Saul’s attempt to pin David to the wall is a clear act of premeditated royal violence, revealing the depth of his fear and instability.

Verse 12

This verse provides the theological explanation for the entire conflict: God’s presence had departed from Saul and was now demonstrably with David, making Saul powerless against him.

Verse 14

Despite Saul’s hostility, David continues to prosper. The emphasis on the LORD being 'with him' underscores that David’s success is divinely ordained, not merely circumstantial.

Verse 17

Saul masks his malicious intent (hoping David will die fighting) by framing the marriage offer as a noble duty to 'fight the LORD’s battles.' This is Saul’s first attempt at using proxy warfare.

Verse 18

David’s response is genuine humility, acknowledging the vast social gap between his humble origins and the status of marrying a king's daughter.

Verse 19

Saul’s failure to deliver Merab demonstrates his lack of integrity and further establishes his unpredictable and manipulative nature, likely designed to frustrate David.

Verse 20

Michal’s love for David provides Saul with a crucial second opportunity to use a royal marriage as a political weapon and a potential snare.

Verse 21

Saul explicitly reveals his strategy: to use Michal as a 'snare' (a trap) to ensure David’s death at the hands of the Philistines, thus avoiding direct responsibility for the murder.

Verse 25

The dowry demanded—one hundred Philistine foreskins—was highly unusual and intended to be a suicide mission, requiring deep penetration into enemy territory and proof of successful slaughter.

Verse 27

David’s ability to double the required dowry (200 foreskins) demonstrates overwhelming military prowess, completely frustrating Saul’s murderous scheme and forcing him to honor the marriage pledge.

Verse 28

Saul is now clearly aware of two undeniable facts: God is with David, and David is loved by his own daughter. This knowledge increases his fear and solidifies his enmity.

Verse 29

The paradox of Saul’s fear is that instead of prompting repentance or surrender to God’s will, it only deepens his resolve to become David’s relentless enemy.

Verse 30

David's continued success and wisdom ensures his growing reputation among the people and the military, making him a permanent focus of Saul's obsessive jealousy and hatred.

Use ← → arrow keys to navigate

1 Samuel18

Jonathan's Covenant with David

Saul's Jealousy Erupts

Saul Attempts Murder

Saul Sets a Trap with Marriage

Reading Style

Typeface

Font Size 19px

Reading Width 45 chars

Options