NOTES for Sa1 18:1-30

The victory over Goliath, which contributed so greatly to the defeat of the Philistines, brought David the people’s love and the faithful friendship of Prince Jonathan. But in Saul’s distorted mind, envy and bitterness toward David only grow stronger.

It is telling that after recounting how Saul tried to kill David with a spear, the biblical narrator observes that it was not David who became afraid of Saul, but Saul who became afraid of David. David is unafraid not only because of his natural fearlessness, but also because he knows that the Lord is on his side.

Saul, however, is ready to resort to the most elaborate schemes if only he can destroy David. He is even prepared to give him his daughter in marriage, solely so that, as the king’s son-in-law, David may be sent to war and perhaps be killed. But the Lord protected David, and the evil plotted against him, including Saul’s intrigues, turned to his benefit. The man whom Saul wanted to destroy in war became there not only a brave warrior but also a skilled commander. All this increased his fame and won him still more supporters among the people.