SAUL PLOTS TO KILL DAVID, YOUTHS STS Lesson 213
DEEPER CHRISTIAN LIFE MINISTRY
MEMORY VERSE: “And Saul spake to Jonathan his son, and to all his servants, that they should kill David” (1 Samuel 19:1).
TEXT: 1 Samuel 18:1-30; 19:1-24
David’s triumph over Goliath and the Philistines aroused a deeper love in Saul for him. “And Saul took him that day, and would let him go no more home to his father’s house” (1 Samuel 18:2). David’s bravery in that war also attracted Jonathan, Saul’s son, to him. His heart was so knit to him to the extent that he loved him as his own soul.
Question 1: How did the women of Israel react to David’s exploit over the Philistines?
“And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands” (1 Samuel 18:7). They were very impressed and ascribed more praises to David. This displeased Saul and he envied him. Envy is the resentful or unhappy feeling of wanting somebody else’s success, good fortune, qualities or possessions. Envy is a sin.
David, in the house of Saul, behaved himself wisely. Saul was afraid of him and attempted to kill him. David escaped his scheme to kill him several times because God was with him. Christian youths should not be afraid of the wicked. Since their lives are hidden in Christ, no one can harm them.
- AFFECTION OF THE PEOPLE FOR DAVID
(1 Samuel 18:1-5,16; Leviticus 19:18; Romans 13:9; Proverbs 18:24; Matthew 5:16)
“And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul” (1 Samuel 18:1). The kind of love Jonathan had for David was pure and scriptural. It was not an immoral relationship as practised by some ungodly youths. Jonathan’s love for David emanated from the time he defeated Goliath. He was impressed at his brave, brilliant and bold display before Goliath and his eventual conquest over him. Jonathan, being a soldier himself, found a fit companion in David and felt they could work together. He saw him as a trustworthy and tactical companion. There was no feeling of immoral dealings between them. Jonathan gave him a token by stripping himself of his clothing and gave it to David. This was because he “loved him as his own soul” (1 Samuel 18:1).
Today, some people who support gay practice draw their deceptive argument from this instance as a reason for their evil act. This is contrary to the Scriptures.
Question 2: Answer Yes or No.
- Is it right to love others as oneself?
- Should Christian youths support the campaign for Gay or Lesbian Right?
Christian youths should be careful in choosing their friends. This is to avoid being misled into evil association. They should ensure that their intimate friends are godly youths. You may have good rapport with your classmates and youths in the neighbourhood, but it should not be so intimate. “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24).
Beside Jonathan, there were other people that loved David because He was steadfast, a brilliant warrior, an intelligent musician who behaved wisely and was apt and humble. These
qualities made him to be loved by all who came in contact with him in Israel. Christian youths should learn from the qualities of David. Our godly characters will attract men to us. “A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men” (Proverbs 18:16).
- ANIMOSITY OF SAUL TOWARDS DAVID
(1 Samuel 18:6-9; Leviticus 19:17; Luke 17:15-17; Titus 3:3)
“And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of musick. And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands” (1 Samuel 18:6,7).
As the armies of Israel returned from the defeat of the Philistines, the women came singing before their king. They rejoiced at the conquest of the terror that oppressed the whole nation. No one had thought a relief could come so easily. When it came, they were happy. Therefore, they danced and sang to the glory of the Lord.
All praises should go to God who raises helpers to relieve us from pressing need. However, it is good to show gratitude to the person used of God to meet the desired need. Ingratitude is a sin. Christ condemned it. “And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? (Luke 17:15-17). These women in appreciation of what God had done attributed praises to David.
Question 3: How did Saul react to the praises of the women of Israel?
“And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands; and what can he have more but the kingdom? And Saul eyed David from that day and forward” (1 Samuel 18:8,9). He was very displeased and envious, and determined to harm David. Envy is same as jealousy. It leads to hatred and evil passion to harm or destroy. In envy, Saul was determined to kill David. Every good deed he did in his innocence was no longer appreciated by Saul. “Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?” (Proverbs 27:4).
At this time, Saul had backsliden. He was degenerating into more sin. Christian youths are not to envy anyone for any reason. It is a mark of a sinful life. “For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another” (Titus 3:3). If anyone is better and more skilful than you are, thank God for him. If someone else is preferred to you in any situation, praise God for that. As you do that, God will also bless and promote you.
- ATTEMPTS BY SAUL TO KILL DAVID
(1 Samuel 18:10-15,17-30; 19:1-24; Psalms 1:3; 59:1-5; 2 Timothy 4:18)
Saul sought occasions to kill David because of the hatred and envy he had for him. He ignored the good David did for Israel and himself. He decided to reward him by taking his life. “And it came to pass on the morrow, that the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as at other times: and there was a javelin in Saul’s hand. And Saul cast the javelin; for he said, I will smite David even to the wall with it. And David avoided out of his presence twice” (1 Samuel 18:10,11).
Saul’s eyes were blinded to David’s sacrificial service. He failed to understand that killing the only one found in Israel who could play the harp to relieve him would make him more vulnerable to the evil spirit that tormented him. But all he longed for was to get rid of him to retain his position as king. What a fallen state!
Question 4: What can Christian youths learn from the action of Saul against David in his fallen state?
Saul’s oversight of the good service of David to him and the entire Israel at his time reflects the state of sinners. When people desire a position, they often do everything possible to eliminate anyone who stands in their way. Mostly when the person possesses greater ability than they do. They do not mind if their actions would affect themselves throughout their lifetime or lead to eternal damnation in hell. Beware!
But God will never leave His faithful to the will of the enemies. Thrice, He delivered David from being killed with a javelin. Instead of Saul to repent of his action, he rather became more afraid of him, knowing that God was with him. David wrote later in the book of Psalm that, “Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence” (Psalm 91:3). This should give assurance of safety to believers in Christ. No matter the counsel of the wicked, that of the Lord shall stand.
Question 5: Mention some attempts made by Saul to kill David.
Saul made several attempts to kill David without any offence. At least, twelve attempts were made on his life: (1) Twice, Saul tried to kill David by striking him to the wall with a javelin as he played the harp (1 Samuel 18:11; 19:10). (2) Twice, he offered his daughters, Merab and Michal to David in marriage requesting one hundred foreskins of the Philistines, thinking he would die in the process (1 Samuel 18:17,20-25). (3) Time and again, he sent his servants after him, but he always escaped (1 Samuel 19:1, 11,15,20,21). (4) Saul himself went after David in Ramah (1 Samuel 19:22-24). Other occasions where Saul went after David is recorded in 1 Samuel 23:15; 26:2. None of these attempts worked, neither did the failure changed his heart. But, he was yet the more afraid of David, and became his enemy continually (1 Samuel 18:29).
Saul’s numerous attempts and direct instructions to his son and servants to kill David are against the sixth commandment given to the children of Israel, “Thou shalt not kill” (Exodus 20:13). Disobedience to this commandment attracts capital punishment, which is death. Whoever kills another person intentionally is a murderer. John the beloved said, “Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him” (1 John 3:15).
Question 6: Mention other ways sinful youths kill today.
The sin of murder manifests in different forms. Youths today kill through abortion, backbiting, slander, gossip and hatred for fellow youths. Therefore, Christian youths must flee from all forms of sin. Unlike Saul’s servants who were commanded to commit murder and obeyed, Jonathan would rather obey God than the king.
Jonathan refused to carry out Saul’s instruction to kill David because the command goes against God’s commandment. Christian youths are to submit to their parents, government authorities, teachers and church leadership. The Scripture admonished that, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right” (Ephesians 6:1). But if the instruction, assignment or errand is not in line with the word of God, such instruction or law must be politely refused (Daniel 3:12,16).
Meanwhile, Jonathan interceded for David before King Saul. This action was borne out of the love he had for his friend. In loyalty to David, Jonathan spoke well of him to his father. He spoke wisely to the king and pleaded the case of his friend. Saul listened to him and he (Jonathan) brought David to the king as he was in his presence before (verses 6,7).
“A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24). Our friendship with other children of God must be genuine, true and sacrificial. We must be ready to pay the price of friendship, which is love, at all times. As Jonathan stood in the gap between his father and his friend, so should we stand in the gap between God and our unbelieving friends, to intercede and preach the gospel to them until they are converted.
“There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand” (Proverbs 19:21). Saul continued his plot to kill David. After he escaped to another town, his enemy ran after him; but God stepped into the matter.
There was a divine intervention and David’s life was spared because he had been anointed to be king and that plan of God for his life must be fulfilled no matter what the enemy may try against his life.
In all these attempts, Saul could not kill David because the Lord was with him. As a Christian youth, ensure that you are living according to the word of God and no one will be able to destroy you. “And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen” (2 Timothy 4:18).
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