SAUL PLOTS TO KILL DAVID,ADULTS STS Lesson 213
DEEPER CHRISTIAN LIFE MINISTRY
MEMORY VERSE: “And Saul sought to smite David even to the wall with the javelin; but he slipped away out of Saul’s presence, and he smote the javelin into the wall: and David fled, and escaped that night” (1 Samuel 19:10).
TEXT: 1 Samuel 18:1-30; 19:1-24
David’s victory over Goliath brought with it higher responsibility, national esteem and general affection of the people. This was amplified by the customary victory songs of the women. David’s growing popularity among the people bruised Saul’s ego and drew his ire. He began to nurse hatred and envy against him and made attempts to eliminate him. As a matter of fact, Saul’s hatred, envy and fear of David became full-blown to the extent that he openly campaigned and enlisted his household to hunt him down. His frustration worsened as Jonathan, his son and Michal, his daughter declined to cooperate to eliminate David. Jonathan so loved David that he gave him his royal robe, garments, sword and girdle as the duo entered a lifelong friendship. The basic lesson here is that the wicked may hunt the people of God, but He “preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked” (Psalm 97:10).
1. RIGHTEOUS FRIENDSHIP OF JONATHAN WITH DAVID (1 Samuel 18:1-5; 19:2-7; Proverbs 18:24; 17:17; John 15:13-15; 1 John 3:16; Romans 5:7,8; 12:9,10; 13:10; 1 Corinthians 13:4,5)
”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). This friendship was providential. Ordinarily, the likes of Jonathan who lived in the royal court would not descend to befriend a David who just came to town from following sheep. Even when Jonathan came under the threat of being killed by his own father for helping David to escape, he staked his life for his friend. They were so united in their spirits that they seemed but one soul in two bodies. The prudence, modesty, piety, bravery and faith of David might have been the points of affection that endeared him to Jonathan. He demonstrated his love for David with generous presents of his royal robe, garments, sword, bow and girdle. If there was a friend who stuck closer to David than his own brother, it was Jonathan (Proverbs 18:24). The bond was so strong that after the death of Jonathan, David lamented bitterly and showed kindness to the house of Jonathan (2 Samuel 1:26).
The Scripture admonishes that believers should “Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil…” (Romans 12:9,10). Love amongst brethren should be characterised by sincerity, kindness, purity, patience and gentleness (1 Corinthians 13:4,5). It is important to underscore here that godly children should refrain from running sinful errands for their parents.
“And Jonathan spake good of David unto Saul his father, and said unto him, Let not the king sin against his servant, against David; because he hath not sinned against thee, and because his works have been to thee-ward very good” (1 Samuel 19:4). Jonathan played the role of an advocate and intercessor. His intercession for David was managed with a great deal of meekness and wisdom; and he showed himself faithful to his friend by speaking good of him, even when faced with the danger of incurring his father’s displeasure. He pleaded convincingly and made his father see why David should not be killed (1 Samuel 19:4,5). Saul’s hands were weakened by Jonathan’s words because he had no justifiable reason for his action.
As God’s children, we have nothing to fear because we have an Advocate and Intercessor before our heavenly Father (1 John 2:1; Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25). Besides, our righteous life will speak for us in times of adversity, persecution and unjustifiable attacks from the enemy (Proverbs 11:6; 1 Peter 3:13). In view of this, we should use our tongues aright at all times to build up and not to destroy (Proverbs 25:11; Ecclesiastes 10:12; 12:11). Christ teaches that believers should be peacemakers who cement relationships in line with the Scriptures (Matthew 5:9).
Having succeeded in his peace initiative, Jonathan brought David to Saul and he resumed his duties in the palace (1 Samuel 19:7). Nothing suggests that David was fearful, vengeful or half-hearted in his service to the king on resumption of duty. The Bible declares that “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear…” (1 John 4:18). Full of love, Jesus Christ the Prince of peace also descended from the courts of heaven to initiate and seal an everlasting friendship with humanity. He stripped Himself of heavenly glory, incarnated through the virgin birth, demonstrated supreme love through His death and resurrection to provide robes of righteousness for everyone. More than Jonathan, He became poor so that we can be enriched with divine blessings (John 15:13; 2 Corinthians 8:9). Jonathan made a verbal temporal covenant with David but Christ made an everlasting covenant with His blood for as many as would respond to His love by turning away from their sins. Jonathan gave David his sword, bow and girdle but the Lord has given believers a comprehensive package of the whole armour of God, the sword of the Spirit and the girdle of truth.
David had been anointed to replace Saul as the next king of Israel. By divine arrangement, it was his victory that connected him to the royal family. Saul accepted David and employed him in the affairs of government as a head over the men of war. Thus, he became a resident of the royal court. David’s presence there was to prepare him ahead of the higher calling of the Lord. He showed himself a dutiful servant as he “…went out whithersoever Saul sent him…” (1 Samuel 18:5). He was obedient and courageous, qualities that earned him acceptance “in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul’s servants”.
2. RELENTLESS PLOT BY SAUL TO KILL DAVID (1 Samuel 18:6-11; 19:1, 8-24; Psalms 37:12,13; 86:14; 94:21,22; Proverbs 6:14; Psalms 119:110; 142:3; 140:5; Titus 3:3; Acts 7:9; Matthew 27:18; Acts 13:45; 17:5; Isaiah 10:1)
The defeat of Goliath and the Philistines did not only bring joy but also pain to David. Saul felt threatened by his growing popularity and could not bear to hear the women magnify the servant above the master. Seeing David as his possible successor to the throne, he laboured to eliminate him. “And Saul spake to Jonathan his son, and to all his servants, that they should kill David” (1 Samuel 19:1). To execute his murderous intention and take David unawares, Saul sought opportunity when David played the harp to refresh him from the torment of an evil spirit; he cast a javelin to pin him to the wall. By divine help, David escaped all the attempts on his life by Saul.
It was awful for Saul to enlist his household in the murderous plot against David. His instruction had far-reaching domestic and national implications. One, by attempting to drag Jonathan and his servants into the murderous plot, Saul tried to infect his household with malice and bitterness against David. It is ungodly for church leaders to nurse hatred against any worker or member, let alone influence their household to hate, antagonise or even hurt their target. As Christians, we should guard against the tendency to sow seeds of discord and hatred in our members, children, family or colleagues in our workplaces. The Bible commands us to “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14).
Two, the instruction to kill David had the capacity to generate inter-generational enmity and war between the two families and tribes. Three, it was a flagrant disregard for God’s word not to kill (Exodus 20:13; Matthew 19:18). Believers are warned to desist from getting involved in any form of murder, including abortion (Romans 13:9; 1 Peter 4:15; 1 John 3:15). Four, Saul failed to lead an exemplary godly life for his household and subjects to emulate.
The Scripture affirms that envy and hatred are marks of the unregenerate life. Joseph was sold into slavery, Christ was delivered to be crucified and the Jews persecuted Paul the apostle, all because of envy (Acts 7:9; Matthew 27:18; Acts 13:45; 17:5). Prior to his conversion, Paul recalled that “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).
Believers should learn from David to put their entire faith in God to fight their battles and defeat the purposes of their persecutors. Instead of confronting their persecutors physically, they are to prayerfully hand the battles over to God and not give in to revenge (Romans 12:19). When we live in holiness and the fear of God, our persecutors will be afraid of us: “For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him…” (Mark 6:20).
David’s winning streak in different battles over the Philistines unsettled Saul. Rather than get killed by the Philistines, which Saul so much desired, he defeated them. The latest victory increased Saul’s frustration and renewed his desperation to kill him. His action confirms the fact that hatred and malice blind the eyes of the unregenerate and backsliders from seeing good things in others. Some Jews never saw anything good in our Lord Jesus Christ because of their religious blindness occasioned by hatred for the truth (John 9:39-41). Meanwhile, David’s doggedness teaches us that persecution and challenges of life should not restrain us from putting in our best into God’s service.
Saul continued his hot chase to hunt David down by dispatching his hatchet men to his house to eliminate him. This plot was aborted by Michal, Saul’s daughter whom he had married. She did not only provide David with the intelligence about the looming danger but personally smuggled him out of the house through a window. “So David fled, and escaped, and came to Samuel to Ramah… he and Samuel went and dwelt in Naioth” (1 Samuel 19:18).
David’s flight did not assuage Saul’s frustration. As far as he was concerned, he would stop at nothing but the termination of his life. Having obtained report that David went to Naioth with Samuel, Saul again dispatched some messengers to capture and bring him. Lacking respect for God and His prophet, the three batches of Saul’s messengers entered the assembly to carry out their evil assignment but were all arrested and detained by the Spirit of God. Unwilling to accept any disgrace from a failed plot, Saul “went thither to Naioth” and was also overpowered by God’s Spirit.
It is unfortunate that Saul who prophesied shortly before his coronation causing people to ask: “Is Saul also among the prophets?” had lost all grace and every vestige of godliness and was left to chase a servant in his kingdom. How quickly had his loss of the Spirit turned him into a monster without regard for human lives! Those who manifest gifts without grace, and charisma without character will be turned back at the pearly gate of heaven (Matthew 7:22,23).
Saul with his messengers failed to realise that God’s presence with David was the secret of his protection. Though the devil seeks to devour God’s people and servants, the Lord is always committed to our preservation (2 Timothy 4:18; Psalm 91). Irrespective of what you are going through, “The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore” (Psalm 121:7,8).
3. SAUL’S CONTINUAL FEAR OF DAVID (1 Samuel 18:28-30; Proverbs 28:1; 29:25; 1 John 4:18; Mark 6:20)
“And Saul was yet the more afraid of David; and Saul became David’s enemy continually” (1 Samuel 18:29). Saul’s fear was based on his discovery that the divine presence which he lost was with David. “And Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him, and was departed from Saul” (1 Samuel 18:12). He knew that David could not have escaped the points of javelin without the help of God. Besides, it was baffling that he tried unsuccessfully to convince Jonathan to work against David. Added to this was David’s prudent behaviour.
God preserved David from all the attempts Saul made against him. Also, he was very cautious and circumspect in everything he said and did: he “…behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul; so that his name was much set by” (verse 30). Therefore, a believer who walks in the wisdom of God like David is assured that, “No weapon that is formed against [him] shall prosper” (Isaiah 54:17). For God will not deliver the righteous into the hand of the wicked.
QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW:
- Why was David accepted by all Israel?
- What do we learn from Saul’s move to kill David?
- What should be the believer’s attitude towards persecutors?
- Describe the nature of love that should exist among brethren in the church.
- State what believers can learn from Jonathan’s mediation.
- What are the similarities between the devices Saul used to eliminate David and the ones the devil uses against believers?
- Highlight useful lessons from Saul’s unsuccessful attempts to kill David.
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