Chapter 18

1 Jonathan loveth David. 5 Saul envieth his praise, 10 seeketh to kill him in his fury, 12 feareth him for his good success, 17 offereth him his daughters for a snare. 22 David persuaded to be the king’s son in law, giveth two hundred foreskins of the Philistines for Michal’s dowry. 28Saul’s hatred, and David’s glory increaseth.

1. Made an end. The narrative continues without a break. Saul, having promised attractive rewards to the slayer of Goliath (ch. 17:25), now called for David and inquired as to his identity. If we insert ch. 16:14–23 between vs. ch. 9 and 10 of 18, as some scholars do, Saul’s first contact with David would thus be at the battle front, and the reason for Saul’s mental disturbance would lie in the adulation David received from the populace (vs. 7>6, 7). If, however, the account is in chronological order, Saul’s question (ch. 17:55) might be explained by supposing that Saul had taken so little notice of the humble lyre player during his spells of abstraction that he did not know who David was, in which case ch. 16:21 would be regarded as mentioning later developments. The latter seems preferable (see on ch. 16:21). In either case, since David was both a military hero and an inspired musician, it would be small wonder that Saul “let him go no more home to his father’s house” (ch. 18:2). See also on ch. 17:15.

The soul of Jonathan. The touching friendship between David and Jonathan is the classic example of kindred spirits recognizing in each other like ideals and rejoicing in the contact. Jonathan had already expressed dislike for his father’s attitude and course of action (ch. 14:29). To him, David’s humble and spiritual replies to Saul’s questions, giving God all the glory for past achievements, were like cool, refreshing water to a weary and thirsty traveler. To Jonathan, the hero of Michmash, there must have come lonely hours of disappointment and frustration because of his father’s lack of spiritual insight. Little did Jonathan realize that, all unknown to himself, the same faith in God and surrender to His guidance and protection were shaping another life a few miles to the south.

2. Saul took him. David became a courtier to Saul, permanently attached to the royal household. The narrative of ch. 16:14–23 could hardly follow this action on the part of Saul (see on ch. 18:1).

3. A covenant. Probably made at a subsequent time and recorded here by way of introduction to the narrative of the friendship of David and Jonathan. The pact of friendship must have been the result of conversations unnumbered, of expeditions carried out together, of mature affection. In the lovely friendship of these two devoted, ardent spirits it is our privilege to behold something of the feelings of Christ as one day He beholds in the lives of His redeemed ones the same spiritual vision, the same humility of soul, the same calmness of spirit, the same obedience to eternal principles of truth, that possessed His own heart while here on earth. Seeing thus the intense travail of His soul, He will be satisfied (Isa. 53:11). What a joy heaven will be for kindred souls, with an eternity for companionship.

4. Jonathan stripped himself. His love for David was so great that he was prepared to say, as John the Baptist did centuries later, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30). He beheld in David what he had once dreamed he might become. All the commendable traits of the two characters were cemented together by true affection, and Jonathan awoke to the fact that happiness consists in loving rather than in being loved. Christ so loved us that He voluntarily divested Himself of every divine prerogative (Phil. 2:6–8) that He might plant the leaven of truth in every man (John 1:9).

5. Went out whithersoever. Like Moses in the courts of Pharaoh, David received training in administrative affairs that was to stand him in good stead in years to come. He was placed in a position where he could see life from all its varied angles, and was given spiritual insight that he might distinguish between right and wrong. Like Daniel, David maintained his integrity in an environment not of his own choosing; nor did he fear contamination. God does not hesitate to place His servants in the very vortex of human selfishness, knowing that the darker the night, the brighter their light will shine forth. David, who had been a dutiful son in the house of his father, Jesse, now proved his worth as a loyal ambassador for the king.

Set him over. Saul was true to his promise to honor the man willing to accept the challenge his own soldiers had declined. Though little more than a youth, David conducted himself with such commendable discretion that he was readily accepted by all. His excellent traits of character were obvious. This does not mean that he replaced Abner, who had been, and still was, captain of the armed forces.

8. What can he have more? No time interval is given between the announcement of God’s choice of another man, “better than thou” (ch. 15:28), as king, and this present experience of David in the court of the king. Though it is probable that several years had passed, Saul would certainly be on the watch for signs of the man who was to succeed him (see v. 9). He had recently proved powerless before the Philistines, and had it not been for the courageous exploit of this shepherd lad he might have lost his own life. Yet, he resented the thought that this lad whom he had honored and associated closely with himself might be winning away from him the affections of the people and the army as well. What kind of gratitude would that be? Time had not eased the smart of the prophetic rebuke (see ch. 15:23). Saul again gave way to feelings of discontent and evil surmisings until his jealous mind finally became deranged.

10. The evil spirit. See on ch. 16:15, 16. Though God permits temptation to come, He never entices men to sin (James 1:13; cf. 1 Cor. 10:13).

He prophesied. Perhaps, “he raved” (RSV). The verb form that occurs here, though it is often used of true prophecy, may also refer to the mutterings of false prophets. Saul’s ecstatic frenzy was due to a spirit of violent passion, perhaps with the hope of impressing his courtiers with his holiness.

David played. What a contrast between these two men! Actuated by jealous fury, Saul grasped his javelin with deliberate design to slay David. David, probably sensing danger and realizing the cause of Saul’s passion, held his harp, with which he sought to relieve the king’s mental tension.

12. Saul was afraid. Saul’s reason for fearing David was his conviction that God had departed from him in favor of David. But had the Lord deliberately departed from Saul, or had the king forsaken his heavenly Father? Because He has given man the power of free choice, God will not restrain him by force if he rejects counsel. Adam forsook God when he yielded to the suggestions of the adversary. Did God forsake him? Paul deliberately persecuted the church of Christ. Did God forsake him? If so, how could Paul later affirm “that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief” (1 Tim. 1:15)?

Through David’s ministry, the Lord was appealing to the hardened heart of Saul, inviting him to return and realize the healing power of God in his behalf. Though Saul had irretrievably disqualified himself as king, he might yet find salvation as an individual (see on ch. 15:23, 35).

13. Saul removed him. From his own selfish point of view, one of the great mistakes of Saul’s life was when he removed David from his court and made him “captain over a thousand.” No more would the melody of David’s music ease Saul’s affliction. No other was able to uphold the king’s hand before the public as David had done, going “whithersoever Saul sent him” (v. 5). Obsessed by a desire to kill David, Saul did the very thing that made it harder for him to humble his heart and return to his heavenly Father.

14. Behaved himself wisely. Or, “was successful,” as the form of the Hebrew verb implies. The mistakes of men in power in dealing with their subordinates may easily be used by those subordinates as steppingstones to success if they wisely conduct themselves. David accepted his demotion—for such it seems to have been—in all humility, and in his new role won the admiration of all Israel. There were no recriminations, nor was there self-pity due to the unjust treatment. David remained the same bright, spiritual-minded soul he had always been. Greatly beloved by the Lord, he was, in spite of the wrath of the king, receiving just the training he needed before stepping into the responsibilities of leadership. God adapts the discipline of life to the peculiar needs of each individual who purposes to be true to duty.

16. Went out and came in. The duties assigned to David were such as to keep him constantly in the public eye.

17. Be thou valiant for me. Here two distinct personalities stand forth in sharp contrast, the cunning duplicity of Saul against the simplicity and straightforward conduct of David. Not only did Saul’s conscience trouble him, but secretly he was also afraid of the people, who loved David and were vocal in their expressions of loyalty to him. Jealous of every word of praise favoring the youth, Saul resorted to double-dealing—the stock in trade of selfish men—open flattery, and secret plotting. At first David seems to have been unaware of the snares set for him. He accepted both promotion and demotion in the same spirit of cooperative humility. His heart being pure before God, he was concerned only with the efficient discharge of every task assigned him, and calmly indifferent to personal danger.

Let not mine hand. Saul was not ready, yet, to take David’s life directly. He hoped to accomplish his purpose indirectly, in order to avoid the ill will of the people.

18. Who am I? Evidently Merab, the elder daughter of Saul—her name means, “increase,” “multiplication” (see Isa. 9:6, 7)—had been promised to David as part of the reward for killing Goliath (1 Sam. 17:25), or in the hope of persuading him to accept the hazard of further attacks on the Philistines. David’s hesitancy in marrying Merab may have arisen from the fact that he was not in a position to provide the required dowry.

19. She was given. At first nettled by David’s refusal, Saul could not hide his growing dislike for the newly appointed captain; he gave Merab to Adriel—“my help is God,” presuming the word to be Aramaic.

The Meholathite. Abel-meholah, the birthplace of Elisha, was a town not far from Beth-shan (1 Kings 4:12; 19:16), probably east of the Jordan at Tell el Maqlub, a site formerly identified with Jabesh-gilead (see on Judges 7:22). Saul’s duplicity should have opened David’s eyes, but because he yet looked on others as being sincere like himself, he meekly submitted to Saul’s cancellation of the first marriage contract.

21. Be a snare. In his daughter Michal the scheming Saul saw an opportunity yet to carry out his nefarious plan for David’s destruction. He would require such a dowry as would in all probability accomplish his purpose in an even better way than would have been possible had he given Merab to David. Saul was greatly pleased but had to move carefully, for David must not know that Michal was in love with him.

One of the twain. Or, “a second time” (RSV), with reference to this being Saul’s second proposition to David.

22. Commanded his servants. Having deliberately taken Merab from David, Saul proceeded by underhand methods to inform the youth that he still wanted him for his son-in-law. He arranged to snare David by means of a court whispering campaign. The servants themselves probably did not realize the part they were unconsciously playing in the drama.

23. I am a poor man. Perhaps David here gave expression to his perplexity over Saul’s double dealing. Still, he was not bitter, probably thinking Saul’s decision was due to his own poverty.

25. Not any dowry. David’s interest had been aroused in so tactful a way as to arouse no suspicion. In fact, the idea greatly appealed to him. He could thus at once avenge Israel against her longstanding enemy and win the hand of a young woman who may have seemed more suitable to him than even her older sister, but who perhaps might not be married before the first-born (see Gen. 29:26). Inasmuch as marriage arrangements were made by the parents, David sensed nothing wrong in Saul’s intentions.

An hundred foreskins. Egyptian reliefs depict piles of these, cut from fallen foes, brought to the king, and counted before him as evidence of victory. Saul’s proposal was thus in accord with contemporary pagan custom.

26. The days were not expired. Rather, “before the days were expired.” This clause belongs to v. 27.

27. Two hundred men. Saul had stipulated 100. The king had publicized the matter so widely that he was forced this time to live up to his own bargain. Thus God again directed Saul’s attention to the man whom it was His pleasure to honor.

29. David’s enemy. Chagrin at the failure of his evil scheme intensified Saul’s hatred of David. But instead of yielding to God, Saul grieved over wounded pride. David’s prestige was greater than ever. Now, fully possessed by an evil spirit, Saul’s darkly brooding mind assiduously sought a new snare for his enemy, now his own son-in-law.

Ellen G. White comments

1–30PP 649–652

1     Ed 157

1–5PP 649

6–8PP 650

13–16PP 651

17–25, 28PP 652