1 Samuel 18

This chapter begins with the growing bond between David and Jonathan after David’s victory over Goliath. David's increasing success and favor with the people and King Saul causes tension, leading Saul to grow increasingly jealous. The chapter reveals the deep friendship between David and Jonathan, Saul's attempts to kill David, and David’s continued success despite Saul’s schemes.

1 Samuel 18:1 (NKJV)
1 Now when he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.

Jonathan, Saul’s son, developed a deep and immediate friendship with David. Their bond is described as one of complete loyalty and love, showing the depth of Jonathan’s admiration for David's character and his faithfulness to him. This verse sets the stage for a lasting friendship that transcends the usual political and familial tensions of the time.

1 Samuel 18:2 (NKJV)
2 Saul took him that day, and would not let him go home to his father's house anymore.

Saul recognizes David’s potential and strength after his victory over Goliath, and he decides to keep David close, bringing him into his court permanently. David no longer returns to his father’s house, signaling a shift in his life as he becomes an integral part of Saul’s household and military.

1 Samuel 18:3-4 (NKJV)
3 Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.
4 And Jonathan took off the robe that was on him and gave it to David, with his armor, even to his sword and his bow and his belt.

Jonathan’s act of giving David his robe and armor was symbolic of his deep affection and loyalty to David. The robe and weapons were likely symbols of Jonathan’s royal position, and by giving them to David, Jonathan was acknowledging David’s future leadership and his willingness to support David, even at personal cost.

1 Samuel 18:5 (NKJV)
5 So David went out wherever Saul sent him, and behaved wisely. And Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people and also in the sight of Saul's servants.

David’s wisdom and success in his duties impressed everyone, from the common people to Saul’s officials. His behavior and leadership were beyond reproach, and Saul rewarded him by promoting him over the military. David’s growing popularity with the people and Saul’s servants would later contribute to Saul’s jealousy.

1 Samuel 18:6-7 (NKJV)
6 Now it had happened as they were coming home, when David was returning from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women had come out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with joy, and with musical instruments.
7 So the women sang as they danced, and said:
“Saul has slain his thousands,
And David his ten thousands.”

David’s victory over the Philistines brought celebration across Israel, with women from various towns welcoming Saul and David with music and songs. However, the lyrics of their song indicated that David was more successful than Saul, which stirred a dangerous envy within Saul. This public recognition of David’s accomplishments became a turning point in Saul's attitude toward him.

1 Samuel 18:8-9 (NKJV)
8 Then Saul was very angry, and the saying displeased him; and he said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed only thousands. Now what more can he have but the kingdom?”
9 So Saul eyed David from that day forward.

Saul’s jealousy was ignited by the comparison made in the song, as he feared that David’s increasing fame could lead to him taking the kingdom. From that moment, Saul viewed David as a threat, and this marked the beginning of Saul’s growing obsession with removing David from his path.

1 Samuel 18:10-11 (NKJV)
10 And it happened on the next day that the distressing spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied inside the house. So David played music with his hand, as at other times; but there was a spear in Saul's hand.
11 And Saul cast the spear, for he said, “I will pin David to the wall!” But David escaped his presence twice.

Saul, tormented by a distressing spirit, became unpredictable and dangerous. David, who had previously played music to calm Saul, became the target of Saul’s violent jealousy. Twice, Saul attempted to kill David by throwing a spear at him, but David escaped unharmed. This incident highlighted the increasing danger David faced under Saul’s unstable rule.

1 Samuel 18:12-13 (NKJV)
12 Now Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with him, but had departed from Saul.
13 Therefore Saul removed him from his presence, and made him his captain over a thousand; and he went out and came in before the people.

Saul’s fear of David grew because he recognized that God’s favor had shifted to David, while it had left him. To distance himself from David, Saul assigned him a position away from the court, but this only gave David more visibility and success with the people.

1 Samuel 18:14-15 (NKJV)
14 And David behaved wisely in all his ways, and the Lord was with him.
15 Therefore, when Saul saw that he behaved very wisely, he was afraid of him.

David continued to act with wisdom and integrity, which only further heightened Saul’s fear. Saul saw that God’s favor on David made him successful in all he did, increasing Saul’s paranoia and sense of vulnerability.

1 Samuel 18:16 (NKJV)
16 But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out and came in before them.

David’s connection with the people grew stronger as they saw him leading with courage and success in battle. His humble and wise behavior won him the love and admiration of the entire nation, which contrasted with Saul’s growing isolation and paranoia.

1 Samuel 18:17-18 (NKJV)
17 Then Saul said to David, “Here is my older daughter Merab; I will give her to you as a wife. Only be valiant for me and fight the Lord's battles.” For Saul thought, “Let my hand not be against him, but let the hand of the Philistines be against him.”
18 So 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?”

Saul, seeing no success in his direct attempts to kill David, resorted to deception. He offered his daughter Merab in marriage to David, hoping that David would die in battle fighting the Philistines. David humbly declined, expressing that he was unworthy of such an honor. His humility, again, contrasted with Saul’s scheming.

1 Samuel 18:19 (NKJV)
19 But it happened at the time when Merab, Saul’s daughter, should have been given to David, that she was given to Adriel the Meholathite as a wife.

Despite Saul’s offer of his daughter Merab, he goes back on his word and gives her in marriage to Adriel instead. This shows the instability and unreliability of Saul’s character, as he continually looks for ways to manipulate David’s situation without delivering on his promises.

1 Samuel 18:20-21 (NKJV)
20 Now Michal, Saul's daughter, loved David. And they told Saul, and the thing pleased him.
21 So 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 a second time, “You shall be my son-in-law today.”

Saul learned that his younger daughter, Michal, loved David. Instead of being happy for her, he saw this as another opportunity to trap David. Saul planned to use Michal’s love for David as a way to lead him into dangerous battles with the Philistines, hoping that this would lead to David’s downfall. Saul’s intentions were not for his daughter’s happiness but rather for his own advantage.

1 Samuel 18:22-23 (NKJV)
22 And Saul commanded his servants, “Communicate with David secretly, and say, ‘Look, the king has delight in you, and all his servants love you. Now therefore, become the king's son-in-law.’”
23 So Saul’s servants spoke those words in the hearing of David. And David said, “Does it seem to you a light thing to be a king's son-in-law, seeing I am a poor and lightly esteemed man?”

Saul, again trying to manipulate the situation, sent his servants to convince David that Saul was pleased with him and that becoming his son-in-law was a great honor. David’s response shows his humility once more, as he considered himself unworthy due to his low status and lack of wealth. Despite Saul's offers, David remained grounded and cautious.

1 Samuel 18:24-25 (NKJV)
24 And the servants of Saul told him, saying, “In this manner David spoke.”
25 Then Saul said, “Thus you shall say to David: ‘The king does not desire any dowry but one hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to take vengeance on the king's enemies.’” But Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines.

Saul, seeing that David felt unworthy of marrying into the royal family due to his lack of wealth, devised another deadly plan. He told David that instead of a traditional dowry, all he needed to do was kill one hundred Philistines. Saul’s true intention was for David to be killed in battle by the Philistines, further showing Saul's deceit and malice.

1 Samuel 18:26-27 (NKJV)
26 So when his servants told David these words, it pleased David well to become the king’s son-in-law. Now the days had not expired;
27 therefore David arose and went, he and his men, and killed two hundred men of the Philistines. And David brought their foreskins, and they gave them in full count to the king, that he might become the king’s son-in-law. Then Saul gave him Michal his daughter as a wife.

David accepted Saul’s challenge and exceeded expectations by killing two hundred Philistines instead of the one hundred requested. This again showed David’s prowess in battle and his dedication. Saul was forced to give Michal to David in marriage, as David fulfilled his part of the bargain. Despite Saul’s plans, God’s favor remained with David.

1 Samuel 18:28-29 (NKJV)
28 Thus Saul saw and knew that the Lord was with David, and that Michal, Saul's daughter, loved him;
29 and Saul was still more afraid of David. So Saul became David’s enemy continually.

As Saul observed David’s continued success and the love Michal had for David, his fear grew even greater. He realized that God’s favor was clearly upon David, which only deepened his resentment. Saul, instead of repenting or reconciling with David, solidified his stance as David’s enemy, continuously plotting against him.

1 Samuel 18:30 (NKJV)
30 Then the princes of the Philistines went out to war. And so it was, whenever they went out, that David behaved more wisely than all the servants of Saul, so that his name became highly esteemed.

David’s wisdom and skill in battle outshone all of Saul’s other servants. Whenever the Philistines rose against Israel, David proved himself a more capable leader and warrior. This further increased his reputation among the people, making him highly esteemed, while Saul’s influence and favor continued to diminish. David’s wisdom and success were clear signs of God’s guidance and blessing upon his life.