1 Sam 17 — David and Goliath
1 Sam 18:1-16 — David and Jonathan’s Friendship Grows, Saul’s Jealousy
1 Sam 18:17-30 — David Marries Michal
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There’s a lot packed into these few chapters regarding David’s rise and Saul’s continued decent. The great story of David and Goliath is well known, but best summed up in David’s words in 1 Sam 17:45-47 where he concludes, “the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” David gives the Lord credit and he uses the term “our hands.” This shows David’s heart and greatest desire to honor God in all things.
In contrast, we see Saul continue to falter time and time again, his persistent disobedience does not go unpunished by God. While the Lord loves Israel and continues to work His plan through David, he disciplines Saul individually. When I read 1 Sam 16:14, “Now the Spirit of the Lord had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented him,” I had to pause. This concept isn’t new in the Old Testament writings, but it is still a bit troubling if we take this out of context. “The next day an evil spirit from God came forcefully on Saul” (1 Sam 18:10). And again we read, “an evil spirit from the Lord came on Saul” in 1Sam 19:9. Does God send evil spirits? God is always God and remains sovereign. This becomes more evident as we read the rest of the story. I can’t image Saul’s dilemma: he once felt God’s presence within and knows what it is like to have His strength and power. But his pride led to his downfall, no doubt Saul felt empty, frustrated, even depressed. From a modern perspective, we might explain this as bipolar–the rest of Saul’s story recorded in 1 Samuel gives plenty of support for that assertion. The main problem I see from this is the lack of Saul asking God for help, he continues to rely on his earthly understanding rather than turning to God for answers (we’ll read more of this in the chapters to follow).
So, in an effort to avoid getting stuck on Saul’s problems, perhaps we should focus on David’s goodness. What an amazing contrast! Saul is acting crazy (literally) and David continues to succeed in battle and grows in fame among the much older, more experienced warriors of Israel. “In everything he did he had great success, because the Lord was with him” (1 Sam 18:14). Even the way he handles the interaction with Saul and ultimate marriage to Michal (1 Sam 18:27) attests to David’s great wisdom because God is the center of everything he does.
These few chapters provide a stark contrast between pride, arrogance, self-serving (Saul) and giving God the credit, seeking His wisdom and giving the glory to God (David). Lord, may I understand that all the glory belongs to you and you alone. Keep pride and arrogance far from me. Teach me your ways and guide me through the Holy Spirit that lives within me. May I always remember it is by your grace I am saved.