king – King David 101

Influenced but Without Surrender

In an odd scene in the life of King Saul is recorded in 1 Samuel 19:18–24, where Saul, enraged, sends soldiers to capture David. Three groups are overpowered by the Holy Spirit, and each group begins prophesying instead of arresting David. Finally, a frustrated Saul himself goes to Ramah, and there he too is overcome by the Spirit:

“He tore off his clothes and lay naked on the ground all day and all night, prophesying in the presence of Samuel. The people who were watching exclaimed, “What? Is even Saul a prophet?”

1 Samuel 19:18-24

“Influence Without Surrender” is one of the better ways to explain this strange passage. Even after several readings, this seems to be the best interpretation. Saul (and three groups of soldiers) come under “the influence” of the Holy Spirit and are prevented from capturing David.

God proactively intervenes in the life of His anointed one.

David must have been in shock. God defends him in an astonishing way, but in a manner that amazed the onlookers. And David was learning what God was really like. When the Lord goes to battle, anything can happen. In His powerful sovereignty, God decides the weapons He will use. In Saul’s case, the prophetic works perfectly.

Troop after troop is floored by the presence of a mighty God. Finally, Saul decides to intervene. Why isn’t David in custody? Saul intends to find out; when he steps into the prophet’s presence. When this happens, Saul falls under the very presence of God and encounters the Lord.

And really, we must understand that Saul comes under the influence of God but refuses to surrender. Isn’t this the epitome of his life? He may understand, but Saul refuses to surrender and to yield and submit to the Lord God.

That’s what God does to His rebellious and disobedient children.

For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, He hath also rejected thee from being king.

1 Samuel 15:23

Saul does this every time.

Please understand. God “is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9.)

Climbing Out the Window

¹¹Then Saul sent troops to watch David’s house. They were told to kill David when he came out the next morning. But Michal, David’s wife, warned him, “If you don’t escape tonight, you will be dead by morning.” ¹²So she helped him climb out through a window, and he fled and escaped. ¹³Then she took an idol^[^b^] and put it in his bed, covered it with blankets, and put a cushion of goat’s hair at its head.

¹⁴When the troops came to arrest David, she told them he was sick and couldn’t get out of bed.

¹⁵But Saul sent the troops back to get David. He ordered, “Bring him to me in his bed so I can kill him!” ¹⁶But when they came to carry David out, they discovered that it was only an idol in the bed with a cushion of goat’s hair at its head.

¹⁷“Why have you betrayed me like this and let my enemy escape?” Saul demanded of Michal.

“I had to,” Michal replied. “He threatened to kill me if I didn’t help him.”

1 Samuel 19:11-17

Let’s consider the resourcefulness of Michal:

Much of this passage deals with Michel, David’s first wife. She is clever, showing ingenuity in helping David escape. An explanation– When Saul realized that the Lord was with David and how much his daughter Michal loved him, ²⁹Saul became even more afraid of him, and he remained David’s enemy for the rest of his life. (18:28-29.)

Her actions enabled David to escape. First, she warned him. Second, she gave him directions to leave their bed chamber. Third, put a facsimile of David in their bed to buy him more time to escape. They both knew that Saul’s troops were coming.

Notice Saul’s distorted thinking; he considered her actions as a “betrayal.” He knew that David escaped due to her actions to gain David some time,

Saul interrogated her himself; he strongly asserted that she helped David escape. She lied to protect herself–” “He threatened to kill me if I didn’t help him.” (v. 17.) Now this wasn’t true, but her own life was at stake. Whether or not the lie was necessary, it created enough latitude for her to escape any punishment.

Her crafty wisdom would give David a chance to escape.

One thing struck me reading the text. These troops were most likely man who had served under the direction of David against the Philistines. There is something false about them, a betrayal of what they knew as false orders to apprehend and to kill David.

David would face these men again. Saul’s hatred and his attempted murder of David had just begun.

Evil Carries a Spear

^“And there was war again. And David went out and fought with the Philistines and struck them with a great blow, so that they fled before him. ⁹Then a harmful spirit from the Lord came upon Saul, as he sat in his house with his spear in his hand. And David was playing the lyre. ¹⁰And Saul sought to pin David to the wall with the spear, but he eluded Saul, so that he struck the spear into the wall. And David fled and escaped that night.”

1 Samuel 19:8-10, NLT

There are things in this passage that I don’t fully understand. I will try to share what little I do know. Let’s have a go at it.

If I could, I would get out my X-Acto Knife and carefully cut out verse 9, I would do it. The very idea that the Lord would send “a harmful spirit” to come to Saul is hard to grasp. Perhaps we need to recognize that after his sin, sparing Agag in 1 Sam. 15:20, nothing good is ever spoken of Saul in scripture.

Sin develops over time. Nothing is a mere trifle or insignificant.

Saul’s sin metastasizes, and any real repentance becomes impossible. This is sobering. And scary. It’s no wonder we’re warned repeatedly to renounce our sin. At this point Saul comes under the direct influence of evil powers. His continued disobedience becomes his very character.

Saul sits with his spear in hand, and David, his arch enemy, stands before Saul playing the harp. Instead of being comforted, he becomes murderous. It seems he cannot control himself. And with that spear Saul throws it at David, and Saul intends to “pin David to the wall.”

Somehow David eludes it, and escapes into the night.

Some of this seems logical and understandable. The “good” escapes; but the evil in the heart of Saul remains. From this point on, Saul is basically “unreachable.” He becomes full of darkness.

And without God’s Holy Spirit convicting and leading us through our own sin, we too will destroy ourselves. The lesson of Saul’s repeated rebellion should terrify the believer who wants to follow Jesus. Let’s not trifle with sin; if not dealt with will also destroy us.

“One great power of sin is that it blinds men so that they do not recognize its true character.”

Andrew Murray

Jonathan Understands

“And Saul spoke to Jonathan his son and to all his servants, that they should kill David. But Jonathan, Saul’s son, delighted much in David. ²And Jonathan told David, “Saul my father seeks to kill you. Therefore be on your guard in the morning. Stay in a secret place and hide yourself. ³And I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where you are, and I will speak to my father about you. And if I learn anything I will tell you.”

^4 “And Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his father and said to him, “Let not the king sin against his servant David, because he has not sinned against you, and because his deeds have brought good to you. ⁵For he took his life in his hand and he struck down the Philistine, and the Lord worked a great salvation for all Israel. You saw it, and rejoiced. Why then will you sin against innocent blood by killing David without cause?” ⁶And Saul listened to the voice of Jonathan. Saul swore, “As the Lord lives, he shall not be put to death.”

^7 “And Jonathan called David, and Jonathan reported to him all these things. And Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence as before.”

1 Samuel 19:1-7

What a strange sequence of events, but stranger things have happened and will happen to David (the future king of Israel).

Saul finally takes his rage out into the open. He wants David to be executed, but he never offers any justification for his anger or decision. All he wants is David’s head. No explanation is given. David is regarded as a traitor, but to whom?

Saul requires his court to take action. The king wants David dead. This proclamation has never happened before—the king of Israel demanding the death of another Israelite. This is the deep power of wickedness coming from a twisted heart. This can only come from something quite satanic.

Jonathan, at this critical point, understands the strong power of covenant. He has vowed to defend David, no matter what the cost is. He will be true forever. So Jonathan determines to defend his “brother.”

Jonathan has now become a spy. He listens closely and then passes to David about what has heard. He will defend him no matter the cost. Jonathan understands that the very life of David is in his hands.

Jonathan reminds king Saul of the heroics of David on behalf of the nation of Israel. He speaks truth into untruth. Saul listens and is persuaded that his decrees are wrong. He backs off and vows to treat David favorably.

Saul swears that David should not be touched (executed). That will be temporary as we can see. It seems that Saul’s wrath is simmering below the surface. His repentance is only for show, at least for this moment. Oh, the depth of an angry unforgiveness.

Because of Jonathan’s intercession, David is forgiven temporarily, and he is restored to his place in court. Perhaps David’s past triumphs are the key to his present survival, at least for the moment.

There are many lessons to be drawn from this passage. I hesitate to list them as I believe that the Holy Spirit will show you what is necessary.

Saul Hates David

“Saul gave him his daughter Michal for a wife. ²⁸But when Saul saw and knew that the Lord was with David, and that Michal, Saul’s daughter, loved him, ²⁹Saul was even more afraid of David. So Saul was David’s enemy continually.”

^30 “Then the commanders of the Philistines came out to battle, and as often as they came out David had more success than all the servants of Saul, so that his name was highly esteemed.”

1 Samuel 18:28-30

David was fighting two battles at once. He had to face King Saul’s hostility, and the ongoing war with the Philistine’s army. I suppose that it was a tremendous drain. After the battle he came home and found nothing but jealousy and anger.

Saul was very afraid of David.

Fear like this turned into deep seated malevolence and hatred. Despite his tremendous success he, upon returning home, found zero recognition. To many he was a hero, but to Saul he was despised and detested. And again, Saul was deeply afraid of David.

Fear accomplishes nothing. Fear only destroys.

Saul was in a spiritual downward spiral. It was just a matter of time before the end. King Saul had become evil. God’s Spirit had left him, and he was nothing more than a shell, vacant and empty of anything good. Perhaps David was grieved to see the king turn into something unrecognizable and dark.

David had been anointed as the next king.

“Then Samuel took a flask of oil and poured it on his head and kissed him and said, “Has not the Lord anointed you to be prince over his people Israel? And you shall reign over the people of the Lord and you will save them from the hand of their surrounding enemies. And this shall be the sign to you that the Lord has anointed you to be prince over his heritage.”

(1 Samuel 10:1, ESV.)

The prophet’s word had been spoken. There would be resistance and hostility which seemed to contradict this prophecy. David would soon discover the enemies battle against what God had declared. (But what choice did he have?)

God’s declaration of David’s anointing didn’t matter to Saul. He would continue the path he had chosen. David would continue to find success against the Philistines.

“David behaved more wisely than all the servants of Saul, so that his name became highly esteemed: Saul’s plan has completely backfired. David is not only alive but also more popular and closer to the LORD than ever. Saul isn’t finished and will use more manipulation, cunning, and outright violence to attack David.”

David Guzik

100 Foreskins

²⁴When Saul’s men reported this back to the king, ²⁵he told them, “Tell David that all I want for the bride price is 100 Philistine foreskins! Vengeance on my enemies is all I really want.” But what Saul had in mind was that David would be killed in the fight.

²⁶David was delighted to accept the offer. Before the time limit expired, ²⁷he and his men went out and killed 200 Philistines. Then David fulfilled the king’s requirement by presenting all their foreskins to him. So Saul gave his daughter Michal to David to be his wife.

²⁸When Saul realized that the Lord was with David and how much his daughter Michal loved him, ²⁹Saul became even more afraid of him, and he remained David’s enemy for the rest of his life. ³⁰Every time the commanders of the Philistines attacked, David was more successful against them than all the rest of Saul’s officers. So David’s name became very famous.

1 Samuel 18:24-30, NLT

A snare had been set. King Saul wanted David dead. A trap would destroy him; Saul had the bait, and he also knew that nothing could be traced back to him. David had become very popular, and so Saul had to be very careful.

Saul had a plan, and yet it seemed it was a good one.

David was called upon to do what seemed impossible. Saul declared that David was to bring him back 100 “foreskins” taken from the dead Philistines. Now the Philistines had been a terrible problem for the people of Israel. They had been attacking and destroying without any restraint.

Saul surmised that whether to win or lose, that the David problem would be resolved. If anything, David would be tarnished in the minds of the Philistines. Perhaps a bounty would be placed on David’s head. He would become a “target” and be especially hated. Perhaps this is true?

But David would ultimately prevail.

David exceeded and even doubled Saul’s wishes. Instead of just meeting, he doubled what Saul had required. Returning from the battle, he carried 200 of the foreskins back to the king. He returned with not just the minimum but surpassed it.

Ah yes, the matter of the foreskins. First, we must understand how the Philistines had attacked and harmed Israel. They continued to advance and Israel hadn’t really responded to their continual harassment. Saul understood that many had died and he had no answer to their constant attacks.

Second, David was a man of his times. Things were brutal and the very survival of Israel demanded a response. Yes, David needed to respond with force. The Philistines needed to know that Israel could return fire with fire. David did this.

Third, these were dead men. David collected these foreskins from the dead his men had already killed. He didn’t seize the enemy and forced them to endure “surrender” their penises at “gunpoint.” David collected these foreskins from the Philistines that were already dead.

Now granted this wasn’t perfect or New Testament theology, and yet it was the need of the moment.

The Shield of Meekness

²⁰In the meantime, Saul’s daughter Michal had fallen in love with David, and Saul was delighted when he heard about it. ²¹“Here’s another chance to see him killed by the Philistines!” Saul said to himself. But to David he said, “Today you have a second chance to become my son-in-law!”

²²Then Saul told his men to say to David, “The king really likes you, and so do we. Why don’t you accept the king’s offer and become his son-in-law?”

²³When Saul’s men said these things to David, he replied, “How can a poor man from a humble family afford the bride price for the daughter of a king?” ²⁴And the servants of Saul told him, “Thus and so did David speak.”

1 Samuel 18:20-24

There are a couple of layers here. In this passage we read 1) Saul’s thinking. 2) Saul’s men being faithful, 3) David’s response about it all. I suggest that we should gather up all three to understand what exactly is happening.

In #1 we see something a bit sinister. Saul’s heart is full of evil. He wants David dead. When he finds that Michel really loves David, he manipulates that into his purposes. Saul doesn’t rejoice, rather he hates it. He devises a way to destroy David.

In #2 we see that the king’s trusted men are those who smooth it all out. They manipulate it all to declare Saul’s “wonderful” offer of advancement. They are faithful, but not to the truth, but to Saul. (Every king, president or prime minister needs these sorts to do what he wishes.)

In #3 we read about the thinking of David. He seems unaware of the evil that he has stepped into. We hear of his humility about it all. He recognizes that he’s unworthy to become a son-in-law. He brings up the subject of a dowery, the payment he must give to earn a marriage.

It’s here that King Saul’s efforts seem to advance.

Again, it’s how Saul works. He is still thinking that he’s in control (but he really isn’t). Saul doesn’t realize it, but he’s fighting against the purposes of God. It all seems simple to us now, but at that moment it’s not so easy.

I think that its David’s humility protecting him. That’s a bit counterintuitive and I struggle with it a bit. Perhaps it all seems he’s walking out of meekness. That characteristic keeps David safe from Saul’s wickedness.

And perhaps it will cover us from evil as well?

“We had long known the Lord without realizing that meekness and lowliness of heart should be the distinguishing feature of the disciple.”

Andrew Murray

Overcoming With an Opposite Spirit

^“Then Saul said to David, “Here is my elder daughter Merab. I will give her to you for a wife. Only be valiant for me and fight the Lord‘s battles.” For Saul thought, “Let not my hand be against him, but let the hand of the Philistines be against him.” ¹⁸And David said to Saul, “Who am I, and who are my relatives, my father’s clan in Israel, Merb I should be son-in-law to the king?” ¹⁹But at the time when Merab, Saul’s daughter, should have been given to David, she was given to Adriel the Meholathite for a wife.”

1 Samuel 18:17-19

Saul’s deceit is now effective. His heart wants to manipulate David; he wants to destroy him. As I read this portion, I’m struck by Saul’s evil. He wants David dead but is unwilling to do this sin on his own. He wants the ungodly Philistines to do this dirty deed.

He falsely believes that David’s success is based on his military prowess. He thinks the skill of David militarily acumen is secular and superb. But it isn’t. David’s ability is grace. A gift of God to men. It really can’t be explained otherwise.

Saul was a man bereft of the Spirit of God.

I don’t think otherwise. Saul discovers his “kryptonite.” It is his denial of the belief of God’s presence on a simple man. Maybe he knows, but he also understands that something has changed; Saul has lost the anointing of the Lord.

Saul has lost his way. And now he resorts to the human way of thinking.

David is on a completely wavelength. In verse 18 he shows the humility and meekness of a heart that is saturated with God’s residence. I believe that this is called “overcoming with an opposite spirit.” I don’t think you can see this any other way.

God is using David to communicate to us His heart. David’s humility is something built inside; He responds in an innocence that is seldom seen. He was sincere; what you see is what you get.

David responds with a heartfelt love for Saul. David is totally sincere, and he responds reveals God’s heart toward Saul. (If only King Saul would listen to God. But that wasn’t going to happen.)

The marriage between David and Merab was just pretense. Saul stepped in and blocked it; he would never allow David’s ascendance into the royal line.

Something significant, I think. David still has his harp. He worships himself through this morass. That worship sustains him. When David plays, it’s a level of protection from his enemies.

A word about “overcoming with an opposite spirit.”

Faith does some amazing things in a simple believer’s heart. We must (incessantly) respond to evil in the way of David. He shows us how.

Much could be said about how we interpret this passage, and yet I keep focusing upon David’s humility here. But the work is His. And we must see this insight of a man who is giving himself to the ways of God, even in the tumult of the moment, David rests in the Lord.

This will test the heart of David.

An Irrational Fear

^{12 “}Saul was afraid of David because the Lord was with him but had departed from Saul. ¹³So Saul removed him from his presence and made him a commander of a thousand. And he went out and came in before the people. ¹⁴And David had success in all his undertakings, for the Lord was with him. ¹⁵And when Saul saw that he had great success, he stood in fearful awe of him. ¹⁶But all Israel and Judah loved David, for he went out and came in before them.”

1 Samuel 18:12-16

This account is saturated with Saul’s fear. He dreads David’s success, and he’s terrified by it. Saul wants David dead. Obviously, the spears didn’t work. David was not dead.

Psalm 5 was apparently written at this time. It seems that his psalms (songs) were often what keeps him centered on the Lord. David sings his way through conflict. He must sing in order to trust in God’s presence, to sing settles him into the peace and safety of the Father’s presence. To be honest, our discipleship demands “singing.”

“Now Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him: By all outward appearance, Saul is in control. Saul has a throne. Saul has an army. Saul has spears. Yet Saul was afraid of David because the LORD was with him.”

EnduringWord.com

I suspect that Saul was not only disturbed by David’s success, but more importantly he no longer had the presence of God. Saul was uncomfortable around David. Afraid, and that fear now motivates him to hate, and also throw spears. He wanted to murder David.

David must now have to face a new “Goliath.”

He innately understood this. And what must he do to defuse this? Israel loved David, and that was a good thing, but it was also difficult. The praise of the people only stirred up Saul. That was very dangerous. David has now become a target.

I think that when God took His presence away it only accelerated the destruction of Saul. “Nature abhors a vacuum,” and if God withholds Himself nothing but jealousy would control him. Murder was now free to rule Saul.

Saul now has an intimate understanding of being afraid.

Leave the Spear Behind

“And Saul hurled the spear, for he thought, “I will pin David to the wall.” But David evaded him twice.“

1 Samuel 18:11, ESV

“And Saul sought to pin David to the wall with the spear, but he eluded Saul so that he struck the spear into the wall. And David fled and escaped that night.“

1 Samuel 19:10

King Saul has gone mad.

We need to understand that David is completely different. He would leave Saul’s spear in the wall. Remember that David was the giant killer, the boy who faced Goliath. I don’t really think that David was really afraid, he knew God’s protective hand was on him and this made the difference.

Saul attacked David twice.

But David spiritually understood God’s heart. He understood the spiritual principle of “turning the other cheek” and “loving your enemies.” He overcame with love and kindness. And lots of grace.

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good“

Romans 12:21, ESV

The Greek word for “overcome” is νικάω which can be translated as “to conquer or to come forth victorious.” It is also used when someone is arraigned before a court of law but wins the case.

To follow Jesus means you entirely reject using the spear. It’s not for you. Never.

You cannot attack another without destroying yourself.

“We win by tenderness. We conquer by forgiveness.”

Frederick W. Robertson

We must leave the spear in the wall. You must not throw it back.

Jealousy Consumes Saul

“And Saul was very angry, and this saying displeased him. He said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousand, and to me they have ascribed thousands, and what more can he have but the kingdom?” ⁹And Saul eyed David from that day on.”

1 Samuel 18:8-9, ESV

The phrase here suggests anger that has been intensified. King Saul was not just annoyed or irritated; it was much more than that. He saw and heard the women as they gathered—with their tambourines and music they began to rejoice over the victories of David. Rather than rejoicing David’s success, he made a choice (a decision) to be jealous.

Something inside of him was very wrong and terribly twisted.

Unrighteous anger twists the heart of a man into something that disturbs even our closest friends. When we act out of this anger, it distorts and then blinds us and we become unrecognizable. We no longer can hear the voice of our kind and gentle God, He who laid down His life for His friends.

Saul was terribly wrong. From this minute on a jealous anger would drive him to a breaking point. He was now consumed with anger, jealousy, and ultimately murder. He wanted David dead. “And Saul eyed David from that day on.” (v. 9.)

“Anger is cruel, and wrath is like a flood, but jealousy is even more dangerous.”

Proverbs 27:4

I once learned the proper way to kill a diamond-back rattlesnake. Obviously, you must be careful, and Saul was not. The snake’s venom would destroy him; he had been bitten, and he would not survive. Jealousy over David’s victories would totally ruin him. Saul’s envy will poison his heart and soul.

Please do not be consumed by this sin. A disciple must learn how to work through the issues of jealousy, envy, and evil. The Holy Spirit will see that we will see these things head on. God will not allow us to fully enter His kingdom if we hold on to jealousy and anger.

Rather than focus on what others have, we’re called to accept and receive what we’ve been given. We should rejoice in Him who gives gifts to those He has chosen. We must stay faithful and celebrate His gifts to others without becoming angry and spiteful.

“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”

Romans 12:10

Jealousy is like drinking something poisonous and hoping that the other person will die.

King Saul is Poisoned

“Danger, Will Robinson, danger!”

(B-9 Robot, “Lost in Space,” 1967)

⁶As they were coming home, when David returned from striking down the Philistine, the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with songs of joy, and with musical instruments. ⁷And the women sang to one another as they celebrated, “Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands.” And Saul was very angry.

1 Samuel 18:6-8

David was quite successful. His tactical prowess exceeded the other military leaders; he was a dream come true, and everyone knew it. But, there would be a downside to being victorious in battle. Gavid was about to find this out. Things would start to get crazy, and it wasn’t his fault.

Out came those who could sing.

Everyone knew it. David’s successes became the song of Israel. What he achieved was the stuff of legends. When he returned, he found those who received victory. They would sing, but those songs would create issues. Saul would become offended, and that would become dangerous. David would soon find this out. He understood, and yet, he really didn’t. King Saul would never really accept David’s accomplishments; Saul blocked out the wonderous battles of David.

King Saul could never accept this.

“The anger of the king is a deadly threat.”

Proverbs 16:14

Saul’s anger would develop into jealousy, and that was dangerous.

We’ll look at this closer.

War Band Leader

“So, David went out wherever Saul sent him 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.”

1 Samuel 18:5, NKJV

David was now part of Saul’s army. The Goliath incident had propelled him into serving as a “man of war” now. The shepherd now led a war band. Saul seems to recognize David’s faith and skill. I don’t believe King Saul recognized exactly who this young man really was.

The humble shepherd was soon given authority, “over the men of war.”

David would have known little of the practical aspects of being a leader and the obligations involved. That would need to be earned before it could be appreciated. I really believe that King Saul was quite pleased with David at this point.

Maybe though Saul’s need was for leadership in the top ranks of his army? We read that, “Now there was a fierce war with the Philistines all the days of Saul. And when Saul saw any strong man or any valiant man, he took him for himself.” (1 Sam. 14:52.)

Saul saw with his own eyes Goliath being slaughtered. He recognized the audacious faith of the shepherd boy, and the incredible faith it instilled in the Israelite army. Yes, the king knew that David was a prodigy.

Verse 10 points out what David’s strength was that he “behaved wisely.” In Hebrew is śāḵal, a verb that explains much. It means to be prudent, to have insight or to comprehend, or even to be an alert student. It seems that he grasped all that happened, whether good or bad.

David understood that he was under the king’s authority.

The people accepted the young David. The men in Saul’s government also supported David. He was accepted and well received. However, this is going to be a problem in the future.

Wisdom is the power to see and the inclination to choose the best and highest goal, together with the surest means of attaining it. (JI Packer.)

“Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.”

Proverbs 4:7

BFF: A Covenant Between Brothers

“After David had finished talking with Saul, he met Jonathan, the king’s son. There was an immediate bond between them, for Jonathan loved David. ²From that day on Saul kept David with him and wouldn’t let him return home. ³And Jonathan made a solemn pact with David, because he loved him as he loved himself. ⁴Jonathan sealed the pact by taking off his robe and giving it to David, together with his tunic, sword, bow, and belt.”

I Samuel 18:1-4

It seems that Saul met with David immediately after the altercation with Goliath, a sort of debriefing. I can still see David carrying the decapitated head of the Philistine warrior. It would’ve been a bloody sight.

After this meeting with Saul, he was no longer just a shepherd; David was now a warrior.

There is something else–a new development, a commitment, or a covenant between David and Jonathan. Something significant happened there, and like most matters of the heart, it was difficult to explain. Some might think it was erotic, but that sullies and distorts this relationship. No, it was far more than that.

Men generally avoid real friendship. In my 65 years I can think of 1-2 similar connections that approach this kind of depth or attachment. Almost all of my friends are more or less superficial. I rarely press beyond this. Maybe it’s kind of scary?

David was anointed by Samuel to be the next king. He had been chosen to wield the power and authority of Israel with humility and grace. David knew it, but Jonathan saw it.

I believe that Jonathan’s calling was perhaps more difficult: he had to yield the throne to David. Jonathan had to renounce ambition and pride. He would turn his back on his ego and drive. He would never be king. (Some would destroy themselves before we did this.)

The text reveals some of the “covenant love” between these two men. Jonathan sheds off the trappings of his identity and gives them to David. In doing so, David is declared to be the future king.

Jonathan commits to serving David. In his mind he rejects the notion of a hereditary monarchy. Being the king of Israel must be one of anointing, not who your father is. Both men recognize this implicitly.

“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.”

Romans 12:10, ESV

From this point on, David has the complete support of Jonathan for the rest of their lives.

The Smear of the Holy Spirit

“Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David from that day forward.”

1 Samuel 16:13, ESV

I’d like to step back a little. Something quite significant happened when the boy David was anointed by the prophet Samuel. David the shepherd boy had been divinely chosen to become the future king of Israel.

This was a big deal.

And yet it was never mentioned again. We do know that David was anointed a second time when he actually became the king and took the throne. (Check out 2 Samuel 2:4.)

Why two, not exactly sure. Maybe the first was done privately, but the second was done publicly. The first was for the boy, David, and his family. The second was done openly in front of the nation.

It seems to me that both events were incredibly significant.

When David the boy was anointed by Samuel it gave him the power and strength to face Goliath. That first event was one of consecration for it gave David confidence and awareness of his destiny. He now operated with a new awareness that the sovereign God was now with him.

“Before we follow any man we should look for the oil on his forehead.”

A.W. Tozer

I believe that these anointings gave David the awareness of the Father’s special presence to be bold and confident. The second anointing not only placed him as king but also assured the people that David was different. People needed to know that this new king had God’s special touch.

Later on David would sin greatly with Bathsheba and Uriah. Sin diminishes the anointing. Compromising with sin does this; it always drains away God’s favor. (We need to understand this.) David would lose much by turning away from his calling.

That is why Psalm 32 and 51 are quite critical in his (and God’s eyes). David frittered away God’s special touch, but he would regain it by his deep repentance.

“Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from your presence,
and take not your Holy Spirit from me.“

Psalm 53:10-11