Lesson 276: David and Jonathan

I Sam. 18:1-9; 20

Full Lesson HERE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ivl_M8nJbk

INTRODUCTION. When David appeared before Saul after he had killed the giant, Saul's son Jonathan was present. This meeting between David and Jonathan was the beginning of a friendship that lasted as long as they both lived. The two young men made their first covenant, and Jonathan gave David his robe, sword, bow, and belt to seal the agreement (ISam. 18:1-4).

David behaved himself wisely, and Saul set him over the men of war. Saul's servants and the people accepted David and were pleased. When Saul and David returned from the battle with the Philistines, the women came out of the cities singing and dancing to meet the king. They sang to one another, "Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands." The saying displeased Saul for the women credited David with ten thousands and himself with only thousands. He feared David would replace him as king, and from that day forward Saul eyed David jealously. The next day when an evil spirit came upon Saul, David played for him as at other times. Saul cast his javelin at David, but David escaped his presence twice. Saul then demoted David to captain over a thousand men, but the Lord was with David and the people of Israel and Judah loved him (I Sam. 18:5-16).

Saul had promised to reward the slayer of Goliath by giving him one of his daughters as his wife. However, when he became jealous of David, he broke his promise and gave his elder daughter Merab to another man. Nevertheless, his honor forced him to offer his younger daughter Michal, but he required David to kill one hundred Philistines as a dowry. He hoped that David would be killed by the Philistines, but instead David killed two hundred Philistines. Saul was forced to keep his promise then and gave Michal to David. Saul knew then that the Lord was with David, and he became more afraid of David (I Sam. 18: 17-30).

Saul told Jonathan and his servants to kill David. Jonathan warned David and told him to hide in a secret place until morning. He then formed a plan to speak to his father in the morning in the field where David was hiding. He told his father not to sin against David, for David had not sinned against him. Saul listened to his son and swore David should not be killed. Jonathan then called David from his hiding place and told him all his father had said. So Jonathan brought David back to Saul, and he was in his presence as before (I Sam. 19:1-7).

At a later time as David played his harp, an evil spirit came upon Saul, and he again attempted to smite David with his spear. David managed to escape, but Saul sent messengers to watch David's house and kill him in the morning. Michal loved David and helped him to escape by letting him down through the window. David then fled to Samuel who was in Ramah (I Sam. 19:8-18).