…. lesson 6 jonathan befriends david saul plots against david 1 sam 18-19 psalm 59

Lesson 6

Jonathan Befriends David Saul Plots Against David

1 Sam 18-19 Psalm 59

Jonathan Befriends David 18:1-5

Saul Plots Against David 18:6 – 19:24

David’s Trust In A God Who Delivers Psalm 59

Saul’s own son befriends David…he obviously appreciated what he did for Israel in killing the Philistine giant

Saul also showed “initial appreciation” by attempting to keep David in permanent service v. 2

Jonathan made a covenant with David… arrayed him in royal apparel vv. 3-4

Jonathan & David 18:1-5

David’s position established in Saul’s administration…he prospered v. 5

Some observations… – Jonathan never showed jealousy re:

David’s popular status cp. 13:13 – While not knowing Divine plans re: David,

Jonathan most likely could read the “political winds” 18:7, 16

– In all this, Jonathan did not despise David

Jonathan & David 18:1-5

Saul shows his ungodliness and the continued absence of the Lord’s presence with him in numerous “plots” (schemes) against David’s life

All of these plots were fed by his intense hatred for David…which was fueled by his jealousy over David’s success

Saul’s Plots 18:6 – 19:24

Saul became initially suspicious of David following Goliath’s defeat vv. 6-9

– Public praise had David killing 10,000’s while Saul only killed his 1,000’s

– Notice Saul’s statement offered unknowingly v. 8

– Sad truth on display…Saul cared more about his own name/reputation than about his people’s safety 9:21 11:13


1. In the royal palace 18:10-16 – David performing his service to Saul

(playing for the king’s benefit) – Blatant disregard for David’s safety…he

tried to murder him with his spear – Saul removed David from his position – Saul was afraid of David…the Lord had

departed from him; was now fully w/ David


2. Use of marriage 18:17-30 – It was not beneath Saul to use his own

daughter Merab in his quest to get David – The idea was that Saul would not have to

personally kill David…he would die in battle trying to win the king’s daughter

– David was too honorable to cooperate with Saul’s scheme


Irony – consider 2 Sam 11

2. Use of marriage 18:17-30 – Saul receives a “gift” – he learns his other

daughter Michal loves David – He commands his servants to paint an

appealing picture of marrying the king’s daughter to David

– David replies he is not wealthy enough – No dowry needed…only 100 Philistine

foreskins (another plot to have him killed)


2. Use of marriage 18:17-30 – The 100 foreskin offer was right in David’s

wheelhouse…he went out and killed 200 Philistines and brought their foreskins

– Saul was forced to give Michal in marriage to David…this further estranged David to Saul

– Again, David’s popularity grew


Saul instructs everyone (including his son Jonathan) to put David to death 19:1

Jonathan wins David a brief reprieve from Saul’s murderous quest 19:2-6 – Jonathan reasons with Saul re: all that

David had done, as well as how he had not done Saul any harm

– Saul agrees…he restores David to his position in the royal court


3. In the palace again 19:8-10 – David was once again successful in war – Saul, jealous as before, again tried to kill

David with the spear in his hand – David escaped again and fled for safety


4. Using Michal again 19:11-17 – Saul learns David’s hiding whereabouts…

he sends men to watch his house at night and to kill him in the morning

– Michal helps David escape – Michal uses a “household image” to make

it appear David was in bed…she told her father’s messengers David was sick

– Saul demanded David be brought & killed


4. Using Michal again 19:11-17 – Saul was very disappointed his own

daughter had chosen David’s side – Though it is commendable Michal chose to

help her husband, her behavior was not commendable (presence of an idolatrous image; lying more than once)


Composed when Saul sent his servants to watch David’s house (superscription)

The psalm depicts David as an oppressed one who puts his trust in God for deliverance

In contrast, Saul was trusting in his own wisdom (schemes) to put David to death

An imprecatory psalm vv. 5, 13

David’s Psalm Psa 59

Brief review – – David’s trust in God…seeks refuge – David suffers innocently – No mention of David intending to take

matters into his own hands (vengeance) – Despite all he endures, David still is of

the mind to praise of God

David’s Psalm Psa 59

God intervenes 19:18-24 – In escaping Saul, David meets up with

Samuel…enjoys “refuge” – Upon learning David’s location, Saul

sends servants…they begin prophesying

with Samuel and other prophets (3 times) – Saul eventually goes himself…he, too,

begins prophesying (a “sign” Saul should have recognized?)


(1) A sad truth…sometimes, we suffer as much, if not worse, from brethren as we do from those in the world

1 Jn 3:13 Jn 15:18-19– We can only imagine the emotional strain David must have felt in being so mistreated by one to whom he was so loyal

(2) David’s response to how Saul was mistreating him reminds us of some N.T. themes

– How to respond to those who mistreat us Rom 12:17-21– How to rely on God during such times

1 Pet 2:19-23 4:19 Heb 13:6

(3) Saul illustrates just how far unchecked envy/jealousy can take one

Prov 14:30 1 Cor 3:3 Gal 5:19 Titus 3:3 Jas 3:16

…. lesson 6 jonathan befriends david saul plots against david 1 sam 18-19 psalm 59

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