Now Saul was afraid of David, for the Lord was with him but had departed from Saul. (verse 12)
Message: David Ascendant
Time: This book is a biography of Samuel's life and career up to his death. It took place over a period of about 110 years, stretching from the closing days of the judges, when Samuel was born (ca. 1120 BC) through the death of Saul (1011 BC).
What the Lord is Saying: After David's victory over Goliath, the Philistine, David goes to Saul. 17:58 is still a rather baffling verse in which Saul says to David, "Whose son are you, young man?" Back in 16:21 it says "David came to Saul and attended him, and Saul loved him greatly; and he because his armor bearer." It seems from that verse that Saul knew David. I have read some commentaries on this, but nothing seems very compelling other than David maybe had aged as we don't know the time span between David being in Saul's court and the David that defeated Goliath. 17:12 mentions David having 8 children. So perhaps time has elapsed since he was playing a harp in Saul's court. That seems to be the most probable explanation.
Chapter 18 begins with a proclamation of Jonathan's close bond with David stating "Jonathan loved him as himself." Both Jonathan and David were men that had a trust in the Lord. In verse 3 "Jonathan made a covenant with David" to cement their kindred spirit and close relationship. And then Jonathan gives David his noble dress - his robe and armor. David most likely was still dressed as a servant. He had previously refused the armor from Saul when it was offered to him prior to fighting Goliath in 17:38. But here, from the hand of Jonathan he accepts them. Suddenly David is looking like a member of the King's court.
Jonathan in chapter 14 had conquered the Philistine garrison though in that story Saul also showed up and took most of the credit. But in this situation, the people seem to know more clearly that David was the victor of Goliath. In verse 7, "the women sang as they played and said, "Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands."" Saul does not like anyone else being in the limelight. And so verse 10 says, "Now it came about on the next day that an evil spirit from God, came mightily upon Saul."
This seems to show that the Spirit of God moves in and out of people. There is the Holy Spirit that I believe is sent to believers in Christ after Jesus comes to the earth, but there is also the mention of the filling of the Spirt in a person's life as in Ephesians 5:18, "do not get drunk with wine, in which there is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit." It seems that this is the spirit that moved in Saul previously at his anointing (I Samuel 10:6), but that was the Spirit of the Lord and now the continued selfishness of Saul results in this evil spirit. The evil spirit I believe is the result of a disposition in man that is already focused more on self than pleasing God (as mentioned in Romans 1).
Saul removes David from his presence and places him as his commander, undoubtedly also thinking that David may end up dying in battle. But even in this it backfires on Saul because David will now be seen even more before the people and they will see more of the person that he is.
Summary: David is now in Saul's court. Jonathan and David's friendship is marked by a covenant between them. Saul does not like David being near and puts him in command of his army.
Promise: Ask the Lord to enable us to rejoice in the success of others.
Prayer: Lord God, I am thankful for Jonathan and is friendship with David and his desire to support him and give him the best clothes off of his back. Their friendship began because of their commitment to You and is a reminder that this is the hallmark of good friendships. I thank you for the men that you have placed in my life and the special bond I have with each one. It is different from any other relationship and thank you for each one and the encouragement we can share, spurring one another on to love and good deeds. You are to be praised and adored as David and Jonathan both did and as you possess and are in others good things happen. Show me these victories Lord. I need this encouragement for sometimes I get to me-focused and getting my needs met.
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