In the days when Saul was king over Israel, a young shepherd boy named David had risen to prominence after his victory over the giant Goliath. The Lord was with David, and his fame spread throughout the land. The people sang songs of his triumphs, and the hearts of the Israelites were stirred with joy and admiration for the young hero. But in the palace of King Saul, a storm of jealousy and fear began to brew.
After David had slain Goliath, Saul took him into his service and would not let him return to his father’s house. Jonathan, Saul’s son, was deeply moved by David’s courage and faith. The two young men formed a bond of friendship that was stronger than brotherhood. Jonathan loved David as his own soul, and they made a covenant before the Lord, pledging their loyalty to one another. Jonathan gave David his robe, his armor, his sword, his bow, and his belt—symbols of his trust and affection.
David went out wherever Saul sent him and prospered in all his endeavors. The Lord was with him, and his wisdom and skill in battle became evident to all. Saul set him over the men of war, and David’s leadership brought success to the armies of Israel. The people and even Saul’s servants admired David greatly.
One day, as the army returned from battle, the women of all the cities of Israel came out to meet King Saul, singing and dancing with tambourines and instruments of joy. They sang, “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands!” The words struck Saul like a dagger to the heart. His countenance darkened, and a spirit of envy took hold of him. He thought to himself, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed only thousands. What more can he have but the kingdom?”
From that day forward, Saul eyed David with suspicion and distrust. The next day, an evil spirit from the Lord came mightily upon Saul, and he raved in his house. David, as was his custom, played the lyre to soothe the king’s troubled soul. But this time, Saul’s jealousy burned within him, and he hurled a spear at David, intending to pin him to the wall. David, quick and nimble, escaped his grasp twice, but the incident left him shaken.
Saul’s fear of David grew, for he knew that the Lord was with David and had departed from him. In his desperation, Saul sought to remove David from his presence. He appointed him as a commander over a thousand men, hoping that David would fall in battle. But David led his men with wisdom and courage, and the Lord gave him success in all his endeavors. The people loved him even more, and Saul’s fear turned to dread.
Saul then devised another plan. He offered his eldest daughter, Merab, to David in marriage, hoping that the Philistines would kill him as he fought to earn her hand. But when the time came, Saul gave Merab to another man. Then Michal, Saul’s younger daughter, fell in love with David. Saul saw this as another opportunity and said to himself, “I will give her to him, that she may be a snare to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him.”
Saul told David, “You shall now be my son-in-law.” But David replied humbly, “Who am I, and what is my life or my father’s family in Israel, that I should be son-in-law to the king?” Saul demanded a dowry of a hundred Philistine foreskins, thinking David would surely perish in the attempt. But David, trusting in the Lord, went out with his men and brought back two hundred foreskins. Saul had no choice but to give Michal to David in marriage.
Yet, as Saul observed David’s growing favor with the Lord and the people, his hatred deepened. He became David’s enemy continually. The Lord was with David, but Saul’s heart grew harder, and his actions more desperate. David, however, remained faithful and steadfast, trusting in the Lord’s protection and guidance.
Jonathan, seeing his father’s hostility toward David, sought to reconcile them. He spoke well of David to Saul, reminding him of David’s loyalty and the great deeds he had done for Israel. For a moment, Saul’s heart softened, and he swore, “As the Lord lives, David shall not be put to death.” Jonathan brought David back to the palace, and for a time, David served Saul as before.
But the peace was short-lived. When war broke out again, David went out and fought the Philistines, striking them down with great slaughter. Saul’s jealousy returned, and once more, he sought David’s life. David fled from the palace, and the bond between him and Jonathan was tested as they conspired to protect David from Saul’s wrath.
Thus, the story of David’s rise and Saul’s decline unfolded, a tale of friendship and betrayal, of faith and fear. Through it all, the hand of the Lord was evident, guiding David and preparing him for the throne of Israel, while Saul’s disobedience and jealousy led him further into darkness. The Lord’s purposes would not be thwarted, and David’s journey toward kingship continued, marked by trials and triumphs, all under the watchful eye of the Almighty.
