With the death of the giant, David became part of Saul's entourage, and came to know Jonathan, Saul's son. The two be came instant friends and Saul would not part with David, even keeping him from returning to his father. Whatever Saul sent David to do, he did it successfully. This pleased everyone, until one day as the men were returning home from battle, the women came out singing, "Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands." And Saul became furious with jealousy.
The next day an evil spirit came upon Saul as he was prophesying in his house and David was quietly playing his harp. Saul had a spear in his hand and he hurled it, saying to himself, "I'll pin David to the wall!" But David ducked and Saul missed. But, Saul could not look upon David's face, his jealousy was intent, and Saul realized he feared David because the Lord was with David...and not with him.
So he sent David away from him and gave him a command of over a thousand men and David led the troops in their campaigns. He was successful, battle after battle, and Saul became even more fearful of David because the Lord was with him...and not with Saul. All Israel and Judah continued to love David and did not value Saul as he was used to being valued.
Saul had promised a daughter to the man who could kill the giant, so at this time Saul gave his older daughter, Merab, to David to wed, as she was also in love with David. But David refused, thinking he was beneath the king's daughter, so she was given in marriage to another. But Saul's daughter, Michal, was in love with David, so this marriage was finally arranged, but there would be no marriage until David would bring back the foreskins of one hundred Philistine warriors. Saul was sure that in this way, David would surely be killed.
David and his men went into battle and brought back two hundred philistine foreskins! And Saul became even more fearful of David. Saul was terribly angry, and told his son Jonathan and all his attendants to kill David. But Jonathan warned David to go into hiding the following day. He would watch for his father and talk to him about the foolishness of hurting David.
After the following day, Jonathan came to David and told him, "Father said, 'As surely as the Lord lives, David will not be put to death.'" But the harassment continued, and David was once again nearly killed. Saul had once again thrown his spear at David, aiming for a death-strike. But he missed, once again.
Attempt after attempt had been made for David's death, and David finally went to Samuel. Samuel kept him with him and Samuel and his prophets included David in their prophesying. Word came to Saul as to where David was staying, and he went there, also. With Saul standing amongst those who were prophesying, his men also began to prophesy. Whoever he sent there, they prophesied, also, and Saul felt shattered.
He left there, and finally, finding Samuel, the Spirit of the Lord came to him, and he also prophesied. But David was fleeing from Saul and just as quickly, Saul followed.
David in the meantime was trying to find Jonathan, certain Jonathan would help him stop his father Saul from killing him. But Jonathan felt David would be safe from his father, and David believed Saul was sure the kill him. Finally, David said, "Your father knows that I have found favor in your eyes, and he has said to himself, 'Jonathan must not know this or he will be grieved.' Yet surely as the Lord lives and as you live, there is only a step between me and death.'"
And before they parted, they agreed to make a plan to try and protect David from Jonathan's father.
I am thankful I have never had to make a plan with a friend to save my life from certain death.
More tomorrow on this interesting threesome!
Loving all,
Jo INMN
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