This is part of a video series covering the entire Bible in 4 years, one chapter at a time. Start at the beginning with Genesis 1 (Youtube link: https://youtu.be/wC2qD4RGOdo)) and work through the playlist. Or go to https://www.peace.org.au/bible.html for more information.
In this video listen to 1 Samuel Chapter 18, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.
In 1 Samuel Chapter 18 Jonathan and David discover they have the same heart, and they love one another in the Lord. Previously Jonathan had shown huge bravery at Michmash, and is a warrior-like man similar to David. Here the Lord knits their hearts together.
David then enters Saul’s service and participates successfully in many battles over an undetermined period of time. After a while, the Israelite women sing a song which makes Saul jealous. This didn’t happen after the Goliath victory, but at some point later. Verse 6 says “after he returned from defeating the Philistine.” However, according to the margin of the ESV translation, Philistine here is plural. So it was after the slaughter of the Philistines, not referring to defeating Goliath, but to an extensive campaign of war as indicated in verse five.
And so Saul becomes jealous. Jealousy is a terrible sin, perhaps one of the worst. In the New Testament we are warned against such things, saying they are a “work of the flesh” and that people like this will not inherit the kingdom of heaven. Galatians 5:19-21. Jealousy is the breaking of multiple commandments at once, that of covetousness, failing to love others, of murder all combined with a lack of faith in God, and overwhelmed by fear. According to James 3:14-15 jealousy is demonic, and out of it comes disorder and “every evil.”
Saul now tries to kill David in multiple creative ways. Yet everything was going David’s way... the Lord was with him, and this is the nature of it. Even what the enemy plans for evil turns to good.
Sep 22, 2021 | Message by David Alley