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CHAPTER 11 : Saul's Jealousy, and Attempts upon David's Life - David
marries Michal - Ripening of Saul's Purpose of Murder - David's Flight
to Samuel - Saul among the Prophets - David finally leaves the Court of
Saul. (1 SAMUEL 18:4-20:42)
THE friendship between Jonathan and David, which dated from the victory over
Goliath, and the modest, genuine bearing of the young conqueror, is the one point of
light in a history which grows darker and darker as it proceeds. We can imagine how
a spirit so generous as that of Jonathan would be drawn towards that unaffected,
brave youth, so free from all self-consciousness or self-seeking, who would seem the
very embodiment of Israelitish valor and piety. And we can equally perceive how
gratitude and admiration of such real nobleness would kindle in the heart of David
an affection almost womanly in its tenderness. Ancient history records not a few
instances of such love between heroes, ratified like this by a "covenant," and
betokened by such gifts as when Jonathan put on David his "mantle," his "armor-
coat,"^173 and even his arms, - but none more pure and elevated, or penetrated, as in
this instance, by the highest and best feelings of true piety.
There can be no doubt that this friendship was among the means which helped David
to preserve that loyalty to Saul which was the grand characteristic of his conduct in
the very trying period which now ensued. How these trials called out his faith, and
consequently his patience; how they drew him closer to God, ripened his inner life,
and so prepared him for his ultimate calling, will best appear from a comparison of
the Psalms which date from this time. The events, as recorded in the sacred text, are
not given in strict chronological order, but rather in that of their internal connection.
As we understand it, after David's victory over Goliath, he was taken into the
permanent employ of Saul. This and his general success^174 in all undertakings, as
well as his prudence and modesty, which, at least during the first period, disarmed
even the jealousy of Saul's courtiers, are indicated in general terms in 1 Samuel 18:5.
But matters could not long progress peacefully. On the return of the army from the
pursuit of the Philistines, the conquerors had, after the custom of the times, been met
in every city through which they passed by choruses of women, who, with mimic
dances, sung antiphonally^175 the praise of the heroes, ascribing the victory over
thousands to Saul, and over ten thousands to David.
It was quite characteristic of the people, and it implied not even conscious preference
for David, least of all danger to Saul's throne. But it sufficed to kindle in Saul deep
and revengeful envy. Following upon what the spirit of evil from the Lord had set
before him as his own fate, sealed as it was by his solemn rejection from the
kingdom and the conscious departure of the Spirit of God, the popular praise seemed
(^)