1 Samuel

1 Samuel 18: The LORD is with David

Begin in prayer

Before we see Saul grow jealous of David, and learn that the LORD is with David and no king can stop His plan, let us pray together. Ask Him to guard our hearts from envy, and to show us Jesus.

Yahweh is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear?

Psalm 27:1

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You are with Your people, and help us to trust You and not to envy others. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

After David killed Goliath, Jonathan loved him as his own soul, and the two made a covenant. Saul kept David at his court, and David behaved wisely in all that he did, and the LORD was with him. When David returned from battle, the women sang that Saul had slain thousands and David ten thousands, and Saul became angry. An evil spirit from God came on Saul, and he twice threw his spear at David, but David escaped. Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him and had departed from Saul. Later Saul gave Michal, who loved David, to him as a wife, and Saul feared David even more.

As you read 1 Samuel 18, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD is with David, and no jealous king can stop what He has planned.

After Goliath, Jonathan loved David as his own soul and made a covenant with him (verses 1 to 3). He gave David his robe, his sword, his bow and his sash (verse 4). Saul set David over the men of war, and David behaved wisely wherever Saul sent him (verse 5). The women sang that Saul had slain thousands and David ten thousands, and Saul grew angry (verses 7 and 8). Saul had already heard that the LORD would tear the kingdom from him (chapter 15 verse 28), so his jealousy had a deeper root. Twice Saul threw his spear at David, and twice David escaped (verses 10 and 11). Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with David and had departed from Saul (verse 12). Every plan to destroy David, even the one Saul set for his daughter Michal, ended with David honored (verses 17 to 30). The LORD was with David, and no jealous king could stop what He had planned.

How does 1 Samuel 18 show us that the LORD is with David, and that no jealous king can stop what He has planned?

The LORD is with David.

David behaved wisely wherever Saul sent him, and Saul set him over the men of war (verse 5). The text says three times that the LORD was with him (verses 12, 14 and 28). Saul saw it and was more afraid of him (verses 28 and 29). All Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out and came in before them (verse 16).

Jealousy tries to harm the LORD’s servant.

The women sang that Saul had slain thousands and David ten thousands, and Saul was angry (verses 7 and 8). Saul watched David from that day on (verse 9). An evil spirit from God came on Saul, and he threw his spear at David twice (verses 10 and 11). Saul's plans for his daughters were meant to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines (verses 21 and 25).

Jonathan loves David as his own soul.

Jonathan's soul was knit to David's, and he loved him as his own soul (verse 1). They made a covenant, and Jonathan gave David his robe and his weapons (verses 3 and 4). Their friendship grew while Saul's jealousy grew (verses 8 and 9). Jesus said no one has greater love than to lay down his life for his friends (John 15 verse 13).

Memorise

David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and Yahweh was with him.

1 Samuel 18:14

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, am I jealous of others, and do I trust that Jesus is with me?

Saul threw his spear at David twice, and twice David escaped. The text says it three times, “Yahweh was with him.”

Jealousy is a sin that hates what God has given to someone else. Every one of us carries it, and it deserves God's judgment. God sent His Son to be with us, and men hated Him without a cause. On the cross Jesus died for sinners who hated Him, and He paid the whole debt of their sin. He rose alive, and He is with His people always.

Bring your jealous heart to Him. Turn from your sin, and put your trust in Jesus. He forgives everyone who trusts Him, and He stays with them to the end.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD is with His people, and that Jesus, God with us, loves His people. Parents, you may want to explain verses 25 to 27 in your own words. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that He is with His people, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

Then my enemies shall turn back in the day that I call. I know this, that God is for me.

Psalm 56:9

Father, thank You that You are with Your people and keep them. Thank You that Jesus loves His friends and laid down His life for them. Turn us from envy, and help us to trust You with our lives. Keep us close to You this week. Amen.