1 Samuel - Odessa, Missouri Community of Christ

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72 Dr. Constable's Notes on 1 Samuel 2007 Editionprimarily the application deals with defeating those enemies bent on defeating anddestroying God's people en masse. Contemporary movements designed to discredit Godand remove Christianity from a land are what Goliath personifies.We remember too that a great son of David arose who defeated another Goliath in Hisday, namely, Jesus Christ. While Satan is not yet dead, Jesus Christ has felled him. Hehas won a great victory over this enemy who was behind Goliath and is behind all theenemies of God and His people.3. The results of God's selection of David 18:1—19:17Earlier the writer narrated Saul's anointing, military success, and the popular reaction tohim (chs. 10—11). Now he followed the same pattern by recording David's anointing,military success, and the popular reaction to him (16:1—19:17). The popular reaction toSaul was fairly simple: most of the people supported him, though a few opposed him(11:12-15). The popular reaction to David was much more complex and significant(18:1—19:17).Jonathan's love for David 18:1-5We have already seen that Jonathan was a man of faith and courage (14:1-15). Jonathanfound a soul brother in David, a man who committed himself to trusting and obeying Godas he did. This common purpose on the deepest level of life is what accounts for the loveJonathan and David shared for one another (v. 1).Jonathan loved David as he loved himself (vv. 1, 3; cf. Lev. 19:18). He loved David, ashe should have, since David had committed himself to glorifying God and fulfilling Hiswill even at the expense of his personal safety. Some homosexuals have tried to use thewriter's statements of Jonathan's love for David as support that their lifestyle has goodbiblical precedent. 221 However the Hebrew word 'aheb, translated "love" here, nowhereelse describes homosexual desire or activity. Rather when homosexual relations are inview the Holy Spirit used the word yada, translated "know" in the sense of "have sexwith" (cf. Gen. 19:5; Judg. 19:22).Saul responded to Jonathan's affection for David, and presumably David's bravery, bykeeping David with him even more than the king had done previously (v. 2; cf. 14:52).Evidently Jonathan realized David's gifts and God's will for David's life (cf. 23:17), andhe humbly deferred to him (vv. 3-4)."This is a virtual abdication by Jonathan, the crown prince." 222The crown prince of Israel gives us one of the classic examples of self-humbling for theglory of God and the welfare of His people that we have in all of Scripture (cf. Phil. 2:5-8). Jonathan's humility is all the more remarkable since chronological references in221 E.g., Tom Horner, Jonathan Loved David: Homosexuality in Biblical Times, pp. 20, 26-28, 31-39.222 Gordon, p. 159.
2007 Edition Dr. Constable's Notes on 1 Samuel 73Samuel seem to indicate that Jonathan was about 30 years older than David. 223 Hisresponse to David's anointing was appropriate, and it contrasts sharply with Saul'sresponse, which follows.". . . when Jonathan took off his robe (a symbol of the Israelite kingdom;cf. 15:27-28 . . .) and gave it to David (v. 4), he was in effect transferringhis own status as heir apparent to him . . ." 224"The covenant of friendship referred to in verse 3 was a unilateral (bindingon one party only) covenant in which Jonathan committed himself toDavid with complete disregard for self. The gift given by Jonathan servedto ratify the covenant and honor David." 225Jonathan's selfless action reflects his submission to Samuel's oracle that Saul would nothave a continuing dynasty (13:13-14). Rather than trying to perpetuate Saul's dynasty, asAbner later tried to do (2 Sam. 2:8-9), godly Jonathan turned over the symbols of thecrown prince to David."In our political world, where power plays such an important role, whatwould be thought of a prince who voluntarily renounced his throne infavor of a friend whose character and godly faith he admired?" 226David's commitment to God resulted in his prospering (the fertility motif). David actedwisely, the literal meaning of the Hebrew word translated "prospered" (vv. 5, 14, 15),also because God was with him (vv. 12, 14; cf. 16:13). Not only did Jonathan love David,but all the people, including even Saul's servants, those people who were most loyal tothe king, did too (v. 5). God blesses personally those who relate to Him properly. Theyalso become channels of blessing to others (cf. 2:30; Gen. 12:2).Saul may or may not have known at this time that Samuel had anointed David. Hisgrowing jealousy seems to have mounted over David's increasing ability, success, andpopularity with the people that resulted from God's help (grace).David's popularity with the people 18:6-9These verses show how David had captured the affection of many Israelites by his victoryover Goliath. Successful military heroes still do so today. Notwithstanding David'spopularity, not everyone was ready to join David's fan club, as the text proceeds toclarify. He became a controversial figure in Israel. Apparently Saul suspected that withsuch popularity David might attempt to overthrow his government. However it was223 See the chronological chart at the beginning of these notes.224 Youngblood, p. 707; cf. Gunn, p. 80.225 Laney, p. 61.226 Baldwin, p. 129.
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