1 Samuel - Odessa, Missouri Community of Christ

76 Dr. Constable's Notes on 1 Samuel 2007 EditionThroughout this chapter the writer balanced statements that credit God for David'ssuccesses (vv. 12, 14, 28) with others that credit David for them (vv. 5, 14, 15, 30). Bothreasons were true. God's choice of David and David's choice of God worked together tomake him successful. The opposite was also true of Saul. The Lord had forsaken Saul,but Saul had also forsaken the Lord, and the result was tragedy.This chapter illustrates the fact that the godly often suffer through no fault of their own. Itshows too that God causes even the worst intentions of the ungodly to elevate the godly(cf. Ps. 7:12-16; Rom. 8:28). We see here that the selfishness of the ungodly can produceirrational behavior (e.g., paranoia, v. 12, and schizophrenia, vv. 11, 17), and it leads totheir ruin. 236 If we allow jealousy to take root in our hearts, it will devour us like a cancer.We should desire God's glory, as Jonathan did, rather than our own glory, as Saul did.Jonathan's attempt to protect David 19:1-7Saul now abandoned pretense (18:22) and ordered Jonathan and his servants to put Davidto death (cf. v. 11). He "went public" with his attacks against David feeling driven, likePharaoh, to more desperate measures. This created a conflict of loyalties for Jonathanwho needed to honor his father and king, but who also loved David (cf. 18:1, 3). Jonathanchose to tell David what Saul's intentions were, but he also tried to honor his father byurging him not to kill David. He appealed to Saul logically and rationally. He remindedSaul that he was the king and that David was his servant, that he needed to be fair withDavid, and that it was in Saul's best interest to let David live (v. 4). He also remindedSaul that David was the Lord's instrument who had defeated Israel's enemies and thatSaul had rejoiced in his success. Moreover he appealed for justice since David's deathwas unwarranted (v. 5). Jonathan's words echo Saul's own statement when he had freedJabesh-gilead earlier in his reign (11:12-15). Then Saul had generously refused to punishhis detractors. Perhaps it was this memory that moved him to promise Jonathan that hewould be merciful to David.Jonathan's appeal was successful, at least temporarily, and resulted in Saul solemnlyvowing not to kill David (v. 6), which vow he broke shortly (v. 10). Later Jonathan wasnot as successful (20:28-29). Nevertheless this time his appeal resulted in David'srestoration to the court and his continuing ministry to the king (v. 7).David's continuing success and Saul's renewed jealousy 19:8-10This section records Saul's fourth attempt to kill David. The writer set his account ofthese attempts in chiastic form.A Saul directly tried to kill David. 18:10-16B Saul indirectly tried using the Philistines. 18:17-20B' Saul indirectly tried using Jonathan and Saul's servants. 19:1-7A' Saul directly tried to kill David. 19:8-10236 I am not implying that this is the only cause of these mental problems.