1 Samuel 18 explained: Saul's Jealousy of David Grows

Jonathan's pact with David (vv. 1-5)

Jonathan, Saul's son and expected heir, binds himself to David in a formal pact of lifelong loyalty. Giving away the robe and weapons he wore was a very high honor, and many readers take it as a sign that Jonathan was handing David his own place as future king.

The victory song (vv. 6-9)

Women customarily came out with music and dancing to greet a returning army, and this song gave David ten times the credit it gave the king. Saul heard it as a threat to his crown and began watching David with suspicion.

A spear, then sent away (vv. 10-16)

The text says a harmful spirit from God came over Saul, a hard phrase that seems to describe his returning fits of rage, and in one such fit he twice tried to pin David to the wall with a spear. Saul then sent David away from court to command a thousand soldiers, but this only made David more successful and more loved by the people.

A broken marriage promise (vv. 17-19)

Saul offered his older daughter Merab, secretly hoping the Philistines would kill David in battle. When the wedding time came, Saul gave her to another man instead.

A deadly bride price (vv. 20-27)

A groom normally paid the bride's family, so Saul asked poor David for proof of a hundred dead Philistines, hoping he would die trying. David brought back twice that number, a grim war trophy the text reports without comment, and married Saul's daughter Michal.

Saul's fear deepens (vv. 28-30)

Every plan against David has backfired, and now even Saul's own daughter loves him. Saul sees that God is with David and remains his enemy for the rest of his life.

Key verse: 1 Samuel 18:12

Something to think about

When someone else's success starts to feel like your own loss, what do you think is really going on underneath?