God was with David, resulted in success and public praise. God had left Saul, resulted in jealousy, fits of murderous rage and fear. 1 Samuel 18
1 Samuel 18 begins with the founding of a deep friendship between Jonathan, son of Saul and David. This eventually helped save David’s life, so pay attention to close friends God may bring into our lives.
After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. 2 From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family. 3 And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself.
Saul kept David with him, David no longer lived with his family in Bethlehem. The call on his life was to be king and God brought him beside King Saul and into the public arena. God may have to ‘shift us’ from all we know and are comfortable with, at any time, in order to fulfill His call for us and that’s not always easy.
5 Whatever mission Saul sent him on, David was so SUCCESSFUL that Saul gave him a high rank in the army. This pleased all the troops, and Saul’s officers as well.
SUCCESS IS THE WORD that describes David, V 14,15,30. We should expect God’s blessing and anointing on our lives when we’re walking in His Calling! The anointing on David’s life was recognised by the wider public, but also by those closer to him, fellow officers. He was quickly raised to a position of greater influence than many around him, who may have served longer – God’s anointing made the difference.
16 But all Israel and Judah LOVED David, because he led them in their campaigns. 1 Samuel 18
All the people loved David, it wasn’t just that he did the job well and slew their enemies. Something in his life and character touched the peoples’ hearts.
The Word that’s used to describe Saul is ‘Afraid’, V 12,15,29 of David. Saul now viewed David as a rival and was afraid of him because of the same Anointing and Favour of God on his life.
28 When Saul realised that the Lord was with David and that his daughter Michal loved David, 29 Saul became still more afraid of him, and he remained his enemy for the rest of his days.
The chapter begins with the deep friendship between Jonathan and David; such relationships are a great blessing during our lives here. But the anointing on David also made him a ‘lifetime enemy’, Saul hated and feared David ‘for the rest of his days’. We may have to acknowledge that some people, even our own brothers and sisters (natural and spiritual) may never want God’s best for us.
God determined to make David a national figure in Israel.
23 They repeated these words to David. But David said, ‘Do you think it is a small matter to become the king’s son-in-law? I’m only a poor man and little known.’
David saw himself as unworthy of being King Saul’s son-in-law, a little known man, but God exalted him before men. God’s calling should make us known to those around us, those we’re being called to work with. We should set aside our own opinions and let God place us with those whom He’s called us to.
God bless and keep you today.