Summary: David becomes best friends with Jonathan, Saul’s son (vv.1-3). Saul becomes increasingly suspicious of David, because the women praise him more for his courage in battle (18:9). God sends an evil spirit to Saul (v.10), and Saul is “afraid of David” because he knows that God is with him (18:12; 29). He tries to spear him… twice! Saul tries to marry David to one of his daughters, so that he will be obligated to go into more military service, killing him off.
After Goliath’s death, you’d think it would be happily ever after. Not true! David’s battles are only just beginning.
(18:1) After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself.
This conversation must’ve lasted for quite some time. Jonathan apparently listened to David as he shared about his dedication to God, and they probably traded war stories.
“The soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David” (1 Sam. 18:1). This Hebrew expression is “never once used in the Old Testament for a sexual or romantic relationship.”[] In fact, this Hebrew expression (nep̱eš niqšerāh benep̱eš) is very close to the phrase used in Genesis 44:30 (nep̱eš qešûrāh benep̱eš). Genesis 44 describes a father’s love for his son: Jacob’s love for his son Benjamin.
(18:2) From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return to his father’s house.
This could be an innocent comment. Or perhaps, Saul wanted to keep him close to keep an eye on him.
(18:3) And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself.
Jonathan “loved” David (1 Sam. 18:3). This Hebrew term for “love” (ʾāheḇ) is never once used to describe same-sex attraction or homosexual acts.[] The term used for sex is the Hebrew word “know” (yāḏaʿ). The “covenant” that they make is one of loyalty—not lust. Later, we read that this covenant refers to protecting each other from their enemies (1 Sam. 20:16).
Throughout this book, many people “love” David, including Saul (1 Sam. 16:21), all Israel (18:16), Michal (18:20), and all of Saul’s servants (18:22). Does this imply that everyone in Israel had sexual lust for David?
“Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself” (1 Sam. 18:3). Does this refer to the “covenant” of marriage? No. The term “covenant” (bĕrit) refers to a “treaty, alliance, pledge, or an agreement.”[] Typically, it refers to a political agreement between parties. For instance, the author used the term to refer to a peace treaty between the Ammonites and the people of Jabesh (1 Sam. 11:1). Later, he uses the term “covenant” to refer to the (broken) political agreement to protect the Gibeonites (2 Sam. 21:2). The “covenant” between David and Jonathan is “the only unequivocal mention of a compact between two individuals in the OT.”[] So, it is decidedly thin to see this as a same-sex marriage when it is the only usage of this term in the Hebrew Bible.
While the “covenant” is never explicitly defined, the context strongly implies that this was an oath from David to protect Jonathan’s family after the transfer of power. Later, David fulfils this promise: “[David] spared Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan the son of Saul, because of the oath of the LORD which was between them, between David and Saul’s son Jonathan” (2 Sam. 21:7).
(18:4) Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt.
Jonathan didn’t strip naked in front of David. He merely stripped himself of his robe and armor. This is in contrast to how Saul “loved” David (1 Sam. 16:21), but David rejected Saul’s clothes for battle (1 Sam. 17:38-39).
The covenant seems to have been political based on the fact that Jonathan removed his robe, armor, sword, bow, and belt. Moreover, “by giving his robe to David, Jonathan effectively passes over his badge of rank, acknowledging tacitly that David will succeed to the throne.”[] The handing over of the robe was “tacitly handing over to him the right of succession.”[]
Jonathan was the oldest son of a king. David was the youngest son of a farmer. Thus, Jonathan gave up the kingship—even though he wanted it and deserved it. He had this dream for his entire life, but he gave it to the person God had chosen. For more on this subject, see our earlier article, “Were David and Jonathan gay?”
(18:5) Whatever Saul sent him to do, David did it so successfully that Saul gave him a high rank in the army. This pleased all the people, and Saul’s officers as well.
The text states that David was pleasing to “the servants” and “the people,” but not Saul.
(18:6-7) When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with tambourines and lutes. 7 As they danced, they sang: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.”
David is “going viral” after these battles, and songs about him are on the top of the charts for weeks. It was common for women to come to welcome a king home from war (Ex. 15:21; Judg. 5:1-31). In greeting David, these women wrote songs about how he had killed ten times the number of men as Saul. Indeed, in the days of Absalom, the people said that David was worth “ten thousand” men (2 Sam. 18:3).
Why did Saul grow jealous of David? After all, Saul could’ve been content with the songs about himself. It wasn’t like he was receiving bad press or even no press. Instead, the women were singing that Saul had “slain his thousands.” That’s high praise! However, comparison is where jealousy originates. His number didn’t seem very high when he was stacked up next to David.
Moreover, Samuel had told Saul that his time as king would soon be over: “You have rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD has rejected you from being king over Israel… The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to your neighbor, who is better than you” (1 Sam. 15:26, 28). Was Saul already becoming paranoid about the man who would replace him? Was he already suspecting David as being the man who would tear his throne away from him? We’re not sure, but whatever the case, Saul kept thinking about this song, and he couldn’t let it go.
David, on the other hand, behaved wisely, and he didn’t let it go to his head (v.14). He could handle adversity, as well as success. His years of shepherding created humility in him. After all, when David performed heroic acts of strength and skill in protecting his sheep, he didn’t receive any affirmation. Furthermore, he was the runt of his family, and his brothers and dad frequently dismissed him and looked down on him. This led David to not grow a big head.
(18:8) Saul was very angry; this refrain galled him. “They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?”
Saul was very insecure about their praising David more than him. He worried that David would next take over his kingdom. Little did he know, God was already working to install David as the king.
(18:9-10) And from that time on Saul kept a jealous eye on David. 10 The next day an evil spirit from God came forcefully upon Saul. He was prophesying in his house, while David was playing the harp, as he usually did. Saul had a spear in his hand.
“Saul kept a jealous eye on David. The next day an evil spirit from God came forcefully upon Saul.” Was Saul’s suspicion the cause for God sending the evil spirit? Certainly a lack of forgiveness (2 Cor. 2:10-11) and unresolved anger (Eph. 4:26-27) can create a foothold for Satan. God had previously sent the Holy Spirit with power (1 Sam. 10:10; 11:16), but now, he sends an evil spirit “forcefully” upon Saul (cf. 1 Sam. 16:14). This is also in fulfillment of Samuel comparing Saul’s sin to “divination” (1 Sam. 15:23).
David had a “harp” in his hand, while Saul had a “spear” in his hand. The two men couldn’t be any more different.
This seems to be an act of judgment on Saul.
(18:11) Saul had a spear in his hand and he hurled it, saying to himself, “I’ll pin David to the wall.” But David eluded him twice.
Saul tried to pin David “twice,” and he later tried a third time (1 Sam. 19:10). Saul also tried to kill his son Jonathan in this way (1 Sam. 20:32-33). Apparently, Saul had very poor aim! By contrast, David refused to lay a hand on Saul (1 Sam. 26:8-11). Bergen writes, “David’s willingness to remain in the room long enough for Saul to retrieve the spear after the failed first attempt and then take a second shot at him portrays the incredible depth of David’s loyalty to the king and his commitment to helping Saul overcome his torments.”[]
(18:12) Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with David but had left Saul.
Saul is a complex character: He was murderous toward David, but this is because he feared him. God’s power in David’s life scared Saul.
(18:13) So he sent David away from him and gave him command over a thousand men, and David led the troops in their campaigns.
Saul assigns David to be the head of the military. He did this because he wanted David dead at the hands of the Philistines (v.17, 21, 25). This is the same strategy that David would later employ in killing Uriah (2 Sam. 11).
(18:14-16) In everything he did he had great success, because the LORD was with him. 15 When Saul saw how successful he was, he was afraid of him. 16 But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he led them in their campaigns.
“All Israel and Judah loved David.” Despite Saul’s plots, David continued to prosper, because God’s power and protection was on him. David’s prospering only led Saul to grow more fearful and filled with hatred. Even Saul’s own son loved David, and so did his daughter (v.20). Men wanted to be David, and women wanted to be with David.
(18:17-19) Saul said to David, “Here is my older daughter Merab. I will give her to you in marriage; only serve me bravely and fight the battles of the LORD.” For Saul said to himself, “I will not raise a hand against him. Let the Philistines do that!” 18 But David said to Saul, “Who am I, and what is my family or my father’s clan in Israel, that I should become the king’s son-in-law?” 19 So when the time came for Merab, Saul’s daughter, to be given to David, she was given in marriage to Adriel of Meholah.
David turns down the offer, and Merab marries another man instead. David wasn’t motivated by the glory or the rewards. Saul wasn’t expecting David to be so humble. A self-obsessed man like Saul thinks that everyone thinks like him. So, he tries again with his other daughter Michal…
(18:20-22) Now Saul’s daughter Michal was in love with David, and when they told Saul about it, he was pleased. 21 “I will give her to him,” he thought, “so that she may be a snare to him and so that the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” So Saul said to David, “Now you have a second opportunity to become my son-in-law.” 22 Then Saul ordered his attendants: “Speak to David privately and say, ‘Look, the king is pleased with you, and his attendants all like you; now become his son-in-law.’”
Saul offers David his other daughter (Michal) to get him to die in battle. Youngblood makes an astute observation: “The symbolism of David marrying Saul’s daughter should not be missed: When political marriages were arranged, it was usually the daughter of the ostensibly weaker ruler who married the stronger (cf. Gen 34:9; 1 Kings 3:1; 2 Chronicles 18:1). David’s relentless climb to Israel’s throne proceeds apace.”[]
In what ways was Michal a “snare” to David? Michal was an idol worshipper. Bergen writes, “The term translated as ‘snare’ (Hb. môqēš) is a theologically significant one, used three times in the Torah to describe the dangers of idols and idol worshipers (Exod 23:33; 34:12; Deut 7:16). Perhaps Saul was spiritually astute enough to recognize that in marriage his daughter’s idolatrous inclinations (cf. 19:13) could easily lead David astray, in which case David would become the Lord’s enemy and come to a disastrous end. Thus Saul was especially eager to provide David with ‘a second opportunity’ to become a ‘son-in-law’ to the king and spoke to David directly about it.”[]
(18:23-26) 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.” 24 When Saul’s servants told him what David had said, 25 Saul replied, “Say to David, ‘The king wants no other price for the bride than a hundred Philistine foreskins, to take revenge on his enemies.’” Saul’s plan was to have David fall by the hands of the Philistines. 26 When the attendants told David these things, he was pleased to become the king’s son-in-law.
“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 must’ve been feeling insecure. After all, he was from a poor family. So, he didn’t have money for a dowry. If he wanted to marry into the royal dynasty, he couldn’t afford a financial dowry.
Saul uses this to his advantage by giving David another opportunity: Face insurmountable odds by going to war with the Philistines. Saul figured that David would come home in a casket. Even if David didn’t die in battle, the foreskins would outrage the Philistines and put a target on his back.
“To take revenge on his enemies” Surely Saul told David this to allay David’s suspicions. Ironically, David himself had become Saul’s enemy! (see v.29).
(18:27) So before the allotted time elapsed, David and his men went out and killed two hundred Philistines. He brought their foreskins and presented the full number to the king so that he might become the king’s son-in-law. Then Saul gave him his daughter Michal in marriage.
“David and his men.” This is the beginning of “David’s mighty men.”
(18:28-29) When Saul realized 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 the rest of his days.
Saul could see that God was with David, and this filled him with both fear and animosity at the same time.
(18:30) The Philistine commanders continued to go out to battle, and as often as they did, David met with more success than the rest of Saul’s officers, and his name became well known.
Saul’s manipulation didn’t work. David kept rising to the top. He was esteemed because of his faithfulness. David became more and more famous among the Israelites (1 Sam. 18:6) and among the Philistine ranks (1 Sam. 29:3-4, 9).
Michael L. Brown, Can You Be Gay and Christian? (Lake Mary, FL: FrontLine Publisher, 2014), p.98.
Ronald F. Youngblood, “1, 2 Samuel,” in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel, ed. Frank E. Gaebelein, vol. 3 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1992), 706.
Elmer B. Smick, “282 ברה,” ed. R. Laird Harris, Gleason L. Archer Jr., and Bruce K. Waltke, Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament (Chicago: Moody Press, 1999), 128.
Elmer B. Smick, “282 ברה,” ed. R. Laird Harris, Gleason L. Archer Jr., and Bruce K. Waltke, Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament (Chicago: Moody Press, 1999), 129.
David G. Firth, 1 & 2 Samuel, ed. David W. Baker and Gordon J. Wenham, vol. 8, Apollos Old Testament Commentary (Nottingham, England; Downers Grove, IL: Apollos; InterVarsity Press, 2009), 208.
Ralph W. Klein, 1 Samuel, vol. 10, Word Biblical Commentary (Dallas: Word, Incorporated, 1983), 182.
Robert D. Bergen, 1, 2 Samuel, vol. 7, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1996), 201.
Ronald F. Youngblood, “1, 2 Samuel,” in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel, ed. Frank E. Gaebelein, vol. 3 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1992), 710.
Robert D. Bergen, 1, 2 Samuel, vol. 7, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1996), 204.
James is an elder at Dwell Community Church, where he teaches classes in theology, apologetics, and weekly Bible studies.
