Saul and David 

Background from the OT: 1 Samuel 8 - 10

A.   Israel Asks for a King (8:1-21)

1.      Samuel, like Eli before him, apparently had trouble raising his own sons.   They turned out "bad". (They were judges over the people and did a terrible job of it.)

2.      The people of Israel complained about the situation and said a King would solve the problem.

3.      Saul goes to the Lord for advice and He says "give 'em what they ask for"

4.      Stern warning about what having a king would really mean

5.      "But we STILL want a king!"  The irony is they already had one…

B.   Lost Donkeys and a New King (9:1 - 10:8)

1.      We first meet Saul, the son of Kish.  Kish's donkeys wander off and he sends Saul to retrieve them.

2.      Saul and servant decide to ask Samuel if he can divine the donkey's whereabouts, for pay.  This is respect for a man of God?

3.      God tells Samuel in advance to expect a special someone

4.      Samuel meets Saul, gives him a hint, but Saul is doubting already

5.      The next day, Samuel anoints him as King, and gives him signs to confirm it is of God

C.   The Holy Spirit Comes Upon Saul (10:9-16)

1.      He prophesies with the others, amazes his friends, who doubt also

2.      Upon returning home and meeting his uncle, he says nothing about what really happened when he met Samuel

D.   A Reluctant King (10:17-27)

1.      Samuel gathers the people of Israel and delivers the message about God's disappointment, yet willingness, to give them a king

2.      The tribe of Benjamin is brought forward, then the family of Matri, then Saul the son of Kish

3.      But where's Saul?  Hiding amongst the baggage brought by the tribes

4.      They finally trot him out, and Samuel makes it "official", and spells out the duties of the king

5.      Saul returns home to Gibeah, where already some of his new subjects are complaining

The Early Years of Saul's Reign

Background from the OT: 1 Samuel 11 - 13

A.   Saul's First Test  (11:1-15)

1.      An Ammonite army under Nahash (which means serpent) besieged the Israelite city of Jabesh-Gilead, and intended to disgrace them by gouging out their right eyes.  Those pesky Ammonites were descendents of Ben-Ammi, son of Lot.

2.      Saul got word of this while he was out working in the field and, through the Holy Spirit, was angered into action.

3.      He gathered up an army of some 330,000 and destroyed almost all of Nahash's Ammonite Army.

4.      The city of Jabesh-Gilead remained loyal to Saul thereafter, as we'll see after his death

5.      They celebrated the victory by giving glory to God and "renewing the kingdom" at Gilgal.

B.    Samuel Bids Farewell (12:1-25)

1.      Samuel realizes it's time to pass from the scene, so while at Gilgal he delivers one last "sermon"

2.      He establishes his own honesty and credibility before them.

3.      He recounts the victories of Moses and the judges, and reminds the people of their continual backsliding ways

4.      He says it plain: "if you rebel against the Lord"…"the hand of the Lord be against you"

5.      Samuel delivers one more sign of God's authority -- a thunderstorm during the dry harvest season.

6.      He passionately reiterates the message in verses 20 through 25.

C.  The Beginning of the End for Saul (13:1-23)

1.      Two years into his reign, Saul is getting militaristic, and develops an army of 3000.  His son Jonathon led a third of them and destroyed a garrison of Philistines, but Saul took the credit for it.  The Philistines rise to the challenge.

2.      Now that Saul has stirred up a hornet's nest, he calls the people back to Gilgal again for another pep talk.  Meanwhile, the Philistines gather a hugely overwhelming army.

3.      The Israelites see what they're up against and start to desert the army.  Saul waits in Gilgal seven days, per instructions from Samuel, but when he doesn't show up on time, Saul panics.  His army is bugging out on him, and the longer he waits the worse it gets.  Saul decides to take things in his own hands and presents an offering sacrifice himself -- trouble is, he's not the priest.

4.      Samuel shows up, rebukes him for his sin, and tells him that God has rejected him and his kingdom in favor of a man "after his own heart."

5.      Saul and Jonathan prepare to do battle with only 600 men and two swords.

D.   Jonathon's Faith (14:1-23)

Background from the NT: 1 Samuel 14 - 15

1.      Shortly after the incident of Saul's sacrifice, he has moved his 600-man army to a strategic location -- they're camped out under a pomegranate tree.  Jonathon snuck off with his armor bearer to fight the Philistines without telling his father.

2.      Trusting Divine intervention (v 9-10), they took on a Philistine encampment and killed about 20 of them.  This lead to a panic in the rest of the Philistines and they began scattering.

3.      Saul's army pressed the attack, joined by the deserters who were now coming back, and the Philistines were defeated.

E.   Saul's Arrogance Threatens Lives (14:24-45)

1.      Earlier in the day, Saul made an oath against his own people, preventing them from stopping to eat until "his enemies" were defeated.  (v24)  Jonathon hadn't heard about this oath -- he stopped to eat some honey.

2.      The Israelites fought all day and into the night, and were so hungry they threw themselves into the spoil they captured, eating it raw and bloody, which violated God's law against eating meat with blood in it [see Lev. 17:10–14; 19:26]

3.      When Saul inquired of God whether they should continue pursuing the Philistines, He didn't answer them.   Figuring there was sin present, they cast lots to determine who the "sinner" was, and it came out as Jonathan -- for eating the honey.  Saul almost killed his own son for this "sin" (the sin of violating a commandment of the king) but the people rose up and prevented it.

F.   Saul's Mistake with the Amalekites (15:1-35)

1.      God sent Samuel to tell Saul to destroy all the Amalekites.  Every man, woman, child and animal.  Everything.

2.      Saul and his army did that, mostly.  They killed the soldiers, but Saul kept the king of the Amalekites as prisoner.   Also, they saved the best animals for themselves.

3.      Samuel confronts Saul with his sin (v 13-14), but Saul lies and says he kept the animals to offer as sacrifice.  Samuel's response in verse 22 is just as meaningful for us today as it was then.

4.      Samuel informs Saul that God has fully rejected him as King.

5.      Samuel kills Agag, king of the Amalekites, himself.

God Raises Up a New King

Background from the OT: 1 Samuel 16 - 18

A.   The Anointing of David (16:1-13)

1.      God sends Samuel to Bethlehem to seek out Jesse and his sons

a)      side note: the book of Ruth is an excellent example of God's sovereignty in the ways of men.  Ruth 4:13-22 tells us how we got to where we are today in Bethlehem

2.      God's injunction on Samuel to see others as He sees them (vs 6-7)

3.      "The last shall be first":  David wasn't even considered worthy by his own father.  He was out tending sheep -- on the hillsides of Bethlehem -- and had to be brought in over Jesse's objection

4.      David is anointed by Samuel, and the Spirit of God rested on him from that time on

B.   Saul is Rejected by God (16:14 - 17)

1.      God sends a tormenting spirit to Saul; he gets moody and mean

2.      Saul's aids suggest a musician to help calm him down and who else but David gets the job

3.      Saul is so impressed with David (he probably recognizes the presence of God in his life) that he brings him into his closest inner circle

C.   David and Goliath (17:1-58)

Probably the best known Bible story, the 17^th chapter of 1 Samuel gives a detailed account of the short battle between the man of God and the champion of evil.  It's tempting to read all sorts of "spiritual truths" into the story, but I think the simplest, clearest exposition is best:  God gifted and strengthened a righteous man to do His work, so that He might be glorified.  I will propose one truth, though, from Galatians 6:7 -- God will not be mocked.

Extra credit:  Why did David pick up five stones, and not just one, to do battle?

D.   The Rise of Saul's Jealousy (18:1-30)

1.      After the battle, David meets Jonathan, they become lasting friends

2.      David is given a military position, but his exploits draw more fame than those of Saul.  Saul gets paranoid.

3.      A tormenting spirit from God mixed with his paranoia drives Saul into a rage; he tries to kill David with his spear.

4.      Saul uses trickery and deceit to try to have the Philistines kill him

a)      Saul offers his oldest daughter as a wife for David, but reneges when David refuses the honor

b)      Meanwhile, another daughter, Michal, falls for David. 

c)      Saul uses her love as an excuse to command a dowry of David -- the foreskins of 100 Philistines.

d)      David doubles that, and grows in popularity among the people.  Saul hates him more every day.

The Fugitive and the King

Background from the OT: 1 Samuel 19 - 21

A.   Saul's Murderous Intent Continues (ch 19)

1.      Jonathon makes peace between Saul & David for a while, but it doesn't last ( 19:1-7)

2.      Saul turns bad again and tries to kill David (19:8 - 18)

a)      Note that David is out doing the Lord's work while Saul is sitting home brooding

b)      David's wife, Michal (Saul's daughter), saves his life.  The episode is later referenced when David writes Psalm 59.

c)      David runs to Samuel for help and counsel

3.      Saul and his messengers meet the Spirit of God (19:19-24)

a)      Saul sends his men to capture David and bring him back from Samuel

b)      Three separate groups of soldiers go to capture David.  Each time, they  are overcome by the Holy Spirit and they break out into spontaneous prophecy

c)      Saul, too, goes for a forth attempt.  He ends up naked, on the ground, prophesying for twenty-four hours

B.   Jonathon and David Make a Covenant Together (20:1-23)

1.      Despite David's assertions, Jonathon just can't believe his own father would really try to kill him

2.      They contrive a plan to determine Saul's true intentions: David is to miss a mandatory feast at Saul's house.  If Saul gets mad about it, which means he had evil plans for David, Jonathon is to report to David so that he can escape.

3.      David promises Jonathon that he will preserve Saul's bloodline when he becomes King.  See also the story of Mephibosheth, II Sam 9

C.   The Test (20:24-42)

1.      The Feast of the New Moon comes, David is a no-show.  On the first day, Saul doesn't mention anything about David's absence.

2.      On the second day, with David still absent, Saul questions Jonathon.  He gives the agreed-upon excuse, and Saul goes ballistic, ultimately trying to kill him.  Saul's meaning is perfectly clear now -- David must avoid Saul at all cost.

3.      The next day, Jonathon goes out to give the "Run" signal to David.

4.      David and Jonathon speak together once more, reaffirming their covenant.  David heads for the hills, Jonathon goes back to the city.

D.   David on the Run (21:1-15)

1.      The encounter with the priest at Nob -- David eats the ceremonial bread.  They violate the letter of the law, but preserve its spirit.  See also Matthew 2:23-28.

2.      Doeg, the Edomite -- who later betrays David.  David wrote about him in Psalm 52.

3.      Commandeering a sword -- the same one that belonged to Goliath

4.      David leaves the country, goes to the land of Gath (Goliath's kin folk) and pretends to be insane to keep from being killed.

E.   David's Flight Continues (ch 22)

Background from the OT: 1 Samuel 22 - 23

1.      David leaves Gath, hides out in a cave.  He's soon joined by a band of people who have had it with King Saul's rule: the distressed, the debtors, and the discontent.  He develops a following of 400.

2.     He leads them to Moab, where they can dwell safely until he learns what God has planned for him.  A prophet of God urges him to move on to Judah.  (22:3 - 5)

3.      Saul hears where David is hiding, and chastises his counselors for not telling him sooner.  His paranoia is really starting to show now -- he thinks everyone is conspiring against him.

4.      Doeg the Edomite, from ch 21, pipes up and tells him what happened that day with the priest Ahimelech. 

5.      Saul, in his rage, orders the murder of ALL the priests in Nob.  His soldiers won't do it, but Doeg does, and kills 85 priests, then the rest of the town as well.  Ahimelech's son, Abiathar, escapes and tells David what has happened.  (22: 17 - 23)  (Note the remorse David expresses in v. 22.)

F.    David's Strength and Character Grows (Ch 23)

1.      When David hears that Philistine raiders are attacking and stealing grain in Keilah, he goes to God and asks a simple yes/no question: "shall I go and smite" them?  God answers 'yes'.

2.      David's men (the 400 D's) admit their concerns.  Rather than fuss at them, David goes to the Lord again with the same question, and receives affirmation that the Philistines will be delivered into his hand.  They go, they fight, they defeat.

3.      Meanwhile, Saul hears that David is in Keilah, and plans to capture him there.   Abiathar has joined David there, and he has brought the Ephod with the "Urim and Thummim" with him.  David goes to the Lord again, asks two yes/no questions, and departs.  His following has now grown to 600.

4.      After David's escape into the wilderness of Ziph, Jonathon comes to visit and "strengthens his hand in God."  They reconfirm their covenant together. (v 23:16-17)   The Ziphites go to Saul and rat out on David, and see Saul's response at v 21.  He's adding to his list of sins.

5.      Saul goes out to try to capture David again, chases him from Ziph to Maon, but still can't catch him.  Just as Saul begins to close in, he gets word that the Philistines are attacking back home, so he call off his mission.  David escapes to Engedi.

G.   David and Nabal (Ch 25)

Background from the OT: 1 Samuel 25 - 28

1.      Following the death of Samuel (v. 1), David and his band travel to the wilderness of Paran.  Along the way, they learned they were near a wealthy landowner whom they had earlier befriended.  David sent ten of his men to go ask for food and provisions from Nabal.

2.      Nabal, though very rich, refused their request.  When they reported back to David, he gathered up all his men to attack. (v 13)

3.      Nabal's wife, Abigail, heard about had happened.  Note the character of Nabal described in v 17.  Abigail and her servants knew something bad was to come of it, so she instructed them to load up a huge supply of food and take it to David and his men.

4.      Abigail wisely intercedes (v. 23-31) , and David calls off the attack.  Nabal dies of "natural causes" 10 days later.  (v 37 - 38)

5.      David ends up marrying Abigail.  Saul, meanwhile, had given David's first wife, Michal, to another man. (v 41 - 44)

H.   David again spares Saul's life (Ch 26)

1.      Once again, the Ziphites betrayed David and gave his location to Saul.  Saul pursues him into the wilderness with an army of 3000.

2.      David locates Saul's encampment by night, sneaks down and locates Saul.  David's trusted advisor, Abishai, tries to convince David to kill Saul, but as before, David refuses, and instead puts his trust in God's judgment and timing.  (v 8 - 11).  Instead of killing him, he takes his spear and water supply.

3.      They return to the top of the hill, yell out, and awaken the army.  David and Saul have the same conversation again: David questions, Saul cries and repents.

I.      David lives amongst the Philistines (Ch 27)

1.      After that last encounter with Saul, David truly has his number.  He realizes that Saul is going to catch him sooner or later, so he decides to move far away, to the land of the Philistines.  He dwells in Gath about 16 months, and Saul stops chasing him.  (v 1 - 4)

2.      David convinces the king of Gath, Achish, to give him some land for his own.  He is given Ziklag.

3.      Meanwhile, David is conquering smaller enemies of Israel, quietly, one at a time, and leaving no survivors.  He doesn't want the king of Gath to know what he's doing, and even lies to him about it.  (v 8 -12)

J.     The Ghost of Samuel? (Ch 28) 

See also Deut 18:9-14

1.      The Philistines were gathering an army to fight Saul.  Achish invites David along for the fight.  David and his men join the army.

2.      Saul sees the Philistine army confronting him, and enquires of the Lord, but receives no answer.  He decides to find his answer through a "familiar spirit." (v 7-10)

3.      He seeks out a witch, who calls up Samuel from the dead. (v 11 - 19).  Samuel informs Saul that he is to die in battle the next day. (side note: I think this was a demonic impersonation -- 'Samuel' imparted no new information here that wasn't already given before his death)

4.      Saul spends his last night on earth in a miserable state. (v 20 - 25)

The End of An Age

Background from the OT: 1 Samuel 29 - II Samuel 1

A.   The Philistines March to Battle (Ch 29) 

1.      The army that began forming in chapter 28 is now a huge force under the leadership of King Achish.  It is slowly advancing on Saul's position.  David and his men are in the rear.

2.      The various tribal chiefs of the Philistines recognize David and complain to Achish, demanding David's removal, fearing he'll turn against them.

3.      With apologies, King Achish sends David back to his adopted home in Ziklag.

B.   The Rescuers (Ch 30)

1.      When David and his men reach Ziklag, they discover that their families and possessions have been carried off by a marauding band of Amalekites, and the town burned.

2.      Amid the grief, David turns to God  (v 4 - 8)

3.      At God's direction, they pursue and destroy the Amalekites, and recover all that they had lost, plus captured the spoil of the enemy.

4.      Some of the men who went on the raid didn't want to share the spoil with those who stayed behind (v 9, v21).  David corrects their sinful attitude (v 23) and makes a law that everyone will share equally in the future.

C.   Saul's Death (Ch 31)

1.      Meanwhile, the Philistines are attacking Saul and his army, and chopping them up pretty badly.

2.      Saul's sons, including Jonathan, die in battle.  Saul is mortally wounded by archers.

3.      Saul asks his armor bearer to finish him off, but he won't do it, so Saul commits suicide…maybe.

a)      A jump over to II Samuel Chap 1 reveals an incredible story:

b)      An Amalekite wanders into David's camp reporting that he finished Saul off, then brought his crown to David.

c)      It's interesting to note that the second big sin of Saul,  which leads to God's rejection of him as king (ch 15), was his failure to kill ALL of the Amalekites.  Had he done so when he was told to…?

4.      The Philistines locate Saul's body and hang it on a wall for public viewing.  They send his armor to be put on display in their temples.  Valiant men from Jabesh-Gilead remove his corpse and bury it properly (v 11-13).  (Refer back to 1 Sam 11)

Copyright 2004 Leon V. Smith. All rights reserved.