When Saul realized that the LORD was with David and that his daughter Michal loved David, When Saul realizedThe phrase "When Saul realized" indicates a moment of revelation or understanding for King Saul. The Hebrew root for "realized" is "yada," which means to know or perceive. This suggests a deep, perhaps unsettling awareness for Saul. Historically, Saul's realization marks a turning point in his relationship with David. Saul's jealousy and fear of David's rising popularity and success become more pronounced. This moment of realization is not just intellectual but emotional, as Saul grapples with the implications of God's favor on David. that the LORD was with David
The phrase "that the LORD was with David" is central to understanding David's success and favor. The Hebrew name for God used here is "Yahweh," emphasizing the covenantal relationship between God and His chosen people. The presence of the LORD with David signifies divine approval and blessing. In the scriptural context, God's presence with an individual often leads to success and protection, as seen with Joseph in Genesis. This divine favor contrasts with Saul's own experience, as the Spirit of the LORD had departed from him (1 Samuel 16:14), highlighting the shift in divine support from Saul to David. and that his daughter Michal loved David
The mention of "his daughter Michal loved David" adds a personal dimension to Saul's realization. Michal's love for David is significant because it represents a bond that further complicates Saul's relationship with David. The Hebrew word for love, "ahav," indicates a deep affection and commitment. Michal's love for David not only aligns her with David but also places her in opposition to her father's growing animosity. Historically, marriages in royal families were often political, but Michal's genuine affection for David suggests a personal loyalty that transcends political alliances. This love becomes a source of tension and conflict in the narrative, as Saul's attempts to use Michal as a pawn in his schemes against David ultimately fail. Persons / Places / Events 1. SaulThe first king of Israel, who becomes increasingly jealous and fearful of David's success and favor with God. 2. DavidThe young shepherd anointed by God to be the future king of Israel, known for his faithfulness and courage. 3. MichalSaul's daughter, who loves David and becomes his wife, playing a significant role in the unfolding drama between Saul and David. 4. The LORDThe covenant God of Israel, whose presence and favor are evident in David's life. 5. IsraelThe nation over which Saul reigns and David is destined to lead, serving as the backdrop for the unfolding events. Teaching Points The Presence of the LORDRecognize that the LORD's presence in our lives is a source of strength and favor. Just as David thrived because the LORD was with him, we too can find confidence and courage in God's presence. Jealousy and FearSaul's jealousy and fear of David serve as a warning against allowing such emotions to take root in our hearts. We should guard against envy and instead celebrate the successes of others. Love and LoyaltyMichal's love for David highlights the importance of love and loyalty in relationships. Our love for others should be genuine and supportive, reflecting God's love for us. God's SovereigntyThe unfolding events remind us of God's sovereignty and His plans for our lives. Even when faced with opposition, we can trust that God's purposes will prevail. Recognizing God's WorkLike Saul, we must be attentive to recognizing God's work in the lives of others and ourselves. This awareness can lead to a deeper understanding of His will and direction. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the presence of the LORD in David's life influence his actions and decisions, and how can we seek to cultivate God's presence in our own lives? 2. In what ways can jealousy and fear impact our relationships, and how can we overcome these emotions through faith and trust in God? 3. How does Michal's love for David reflect the importance of loyalty and support in our relationships, and how can we apply this in our interactions with others? 4. What does this passage teach us about God's sovereignty and His plans for our lives, and how can we trust in His timing and purposes? 5. How can we become more aware of God's work in our lives and the lives of those around us, and what steps can we take to align ourselves with His will? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Samuel 16:13This verse describes the anointing of David by Samuel, marking the beginning of the LORD's presence with him. 1 Samuel 18:12Saul's fear of David is highlighted, as he recognizes the LORD's presence with David, contrasting with the LORD's departure from Saul. Genesis 39:2-3Joseph's account parallels David's, as the LORD's presence brings success and favor, even in difficult circumstances. Acts 7:9-10Stephen's speech references Joseph's favor with God, drawing a parallel to David's experience. People Adriel, David, Jonathan, Merab, Michal, SaulPlaces JerusalemTopics Clear, Daughter, David, Knoweth, Loved, Michal, Realized, Saul, Saul'sDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Samuel 18:17-29 5890 insecurity 1 Samuel 18:28-29 5086 David, rise of Library A Soul's Tragedy
'And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him, and behaved himself wisely: and Saul set him over the men of war; and he was accepted in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul's servants. 6. And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of musick. 7. And the women answered one another as they played, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureWar! War! War!
At the present crisis, the minds of men are exceedingly agitated with direful prospects of a terrible struggle. We know not whereunto this matter may grow. The signs of the times are dark and direful. We fear that the vials of God's wrath are about to be poured out, and that the earth will be deluged with blood. As long as there remains a hope, let us pray for peace, nay, even in the time of war let us still beseech the throne of God, crying, that he would "send us peace in our days." The war will …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 5: 1859 And V the Kingdom Undivided and the Kingdom Divided
THE HISTORICAL BOOKS: I and II Samuel. I and II Kings. I and II Chronicles. NOTE.--As these three pairs of books are so closely related in their historical contents, it is deemed best to study them together, though they overlap the two divisions of IV and V. I. CHARTS Chart A. General Contents +--+ " I AND II SAMUEL " +-------------+-----+------+ "Samuel "Saul "David " +-------------+-----+------+----------+ " " " " I AND II KINGS "NOTE.--Biblical …
Frank Nelson Palmer—A Bird's-Eye View of the Bible The Exile.
David's first years at the court of Saul in Gibeah do not appear to have produced any psalms which still survive. "The sweetest songs are those Which tell of saddest thought." It was natural, then, that a period full of novelty and of prosperous activity, very unlike the quiet days at Bethlehem, should rather accumulate materials for future use than be fruitful in actual production. The old life shut to behind him for ever, like some enchanted door in a hill-side, and an unexplored land lay beckoning …
Alexander Maclaren—The Life of David Salvation Published from the Mountains
O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid: say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God! I t would be improper to propose an alteration, though a slight one, in the reading of a text, without bearing my testimony to the great value of our English version, which I believe, in point of simplicity, strength, and fidelity, is not likely to be excelled by a new translation …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1 How the Poor and the Rich Should be Admonished.
(Admonition 3.) Differently to be admonished are the poor and the rich: for to the former we ought to offer the solace of comfort against tribulation, but in the latter to induce fear as against elation. For to the poor one it is said by the Lord through the prophet, Fear not, for thou shalt not be confounded (Isai. liv. 4). And not long after, soothing her, He says, O thou poor little one, tossed with tempest (Ibid. 11). And again He comforts her, saying, I have chosen thee in the furnace of …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great The Publication of the Gospel
The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it [or of the preachers] P erhaps no one Psalm has given greater exercise to the skill and patience of commentators and critics, than the sixty-eighth. I suppose the difficulties do not properly belong to the Psalm, but arise from our ignorance of various circumstances to which the Psalmist alludes; which probably were, at that time, generally known and understood. The first verse is the same with the stated form of benediction …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2 Ramah. Ramathaim Zophim. Gibeah.
There was a certain Ramah, in the tribe of Benjamin, Joshua 18:25, and that within sight of Jerusalem, as it seems, Judges 19:13; where it is named with Gibeah:--and elsewhere, Hosea 5:8; which towns were not much distant. See 1 Samuel 22:6; "Saul sat in Gibeah, under a grove in Ramah." Here the Gemarists trifle: "Whence is it (say they) that Ramah is placed near Gibea? To hint to you, that the speech of Samuel of Ramah was the cause, why Saul remained two years and a half in Gibeah." They blindly …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica The Sixth Commandment
Thou shalt not kill.' Exod 20: 13. In this commandment is a sin forbidden, which is murder, Thou shalt not kill,' and a duty implied, which is, to preserve our own life, and the life of others. The sin forbidden is murder: Thou shalt not kill.' Here two things are to be understood, the not injuring another, nor ourselves. I. The not injuring another. [1] We must not injure another in his name. A good name is a precious balsam.' It is a great cruelty to murder a man in his name. We injure others in …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments Samuel
Alike from the literary and the historical point of view, the book[1] of Samuel stands midway between the book of Judges and the book of Kings. As we have already seen, the Deuteronomic book of Judges in all probability ran into Samuel and ended in ch. xii.; while the story of David, begun in Samuel, embraces the first two chapters of the first book of Kings. The book of Samuel is not very happily named, as much of it is devoted to Saul and the greater part to David; yet it is not altogether inappropriate, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 1 Samuel 18:28 NIV1 Samuel 18:28 NLT1 Samuel 18:28 ESV1 Samuel 18:28 NASB1 Samuel 18:28 KJV
1 Samuel 18:28 Commentaries
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