When Saul saw that David was very successful, he was afraid of him. When Saul sawThe phrase "When Saul saw" indicates a moment of realization and perception. In the Hebrew text, the verb "saw" (רָאָה, ra'ah) implies more than just physical sight; it suggests understanding or discerning. Saul's observation of David's success is not merely a passive acknowledgment but an active recognition of David's growing influence and favor. This moment marks a turning point in Saul's relationship with David, as he begins to perceive David as a threat to his own kingship. that David was very successful
The success of David is highlighted here as "very successful," which in Hebrew is expressed with the word מַשְׂכִּיל (maskil), meaning prudent or wise. David's success is not just in military victories but also in his wise conduct and the favor he finds with the people and God. This success is a testament to God's anointing and presence with David, as seen in earlier chapters where David is described as a man after God's own heart. His success is a fulfillment of God's promise and a demonstration of divine favor, which contrasts sharply with Saul's declining reign. he was afraid of him
Saul's fear of David is a significant development in the narrative. The Hebrew word for "afraid" (יָרֵא, yare) conveys a deep-seated fear or dread. This fear is not just a personal insecurity but a spiritual and existential threat to Saul's kingship. Saul's fear is rooted in his awareness that God's favor has shifted from him to David. This fear leads to jealousy and paranoia, driving Saul to view David as an enemy rather than an ally. Saul's fear is a reflection of his spiritual state, having been rejected by God due to his disobedience, and now witnessing God's blessing upon David. Persons / Places / Events 1. SaulThe first king of Israel, anointed by the prophet Samuel. Saul's reign was marked by disobedience to God, leading to his eventual rejection as king. 2. DavidA young shepherd anointed by Samuel to be the future king of Israel. Known for his faithfulness to God, David gained favor and success, which caused Saul to become fearful and jealous. 3. IsraelThe nation over which Saul reigned as king. The people of Israel were witnesses to the growing tension between Saul and David. 4. Success of DavidDavid's success in battle and his growing popularity among the people of Israel were evident signs of God's favor upon him. 5. Fear of SaulSaul's fear of David was rooted in jealousy and insecurity, as he recognized the Lord's presence with David. Teaching Points The Source of True SuccessTrue success comes from the Lord's presence and favor. David's success was not due to his own abilities but because the Lord was with him. Believers should seek God's presence in their lives as the foundation for true success. The Dangers of Jealousy and FearSaul's fear and jealousy of David led to destructive behavior. Jealousy can consume and lead to irrational actions. Christians are called to rejoice with those who rejoice and trust in God's plan for their own lives. Recognizing God's AnointingSaul's fear was partly due to recognizing God's anointing on David. Believers should be discerning of God's work in others and support rather than oppose those whom God has chosen to bless and use. Trusting in God's SovereigntyDespite Saul's fear and attempts to harm him, David trusted in God's sovereignty and timing. Christians are encouraged to trust in God's plan, even when faced with opposition or fear. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the success of David in 1 Samuel 18:15 reflect the presence of God in his life, and how can we seek God's presence in our own lives? 2. In what ways can jealousy and fear manifest in our relationships today, and how can we guard against these emotions? 3. How does recognizing God's anointing in others challenge us to respond with humility and support rather than fear and opposition? 4. What are some practical ways we can trust in God's sovereignty when faced with challenges or opposition, as David did? 5. How can the account of Saul and David encourage us to find our identity and success in God's approval rather than in the approval of others? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Samuel 16:13This verse describes the anointing of David by Samuel, where the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David, marking the beginning of his divine favor and success. 1 Samuel 18:12This verse highlights Saul's fear of David because the Lord was with David but had departed from Saul, emphasizing the spiritual dimension of Saul's fear. Proverbs 29:25This verse speaks to the fear of man as a snare, contrasting with the safety found in trusting the Lord, which can be related to Saul's fear and David's trust in God. People Adriel, David, Jonathan, Merab, Michal, SaulPlaces JerusalemTopics Acting, Afraid, Awe, Behaved, Dreaded, Fear, Greatly, Prospered, Prospering, Saul, Stood, Success, Successful, Wherefore, WiselyDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Samuel 18:15 5086 David, rise of
8754 fear
8796 persecution, forms of 1 Samuel 18:6-15 5965 temperament 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 18:15 NIV1 Samuel 18:15 NLT1 Samuel 18:15 ESV1 Samuel 18:15 NASB1 Samuel 18:15 KJV
1 Samuel 18:15 Commentaries
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