he grew even more afraid of David. So from then on Saul was David's enemy. he remainedThe Hebrew root for "remained" is "ויהי" (vayehi), which is often used to denote a state of being or existence. In this context, it signifies a persistent and unchanging condition. Saul's enmity towards David was not a fleeting emotion but a settled disposition. This highlights the tragic transformation of Saul's heart, which was once chosen by God but now consumed by jealousy and fear. It serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of allowing negative emotions to take root and persist in one's life. David’s enemy
The term "enemy" in Hebrew is "אויב" (oyev), which implies hostility and opposition. David, despite his loyalty and service to Saul, becomes the object of Saul's irrational hatred. This enmity is not based on David's actions but rather on Saul's perception and insecurity. Historically, this reflects the broader theme of the righteous facing opposition from those who are threatened by their integrity and favor with God. It is a reminder that following God's path may lead to unjust opposition, yet God remains the ultimate vindicator. for the rest of his days
This phrase underscores the permanence of Saul's enmity until his death. It is a sobering reminder of the consequences of unchecked sin and the hardening of one's heart. Saul's inability to reconcile with David or seek repentance leads to a life marked by turmoil and spiritual decline. In a broader scriptural context, this serves as a warning about the importance of seeking reconciliation and the dangers of allowing bitterness to dictate one's life. It also foreshadows the eventual rise of David as king, as God's plans are not thwarted by human opposition. Persons / Places / Events 1. SaulThe first king of Israel, anointed by the prophet Samuel. Initially chosen by God, Saul's disobedience and jealousy lead to his downfall. 2. DavidA young shepherd anointed by Samuel to be the future king of Israel. Known for his faithfulness to God and his victory over Goliath, David becomes a central figure in Israel's history. 3. Fear and EnmitySaul's fear of David grows due to David's success and favor with God and the people, leading to Saul viewing David as an enemy. 4. IsraelThe nation over which Saul reigns as king. The events take place during a time of transition in leadership from Saul to David. 5. Jealousy and RivalryThe underlying emotions driving Saul's actions against David, highlighting the destructive nature of jealousy. Teaching Points The Destructive Power of JealousyJealousy can consume and destroy relationships, as seen in Saul's growing enmity towards David. Believers are called to guard their hearts against such destructive emotions. God's Favor and Human OppositionDavid's favor with God did not exempt him from human opposition. Christians should expect challenges even when walking in God's will. Responding to Fear with FaithSaul's fear led to irrational behavior and enmity. In contrast, believers are encouraged to respond to fear with faith and trust in God's plan. The Importance of HumilitySaul's inability to accept God's plan for David's future kingship highlights the need for humility and submission to God's will. The Role of God's SpiritThe absence of God's Spirit in Saul's life contrasts with David's anointing, emphasizing the importance of living in the Spirit's guidance. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Saul's fear of David reflect the consequences of disobedience to God, and what can we learn from this about the importance of obedience? 2. In what ways can jealousy manifest in our own lives, and how can we combat it with biblical principles? 3. How does David's experience with Saul prepare him for future leadership, and what lessons can we apply to our own preparation for roles God has for us? 4. How can we ensure that we are living under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, as opposed to being driven by fear and jealousy like Saul? 5. What practical steps can we take to respond to opposition in our lives with faith and trust in God's plan, as David did? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Samuel 16:14This verse describes how the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, which sets the stage for his growing fear and jealousy of David. Proverbs 14:30This proverb speaks to the destructive nature of envy, which is evident in Saul's relationship with David. James 3:16This New Testament verse discusses how envy leads to disorder and evil practices, mirroring Saul's actions against David. People Adriel, David, Jonathan, Merab, Michal, SaulPlaces JerusalemTopics Addeth, Afraid, Continually, David, David's, Enemy, Fear, Greater, Hating, Presence, Rest, Saul, Saul's, Thus, YetDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Samuel 18:29 8796 persecution, forms of
8800 prejudice 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 18:29 NIV1 Samuel 18:29 NLT1 Samuel 18:29 ESV1 Samuel 18:29 NASB1 Samuel 18:29 KJV
1 Samuel 18:29 Commentaries
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