Lessons from King David: A Hero

David has defeated the Philistine giant, Goliath.

Goliath lay dead

Saul sets David over “the men of war” and the people love him.

As they are going through the city, the women come out to greet them. “And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.” {1 Samuel 18:7}

Saul is very angry that David has been put above him with his ten thousands.

“And Saul eyed David from that day and forward.” {1 Samuel 18:9}

The Message words it this way: “This made Saul angry—very angry. He took it as a personal insult.”

David rejoiced over his victory

Saul isn’t just angry, but personally insulted that David is put above him.

The evil spirit again comes upon him and David continues to play for him to soothe his bad moods.

“And Saul cast the javelin; for he said, I will smite David even to the wall with it. And David avoided out of his presence twice.” {1 Samuel 18:11}

Saul is so angry that he tries to kill David. But, why is he so angry?

Is it just because the people honored David in such a heroic way?

“And Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with him, and was departed from Saul.” {1 Samuel 18:12}

Saul became jealous of David

Saul is afraid of David and sees God’s hand in his life. We are not told in scripture, but by this point he has probably discovered that Samuel annointed David to take his place.

So, Saul decides to effectively set David up and make him a captain over a thousand people.

“And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the Lord was with him.” {1 Samuel 18:14}

David is seeking God and acting with wisdom, while Saul is not acting wisely. Saul’s fear of this young man is only increasing.

So, once again Saul sets a trap and tells him that he can marry his oldest daughter, Merab. But, instead of marrying her to David, she is married to another.

Saul promised his daughter to David

But, Saul has another daughter, Michal. And she loves David. {1 Samuel 18:20}

But, David is a poor man and can afford no dowery.
Saul tells David that he can marry her if he will bring in a hundred foreskins of the Philistines.

Saul has ulterior motives. “But Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines.” {1 Samuel 18:25}

But, David is going to be sure that Saul doesn’t outsmart him again. Instead of bringing 100, he brings 200.

David married King Saul’s daughter, Michal

Imagine, having to be the one to stand and count all of that out?

Saul gives his daughter Michal to David to marry.

“it pleased David well to be the king’s son in law.” {1 Samuel 18:26}

David was pleased to become Saul’s son-in-law. We are not told why and although we enjoy a good romance, we do not know if David loved Michal in return.

No, it was probably more of a political move on David’s part. By marrying Saul’s daughter, he was putting himself legally in position to take the throne.

But, Saul was not happy. He saw that the Lord was with David. “And Saul was yet the

Saul wanted to kill David

more afraid of David; and Saul became David’s enemy continually.” {1 Samuel 18:26}

Saul was becoming increasingly afraid of David. However, David continued to appear before this man who hated him and wanted to kill him time and time again.

David was a hero in the eyes of the people. “David’s name was on everyone’s lips.” {1 Samuel 18:30}

Saul did not like to be upstaged, but David continued to go about his duties and God was with him. Yet, we’re told that Saul’s “fear of David increased and settled into hate.” {1 Samuel 18:29}

Michal helped David escape

Jesus told Peter that we should forgive seven times seventy, and David definitely demonstrated this with Saul.

Forgiving someone when they continue to hurt us is not easy, yet David continued to show wisdom in his interactions with Saul, even when it was not easy for him and placed his life in danger.

Do you use wisdom and the Lord’s guidance in difficult situations in your life?