And from that day forward Saul kept a jealous eye on David. And from that day forwardThis phrase marks a pivotal moment in the narrative of Saul and David. The Hebrew word for "day" is "yom," which can signify a literal day or a period of time. Here, it indicates a significant turning point in Saul's relationship with David. Historically, this moment follows David's victory over Goliath and his growing popularity among the Israelites. It signifies the beginning of a prolonged period of tension and conflict between Saul and David, highlighting the shift in Saul's heart from acceptance to suspicion and hostility. Saul
Saul, the first king of Israel, was chosen by God but later rejected due to his disobedience. His name in Hebrew, "Sha'ul," means "asked for" or "prayed for," reflecting Israel's demand for a king. Saul's character is complex; he is a tragic figure who starts with promise but is ultimately consumed by jealousy and fear. This verse marks the beginning of Saul's decline, as his focus shifts from leading Israel to obsessing over David. kept a jealous eye
The Hebrew word for "jealous" is "qana," which can mean zeal or envy. Saul's jealousy is not just a fleeting emotion but a consuming passion that distorts his perception and judgment. The phrase "kept a jealous eye" suggests a continuous, watchful suspicion. Saul's jealousy is rooted in fear of losing his kingdom and favor, both with God and the people. This jealousy becomes a driving force in Saul's actions, leading to his eventual downfall. on David
David, whose name in Hebrew means "beloved," is a central figure in the biblical narrative. At this point, David is a young hero, anointed by Samuel, and favored by God. His rise to prominence is swift, and his success is seen as a threat by Saul. David's relationship with Saul is complex; he is both a loyal servant and a rival. This verse foreshadows the trials David will face due to Saul's jealousy, yet it also sets the stage for David's eventual rise to kingship, as ordained by God. Persons / Places / Events 1. SaulThe first king of Israel, anointed by the prophet Samuel. Saul's reign is marked by his initial obedience to God, followed by disobedience and a decline into jealousy and paranoia, particularly towards David. 2. DavidA young shepherd who was anointed by Samuel to be the future king of Israel. Known for his faithfulness to God, David becomes a successful warrior and gains favor with the people, which incites Saul's jealousy. 3. JealousyA central theme in this passage, where Saul's jealousy towards David begins to manifest. This jealousy is rooted in Saul's fear of losing his kingdom and the favor of the people. 4. IsraelThe nation over which Saul reigns as king. The people of Israel play a role in Saul's jealousy as they begin to favor David over Saul due to David's successes. 5. The EyeSymbolically represents Saul's focus and intent. The phrase "kept a jealous eye" indicates Saul's growing obsession and suspicion towards David. Teaching Points The Destructive Nature of JealousyJealousy can consume and destroy relationships, as seen in Saul's relationship with David. It is crucial to guard our hearts against envy and seek contentment in God's plan for our lives. Focus on God's PlanSaul's focus shifted from God's will to his own insecurities. We must keep our eyes on God's purpose for us, trusting that His plans are for our good. The Importance of HumilityDavid's humility and trust in God contrast with Saul's pride and fear. Emulating David's humility can help us navigate challenges and maintain our integrity. Guarding Our HeartsProverbs 4:23 advises us to guard our hearts, as it is the wellspring of life. Saul's failure to do so led to his downfall. We must be vigilant in protecting our hearts from negative emotions. The Power of ForgivenessDespite Saul's actions, David chooses not to retaliate. Forgiveness and grace can break the cycle of jealousy and hatred, leading to peace and reconciliation. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Saul's jealousy towards David begin to affect his decisions and leadership as king? 2. In what ways can jealousy manifest in our own lives, and how can we combat it with Scripture? 3. How does David's response to Saul's jealousy demonstrate his character and faith in God? 4. What are some practical steps we can take to guard our hearts against jealousy and envy? 5. How can the account of Saul and David encourage us to trust in God's timing and plan for our lives, even when others seem to be more successful? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 4:5-8The account of Cain and Abel, where jealousy leads to sin and violence, parallels Saul's growing animosity towards David. Proverbs 14:30This verse speaks about the destructive nature of envy, which can be related to Saul's internal turmoil and its impact on his reign. James 3:16Discusses how jealousy and selfish ambition lead to disorder and evil practices, reflecting the chaos in Saul's life and kingdom. People Adriel, David, Jonathan, Merab, Michal, SaulPlaces JerusalemTopics David, Envy, Eye, Eyed, Eyeing, Forward, Jealous, Kept, Saul, Suspicion, ThenceforthDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Samuel 18:9 8493 watchfulness, believers
8787 opposition, to God 1 Samuel 18:6-9 7236 Israel, united kingdom
8773 jealousy 1 Samuel 18:6-12 5890 insecurity 1 Samuel 18:6-15 5965 temperament 1 Samuel 18:7-9 5937 rivalry 1 Samuel 18:8-9 6109 alienation 1 Samuel 18:8-11 5568 suffering, causes 1 Samuel 18:9-11 4133 demons, possession by 1 Samuel 18:9-12 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 18:9 NIV1 Samuel 18:9 NLT1 Samuel 18:9 ESV1 Samuel 18:9 NASB1 Samuel 18:9 KJV
1 Samuel 18:9 Commentaries
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