Topical Bible: David: King of Israel: Covenants With Saul

◄ David: King of Israel: Covenants With Saul ►

Jump to: Nave's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

David, the youngest son of Jesse, is one of the most prominent figures in the Bible, known for his role as the second king of Israel and his deep relationship with God. His interactions and covenants with King Saul, the first king of Israel, are pivotal in understanding his rise to power and the divine orchestration of Israel's monarchy.

Anointed by Samuel

David's journey begins with his anointing by the prophet Samuel, as recorded in 1 Samuel 16. God instructs Samuel to anoint David as king, despite Saul still occupying the throne. This anointing signifies God's choice of David as the future leader of Israel, setting the stage for the complex relationship between David and Saul.

Service in Saul's Court

David first enters Saul's service as a musician, playing the harp to soothe Saul's troubled spirit (1 Samuel 16:23). His presence in the court marks the beginning of a complicated relationship characterized by both favor and jealousy. David's success as a warrior, particularly his victory over Goliath (1 Samuel 17), earns him a place of honor, but also incites Saul's envy.

Covenant with Jonathan

One of the most significant covenants in David's life is his bond with Jonathan, Saul's son. Despite Saul's growing animosity, Jonathan and David form a deep friendship, sealed by a covenant of loyalty and love. 1 Samuel 18:3-4 states, "Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. Jonathan stripped off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, his sword, his bow, and his belt." This covenant underscores the divine favor upon David and the providential support he receives even within Saul's household.

Saul's Jealousy and Attempts on David's Life

Saul's jealousy intensifies as David's popularity grows. Despite David's loyalty, Saul perceives him as a threat to his throne. This leads to multiple attempts on David's life, as seen in 1 Samuel 19:1, "Then Saul ordered his son Jonathan and all his servants to kill David." However, Jonathan's covenant with David prompts him to warn David, allowing him to escape Saul's wrath.

David's Respect for Saul

Despite Saul's hostility, David consistently honors Saul as the Lord's anointed king. This respect is evident in David's refusal to harm Saul, even when given the opportunity. In 1 Samuel 24:6, David says, "The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the LORD’s anointed. May I never lift my hand against him, since he is the LORD’s anointed." David's restraint and respect for Saul highlight his reverence for God's established order and his trust in God's timing.

Covenant of Peace

In 1 Samuel 24, after sparing Saul's life in the cave at En Gedi, David confronts Saul, demonstrating his loyalty and innocence. Saul, moved by David's righteousness, acknowledges David's future as king and requests a covenant of peace concerning his descendants. Saul says in 1 Samuel 24:21-22, "Now swear to me by the LORD that you will not cut off my descendants or wipe out my name from my father’s house." David swears this oath, further illustrating his integrity and commitment to peace.

Legacy of the Covenants

The covenants between David and Saul's family, particularly with Jonathan, have lasting implications. David's eventual ascension to the throne fulfills God's promise, and his covenantal loyalty is later demonstrated in his kindness to Jonathan's son, Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 9). These covenants reflect the divine orchestration of David's path to kingship and his role in the unfolding narrative of Israel's history.

Nave's Topical Index

1 Samuel 26:1
And the Ziphites came to Saul to Gibeah, saying, Does not David hide himself in the hill of Hachilah, which is before Jeshimon?
Nave's Topical Index

Library

How David Brought under the Philistines, and the Moabites, and the ...
... eighteen thousand of them in the battle; whereupon the king [of Israel] placed
garrisons ... Now David was in his nature just, and made his determination with ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 5 how david brought.htm

Matthew's Genealogy of Jesus Christ
... Jesus who is called the Christ.' He will be a better David, will burnish ... righteous
men' unconsciously were tending, when as yet there was no king in Israel. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/matthews genealogy of jesus christ.htm

Demonstration xxi. --Of Persecution.
... David reigned first over one tribe only, and afterwards over all Israel; and Jesus
reigned from the ... David wedded two daughters of the king; and Jesus wedded ...
/.../aphrahat/aphrahat select demonstrations/demonstration xxi of persecution.htm

CHAP. I. -II. 3 (II. 1).
... the house of Judah shall also give up Jehovah his God, and David his King, only
in ... to be able to live on a right brotherly footing with Israel, would have ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chap i -ii 3 ii 1.htm

That the Employing Of, and Associating with the Malignant Party ...
... so suddenly at the command of the king, who was ... say there was no more men in Israel,
when they ... other scriptures are alleged by some, as David's employing of ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/section iii that the employing.htm

That it is not Lawful for the Well Affected Subjects to Concur in ...
... If Amaziah had refused to dismiss the army of Israel whom God ... the civil bonds of
the people to Saul their king, did oblige ... David complains of that time, (Psal. ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/section iv that it is.htm

Heralds of the Gospel
... For David, after he had served his own generation by the ... those who had been neglected
by the teachers in Israel. ... he exalted Christ Jesus as "the King of kings ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 17 heralds of the.htm

Faustus Denies that the Prophets Predicted Christ. Augustin Proves ...
... third, from Abraham to David; the fourth, from David to the ... Him as the Son of God
and the King of Israel ... this name was given to the leader of Israel, not at ...
/.../faustus denies that the prophets.htm

Paul's Departure and Crown;
... they all do doubtless speak forth this in the main, that David made great ... but to
anoint Hazael to be king of Assyria, Jehu to be king of Israel, and Elisha ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/pauls departure and crown.htm

A Mystery! Saints Sorrowing and Jesus Glad!
... if we would woo them to obedience to King Jesus, our ... vainglorious divine of Ripon,
and the answer of David was in ... earth may know that there is a God in Israel. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/a mystery saints sorrowing and.htm