Topical Bible: David: King of Israel: Saul's Jealousy of

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David, the youngest son of Jesse, rose from humble beginnings as a shepherd boy to become the second king of Israel, anointed by the prophet Samuel. His ascent to prominence began with his legendary defeat of Goliath, the Philistine giant, which earned him the admiration of the people and the favor of King Saul. However, this favor soon turned to jealousy as Saul perceived David as a threat to his throne.

The root of Saul's jealousy can be traced to the events following David's victory over Goliath. As David returned from battle, the women of Israel sang, "Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands" (1 Samuel 18:7). This comparison struck a deep chord of insecurity in Saul, who had already been rejected by God as king due to his disobedience (1 Samuel 15:26-28).

Saul's jealousy manifested in several attempts on David's life. Initially, Saul tried to pin David to the wall with his spear while David played the harp to soothe Saul's troubled spirit (1 Samuel 18:10-11). Despite this, David continued to serve Saul faithfully, demonstrating his loyalty and integrity.

Saul's fear of David grew as he recognized that "the LORD was with David but had departed from Saul" (1 Samuel 18:12). In an attempt to ensnare David, Saul offered his daughter Michal in marriage, hoping that the dowry of one hundred Philistine foreskins would lead to David's death in battle (1 Samuel 18:25). However, David succeeded and married Michal, further solidifying his position within the royal family.

Saul's jealousy reached a peak when he openly commanded his servants and Jonathan, his son, to kill David (1 Samuel 19:1). Jonathan, who had formed a deep friendship with David, warned him of Saul's intentions, allowing David to escape. Despite Saul's relentless pursuit, David consistently spared Saul's life, demonstrating his respect for Saul's position as the LORD's anointed (1 Samuel 24:6).

Throughout this period of intense jealousy and pursuit, David's faith in God remained steadfast. He sought refuge among the Philistines and in the wilderness, all the while composing psalms that reflected his trust in God's deliverance and justice. Saul's jealousy ultimately led to his downfall, as he was consumed by his obsession with David, neglecting his duties as king and leading to his defeat at the hands of the Philistines (1 Samuel 31:1-6).

David's experience with Saul's jealousy is a profound narrative of divine providence, human frailty, and the triumph of faith and righteousness over envy and fear.

Nave's Topical Index

1 Samuel 18:8-30
And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom?
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Library

The Bright Dawn of a Reign
... The last stage of David's wanderings had brought him ... the regard of Achish, the
Philistine king of Gath ... his contingent, in the invasion of Israel, which crushed ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the bright dawn of a.htm

The Reign of David.
... He not only defended Israel but subdued other nations ... The life of David is so varied
and beautiful that one ... 1) His character, (2) His life after he became king. ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter xi the reign of.htm

David the Outcast.
... For seven years King Saul hunted David from one end of the land of Israel to the
other. The evil spirit of jealousy and hate had full possession of him, and ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xxii david the outcast.htm

A Soul's Tragedy
... But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out ... by Jehovah, and was only
a phantom king, and, as ... women's song was that it pointed to David as likely ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/a souls tragedy.htm

The First Kings.
... But as David expressed his strong confidence that the God of Israel, who had delivered
him from ... The king's son, Jonathan, loved David devotedly, and ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/the first kings.htm

First and Second Samuel.
... his purposes. Second Samuel. In this book, there is given the story
of the career of David while king of Israel. He was ...
/.../the way of salvation in the lutheran church/chapter viii first and second.htm

Faithful unto Death.
... Saul was afraid of David. He was afraid that God was preparing him to be king over
Israel, so he sent him into battle, hoping he would be killed, but the ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xxi faithful unto death.htm

The Reign of Saul.
... against the Philistines in which David kills Goliath, the giant that was defying
Israel, and won great honor from the king. ... 3) His effort to destroy David. ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter x the reign of.htm

Samuel
... persecution, however, is so persistent that David is compelled ... his country's enemy,
the Philistine king of Gath. At the decisive battle between Israel and the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/samuel.htm

How David, when He had Recovered his Kingdom, was Reconciled to ...
... Now as he pursued Sheba through all the country of Israel, one told him that he
was in a ... And will you have him for your king instead of David, who hath ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 11 how david when.htm