Background and Context:

Saul, the first king of Israel, was anointed by the prophet Samuel. Initially, Saul was a humble and promising leader, but over time, he became increasingly disobedient to God's commands. This disobedience led to God's rejection of Saul as king and the anointing of David, the son of Jesse, as his successor (1 Samuel 16:1-13). David, a young shepherd, gained fame after defeating Goliath, the Philistine giant, which led to his rise in popularity among the Israelites (1 Samuel 17).

Saul's Jealousy and Fear:

David's success and the favor he found with the people and Saul's own family, including Jonathan, Saul's son, and Michal, Saul's daughter, fueled Saul's jealousy and fear. The women of Israel sang, "Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands" (1 Samuel 18:7), which exacerbated Saul's insecurity and paranoia. Saul perceived David as a direct threat to his throne, despite David's loyalty and service.

Attempts on David's Life:

1. The Spear Incident:
Saul's first overt attempt to kill David occurred when an evil spirit from God came upon Saul as he was prophesying in his house. David was playing the harp to soothe Saul, but Saul, in a fit of rage, hurled his spear at David, intending to pin him to the wall. David eluded Saul twice (1 Samuel 18:10-11).

2. Plotting and Scheming:
Saul's fear of David led him to devise schemes to have David killed indirectly. Saul offered his daughter Michal to David in marriage, hoping that the dowry requirement of one hundred Philistine foreskins would lead to David's death in battle. However, David succeeded and married Michal, further increasing Saul's fear (1 Samuel 18:20-29).

3. Direct Pursuit:
Saul's attempts became more direct and relentless. He ordered his servants and Jonathan to kill David, but Jonathan, who loved David, warned him of his father's intentions (1 Samuel 19:1-2). Saul's pursuit of David continued, leading to several dramatic escapes by David, including the incident where Michal helped David flee by lowering him through a window (1 Samuel 19:11-12).

4. The Wilderness Pursuit:
David became a fugitive, fleeing to various locations, including Nob, Gath, and the wilderness of Ziph. Saul pursued David with his army, but God repeatedly protected David. Notably, in the wilderness of En Gedi, David had the opportunity to kill Saul but chose to spare him, demonstrating his respect for Saul's position as the Lord's anointed (1 Samuel 24:1-7).

Spiritual and Theological Implications:

Saul's attempts to kill David highlight the destructive nature of jealousy and disobedience to God. Saul's actions contrast with David's faithfulness and reliance on God. Despite being pursued unjustly, David consistently sought God's guidance and refused to harm Saul, trusting in God's timing and justice. This narrative underscores the biblical principle that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6).

Key Verses:

· "Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with David but had departed from Saul." (1 Samuel 18:12)
· "David behaved wisely in all his ways, and the LORD was with him." (1 Samuel 18:14)
· "May the LORD judge between you and me, and may the LORD avenge me against you, but my hand will never be against you." (1 Samuel 24:12)

Conclusion:

The account of Saul's attempts to kill David serves as a powerful narrative of God's providence and the importance of faithfulness and humility in the face of adversity.