Day 102-11

VII The Reign of Saul - 1065-1025 B.C. ~ cont.

B. Decline of Saul and rise of David (5 years) ~ cont.

d. David and Jonathan - 1 Samuel 18:2, 1, 3-4; Psalm 23:1-6, (possible location of Psalm 12)

e. Additional praise comes to David - 1 Samuel 18:5-9

f. Saul tries to kill David - 1 Samuel 18;10-13; Psalm 5-1012

g. Wisdom of David - 1 Samuel 18:14-19

h. David marries Michael - 1 Samuel 18:20-30, Psalm 12:1-7
2. David's dangers and flights
a. Jonathan warns David of impending trouble - 1 Samuel 19:1-3; Psalm 11:1-6
b. Saul's varied behavior toward David - 1 Samuel 19:4-11
c. Michal delivers David -  1 Samuel 19:12-17, Psalm 59:1-17

{pages 450-454}

Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.  (1 Samuel 18:3)

There are some who state that Jonathan and David were homosexuals.  It is truly a shame that men can not love one another and have a deep relationship without people calling it something abhorrent.  (shakes head in sadness.)

covenant - H1285 - From H1262 (in the sense of cutting (like H1254)); a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh).

• H1262 - A primitive root; to select; also (as denominative from H1250) to feed; also (as equivalent to H1305) to render clear (Ecc_3:18).

Browsing for information on Jonathan and David and came across this article:  Friendship, as seen in Jonathan and David.  Very encouraging.  Another one I found encouraging True Friendship, especially in this world where people social network and have 100s of friends.  One more, really, really good, Jonathan and David, A True and Lasting Friendship.

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

Saul jealous?

And Saul eyed David from that day and forward. (1 Samuel 18:9)

eyed - H5770 - Denominative from H5869; to watch (with jealousy).

• H5869 - Probably a primitive word; an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy a fountain (as the eye of the landscape.

And Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him, and was departed from Saul.  (1 Samuel 18:12)

afraid - H3372 - A primitive root; to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten.

Wherefore when Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely, he was afraid of him.  (1 Samuel 18:15)

afraid - H1481 - A primitive root; properly to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), that is, sojourn (as a guest); also to shrink, fear (as in a strange place); also to gather for hostility (as afraid).

And Saul was yet the more afraid (H3372) of David; and Saul became David's enemy continually.  (1 Samuel 18:29)

Saul does not honor his pledge to give his daughter to David?

But it came to pass at the time when Merab Saul's daughter should have been given to David, that she was given unto Adriel the Meholathite to wife. (1 Samuel 18:19)

Reviewing what was told to David by the warriors:

And the men of Israel said, Have ye seen this man that is come up? surely to defy Israel is he come up: and it shall be, that the man who killeth him, the king will enrich him with great riches, and will give him his daughter, and make his father's house free in Israel.  (1 Samuel 17:25)

It does not specifically state which one, though from 1 Samuel 18:19 it appears that it should have been Merab.  It is Michal that Saul ends up giving to David, in exchange for 100 foreskins of the Philistines.  David exceeds the quota and brings back 200.

And Saul said, I will give him (David) her (Michal)... (1 Samuel 18:21) and then.  ...And Saul gave him (David) Michal his daughter to wife.  (1 Samuel 18:27)

give or gave - H5414 - A primitive root; to give, used with great latitude of application (put, make, etc.).

I am still working through that give/gave thing.  Ownership or responsibility?  Both?

I take great comfort from the Psalms of David - much affliction removes dross and draws us ever closer to the Lord.

Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.  (Psalm 12:1)

For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the LORD; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him.  (Psalm 12:5)