David, Michal, and Jonathan (1 Samuel 18-20)

For Starters...

Jealousy is a powerful emotion. It can be good or bad depending on what we are jealous of or for. God's name is "Jealous" (Exodus 34:14) and many; nations incurred sorrow and heartache, including Israel, BECAUSE OF God's jealousy for His name and glory. Jealousy for God's name and His glory is shown by; our unswerving devotion to His will. But jealousy can be bad too, like when the leader of God's people hates and constantly attempts to murder God's anointed. Whether it is king Saul against David or the religious leaders of Israel against Jesus, jealousy can be dangerous --- and deadly.

Love, however, is greater and stronger than jealousy whether it is God (Ex 20:5-6), or Jesus (Luke 23:34) or Jonathan, David's friend (1 Samuel 20:16). Love, as taught in the Bible, is that which keeps good and godly jealousy from becoming bad and a very deadly jealousy.

What's the Story...

David is extremely successful in his military; adventures against the Philistines -- much more so than Saul. All Israel now sings praise to David as well as Saul. Saul now becomes jealous of David's success and consequent praise by the people. Saul begins to plot to kill David. He attempts to entice David to marry his older daughter, Merab, hoping that the bride-price will prove deadly for David. David refuses, however, to marry; Saul's oldest daughter but does agree to marry another daughter of Saul -- Michal, for she is in love with David. Saul agrees, the bride-price is set. It is to be 100 Philistine foreskins. David brings 200 foreskins and Saul then realizes the Lord in with David. Saul fears and hates David even more.

Saul's next attempt to kill David is while David is playing the harp for him. Saul throws his spear at David but misses. David, with his wife's help, runs for his life the next day. He flees to Samuel for help at Ramah. Saul continually sends men to Ramah to bring David back to him but to no avail. Saul, himself, finally goes to Ramah but fails tin that attempt also.

David goes back to Gibeah and finds Jonathan, his best friend. Jonathan learns of his father's attempts to kill David and is dismayed though still unbelieving that his father would ultimately kill David. Jonathan formulates a plan to find out for sure what his father's intentions and feelings are toward David. Once Jonathan finds out the chilling answer, a previously agreed upon signal is given to David, who is hiding out in a field. They meet for the last time, take an oath of love and friendship between them, weep at what must be and say good-bye.

Just the Facts...

* David is more successful than Saul in fighting the Philistines and gets more praise from the people than Saul does.
* Saul becomes jealous of David and wants to kill him.
* David marries Michal, Saul's youngest daughter and injures 200 Philistines to pay for her.
* Jonathan, Saul's son, becomes David's best friend.
* David must flee for his life and goes to see Samuel at Ramah.
* David must permanently leave home to avoid being killed by Saul.
* David and Jonathan take an oath of friendship between them and their descendants.

So What?

* What "Goliaths" do you have in your life? What is the key to defeating "Goliath"? We can be successful at defeating our own Goliaths and at overcoming those who are the enemies of God when we surrender to Him and rely on His power. Read Psalms 76
* This success in overcoming brings out jealousy and hatred of us in those people and can make our lives sorrowful and troublesome. Love for God's people and trust in God Himself will carry us through those times. Read Psalms 69. Also John 15:17-20