1 Samuel 18

1 Samuel 18:6-30

David’s Marriage and Saul’s Mounting Jealousy (18:6-30)

The Greek version (Septuagint) omits 1 Samuel 18:10-11; 1 Samuel 18:17-19; 1 Samuel 18:27-30, and probably is nearer the original. The omitted verses leave as a more consistent story the record of Saul’s growing jealousy of David. On his return from battle, the women hailed David in terms that placed him above Saul and aroused the latter’s jealousy. At first, Saul was afraid of David (vs. 12); then he stood in awe of him and tried to get rid of him (vss. 20-25); finally he was so afraid that he gave instructions for David’s murder (1 Samuel 19:1). We have a picture of a tragic figure, brilliant in part but so egotistical that he can brook no possible rival. Among the means that Saul used to lure David to destruction was the offer of the hand of his daughter Michal in marriage. (If we follow the Greek translation, the incident relating to the elder daughter, Merab, was an alien intrusion into the story.) David’s rejection of the offer on the ground of poverty was cunningly countered by Saul’s request for a hundred Philistine foreskins.

David responded more than successfully, bringing two hundred foreskins. His prestige as warrior mounted in Israel and was further enhanced by his marriage into the king’s family. Here we have a fascinating psychological study. Saul had given David a task which was technically a promotion but which could also mean his destruction. Saul was thwarted and sought yet other means to rid himself of his hated rival. This is an authentic picture of the mounting jealousy of a deranged but brilliant mind.