Bible Studies

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(continuation of Part III-A)

Saul continued to scheme against David. He even tried to send his son Jonathan to kill David, but David and Jonathan were best friends, so Jonathan warned David instead. Jonathan spoke to his father about David, and Saul promised not harm David. War broke out again and David fought the Philistines. Saul again was disturbed and tried to kill David with his spear but David escaped.

Saul then sent men to David's house to watch it and kill him, but Mical, David's wife, warned him and he escaped again (chapter 19). Here are some excerpts from Psalm 59, which David wrote when Saul sent the men to his house:

"Deliver me from my enemies, O God; protect me from those who rise up against me.
God will go before me and will let me gloat over those who slander me.
But do not kill them O Lord.
O My Strength I sing praise to you; You, O God, are my fortress, my loving God."

Later, Jonathan tries to talk to his father about David, but Saul gets so angry that he hurls a spear at his own son. Jonathan then warns David and again, David flees. While hiding from Saul in a cave he writes:

"Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in You my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of Your wings...I cry out to God Most High, to God, who fulfills His purpose for me. For great is your love, reaching to the heavens, your faithfulness reaches to the skies." (Psalm 57: 1-2, 10).

So David praises God in the midst of his circumstance and even acknowledges that God has an ultimate plan for his life. There are many other Psalms that are too numerous to mention. In all of them he pours out his heart to God in praise and prayer.

Saul continues to pursue David unsuccessfully. Not only does he not catch him, but twice David has opportunity to kill Saul and he chooses not to. Eventually, Saul is killed in battle along with his son and David's friend, Jonathan. I will end this section with excerpts from David's lament for Saul and Jonathan.

II Samuel 1

"Your glory, O Israel, lies slain in your heights. How the mighty have fallen!
Saul and Jonathan - in life they were loved and gracious, and in death they were not parted. They were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.
I grieve for you, Jonathan my brother; you were very dear to me."

The story continues in Part IV: The King.

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