1 Samuel 18

“Saul’s servants reported these words directly to David, but he replied, ‘Is it trivial in your sight to become the king’s son-in-law? I am a poor man who is common.’ The servants reported back to Saul, ‘These are the words David spoke.’ Then Saul replied, ‘Say this to David: “The king desires no other bride-price except 100 Philistine foreskins, to take revenge on his enemies.”’ Actually, Saul intended to cause David’s death at the hands of the Philistines.” 1 Samuel 18:23-25 (HCSB)

The Lord was obviously protecting David! Everything he put his hand to was successful. David had won the hearts of all of Israel and Judea. Even Saul’s son, Jonathan, was on the bandwagon to the extent that he gave David his royal vestments. In ancient times, this was an unheard-of gesture; significant because the clothes signify the person and his position – hence, Jonathan renounced his position as crown prince. Jonathan transferred, so far as his own will goes, the right of succession to David.

This was the level of success God was giving David, and such was the level of character Jonathan possessed. How many politicians have you ever known who withdrew from an election because they felt their opponent was actually a better man for the job? Royal leaders simply do not transfer their crown rights to an up-and-comer; they eliminate them!

Jonathan may have been honorable, but his father sure wasn’t. Saul simply did not make due on his promises. Much of chapter 18 deals with Saul’s promise of marriage to his daughters, used as bait to lure David into fatal heroic deeds. David’s response was that he was unworthy to be the king’s son-in-law because he was lowly and poor. Almost overlooked in the narrative is that David should have already been very rich and married to Saul’s daughter. Riches, tax exemption, and royal matrimony had been promised to whoever defeated Goliath. David verified that offer three times before he fought the giant!

“Previously, an Israelite man had declared, ‘Do you see this man who keeps coming out? He comes to defy Israel. The king will make the man who kills him very rich and will give him his daughter. The king will also make the household of that man’s father exempt from paying taxes in Israel.’” 1 Samuel 17:25 (HCSB)

“The people told him about the offer, concluding, ‘That is what will be done for the man who kills him.’” 1 Samuel 17:27 (HCSB)

“Then he turned from those beside him to others in front of him and asked about the offer. The people gave him the same answer as before.” 1 Samuel 17:30 (HCSB)

Oh, the short-term memory of political promises! Aren’t we thankful to have God’s never-changing Word and character to depend upon?