1 Samuel - The Coming King Sample

The Lord has raised David up as his chosen king in Israel. He has been successful in everything he has done (see 18:5, 14) and has become extremely popular (18:16). However, in God’s plan, this king isn’t destined to take over painlessly from Saul. Saul won’t be simply wiped out to make way for David as the new king. On the contrary, the Lord’s plan is for his chosen king to be a persecuted king. The plots against David started in chapter 18. They reach a high point in chapter 19 when Saul, having failed in previous attempts, now sends his own soldiers to kill David. The result is that David has to run for his life from Saul to Samuel (v. 18). 

The remarkable thing in this chapter, though, is how the Lord protects David. David is the Goliath-slayer and a mighty warrior (v. 8), but the Lord saves David through weakness and vulnerability. There are four attempts on David’s life here. The first attempt is only thwarted because of the intervention of Jonathan (vv. 1–7). The second attempt fails only because David manages to escape Saul’s clutches while he’s under the influence of an evil spirit (vv. 9–10). The third attempt fails only through the intervention and worldly wisdom of his wife (vv. 11–17). The final attempt is remarkably defeated through the sheer power of the Spirit controlling the soldiers and finally Saul himself (vv. 18–24). 

In other words, it isn’t David’s military prowess or strategy that save him, but the Lord’s absolute control over events and people. At the same time, Saul, with all his power and military might, is utterly humiliated. It’s his family who save David, and Saul himself ends up, quite literally, publicly taking his clothes off under the Lord’s direction (v. 24). David is saved through weakness, and Saul is humiliated into weakness. 

Don’t be anxious about the seeming weakness of the church in the face of a hostile world. Don’t be overwhelmed when you hear stories of persecution. This is the biblical pattern for God’s king and his people. We’re saved through weakness.

REFLECTION

1. How do you feel about being weak in front of others? How can God use that?

2. What confidence are God’s people given here in the face of powerful opponents?