The Gospel According to David: Like Father, Not Like Son

As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. And Saul took him that day and would not let him return to his father's house. Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul. And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, and his armor, and even his sword and his bow and his belt. And David went out and was successful wherever Saul sent him, so that Saul set him over the men of war. And this was good in the sight of all the people and also in the sight of Saul's servants. As they were coming home, when David returned from striking down the Philistine, the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with songs of joy, and with musical instruments. And the women sang to one another as they celebrated, "Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands." And Saul was very angry, and this saying displeased him. He said, "They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed thousands, and what more can he have but the kingdom?" And Saul eyed David from that day on. The next day a harmful spirit from God rushed upon Saul, and he raved within his house while David was playing the lyre, as he did day by day. Saul had his spear in his hand. And Saul hurled the spear, for he thought, "I will pin David to the wall." But David evaded him twice. Saul was afraid of David because the Lord was with him but had departed from Saul. So Saul removed him from his presence and made him a commander of a thousand. And he went out and came in before the people. And David had success in all his undertakings, for the Lord was with him. And when Saul saw that he had great success, he stood in fearful awe of him. - 1 Samuel 18:1‭-‬15 ESV

Rev. Dwight Yoo

King Saul and his son, Jonathan are the focus of this passage. They are two very different people. So different. We'll be jumping around a bit in the Bible.

Jonathan is a man of faith, seeking the glory of God.

Here's an example:
Jonathan said to the young man who carried his armor, "Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised. It may be that the Lord will work for us, for nothing can hinder the Lord from saving by many or by few." - 1SA 14:6 ESV

The army of Israel had run low in weapons, so fighting had died down. Jonathan decides to take his weapon and fight, even though the odds were against him.

Saul is not. He does not depend on God.

Here's an example:
He waited seven days, the time appointed by Samuel. But Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and the people were scattering from him. So Saul said, "Bring the burnt offering here to me, and the peace offerings." And he offered the burnt offering. As soon as he had finished offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came. And Saul went out to meet him and greet him. Samuel said, "What have you done?" And Saul said, "When I saw that the people were scattering from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines had mustered at Michmash, I said, 'Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the favor of the Lord .' So I forced myself, and offered the burnt offering." And Samuel said to Saul, "You have done foolishly. You have not kept the command of the Lord your God, with which he commanded you. For then the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. - 1SA 13:8‭-‬13 ESV

The army of Israel was in a panic. They were vastly outmatched. Samuel tells him to sit tight and wait for him to come and sacrifice to God. Saul waits and waits and can't wait any longer. He offers a sacrifice to keep his army from deserting him. Just as he's sacrificed, Samuel finally arrives. Saul is more concerned about the people than God.

And Samuel came to Saul, and Saul said to him, "Blessed be you to the Lord . I have performed the commandment of the Lord ." And Samuel said, "What then is this bleating of the sheep in my ears and the lowing of the oxen that I hear?" Saul said, "They have brought them from the Amalekites, for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen to sacrifice to the Lord your God, and the rest we have devoted to destruction." Then Samuel said to Saul, "Stop! I will tell you what the Lord said to me this night." And he said to him, "Speak." Saul said to Samuel, "I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice. Now therefore, please pardon my sin and return with me that I may bow before the Lord ." - 1SA 15:13‭-‬16‭, ‬24‭-‬25 ESV

Even in confessing his sin, his concern is for his standing with the people rather than his offense against God. Saul wanted the admiration, loyalty, and approval of the people more than glorifying/loving God. That is what his life was centered on. Not God. Because of this, there is always this insecurity and fear. We can also live this way. God is not the ends, but the means of getting what we want. Our problem is not outright atheism, but rather having something else as the ultimate thing in this life.

Jonathan should be fearful; he is not.

This is the son of the king. If there is someone who should fear David, it was him. But no, it is not fear. Rather Jonathan makes a covenant with him. They have a common bond in chasing after God. Kindred spirits.

As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul. And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, and his armor, and even his sword and his bow and his belt. - 1SA 18:1‭, ‬3‭-‬4 ESV

David is a competitor for the throne. But Jonathan doesn't try to kill him, instead he gives David his sword and armor. He is a loyal friend who protects David even against his father, the king, Saul.

So what does this mean?

When we have God as the ultimate one, we will not treat people as pawns or as obstacles to our goals. Saul used his daughters as bait to try and get David killed. He saw David as one who was taking what he wanted away: the love and admiration of the people. Saul could not see David as one who chased after God and a defender of the nation of Israel.

We are more like Saul than we are willing to admit. So what then? Are we stuck this way? We have a Jonathan. It is Jesus. He was struck down by the sword for us and through him we are royalty. He protects and loves us. We don't have to stay as people-pleasers. When the gospel has taken root, we will change.