## Saul and David: A Drama of Kings- Life of Saul - 6

Last week we looked at the two kings being brought together. This was the prelude to the drama that would be played out by these two men and recorded for our benefit. It would be a drama in which the forces of evil attack the forces of God. This battle continues on today. Wherever you find someone who is being blessed by God coming in contact with someone who has abandoned God, there will be conflict. We will see the drama develop in chapters 16 thru 31.

I. Act One: Saul Loves David.

A. David's place of honor.

1. Saul made him his armor-bearer.

2. He was also the court musician who was called upon from time to time when Saul was troubled by the evil spirit.

3. Initially this was a temporary position. (17:15), but Saul would later seek to make it permanent. (18:2)

B. Why this arrangement was doomed to fail.

(Amos 3:3) "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?"

(2 Cor 6:14) "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?"

1. As we had noted before, Saul had disobeyed God, and had been rejected from being king over Israel.

2. David was a man after God's own heart.

3. His obedience resulted in the blessings of God upon his life.

4. The light of a good testimony with the Lord will reveal the darkness of poor testimony every time!

II. Act Two: Saul Envies David.

A. David behaved himself wisely (18:5-12)

1. He walked according to the will of the Lord.

2. He battled victoriously.

3. He won the admiration of the people.

a. David responded to the praise with humility.

b. Saul responded with fear, anger, and envy.

(Prov 27:21) "As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so is a man to his praise."

c. The praise given David brought out the best in him, but it brought out the worst in Saul.

d. The very next day, Saul tried to kill David with a javelin.

e. Note verse 12 concerning why Saul sought to kill David.

B. Saul removed David from the palace.

1. He made him captain over 1000 men. (18:13-16)

a. This wasn't a promotion, rather it was Saul's attempt to get rid of David.

b. Perhaps he would be killed in battle.

c. But that didn't happen.

2. He tried to use his daughter to entice David to fight more and die. (18:17-19)

a. He offered his daughter Merab to David if he would 'be valiant' (17)

b. However Saul never intended for David to live long enough to become his son-in-law.

3. He had another opportunity for deceit with his daughter Michal. (18:20-30)

a. This time Saul requires a dowry of 100 foreskins of the Philistines.

b. David brought him 200!

c. Saul was totally obsessed with killing David.

4. He tried to convince Jonathon to kill David, but Jonathon wouldn't let that happen.

5. He tried once again with the javelin, but missed him.

6. He plotted to ambush him at his house, but Michal foiled that plan.

7. He went to Ramah to kill David himself, but God was protecting David.

III. Act Three: Saul Exiled David.

A. David is now on the run.

B. Saul is in pursuit.

C. But God is in control!