What happensPermalink
After David’s victory over Goliath, Saul’s son Jonathan forms a covenant with him, loving him as his own soul. David rises quickly in Saul’s court, and his military success wins the people’s praise. Fearing David, Saul sends him on dangerous missions, hoping he’ll die in battle. He offers David his daughter Merab but gives her to another. When his daughter Michal falls in love with David, Saul demands 100 Philistine foreskins as a bride-price, again hoping David will be killed. But David returns with 200, and his fame continues to grow.
Why it mattersPermalink
David’s rise under God’s favor parallels Saul’s decline without it. Jonathan submits to God’s plan; Saul fights against it. Ironically, Saul’s tactic—using battle to eliminate a rival—foreshadows David’s own future sin with Uriah. Even a man after God’s heart is not immune to temptation.
Key versePermalink
Then the commanders of the Philistines came out to battle, and as often as they came out David had more success than all the servants of Saul, so that his name was highly esteemed.