1 Samuel 18:1

DAVID BECOMES A MEMBER OF SAUL'S FAMILY

Just as the efforts of Pharaoh to destroy Israel led directly to the placement of Moses within the inner circle of the family of Pharaoh, bouncing Moses, as it were, out of the Nile river into the lap of the princess, in a similar manner, Saul's repeated efforts to get rid of his rival David resulted in David's marriage to Saul's daughter! Certainly the hand of God is visible in every line of this remarkable chapter.

THE LOVING FRIENDSHIP OF JONATHAN AND DAVID

"When 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 upon him, and gave it to David, and his armor, and even his sword and his bow and his girdle."

It is quite evident here that Jonathan had lost all respect for his father; and he had also doubtless come to appreciate the fact that Saul was no longer fit to be the king of Israel. Jonathan's action here in bestowing his royal robe and his armor upon David was a symbolical act that indicated Jonathan no longer had any hope or desire of succeeding his father to the throne. It is also possible that at this time David might have confided in Jonathan the fact of his anointing by the prophet Samuel.

As Keil pointed out, the material in this chapter is not arranged in any chronological order.[1] The sacred author was concerned chiefly with matters focused upon the conflict between Saul and David. No detailed history of events mentioned is given.