1 Samuel 16 to 20 in the King James Bible presents one of the most pivotal and dramatic transitions in biblical history: the emergence of David as the future king of Israel and the deepening jealousy and hatred of King Saul. These chapters illustrate the divine selection of David, his growing popularity, and Saul’s internal conflict as he loses favor with God and grapples with the impending loss of his throne.
1 Samuel 16: David Anointed as King
1 Samuel 16 marks the beginning of David’s rise in the biblical narrative. After God rejects Saul as king due to his repeated disobedience, the Lord sends Samuel to the house of Jesse in Bethlehem to anoint the next king of Israel. Samuel is initially reluctant, fearing Saul’s reaction, but God assures him.
When Samuel arrives in Bethlehem, Jesse presents his sons, and Samuel, seeing Jesse’s eldest son Eliab, assumes he must be the chosen one due to his appearance and stature. However, God corrects Samuel with one of the most famous verses in Scripture: “Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7, KJV).
After all seven of Jesse’s older sons pass before Samuel, none of them are chosen. Finally, Jesse calls for his youngest son, David, who was tending sheep. When David arrives, God tells Samuel to anoint him as king, and “the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward” (1 Samuel 16:13, KJV). However, David’s kingship remains a secret for now, as Saul still occupies the throne.
As David is anointed, the Spirit of the Lord departs from Saul, and he becomes tormented by an evil spirit. Saul’s servants suggest finding someone who can play music to soothe him. David, known for his skill with the harp, is brought into Saul’s service. Ironically, the future king becomes the personal musician of the man he will one day replace. David’s music brings temporary relief to Saul, and he becomes one of Saul’s armor-bearers.
1 Samuel 17: David and Goliath
1 Samuel 17 contains one of the most famous stories in the Bible: the battle between David and Goliath. The chapter opens with the Philistines and the Israelites facing off in the Valley of Elah. The Philistines send out their champion, Goliath, a giant of a man, who taunts the Israelites and challenges them to send a warrior to fight him in single combat. For forty days, Goliath intimidates the Israelites, and no one dares to face him.
David, who is still a shepherd, is sent by his father to bring provisions to his brothers, who are part of the Israelite army. When David arrives, he hears Goliath’s taunts and is outraged that no one has the courage to face the Philistine. David boldly volunteers to fight Goliath, despite being young and inexperienced in battle.
Saul initially dismisses David, but David recounts his experience as a shepherd, where he fought off lions and bears to protect his sheep. David declares that the Lord will deliver him from Goliath just as He delivered him from the wild animals. Saul reluctantly agrees and offers David his armor, but David declines, choosing instead to fight with his shepherd’s sling and five smooth stones.
David confronts Goliath with complete faith in God, declaring, “Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied” (1 Samuel 17:45, KJV). With a single stone from his sling, David strikes Goliath in the forehead, killing him instantly. David then uses Goliath’s own sword to cut off his head, securing a decisive victory for Israel.
David’s triumph over Goliath catapults him into the public eye, and he becomes a national hero. Saul takes notice of David, and the young shepherd’s rise to prominence begins.
1 Samuel 18: Saul’s Jealousy and David’s Popularity
In 1 Samuel 18, David’s relationship with Saul and his family becomes more complex. After the victory over Goliath, David is brought into Saul’s household and becomes close friends with Jonathan, Saul’s son. Jonathan and David form a deep bond, with Jonathan making a covenant of friendship and loyalty, giving David his robe, weapons, and belt as a symbol of this bond.
As David continues to lead Saul’s armies in battle, his success leads to widespread admiration among the people. However, this admiration also breeds jealousy in Saul. After one of David’s victories, the women of Israel sing, “Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands” (1 Samuel 18:7, KJV). This comparison enrages Saul, and from that moment, Saul begins to view David as a threat.
Saul’s jealousy turns to paranoia, and he tries to kill David by throwing a spear at him, but David evades the attack. Despite this, David remains loyal to Saul, and his popularity only grows. Saul, realizing that the Lord is with David, becomes increasingly fearful of him.
Saul devises a plan to rid himself of David by offering his daughter Michal in marriage, hoping that the dowry price of 100 Philistine foreskins will lead to David’s death in battle. David, however, succeeds in this challenge and marries Michal, further ingratiating himself with Saul’s family. But Saul’s fear and hatred of David continue to deepen.
1 Samuel 19: David’s Escape from Saul
In 1 Samuel 19, Saul’s attempts to kill David become more blatant. He orders his servants and Jonathan to kill David, but Jonathan, out of loyalty to his friend, warns David and pleads with his father to spare him. Jonathan’s intervention temporarily appeases Saul, and David is allowed to return to the court.
However, Saul’s jealousy soon resurfaces, and he again tries to kill David by throwing a spear at him. David escapes and seeks refuge in his house with Michal. Saul sends men to watch the house and kill David in the morning, but Michal helps David escape by lowering him out of a window. She places an idol in the bed, covering it with goat’s hair to make it appear as though David is still there.
When Saul’s men arrive to take David, they are fooled by the deception, but when Saul discovers the truth, he confronts Michal, who lies, saying that David threatened her. Meanwhile, David flees to Samuel in Ramah, where he seeks protection.
Saul, still determined to kill David, sends men to capture him in Ramah. However, each time Saul’s men approach, they are overcome by the Spirit of God and begin to prophesy. Even when Saul himself goes to Ramah, he too is overcome by the Spirit and begins to prophesy, unable to harm David.
1 Samuel 20: The Covenant Between Jonathan and David
1 Samuel 20 centers on the deep friendship between Jonathan and David and the lengths they go to protect each other. David, still fearing for his life, seeks out Jonathan to confirm whether Saul truly intends to kill him. Jonathan, initially unaware of his father’s intentions, assures David that he will find out the truth.
The two friends devise a plan: during the New Moon feast, David will be absent from Saul’s table, and Jonathan will observe his father’s reaction. If Saul is angry, it will confirm that he intends to kill David. If Saul is indifferent, then David’s life is safe.
On the second day of the feast, Saul notices David’s absence and becomes enraged when Jonathan defends David. In a fit of anger, Saul even throws a spear at Jonathan, confirming his deadly intentions toward David.
Jonathan meets David in secret and informs him of Saul’s plans. In a deeply emotional moment, the two friends embrace and renew their covenant of loyalty to each other. Jonathan tells David to flee, but they part with a profound sense of sorrow, knowing that their paths may never cross again.
Conclusion: The Rise of David and the Fall of Saul
1 Samuel 16 to 20 captures the dramatic rise of David and the corresponding decline of Saul. David’s anointing as the future king, his heroic victory over Goliath, and his growing popularity contrast sharply with Saul’s increasing jealousy, paranoia, and eventual rejection by God. The bond between David and Jonathan, forged in loyalty and love, stands in stark contrast to Saul’s irrational hatred.
These chapters set the stage for the eventual transition of power from Saul to David, emphasizing themes of divine favor, friendship, and the consequences of disobedience to God’s will. The tension between David and Saul will continue to escalate, but David’s faith and integrity will remain central to his story as he moves closer to fulfilling his destiny as Israel’s king.
