1 Samuel 18:12-16

Saul was afraid of David. new feeling. To his jealousy succeeded a sense of powerlessness, as knowing that a higher power was with David, while he had lost the Divine protection. This miserable feeling grew upon the unhappy king, till before the battle of Gilboa we find him with all his old heroic spirit gone, a miserable wreck, seeking for comfort at the hands of a woman of the most worthless kind ( 1 Samuel 28:5 , 1 Samuel 28:7 , 1 Samuel 28:20 ). In this despondent state of mind he dismisses David from attendance upon him, but in an honourable manner, giving him the command of a thousand men, at the head of whom he went out and came in before the people, i.e. in a public capacity, as an officer of state. As Saul seems entirely to have neglected the internal administration of the kingdom, this would refer to military expeditions (see on 1 Samuel 18:5 ); and in these David behaved himself wisely. Rather, "prospered" (see on 1 Samuel 18:5 ). His great success only increased Saul's fears; but both Israel and Judah loved David, now that in this higher command they had full opportunities for judging of his high qualities. Thus again his removal from his place in Saul's bodyguard only served to make him better known. The separate mention of Israel and Judah is an indication of the Books of Samuel having been written at a post-Solomonic date, though the distinction was a very old one (see on 1 Samuel 11:8 ).

SAUL , UNDER PRETENCE OF A MARRIAGE WITH HIS DAUGHTER , PLOTS DAVID 'S DEATH ( 1 Samuel 18:17-30 ).