David Becomes A Popular Hero
Whatever the means, there can be no doubt that David quickly secured an important position in the somewhat primitive court of Gibeah, and that this position became steadily stronger. To begin with, he won the king's favour; Saul seemed to have appreciated very fully the artistic and military qualities of his armor-bearer, and periodically he entrusted him with picked troops to carry out brief expeditions against the Philistines. Then he was Jonathan's admiring friend. And, lastly, through his own military exploits, he showed that he was a superlative tactician, even though, after an encounter, he modestly disclaimed any credit.
When he came back from these expeditions against the Philistines, and passed through the villages of Yisrael, the women came out singing and dancing in their joy to the accompaniment of tambourines; their refrain has come down to us:
'Saul has killed his thousands,
And David his tens of thousands.'
In this way, Jesse's son, the hitherto unknown little shepherd, acquired the dimensions of a hero. No ambition seemed beyond him, and a wonderful future appeared to beckon him.
Saul's Rages Against David (1 Schmuel 18: 6-16)
Saul was constantly haunted by the fear that a rival would drive him from power. Schmuel's prophecy made him fear the worst, and very soon David's social and military success gave fresh impetus to his gloomy thoughts. He observed bitterly: 'They have given David his tens of thousands, but me only the thousands; he has all but the kingship now.' Jealousy quickly developed in his disordered brain, and his affection for David turned to fear and hatred.
On two occasions, when David was playing on his harp in an attempt to soothe the king's melancholy, Saul took his spear -the symbol of royal authority that had to be always within reach -and threw it suddenly, intending to pin David to the wall. But David was on his guard and managed to evade it.
On the whole, it seemed wiser to get rid of this rival by sending him on military expeditions of especial danger. But from each of these he came back not only safe and sound, but with increased reputation.
Saul had thought of giving him his eldest daughter Merab in marriage, but going back on his word, gave her instead to a man named Adriel. However, Saul's second daughter, Michal, fell in love with David and Saul decided to give her to him. But David was hesitant and said to the king's servants: 'Does it strike you as an easy thing for me to become the king's son-in-law, poor and of humble position as I am?' He was referring to the mohar, the sum which had to be paid by the bridegroom to his future father-in-law, as the purchase price for his wife. He was obviously unable to raise the large amount required for a king's daughter, and he said so. He was told that he was mistaken. Saul did not want any money but only a hundred foreskins of the Philistines. This would prove that the enemies he killed were really 'uncircumcised'. Of course, Saul hoped that he would be killed on this dangerous expedition. A hundred victims was a considerable number and implied a whole series of hazardous encounters. But Saul's secret purpose was not achieved. David returned victorious, bringing two hundred of these trophies, twice the number originally demanded. He counted them out before the king, so that he could become the king's son-in-law. And, in fact, Michal became his wife.
Saul's morbid attacks became increasingly frequent. Sometimes his attitude to David seemed to be one of genuine fatherly affection. But very often David's very existence hung on a thread.
On the following day an evil spirit from YAHWEH seized on Saul and he fell into a fit of frenzy while he was in his house. David was playing the harp as on other days and Saul had his spear in his hand. Saul brandished the spear; 'I am going to pin David to the wall' he said But David twice evaded him.1 Sam 18:10-11
David In A Position Of Great Danger
In the circle of his advisers and friends Saul could only see traitors and spies, and David became the object of his especial hate. The Philistine" had failed to kill this undesirable person; Saul felt that he had better see to it himself. The murder was decided on, and the details of the plot were secretly decided upon.
One day Michal noticed that the house was surrounded. It would not be long before the king's agents entered. She immediately warned her husband: 'If you do not escape tonight, you will be a dead man tomorrow.'
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