The action: After the death of Goliath, Saul's son and heir, Jonathan, honors David as his friend in relation to himself and his family. Saul himself gives David command of Israel's men of war. However, Saul, hearing the women of Israel singing: “Saul has smitten his thousands, and David his tens of thousands” (18:7), becomes jealous of David and fears that he will gain the upper hand. throne. An evil spirit from God twice causes Saul to try to kill David while he plays the harp to soothe Saul's nerves. Saul then promises David that if he is victorious in battle, he will be able to marry one of the king's daughters. Saul hopes that the Philistines will kill David in his place. Saul first promises David his eldest daughter, Merab, but he marries her to another man. Saul then promises David Saul, Michal, his daughter, if David provides him with proof of the death of two hundred Philistine warriors. When David and his men killed the Philistines, he married Michal. As David's successes grow, Saul tells Jonathan of Saul's plan to kill David. Jonathan warns David of the plan and, interceding with Saul on his behalf, arranges peace between the two. The peace, however, is short-lived, as, after another victory for David, Saul attempts to kill him again. Then, when Saul sends men to surround David's house, Michal stages a daring escape. (READ Psalm 59 for David's response to this incident.) He fled for safety to the prophet Samuel. When Saul reunites with David and Samuel, the Spirit of God comes upon Saul and forces him to prophesy before Samuel. David is saved again — for now. Key Lessons: 1. What are the contrasts in the character and behavior of David and Saul? David was obedient and behaved wisely (18:5). Saul was angry and had murder on his mind...... middle of paper ......a and the murder of Uriah the Hittite will destroy David's life and that of his entire family.3. What do you think of Saul's strange behavior at the end of this lesson? The Israel of Saul's day had a school of prophets whose gift was foretelling (clearly expressing a word from God), not foretelling (foretelling the future). Saul had already encountered this school and was drawn into its revival (10:10). He had also received the Spirit of God descended upon him in I Samuel 11:6. The encounter with Samuel would be the last time Saul felt the Spirit. In an atmosphere of music, song and dance, Saul experienced ecstasy, the feeling of being outside himself. This ecstasy was not necessarily salvation. As Jesus tells us in Matthew 7:21-23, not everyone who calls Him Lord or prophecies in His name will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Saul's ecstasy was God's way of letting David escape..