WEBVTT 00:00:21.199 --> 00:00:22.640 Can you guys hear me alright? 00:00:22.879 --> 00:00:23.519 Perfect. 00:00:23.760 --> 00:00:24.320 Alright. 00:00:24.640 --> 00:00:25.120 Uh-oh. 00:00:26.239 --> 00:00:27.039 Still good. 00:00:27.280 --> 00:00:27.679 Alright. 00:00:27.839 --> 00:00:30.879 I trimmed up my beard this time, so hopefully we don't get any feedback. 00:00:31.039 --> 00:00:32.000 We'll see. 00:00:32.399 --> 00:00:35.119 If this doesn't work, I'm taking it all off next time. 00:00:35.439 --> 00:00:37.280 So they let me back up here. 00:00:39.600 --> 00:00:45.119 So, although it's a beautiful day, and looking out of the crowd, I can see people were good. 00:00:45.200 --> 00:00:48.799 They read their newsletter this week, they saw who was preaching, and they said, you know what? 00:00:48.960 --> 00:00:51.920 This is a this might not be a bad time to miss. 00:00:52.079 --> 00:00:52.240 No. 00:00:52.640 --> 00:00:53.359 I kid. 00:00:53.920 --> 00:00:55.280 So my name is Mike Roll. 00:00:55.439 --> 00:01:01.119 I'm an elder here at CVFC, and uh it's my honor to uh to bring the word to you this morning. 00:01:02.479 --> 00:01:03.520 Say it was a busy week. 00:01:03.840 --> 00:01:05.680 Yeah, this week was a busy week, wasn't it? 00:01:05.840 --> 00:01:06.480 Yeah. 00:01:07.200 --> 00:01:15.120 Uh this week we uh the Roll family ushered our first child out of the house, so to speak, right, for graduation. 00:01:15.200 --> 00:01:17.040 So give it up to all the graduates. 00:01:17.120 --> 00:01:20.400 I know next week's their day, but yeah. 00:01:21.519 --> 00:01:23.680 One down, three more to go. 00:01:23.840 --> 00:01:25.840 So it's gonna be quite a journey. 00:01:26.239 --> 00:01:27.840 All right, let's get started. 00:01:28.159 --> 00:01:33.680 In William Shakespeare's Othello, one of the most chilling villains in literature is a man named Iago. 00:01:34.319 --> 00:01:38.239 He's not driven by poverty, oppression, or injustice. 00:01:38.400 --> 00:01:40.079 He's driven by jealousy. 00:01:40.879 --> 00:01:46.640 Watching another man's success eats away at him until he himself is devoured by it. 00:01:47.200 --> 00:01:54.239 Shakespeare famously described Iaga's jealousy as the green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on. 00:01:54.560 --> 00:02:00.239 Jealousy promises satisfaction if we can somehow diminish the person that we envy. 00:02:00.480 --> 00:02:03.359 But instead, it consumes the one who harbors it. 00:02:03.519 --> 00:02:14.319 In Shakespeare's famous tragedy, Iaga's jealousy destroys friendships, marriages, reputations, and ultimately lives, but not before it destroys him from the inside out. 00:02:14.719 --> 00:02:23.520 Our narrative this morning takes a look at the destructive power of jealousy in King Saul, starkly contrasted with his son, Jonathan's relationship with David. 00:02:23.840 --> 00:02:31.759 We see two responses today, one of a life given over to the demands of the flesh, and the other of selfless devotion. 00:02:32.000 --> 00:02:36.479 If you're able, would you please rise with me as I read God's Word? 00:02:36.800 --> 00:02:40.000 Today's texts were in 1 Samuel chapter 18. 00:02:47.520 --> 00:02:56.560 As soon as finished as soon as 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. 00:02:56.800 --> 00:03:00.960 And Saul took him that day, and would not let him return to his father's house. 00:03:01.199 --> 00:03:13.120 Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul, and Jonathan stripped him of the robe that was on him, and gave it to David, and his armor, and even his sword, and his bow, and his belt. 00:03:13.360 --> 00:03:17.120 And David went out, and was successful wherever Saul sent him. 00:03:17.360 --> 00:03:19.840 So that Saul set him over the men of war. 00:03:20.400 --> 00:03:24.639 This was good in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul's servants. 00:03:25.199 --> 00:03:38.319 As they were coming home, when David returned from striking down the Philistine, the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with songs of joy, and with musical instruments. 00:03:38.560 --> 00:03:45.360 And the women sang to one another as they celebrated, Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands. 00:03:45.599 --> 00:03:48.879 And Saul was very angry, and this saying displeased him. 00:03:49.039 --> 00:03:53.439 He said, They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed thousands. 00:03:53.599 --> 00:03:55.599 What more can he have but the kingdom? 00:03:55.840 --> 00:03:58.479 And Saul eyed David from that day on. 00:03:58.879 --> 00:04:05.280 The next day a harmful spear from God rushed upon Saul, and he raved within his house while David was playing the lyre. 00:04:06.400 --> 00:04:08.879 As he did that, as he did day by day. 00:04:09.120 --> 00:04:14.479 Saul had his spear in his hand, and Saul hurled the spear, for he thought, I will pin David to the wall. 00:04:14.639 --> 00:04:16.800 But David evaded him twice. 00:04:17.839 --> 00:04:22.959 Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with him, but had departed from Saul. 00:04:23.199 --> 00:04:29.439 So Saul removed him from his presence, and made him a commander of a thousand, and he went out and came in before the people. 00:04:29.680 --> 00:04:34.160 And David had success in all his undertakings, for the Lord was with him. 00:04:34.399 --> 00:04:38.160 And when Saul saw that he had great success, he stood in fear for all of him. 00:04:38.399 --> 00:04:42.959 But all Israel and Judah loved David, for he went out and came in before them. 00:04:43.439 --> 00:04:51.279 Then Saul said to David, Here is my elder daughter, Merib, I will give her to you for a wife, only be valiant for me, and fight the Lord's battles. 00:04:51.439 --> 00:04:56.399 For Saul thought, Let not my hand be against him, but the hand of the Philistines be against him. 00:04:56.639 --> 00:05:03.279 And David said to Saul, Who am I, and who are my relatives, my father's clan in Israel, that I should be son-in-law to the king. 00:05:03.600 --> 00:05:13.279 But at the time when Merib's Saul's daughter should be given to David, she was given to Adriel, the Methultite, we'll go with that one. 00:05:13.439 --> 00:05:14.560 For a wife. 00:05:14.800 --> 00:05:20.240 Now David's daughter, Mikhail, loved David, and they told Saul, the thing pleased him. 00:05:20.480 --> 00:05:26.079 Saul thought, Let me give him to her, that she may be a snare to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him. 00:05:26.319 --> 00:05:30.160 Therefore Saul said to David a second time, You shall now be my son-in-law. 00:05:30.240 --> 00:05:37.279 And Saul commanded his servants, speak to David in private, and say, Behold, the king has delight in you, and all of his servants love you. 00:05:38.079 --> 00:05:40.079 Now then become this king's son-in-law. 00:05:40.240 --> 00:05:42.800 And Saul's servants spoke those words in the ears of David. 00:05:42.959 --> 00:05:49.040 And David said, Does it seem to you a little thing to become the king's son-in-law, since I am a poor man and have no reputation? 00:05:49.279 --> 00:05:52.800 And the servants of Saul told him, and thus so did David speak. 00:05:53.040 --> 00:06:02.480 Then Saul said, Thus shall you say to David, The king desires no bride price, except a hundred foreskins of the Philistines, that he may be avenged of the king's enemies. 00:06:02.800 --> 00:06:06.240 Now Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines. 00:06:06.480 --> 00:06:13.360 And when his servants told David these words, it pleased David well to be the king's son-in-law, before the time had expired. 00:06:13.600 --> 00:06:17.680 David arose and went along with his men, and killed two hundred of the Philistines. 00:06:17.839 --> 00:06:23.120 And David brought their foreskins, which are given in full number to the king, that he might become the king's son-in-law. 00:06:23.279 --> 00:06:26.800 And Saul gave him his daughter, Mikal, for a wife. 00:06:26.959 --> 00:06:34.399 And when David saw, and knew that the Lord was with David, and that Macaul, Saul's daughter, loved him, Saul was even more afraid of David. 00:06:34.560 --> 00:06:36.720 So Saul was David's enemy continually. 00:06:36.959 --> 00:06:46.959 Then the commanders of the Philistines came out to battle, and as often as they came out, David had more success than all the servants of Saul, so that his name was highly esteemed. 00:06:48.000 --> 00:06:49.279 Let's pray. 00:06:50.160 --> 00:06:53.360 Lord, we thank you for this day. 00:06:53.680 --> 00:07:01.600 We thank you that you were unchanging, immutable, that you're the same today, yesterday, and forever. 00:07:02.399 --> 00:07:04.720 Lord, thank you for your everlasting word. 00:07:05.279 --> 00:07:11.439 This world will soon one day pass away, but your word, the words that were just read here, will last forever. 00:07:11.920 --> 00:07:25.040 Lord, we pray that you would open up our hearts and our minds to these timeless truths in your word this morning, that you would stir the affections of our hearts towards you, and ultimately what you have purchased for us by your Son on the cross. 00:07:25.279 --> 00:07:29.600 We pray that we would be glorified today, that you would be glorified today, Lord. 00:07:30.000 --> 00:07:31.519 In your name of Jesus, we pray. 00:07:31.680 --> 00:07:32.240 Amen. 00:07:32.560 --> 00:07:33.920 You may be seated. 00:07:35.439 --> 00:07:38.639 Now, I want to do things a little out of order today. 00:07:42.319 --> 00:07:46.560 So I'll have us initially skip over verses one through four, and we're going to come back to those in a little bit. 00:07:46.800 --> 00:07:50.399 Our narrative begins in the aftermath of David's triumph over Goliath. 00:07:51.199 --> 00:07:54.079 We begin to see a turning point in the nation's history. 00:07:54.240 --> 00:07:57.920 One king sits on the throne, rejected yet still in power. 00:07:58.480 --> 00:08:08.319 This king sets on a steep decline, given over to depravity, while simultaneously the newly appointed king rises into popularity and favor with the people of Israel. 00:08:09.439 --> 00:08:13.120 Things start out seemingly well for this relationship between David and Saul. 00:08:13.279 --> 00:08:17.839 The Lord was with David, and the Lord granted David success in his military campaigns. 00:08:18.079 --> 00:08:22.240 This was good in the sight of all the people, as well as the servants of Saul. 00:08:22.480 --> 00:08:28.959 Word is spread of David's triumph over Goliath, and the nation had taken notice of this simple shepherd warrior from Bethlehem. 00:08:30.160 --> 00:08:36.320 Those that aim for the crown can expect difficulty and opposition throughout the journey, and David's journey is no different here. 00:08:36.639 --> 00:08:44.399 As Saul and David have returned home victorious over the Philistines, the women of Israel came out to celebrate the triumph, as they often do. 00:08:44.639 --> 00:08:51.600 With tambourines and shouts of joy, they sang, Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands. 00:08:51.919 --> 00:08:55.200 David's difficulties don't just come at the heels of his triumphs. 00:08:55.440 --> 00:08:57.840 They're born out of those very successes. 00:08:58.159 --> 00:09:01.759 Saul's response was not one of pleasure in the moment of great conquest. 00:09:02.320 --> 00:09:04.559 In fact, he was greatly angered by us. 00:09:05.120 --> 00:09:11.440 Saul was a man of weak character and leadership, as we've seen time and time again these many weeks throughout our study here in 1 Samuel. 00:09:11.679 --> 00:09:19.279 One can wonder if it was in that moment that Saul remembered Samuel's haunting words spoken to him in chapter 15. 00:09:19.679 --> 00:09:25.759 The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you this day and has given it to a neighbor of yours who is better than you. 00:09:26.159 --> 00:09:31.919 Here, right before his eyes, Saul's met face to face with the one whom Samuel's prophetic words spoke. 00:09:32.240 --> 00:09:36.480 Saul rightly discerns the gravity of the moment and what it means for his kingdom. 00:09:36.639 --> 00:09:44.480 However, he ignores the implications for his own soul, and he chooses to respond with murderous jealousy rather than turning a heart towards repentance. 00:09:44.960 --> 00:09:48.559 Verse 9 notes that Saul eyed David from that day on. 00:09:48.799 --> 00:09:52.000 From that day forth, Saul had David in his crosshairs. 00:09:52.879 --> 00:09:56.639 Saul was at a crossroads, and he chose a foolish path. 00:09:56.799 --> 00:10:04.639 And the reward of his folly was to be given over to his depraved nature, spiraling in envy, and constant suspicion of David. 00:10:06.000 --> 00:10:10.960 We see in verse 10, the next day a harmful spirit rushes upon Saul. 00:10:11.279 --> 00:10:13.600 This is a difficult verse to wrestle with. 00:10:16.879 --> 00:10:20.320 Saul's first encounter with the Spirit was after the Spirit of the Lord left him. 00:10:21.360 --> 00:10:24.559 We know that God is perfect, God's without sin. 00:10:25.200 --> 00:10:29.759 How can it be that a holy and loving God would send evil Saul's way? 00:10:32.240 --> 00:10:34.320 It's a tough question to grapple with. 00:10:34.639 --> 00:10:36.720 We can't necessarily look at it this way. 00:10:37.360 --> 00:10:38.960 In God, there is no sin. 00:10:39.440 --> 00:10:40.799 God cannot send evil. 00:10:40.960 --> 00:10:42.559 There is no evil in the Lord. 00:10:42.799 --> 00:10:48.639 What's really going on here is the Lord is no longer providing his divine restraint over Saul. 00:10:51.840 --> 00:10:54.799 When we entertain evil, we give Satan a foothold. 00:10:55.039 --> 00:10:56.879 And that's what we're seeing here with Saul. 00:10:57.200 --> 00:10:59.679 Saul is being completely given over to his madness. 00:10:59.919 --> 00:11:04.240 Along with it, the Lord is sovereignly permitting evil agents to accomplish his purposes. 00:11:05.360 --> 00:11:09.120 Troubled by this spirit, Saul raved within his house. 00:11:09.360 --> 00:11:12.799 The King James translation notes here that Saul prophesied in his house. 00:11:13.039 --> 00:11:17.840 A direct translation from Hebrew suggests that this was not like a prophetic speaking from the Lord. 00:11:18.080 --> 00:11:21.679 This was rather the idle words of a raving madman. 00:11:21.919 --> 00:11:28.480 Perhaps Saul was trying to trick David, thinking that he was in the moment, you know, speaking words of prophecy from the Lord. 00:11:28.639 --> 00:11:29.679 We don't know. 00:11:30.639 --> 00:11:34.159 David was present alongside Saul at this moment as he normally was. 00:11:34.960 --> 00:11:39.039 Saul had a spear, playing the lyre, as he normally did. 00:11:39.279 --> 00:11:41.360 Saul has a spear in his hands. 00:11:42.080 --> 00:11:44.159 Notice the juxtaposition here from the author. 00:11:44.399 --> 00:11:49.759 David with a harp in hand serving his king, Saul with a spear in his hand, ready for harm. 00:11:50.000 --> 00:11:58.240 The same music that once soothed Saul's soul, refreshing his soul, providing relief from the harmful spirit, now has no effect at all of him. 00:11:58.399 --> 00:12:01.360 We get no indication that David's heart had changed in this service. 00:12:01.600 --> 00:12:04.639 Rather, it's Saul's heart that has changed. 00:12:05.279 --> 00:12:14.639 Saul makes his first attempt to take David's life and hurls a spear at him, thinking to himself, it'd be good if we can turn David into a decorative tapestry right here in this moment. 00:12:16.559 --> 00:12:21.840 The Lord sovereignly intervenes, and David evades Saul in his attempt to kill him. 00:12:22.399 --> 00:12:24.639 Notice what David doesn't do, though. 00:12:25.200 --> 00:12:27.519 David doesn't retaliate back, does he? 00:12:27.840 --> 00:12:30.720 David has already been anointed king by Samuel. 00:12:33.200 --> 00:12:42.320 He knows that the Lord has chosen him over Saul, yet he doesn't take this moment to seize his right to the throne. 00:12:42.559 --> 00:12:45.360 Rather, he humbly withdraws and evades Saul. 00:12:46.080 --> 00:12:55.840 Most theologians agree that David penned, or maybe I should say quilled, right, in Psalm 11 during this time, during this time of trial with Saul. 00:12:56.080 --> 00:12:59.440 Psalm 11 is a window into his soul as he wrestles with the Lord. 00:12:59.679 --> 00:13:01.840 Psalm 11 goes as follows. 00:13:04.320 --> 00:13:08.720 How can you say to my soul, flee like a bird to your mountain? 00:13:08.879 --> 00:13:10.960 For behold, the wicked bend the bow. 00:13:11.120 --> 00:13:16.080 They have fitted their arrow to the string to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart. 00:13:16.399 --> 00:13:20.159 If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do? 00:13:20.639 --> 00:13:25.120 The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord's throne is in heaven. 00:13:26.159 --> 00:13:30.559 His eyes see, his eyelids test the children of man. 00:13:30.879 --> 00:13:36.000 The Lord tests the righteous, but his soul hates the wicked, and the one who loves violence. 00:13:36.240 --> 00:13:41.279 Let him rain coals on the wicked, fire and sulphur and scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup. 00:13:41.519 --> 00:13:46.879 For the Lord is righteous, he loves righteous deeds, the upright shall behold his face. 00:13:47.360 --> 00:13:56.080 David understands that the Lord of heaven remains on the throne, and the injustice and the wrath of Saul are no match for the Lord's sovereign hand. 00:13:56.639 --> 00:13:59.759 The Lord is with David, David knows it. 00:14:00.080 --> 00:14:01.759 Saul knows it as well. 00:14:02.879 --> 00:14:06.320 Saul becomes increasingly fearful of David because the Lord was with him. 00:14:06.559 --> 00:14:12.480 Fearing David more by more, each day he removes him from his presence and makes him a commander. 00:14:13.279 --> 00:14:19.919 The Lord allowed David to prosper in all that he did, and Saul, seeing that he stood, seeing this, stood in fearful all of him. 00:14:20.240 --> 00:14:26.879 Saul's attempts to put David out of his court backfires, and David becomes popular throughout all the nation due to his military successes. 00:14:28.080 --> 00:14:33.919 Saul with his desire to eliminate David, not satiated yet, now shifts his focus. 00:14:34.720 --> 00:14:37.440 He no longer wants to dispose of David by his own hands. 00:14:37.600 --> 00:14:40.480 Rather, perhaps the Philistines could do the job for him. 00:14:40.799 --> 00:14:43.679 Saul offers his eldest daughter, Merib, to David. 00:14:43.919 --> 00:14:47.039 Only be valiant for me and fight the Lord's battles. 00:14:47.679 --> 00:14:48.879 Saul says to David. 00:14:49.039 --> 00:14:51.440 Saul's preying upon David's loyalty here. 00:14:51.919 --> 00:14:54.720 His loyalty to the throne, his zeal for the Lord. 00:14:54.960 --> 00:14:58.720 Saul's a crafty manipulator, we see, time and time again. 00:14:59.679 --> 00:15:02.159 David's response to this is one of humility. 00:15:02.480 --> 00:15:03.360 Who am I? 00:15:03.519 --> 00:15:04.559 Who are my relatives? 00:15:04.720 --> 00:15:08.320 My father's clan in Israel, that I should become son-in-law to the king. 00:15:08.720 --> 00:15:11.600 David had national fame at this time and regard. 00:15:12.000 --> 00:15:13.600 The nation loved him. 00:15:14.320 --> 00:15:16.799 Saul's servants in the palace loved him. 00:15:16.960 --> 00:15:19.440 Everyone loved him, except Saul himself. 00:15:19.679 --> 00:15:24.960 Yet this response was not the one who felt he owed anything in this moment. 00:15:27.679 --> 00:15:32.000 When time came for marriage, Saul gives Merib to another, Adriel. 00:15:32.240 --> 00:15:34.240 This was a treacherous act. 00:15:34.720 --> 00:15:47.200 Perhaps to provoke David to anger or jealousy, maybe to maybe to complete an act of treason, you know, and remove David from the scene. 00:15:47.600 --> 00:15:56.480 If you look back at chapter 17, 25, Saul had made a promise to anyone to give Merib's hand in marriage to anyone who fulfilled a covenant. 00:15:58.480 --> 00:16:04.879 Chapter 17, 25 in 1 Samuel reads, The men of Israel said, Have you seen this man who has come up? 00:16:05.600 --> 00:16:08.559 Surely he has come up to defy Israel, speaking of Goliath. 00:16:08.960 --> 00:16:16.000 And the king will enrich the man who kills with, kills him, with great riches, and will give his daughter and make his father's house free in Israel. 00:16:16.320 --> 00:16:18.559 David fulfilled this covenant. 00:16:18.879 --> 00:16:21.440 Merib's hand was rightfully David's. 00:16:21.840 --> 00:16:26.159 David, however, was a modest man, modest enough not to demand this reward. 00:16:26.320 --> 00:16:33.440 And now Saul, through his treachery, won against David, his word against David, and his initial vow after he had defeated Goliath. 00:16:33.759 --> 00:16:36.639 This was affront to David's loyalty and his affections. 00:16:36.879 --> 00:16:38.720 However, David doesn't take the bait. 00:16:38.879 --> 00:16:41.840 He doesn't act in treason and act out. 00:16:42.799 --> 00:16:50.559 When Saul's sinister plan to provoke David into a treason act was returning void, we read that a new opportunity arose. 00:16:50.720 --> 00:16:56.159 We're told in verse 20 that Saul's other daughter, Mikal, had affections toward David. 00:16:59.120 --> 00:17:03.360 Saul's servants reported this to Saul, and the news was met with gladness. 00:17:03.600 --> 00:17:06.240 This gladness is not because he wanted the best for David and McCall. 00:17:06.640 --> 00:17:08.079 We know that for sure. 00:17:08.720 --> 00:17:14.640 Rather, this was a new opportunity that presented itself to bring David, to bring about David's demise. 00:17:15.920 --> 00:17:22.640 Saul had hoped that McCall would be a snare to David and would ultimately meet his end at the hands of the Philistines. 00:17:23.759 --> 00:17:28.640 And as we read forward, we do see that McCall does unfortunately act as a snare upon David. 00:17:30.960 --> 00:17:36.799 With a new plan in hand, Saul confronts David with the command, with the marriage proposal a second time. 00:17:37.119 --> 00:17:41.119 This time the attempts are a little more refined than the first one. 00:17:41.440 --> 00:17:44.079 Saul commands his servants to speak a good word to David. 00:17:44.240 --> 00:17:53.839 We almost get the sense that we almost get the sense that Saul needs, feels the need to soften David's heart in a moment here, before entering into this agreement. 00:17:54.160 --> 00:17:57.839 Because we're going to see in a moment that this agreement comes with a hefty price tag. 00:17:58.559 --> 00:18:03.839 Upon reading the word, upon hearing the word of this proposal, David again responds with great humility. 00:18:04.480 --> 00:18:07.519 Does it seem to you a little thing to become the king's son-in-law? 00:18:07.680 --> 00:18:10.319 Since I'm a poor man, I have no reputation. 00:18:11.359 --> 00:18:17.039 David had as much reason as anyone in the kingdom to think of himself worthy of such an honor. 00:18:17.599 --> 00:18:22.880 He was a man of courage, a man of great valor, a man of zeal for the Lord. 00:18:23.519 --> 00:18:27.839 But in David's eyes, being brought into the royal family was an honor that he did not deserve. 00:18:28.559 --> 00:18:32.240 David had given such honor to the thought of being son-in-law to the king. 00:18:32.480 --> 00:18:36.880 It should make all of us really question our heart's posture toward the King of Kings. 00:18:37.200 --> 00:18:46.000 As Matthew Henry notes in his commentary, if David thus magnified the honor of being son-in-law to the king, how should we magnify the honor of being sons? 00:18:46.160 --> 00:18:49.279 Not in law, but in gospel to the King of Kings. 00:18:49.839 --> 00:18:53.200 Behold, what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us. 00:18:53.519 --> 00:18:54.640 Who are we? 00:18:56.559 --> 00:18:58.799 That we should be thus dignified. 00:18:59.920 --> 00:19:05.839 Saul's servants report back to him David's response, and Saul sees an angle to ensnare him. 00:19:06.480 --> 00:19:11.599 David considers himself a poor shepherd from the other side of the proverbial tracks. 00:19:12.240 --> 00:19:15.519 His familial status isn't fit to become the king's son-in-law. 00:19:15.680 --> 00:19:18.240 We can see the gear starting to move in Saul's mind. 00:19:18.480 --> 00:19:21.839 David, if you can't afford such a bride price, I'll tell you what. 00:19:22.000 --> 00:19:24.480 Let's remove the bride price altogether. 00:19:24.960 --> 00:19:28.240 All I ask for is the hundred foreskins of his enemies. 00:19:29.200 --> 00:19:31.200 Saul's crafty in that way. 00:19:33.200 --> 00:19:39.680 The way in which he proposes this, it seems that Saul doesn't want anything for his daughter's hand in marriage, except one exceedingly large price. 00:19:41.279 --> 00:19:46.000 Now, now to the foreskin topic. 00:19:47.279 --> 00:19:48.319 Just stand before me here. 00:19:48.400 --> 00:19:48.880 I have a few. 00:19:48.960 --> 00:19:49.839 I'm just kidding. 00:19:50.319 --> 00:19:51.599 We're not going there. 00:19:52.319 --> 00:19:56.079 Now the children of the room, they maybe ask themselves, what is a foreskin? 00:19:56.960 --> 00:19:58.480 A few weeks ago, Mr. 00:19:58.720 --> 00:20:04.400 Barr so eloquently described Saul's hacking of King Agag to pieces as chicken nuggets. 00:20:04.799 --> 00:20:10.960 Keeping with this food theme for difficult texts, why not, right? 00:20:11.039 --> 00:20:13.200 Let's just keep with the food theme for difficult texts. 00:20:13.440 --> 00:20:16.480 I think it would be best to discuss this with your parents over dinner. 00:20:17.680 --> 00:20:21.200 Maybe, just maybe, you can even enjoy some onion rings while doing so. 00:20:23.039 --> 00:20:26.880 Saul's request here, it's probably even more sinister than one realizes. 00:20:27.119 --> 00:20:35.519 Saul is clearly playing on David's convictions of the glory of the Lord and his covenant with the nation of Israel, essentially asking David to go get those uncircumcised Philistines. 00:20:35.759 --> 00:20:46.160 The reality is this request would not only just require David to kill a hundred men, but have to desecrate their bodies in doing so, inflaming their surviving comrades, and placing David in even greater peril. 00:20:46.480 --> 00:20:51.759 When Saul's servants told David these terms, it pleased him to be the king's son-in-law. 00:20:51.920 --> 00:21:01.519 Before the allotted time had come to meet these terms, David arose with his men and killed 200 Philistines, doubling the demand. 00:21:01.759 --> 00:21:05.680 In a way, we can view this as King David taking control of the situation. 00:21:06.079 --> 00:21:09.839 As any good, humble servant does, he gave more than what was required of him. 00:21:10.799 --> 00:21:18.640 Now, there's a lot of moments when I look back at Scripture, and I really wish we had a lens and just could we just I just want to see that, Lord. 00:21:18.799 --> 00:21:19.920 Like, what did that look like? 00:21:20.160 --> 00:21:21.680 This is not one of them. 00:21:23.680 --> 00:21:30.079 God in his sovereignty does not let us see exactly what that looked like with David coming back with the bride price. 00:21:31.119 --> 00:21:35.920 Saul's fear of David continues to escalate because he saw the Lord was with him. 00:21:36.160 --> 00:21:40.960 All of his cunning attempts to kill him had not prospered because the Lord's sovereign hand was on David. 00:21:41.200 --> 00:21:43.039 Saul's a very foolish man. 00:21:43.279 --> 00:21:48.720 It's easy to read through 1 Samuel here and marvel at the brokenness and utter depravity that we see in Saul. 00:21:48.880 --> 00:21:53.279 That said, if I'm being honest, I see a lot of myself in Saul. 00:21:55.200 --> 00:21:59.279 A man consumed with envy, always looking to others around me. 00:22:00.319 --> 00:22:06.079 Yet completely blind to all the mercies of the Lord that the Lord has shown me. 00:22:07.440 --> 00:22:11.920 This moment to preach here before you is a gift, one that is not deserved. 00:22:12.400 --> 00:22:17.759 If given a moment to reflect, I think all of us could say the same of the Lord's mercies upon our lives. 00:22:18.480 --> 00:22:25.039 Where in our lives do we find ourselves acting as Saul, envious of others, and threatened by their successes? 00:22:25.279 --> 00:22:30.400 Have you hurled spears at another in your heart, wishing for their demise? 00:22:31.759 --> 00:22:33.839 Sadly, I know I certainly have. 00:22:34.720 --> 00:22:42.880 Perhaps you were passed over for a promotion at work, and the honor and opportunity that you felt was deserved to you was given to someone else. 00:22:43.119 --> 00:22:48.240 Can you truly say that you take refuge in the sovereign Lord, as David had in Psalm 11? 00:22:48.799 --> 00:22:51.519 Perhaps you missed out on an opportunity at school or sport. 00:22:52.079 --> 00:22:55.119 As hard as you try, others are just more gifted than you. 00:22:55.279 --> 00:22:59.440 It's easy to look on another person's success and envy what you don't have. 00:22:59.759 --> 00:23:07.680 Church, my prayer, the elders' prayer for all of us is that we would see the Lord's sovereign hand in all of our circumstances. 00:23:08.240 --> 00:23:10.079 He knows what he's doing. 00:23:10.880 --> 00:23:18.160 As David wrote in Psalm 39, this is my paraphrase, the Lord knit us together in our mother's womb. 00:23:18.240 --> 00:23:22.400 We've been fearfully and wonderfully made, with great purpose. 00:23:22.640 --> 00:23:24.880 The Lord knows what he's doing. 00:23:25.839 --> 00:23:28.240 He made you for this specific purpose. 00:23:28.559 --> 00:23:31.039 All that he asks is to trust and obey. 00:23:31.200 --> 00:23:32.799 He'll take care of the rest. 00:23:35.359 --> 00:23:42.000 Now I told you earlier that I was going to do things a little bit out of order today, and I'd like us to go back to the first four verses of the chapter. 00:23:42.160 --> 00:23:46.240 In contrast, Jonathan's reaction with David to that of his father. 00:23:49.119 --> 00:23:52.559 Verse 1 tells us something extraordinary happens between David and Jonathan. 00:23:52.640 --> 00:23:55.599 The soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David. 00:23:56.559 --> 00:24:00.000 And Jonathan loved him as his own soul. 00:24:00.319 --> 00:24:04.160 This can only be explained through the Lord's supernatural hand. 00:24:05.359 --> 00:24:08.079 It's a remarkable bond if we consider who these two men are. 00:24:08.400 --> 00:24:14.480 Jonathan was the firstborn son of a king, and David, the lastborn son of a farmer. 00:24:16.000 --> 00:24:18.160 This made Jonathan more than just a prince. 00:24:18.319 --> 00:24:23.680 He was the crown prince, and by everyone's expectations, he would have been Saul's successor to the throne. 00:24:24.000 --> 00:24:30.880 David was a significantly greater threat to Jonathan than he ever was to his father Saul. 00:24:32.240 --> 00:24:34.799 David and Jonathan did have much in common. 00:24:35.200 --> 00:24:37.599 They were both men of courage and great conviction. 00:24:37.839 --> 00:24:42.319 Both held great regard for the glory of the Lord, and opposed those who blasphemed them. 00:24:42.480 --> 00:24:48.480 If we compare how Jonathan described his foes in chapter 14 to David, we see a common threat. 00:24:49.759 --> 00:24:52.559 In chapter 14, Jonathan plotted with his armor bearer. 00:24:52.720 --> 00:24:56.000 Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised. 00:24:56.160 --> 00:25:02.559 It may be that the Lord will work for us, for nothing can hinder the Lord by saving, from saving by many or by few. 00:25:02.799 --> 00:25:12.160 David, in similar fashion, in response to Goliath in chapter 17, exclaimed, What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach of Israel? 00:25:12.319 --> 00:25:16.559 For who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God? 00:25:16.799 --> 00:25:23.279 The bond between these two righteous warriors is unmistakable, and Scripture describes this bond as their souls being knit together. 00:25:23.519 --> 00:25:26.640 We see similar language in Paul's writings in the New Testament. 00:25:26.880 --> 00:25:47.359 In Colossians 2, verses 1 and 2, Paul writes, For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you, and for those at Latiasia, and for those for all those who have not seen me face to face, for their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of the full assurance of understanding and knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ. 00:25:49.279 --> 00:25:53.920 In Ephesians 4, 15 through 16, Paul describes the church as being knit together. 00:25:54.160 --> 00:26:10.160 Rather, speaking truth in love, we're to grow up in every way, into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is pro working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. 00:26:10.720 --> 00:26:22.079 What the author here in 1 Samuel, and what Paul in the New Testament is writing about, what they're getting at is this bond, this knitting together of souls can only occur supernaturally by divine grace. 00:26:24.960 --> 00:26:33.839 Despite all the reasons for Jonathan to feel threatened by David, he loved him as his own soul, with a supernatural love that can only come from the Lord. 00:26:34.079 --> 00:26:36.480 Jonathan got a glimpse of David's heart. 00:26:36.880 --> 00:26:40.960 He knew that he had the same heart, the same zeal for the Lord of hosts. 00:26:41.599 --> 00:26:45.680 Saul took David that day, would not let him return to his father's house. 00:26:46.000 --> 00:26:52.799 David may no longer play the role of a poor shepherd boy, but his shepherd heart would not leave him. 00:26:53.119 --> 00:26:58.079 We see in verse 3 that Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as his own soul. 00:26:58.319 --> 00:27:01.680 Two men who aspired for the same throne made a covenant together. 00:27:02.720 --> 00:27:09.440 Jonathan stripped himself of his robe, his armor, his sword, bow, and belt, and gave them to David. 00:27:09.759 --> 00:27:12.079 This could be seen as a symbolic act. 00:27:12.319 --> 00:27:21.039 Jonathan's robe, armor, his sword, his bow, his belt, these were all items of a royalty reserved for those for the throne. 00:27:21.519 --> 00:27:28.480 By giving these items over to David, it was as if he was saying, I'm transferring my rights, my rank to you. 00:27:28.960 --> 00:27:34.559 Jonathan is acknowledging that David's rightful place as God's anointed to the throne. 00:27:34.960 --> 00:27:37.279 This is a picture of what true love looks like. 00:27:38.480 --> 00:27:43.279 Consider how Saul's responding to David's success by slipping deeper and deeper into envy and jealousy. 00:27:43.680 --> 00:27:48.799 True love calls us to celebrate other's callings, even when it costs us something in return. 00:27:49.200 --> 00:27:53.200 I love the way Matthew Henry's commentary on Jonathan's disposition puts it. 00:27:53.359 --> 00:28:02.720 He concluded, None is so much reason to dislike David as Jonathan had, because he was to put him by the crown, yet none regards it more. 00:28:03.519 --> 00:28:11.680 Those that are governed in their love by principles of wisdom and grace will not suffer their affections to be alienated by any secular regards or considerations. 00:28:12.000 --> 00:28:15.839 The greater thoughts will swallow up and overrule the less. 00:28:18.160 --> 00:28:29.200 If we have a heart that's governed by love, by grace, there is no circumstance that can't overrule those affections. 00:28:31.759 --> 00:28:36.079 Ultimately, Jonathan's actions here are a beautiful portrait of Christ. 00:28:36.400 --> 00:28:40.400 David, in the eyes of the world, was an impoverished servant, an impoverished shepherd. 00:28:40.559 --> 00:28:47.519 Jonathan, with supernatural vision, looked beyond the outward appearance and was struck by his heart, a similar heart after God. 00:28:47.759 --> 00:28:51.839 Jonathan stripped himself of his royal honor and bestowed it upon David. 00:28:52.079 --> 00:28:56.880 This act of humility and love towards David is a picture of what Christ has done for us. 00:28:57.279 --> 00:29:08.000 In Philippians 2, verses 3 through 9, the Apostle Paul writes, Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 00:29:08.720 --> 00:29:12.079 Let each of you not only look to his own interest, but also the interest of others. 00:29:12.240 --> 00:29:16.079 Have this in mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus. 00:29:16.640 --> 00:29:28.240 Who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men, and being found in human form. 00:29:28.319 --> 00:29:33.839 He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 00:29:34.079 --> 00:29:35.519 That's the gospel. 00:29:36.799 --> 00:29:39.200 Christ emptied himself for us. 00:29:40.720 --> 00:29:49.839 This picture here of Jonathan's actions as prince is a foreshadowing of a greater act of love and humility, of what the Prince of Peace would do on our behalf. 00:29:52.000 --> 00:29:58.480 The covenant relationship displayed between Jonathan and David reflects the new covenant that Christ has established with his elect. 00:29:58.960 --> 00:30:02.319 The elect have been brought into an unbreakable covenant of grace. 00:30:02.960 --> 00:30:09.200 Us believers are spiritually knit to the Father through Christ, sharing in all the blessings of his royal kingdom. 00:30:09.839 --> 00:30:15.519 The Apostle Paul writes about this covenantal unity in Christ, with Christ in Galatians 2, 20. 00:30:15.759 --> 00:30:17.839 I've been crucified with Christ. 00:30:18.079 --> 00:30:21.599 It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. 00:30:21.839 --> 00:30:28.000 And the life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 00:30:28.240 --> 00:30:31.759 This covenant that we've received through Christ was not earned in any way. 00:30:32.720 --> 00:30:34.559 It's freely given to us. 00:30:34.960 --> 00:30:44.079 As Daniel preached last week about David's triumph over Goliath, pointing us to Christ's victory over Satan, over sin and death itself. 00:30:44.559 --> 00:30:46.640 This was all secured at a great cost. 00:30:46.880 --> 00:30:48.720 Christ emptied himself. 00:30:50.079 --> 00:30:52.960 More than that, he became obedient to the point of death. 00:30:53.359 --> 00:30:59.359 When Jonathan gave over his royal possessions to David, the text doesn't tell us that he put on David's garments. 00:30:59.680 --> 00:31:02.160 But that's the very thing that Christ has done for us. 00:31:02.640 --> 00:31:10.160 He took our sinful rags upon himself, bearing our sin and shame on the cross, enduring the due penalty that we all deserved. 00:31:11.519 --> 00:31:20.480 In 1 Corinthians 5.21, we read, For our sake, he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 00:31:20.960 --> 00:31:25.039 In a moment, we're going to be gathering around the table to partake in the Lord's Supper. 00:31:25.440 --> 00:31:28.319 This is a moment to reflect upon what Christ has done for us. 00:31:29.279 --> 00:31:33.359 Christians, are we living as though we are a child to the king? 00:31:33.759 --> 00:31:38.240 Do we see ourselves as victors in this cosmic battle between good and evil? 00:31:42.400 --> 00:31:48.240 Not because of anything that we've done, but rather what Christ has done for us on our behalf. 00:31:50.720 --> 00:31:53.039 Perhaps you've not surrendered your life to Christ yet. 00:31:53.200 --> 00:31:58.160 You're striving on your own to clothe yourself in garments worthy of acceptance by the King. 00:31:58.799 --> 00:32:01.839 Your striving has left you empty, exasperated. 00:32:02.400 --> 00:32:06.720 There is no power in yourself that can transform rags into robes of royalty. 00:32:07.039 --> 00:32:10.559 No matter how hard we try, it's impossible. 00:32:15.519 --> 00:32:18.000 Take on his garments that are freely offered to you. 00:32:18.160 --> 00:32:20.880 Enter into his righteousness that was purchased for you. 00:32:21.599 --> 00:32:25.920 Lastly, Christians, where have we placed our hope? 00:32:27.200 --> 00:32:29.119 Is our identity found in Christ? 00:32:29.359 --> 00:32:33.839 If we truly are a royal priesthood, do we act like it? 00:32:35.119 --> 00:32:37.680 We're children of the King, the God in heaven. 00:32:38.000 --> 00:32:43.440 Do we truly share in the covenantal affections towards Christ that Jonathan and David shared? 00:32:43.759 --> 00:32:45.920 Do we love the Lord with all of our heart? 00:32:46.240 --> 00:32:48.319 Have we given over everything to Him? 00:32:48.640 --> 00:32:51.759 What areas of our lives are we still holding on as our own? 00:32:52.000 --> 00:32:53.839 Not ready to be handed over? 00:32:54.240 --> 00:32:55.440 Now's the time. 00:32:55.920 --> 00:33:02.480 The Lord is calling you today to surrender all to Him and receive all the riches of heaven. 00:33:02.799 --> 00:33:06.160 Let's pray as the elders and deacons come forward. 00:33:06.960 --> 00:33:08.880 Father, we thank you for this day. 00:33:09.119 --> 00:33:14.319 Thank you for this beautiful picture that you've given us to meditate on, of how much you love us. 00:33:14.559 --> 00:33:15.839 Thank you for your son. 00:33:16.640 --> 00:33:22.000 Thank you for the blessings that have been purchased for us through his death and resurrection. 00:33:23.440 --> 00:33:28.000 As we get ready here to participate in the Lord's Supper, Lord, search our hearts. 00:33:28.319 --> 00:33:34.960 Holy Spirit, I pray that you would open up our eyes to those sins that are preventing us from experiencing true communion with you. 00:33:35.279 --> 00:33:39.920 Give us the strength to put to death any part of us that's not fully surrendered to you, Lord. 00:33:40.240 --> 00:33:43.279 Father, we thank you for the great love with which you loved us. 00:33:43.519 --> 00:33:45.839 Thank you for sending your Son to be a curse for us. 00:33:46.079 --> 00:33:49.759 Lord, I pray that we would be a people wholly given over to you. 00:33:50.000 --> 00:33:52.079 In the name of Jesus, we pray, our great shepherd. 00:33:52.319 --> 00:33:52.960 Amen. 00:33:54.000 --> 00:33:54.880