Life of David (3): Toughening a Great Life (1 Samuel 18-21)

by Rev. Jeremiah Cheung

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In the first of this series on David, we studied whether David was qualified to be chosen by God or not, and we concluded that he was indeed qualified. For:

1. David was someone whose inner being matched his outer appearance. Not only was David physically good-looking, he had a heart that loved the Lord deeply.

2. David was a charming person. David had five admirable characteristics: a. He played the harp well. b. He was a brave warrior c. He could speak well. d. He was a fine-looking man. e. The Lord was with him.

In the second message, we reflected on David’s victory against Goliath. It was David’s first victorious battle. We described his accomplishment as a brilliant feat that amazed whole world.

Today, let us examine the toughening that David’s life underwent.

After David won the battle against Goliath, he officially entered life’s arena. From a lowly shepherd, he turned into the nation’s hero. However, this lasted for only a short period of time. Before long, he became Saul’s greatest enemy. For at least ten years Saul pursued and tried to kill David. Yet this period became a time of great training for David. Chinese philosopher Mencius said that whenever heaven wants to give a man some great assignment, it will first refine the man’s willpower, allow him to experience fatigue, hunger and suffering, turning everything against him. It does this to test his will, firm up his disposition and develop his skills.

This statement is truly applicable to David. The Lord dealt with David in this manner, allowing him through a period of refinement in order to equip him for the great task of ruling God’s people. From chapters 18 to 21, we discover that the Lord used four kinds of human relationships to refine David, for interpersonal relationship is the best method for refining a man.

In the seminary I used to attend in Hong Kong, the dormitory rooms had 2 or 3 beds in them. These beds were either double or triple-decked. So, there would be 6 to 9 people living together in one room. I tell you, just the daily routine of using the bathroom is a great learning experience. If you do not exercise patience, love, and humility, you will surely get into fights over the use of the bathroom. Some people would be in the bathroom more than half an hour. It was truly a time of mutual learning as Proverbs says: As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. That is also the way between friends. Human relationship is one of life’s greatest way of toughening us.

After David defeated Goliath, the Lord placed four kinds of relationships into his life:

I. David Served Under King Saul: Allowing David to Learn Submission

After David defeated Goliath, Saul kept David with him and did not let him return to his father’s house. This is recorded in 1 Samuel 18:2. According to 1Samuel 18:5, “Whatever Saul sent him to do, David did it so successfully that Saul gave him a high rank in the army. This pleased all the people, and Saul’s officers as well.” Obviously, David was very faithful and submissive to King Saul. He was willing to serve under Saul. But we must not forget that a few years back, Samuel had already anointed David as king before his whole family. There is a saying: “One mountain cannot hide two tigers. One nation cannot have two kings.”

It was not easy for David to submit to Saul, in fact, David knew the Lord wanted to remove Saul from the throne. If you were David, would you submit to Saul?

Let us bring this nearer to home. The Lord commands wives to submit to husbands. Wives, do you submit to your husband? If spiritually, and in terms of abilities and skills, you are more gifted than your husband, do you submit to him? It is very difficult, isn’t it? The more capable a woman is, the harder it is for her to submit. Sisters, my advice is marry someone who is compatible with you. This will help make submission easier for you. Brothers, please remember two things as you look for a wife – first, her personality; second, her ability. If she has a good personality, then married life would be blessed for you both. If she possesses exceptional abilities, then, the family will prosper in every aspect because a gifted woman will help you establish your family. But a very able wife will find it hard to submit to her husband, this you must understand. If you marry a woman with great personality and abilities and knows how to submit, you must truly give thanks.

David was a man of good character. David was also a talented person, yet David submitted himself and served under Saul. The Lord taught David submission and humility through the situation. Before David, there was a great prophet, priest, and judge, called Samuel. As a young child, Samuel was left in the temple to learn how to minister before the Lord. 1Samuel 3:1 “The boy Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli.”

This sounds simple, but it wasn’t at all simple for Samuel to submit to Eli. For Eli was already an old and careless priest; besides, the Lord had already told Samuel that at the right time, He will destroy Eli’s family and put Samuel in his place. If you were Samuel, knowing that the Lord will remove Eli and make you the new priest, will you still submit to his leadership? Will you obey him? I believe you will not for in your heart you will think, “From now on I will no longer listen to you, you will listen to me.” But Samuel continued to submit to the old priest, Eli. This is true submission! We must learn from Samuel’s submission to Eli, and David’s submission to Saul. Let us not use man’s methods to promote ourselves, await the Lord’s timing and opportunities; as James 4:10 says “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”

II. David and Jonathan’s Friendship: Allowing David to Learn True Love

1 Samuel 18:1 “After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself.” 3 “And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself.” 4 “Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt.”

From his youth, David had not been valued by his family. Do you still remember how when Samuel came to Jesse’s House, David was absent because his father did not think it necessary to call him? His father seemed to have forgotten that he had one more son. David’s brother also treated him harshly. That is the circumstances in which David grew up in. But after David stepped into life’s arena, the Lord gave him a dear friend, King Saul’s son, Jonathan. From the above passage, we can see how Jonathan took the initiative to show David real love. David, who had been deprived of love as a child, found love in this dear friend. David learned what true love is because Jonathan showed him true love.

1. Sacrifice: We must not love only with words, but with action. Jonathan was in a much higher position than David. He was the prince, he was nobility, but he made the first move to extend friendship to David, he became one in spirit with David, and even gave him his robe, tunic, sword, bow and belt. These were his weapons but Jonathan gave them to David. This was true love. One day, my wife and I were discussing about how a church member was kind to me; my wife added, “It seems like he has given you everything he has.” True love is sacrificial.

2. Defends: When Saul started to be envious of David and sought to kill him, Jonathan was the first to come to David’s defense. 1Samuel 19:4 “Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his father and said to him, `Let not the king do wrong to his servant David; he has not wronged you, and what he has done has benefited you greatly.’” 5 “He took his life in his hands when he killed the Philistine. The LORD won a great victory for all Israel, and you saw it and were glad. Why then would you do wrong to an innocent man like David by killing him for no reason?” A true friend is willing to stand up and defend his friend. Jonathan spoke up for David. Later, when Saul decided to kill David, Jonathan stood up and defended him once more, earning Saul’s ire and having a spear hurled at him. Saul made it clear to everyone including his own son that anyone who dares to defend David will be killed. Jonathan risked death for his friend. Let us understand that a true friend is not double-faced, but a courageous one who stands up to defend a friend. We have lived many years in this world, but how many friends do we have who would stand and speak up in our defense?

3. Encourage: 1Samuel 23:16 “And Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God. 17 “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “My father Saul will not lay a hand on you. You will be king over Israel, and I will be second to you. Even my father Saul knows this.” This was the last time Jonathan and David met. Jonathan told David, “Don’t be afraid…you will be king over Israel and I will be second to you.” If Jonathan had said don’t be afraid, after my father dies, I will become king and I will make you second to me; it would had already been admirable. However what Jonathan said was, “Don’t be afraid…you will be king over Israel and I will be second to you.” What a friend, what an encouragement! How uplifting!

Jonathan’ love melted David’s heart. 1Samuel 20:41 “David got up from the south side of the stone and bowed down before Jonathan three times, with his face to the ground. Then they kissed each other and wept together�”but David wept the most.” Before, we see the great love of Jonathan, but now, we find David wept the most. We can say that whereas earlier Jonathan loved David more; now, David loved Jonathan more. When a person feels loved, he will reciprocate. If you feel your spouse does not love you enough, is it because he/she has not felt your love for him/her?

III. David and the Israelites: Allowing David to Learn to Earn the People’s Respect

After David killed Goliath, he became the people’s hero. He became the star of the Israelites. V.5 “Whatever Saul sent him to do, David did it so successfully that Saul gave him a high rank in the army. This pleased all the people and Saul’s officers as well.” V.30 “The Philistine commanders continued to go out to battle, and as often as they did, David met with more success than the rest of Saul’s officers, and his name became well known.” V. 7 “As the women danced, they sang: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.”

David was loved and respected by the people. How did David gain such respect? Killing Goliath was a start, but sustaining the people’s respect and admiration was not that easy.

When pastors and ministers initially arrive in a church, there is a honeymoon period during the first 3 years, especially when the church has gone without a pastor or pastors for a long time. When you first arrive, everyone will love you. But after 3 years, the honeymoon is over. A Christian survey reports that on the average, American pastors stay an average of 5 years in a church, while Chinese pastors stay an average of 6 years. Meaning, every 5 years, American churches change pastors, while Chinese churches change pastors every 6 years. After the honeymoon is over, it no longer becomes easy. After killing Goliath, David earned the love and respect of the Israelites. Let us study the Bible’s explanation:

Verse 5 “Whatever Saul sent him to do, David did it so successfully that Saul gave him a high rank in the army. This pleased all the people, and Saul’s officers as well.” Verse 14 “In everything he did he had great success, because the Lord was with him.” Verse 15 “When Saul saw how successful he was, he was afraid of him.” Verse 30 “The Philistine commanders continued to go out to battle, and as often as they did, David met with more success than the rest of Saul’s officers, and his name became well known.” Note that the word “success” was used to describe David four times. In Hebrew this word meant wisdom which brings success.

After David defeated Goliath, he became the nation’s hero. David was very clever and perceptive. Proverbs 9:10 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” There is no true wisdom apart from the Lord. Verse 14 “In everything he did he had great success, because the Lord was with him.” Proverbs 15:6 “The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.”

The Lord is not with the proud. Do not become proud just because of a little achievement. The Lord set David before all the people, and the people loved him. The women sang and praised him: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” Proverbs 27:21 “The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but man is tested by the praise he receives.” This was a test for David.

Brothers, when God exalts you, you must be careful. It is a test from the Lord. Do not become proud. Remain humble before men, earn their respect. Once you become proud, then you will fall.

IV. David and Saul’s Envy: Allowing David to Learn How to Face Persecution and Opposition

Saul was pleased with David (v.5) but this was only for a while. After Saul and David had defeated Goliath and returned home, the Israelites welcomed them with singing and dancing, they sang: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” From that day on, Saul kept a jealous eye on David and became his greatest enemy.

When the Lord called Samuel to Jesse’s house to anoint one of his sons as king, Samuel said: “How can I go? Saul will hear about it and kill me.” While a nation has a king and another one rises up to become king, this is called rebellion. Not only would Saul not have spared Samuel, he would have killed the whole household of Jesse. Didn’t the Lord know this simple principle? Of course, He knew. The Lord knew that once David was promoted, Saul would persecute and oppose him. But this was to be David’s training before he ascended the throne – how to face persecution, criticisms, and oppositions; because there isn’t a leader who doesn’t encounter opposition. Even the best president in the world gets criticized. Even the Miss Universe winner gets criticized.

Recently, a most unfortunate event occurred in the Philippines. The senior pastor of GCF, Luis Pantoja, passed away because of heart attack. This is really a sad thing. But what is most saddening is that before this happened, he was mistreated by elders and deacons of GCF. They spoke ill of him and accused him of financial misconduct, causing the late pastor much distress and anguish. Consequently, while attending a conference in Malaysia, he suffered a heart attack and passed away. The church later on confirmed that Rev. Luis Pantoja was innocent of the accusations. They wanted to apologize to him, but it was too late. On September 12, Sunday, the elders and deacons apologized before the congregation and resigned. This should not have happened at all! I hope such a thing will never happen in our church.

Leaders will certainly encounter persecution or opposition. As a leader, we must learn from David. We must maintain a positive attitude as we face opposition. While Saul was alive, David never fought him back. Twice, David had the opportunity to get rid of this terrible enemy, but he didn’t lift a hand against him at all. Although our enemies can sometimes be very frightening, but they can many times be blessings in disguise. For, our enemies can see our weaknesses clearly; before them, can we afford to be unguarded?

I had once shared this story with you: Japanese love to eat Taiwanese eel, so they import them into Japan. But they discovered that the eels die in transport. Lifeless eels do not command as high a price as live eels. Thus, they had to think of a way to keep the eels alive. They tried placing a few pieces of crabs into the tanks with the eels. Crabs are eels’ enemies. If the eels would be unguarded for even just one moment, they would be caught by the crabs. It turned out, with the presence of crabs, the eels remained alive. All the eels arrived in Japan alive.

In our life, there will always be one or two crabs out to grab us; but without them, we may not survive. Do not be afraid of persecution or opposition, but remember, we are the eels, we should not be the crabs.