Saul realized clearly that the Lord was with David and also that his daughter Michal loved him. So he became even more afraid of David and was his enemy as long as he lived.
A bit like cement that slowly hardens to become rock hard. Fear. Jealousy. Hate. All of these deflect our attention from ourselves (Matthew 7:3). I see in Saul Satan himself: everything he tries to do or undo only serves God’s purposes. 😊
The Philistine armies would come and fight, but in every battle David was more successful than any of Saul’s other officers. As a result David became very famous.
Saul, who was desperately looking to solidify his “circle” (1 Samuel 22:7), sees it neither in his army, neither in his own family! May my circle be those who do your will, Lord (Marc 3:32-35); but may my refuge be only you (1 Samuel 30:6).
Saul told his son Jonathan and all his officials that he planned to kill David.
For reasons entirely selfish / political, which must have been obvious to everyone. Sad.
Jonathan praised David to Saul and said, “Sir, don’t do wrong to your servant David. He has never done you any wrong; on the contrary, everything he has done has been a great help to you. He risked his life when he killed Goliath, and the Lord won a great victory for Israel. When you saw it, you were glad. Why, then, do you now want to do wrong to an innocent man and kill David for no reason at all?”
Saul was convinced by what Jonathan said and made a vow in the Lord’s name that he would not kill David.
Once again we find Saul yielding to appearances and invoking the religion. Once again, we see that his word means nothing (1 Samuel 19:10). May my word always be found to be gold, Lord!