Study 26: 1 Samuel 18: 1-9: Trent Evans

This sermon on 1 Samuel 18 highlights how God raises up both allies and challenges in our journey of faith. While Saul’s jealousy and envy toward David reveal the dangers of comparison and misplaced focus, Jonathan’s covenant friendship with David demonstrates loyalty, sacrifice, and a Spirit-formed bond rooted in God’s purposes. Jonathan willingly surrendered his own claim to the throne, affirming God’s call on David’s life, and their relationship points to the kind of Christ-centered unity believers are called to share. The message reminds us to cast off jealousy and pride, fix our eyes on Jesus, and walk as brothers and sisters born for times of adversity, standing together in God’s covenant love.

Sermon Outline

1. Introduction: Life’s Difficulties and God’s Faithfulness

• Timestamp: 00:00–02:00

• Key thought: Difficulties are part of life, both for us and for biblical figures like David.

• Reference: David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17).

  
  

2. Transition into 1 Samuel 18

• Timestamp: 02:04–03:30

• David is introduced to Saul after Goliath’s defeat.

• The scene shifts into new relationships and challenges.

  
  

3. Friendship Born for Adversity

• Timestamp: 04:20–06:30

• Scripture: Proverbs 17:17 – “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”

• Theme: God provides allies before enemies are revealed.

• Villain: Saul’s jealousy.

• Ally: Jonathan’s friendship.

  
  

4. Jonathan and David Knit Together

• Timestamp: 07:00–13:30

• Scripture: 1 Samuel 18:1 – “Jonathan became one in spirit with David.”

• Hebrew: Kashar – to bind/knit together like a tapestry.

• Comparison: Jonathan’s past bravery (1 Samuel 14) and David’s faith in God against Goliath.

  
  

5. The Depth of Their Bond

• Timestamp: 13:39–17:16

• Parallel: Jacob’s love for Benjamin (Genesis 44:30–31).

• Clarification: This is a covenant friendship, not distorted by worldly misinterpretations.

• Illustration: Jonathan and David as “kindred spirits” bound by faith.

  
  

6. Love and Covenant

• Timestamp: 18:41–26:30

• Hebrew: Ahab – deep, covenantal love (Genesis 22:2 – Abraham and Isaac).

• 1 Samuel 18:3 – Jonathan initiates a covenant with David.

• Covenant meaning: Karath Berith – “to cut a covenant,” sealed in blood.

• Spiritual takeaway: Our covenant in Christ is also sealed in blood.

  
  

7. Jonathan’s Surrender of Identity

• Timestamp: 30:35–37:30

• 1 Samuel 18:4 – Jonathan gives David his robe, sword, bow, and belt.

• Symbolism: surrender of dynastic succession; recognizing God’s call on David.

• New Testament parallel: John the Baptist – “He must increase, I must decrease” (John 3:29–30).

  
  

8. David’s Success and Saul’s Growing Envy

• Timestamp: 38:43–44:28

• 1 Samuel 18:5 – David succeeds in every mission; Saul promotes him.

• Celebration: Women sing, “Saul has slain his thousands, David his tens of thousands” (1 Samuel 18:7).

• Lesson: Comparison destroys contentment.

  
  

9. The Poison of Jealousy and Envy

• Timestamp: 45:20–55:19

• 1 Samuel 18:8–9 – Saul’s anger and suspicion of David.

• Definitions:

  • Jealousy – fear of losing something valuable.

  • Envy – anger at what others have received.

• Application: Jealousy and envy rob us of joy, warp our perspective, and shift our eyes off God.

  
  

10. Application and Closing Challenge

• Timestamp: 56:33–1:03:25

• Hebrews 12:1–2 – Throw off sin and fix our eyes on Jesus.

• Call: Strip away what entangles (as Jonathan stripped his robe) and embrace covenant love.

• Encouragement: Be brothers and sisters “born for adversity,” pointing each other toward Christ.

Scripture References

1. 1 Samuel 17 (David and Goliath)

• Timestamp: 00:21–02:00

• Context: Recalled as background — David’s victory sets the stage for his conversation with Saul and the events of chapter 18.

  
  

2. 1 Samuel 18:1 (Jonathan became one in spirit with David)

• Timestamp: 07:00–08:13

• Context: The heart of the sermon — Jonathan and David’s friendship. Hebrew word kashar (“knit together”) explained.

  
  

3. Proverbs 17:17 – “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”

• Timestamp: 04:20–05:37

• Context: Introduced as a preface to 1 Samuel 18, setting the theme of covenant friendship and God raising allies for seasons of adversity.

  
  

4. 1 Samuel 14 (Jonathan’s past victory over Philistines)

• Timestamp: 10:56–12:52

• Context: Example of Jonathan’s bravery and faith; used to show why he and David connected spiritually.

  
  

5. Genesis 44:30–31 (Jacob’s love bound to Benjamin’s life)

• Timestamp: 15:10–16:16

• Context: Same Hebrew word kashar used to describe Jonathan’s bond with David, showing familial-level devotion.

  
  

6. Acts 4:32–33 (Believers one in heart and mind)

• Timestamp: 22:53–23:20

• Context: Paralleled with Jonathan and David’s unity; applied to how the Spirit binds believers in the New Testament church.

  
  

7. Genesis 22:2 (Abraham’s love for Isaac)

• Timestamp: 18:56–19:17

• Context: Hebrew word ahab (“love”) linked to Jonathan’s love for David; shows deep, covenantal love.

  
  

8. 1 Samuel 18:2–4 (Jonathan’s covenant with David, giving robe, sword, bow, belt)

• Timestamp: 24:26–31:34

• Context: Covenant (karath berith – to cut a covenant) explained with OT imagery of sacrifice and binding agreement.

  
  

9. John 3:29–30 – “He must increase, I must decrease.”

• Timestamp: 35:44–37:30

• Context: John the Baptist compared to Jonathan; both surrender personal status to affirm God’s chosen one.

  
  

10. 1 Samuel 18:5–7 (David’s success, Saul’s promotion, women’s song)

• Timestamp: 38:44–44:28

• Context: David honored publicly, sparking Saul’s jealousy. The refrain “Saul has slain his thousands, David his tens of thousands” became Saul’s trigger.

  
  

11. 1 Samuel 18:8–9 (Saul’s jealousy and suspicion)

• Timestamp: 45:20–56:33

• Context: Core warning of the sermon — envy and jealousy distort perspective, rob joy, and shift focus off God.

  
  

12. Hebrews 12:1–2 – “Throw off everything that hinders… fix our eyes on Jesus.”

• Timestamp: 58:18–1:00:51

• Context: Closing exhortation — strip away jealousy, envy, or any entangling sin, and instead fix attention on Jesus, the true champion.

Word Study

1. Kashar (קָשַׁר) – “To Bind / Knit Together”

• Language: Hebrew (Old Testament)

• Strong’s Number: H7194

• Pronunciation: kä·shar’

Definitions:

• Simple: To bind, tie, join closely.

• Extended: Can mean to physically bind (like tying cords), to conspire or ally together, or to “knit” in the sense of joining lives and purposes.

Synonyms / Antonyms:

• Synonyms: Chabar (H2266 – “to join, unite”)【Job 41:15】.

• Antonym: Parar (H6565 – “to break, annul, dissolve”)【Isaiah 24:5】.

Other Key Uses in Scripture:

• Genesis 44:30 — Jacob’s life is “closely bound (kashar) up” with Benjamin.

• 1 Kings 16:20 — Zimri “conspired (kashar)” against Elah (shows the word can also mean plotting or alliance).

Reflection:In 1 Samuel 18:1, Jonathan’s spirit is kashar with David’s, showing not a shallow friendship but a God-woven unity. This word deepens the sermon’s point: God provides allies “knit together” in purpose before enemies even arise.

2. Ahab (אָהַב) – “To Love”

• Language: Hebrew (Old Testament)

• Strong’s Number: H157

• Pronunciation: ä·hab’

Definitions:

• Simple: To love, delight in.

• Extended: Used for human affection (parent-child, husband-wife, friends) and divine love. Can describe deep emotional attachment or covenant loyalty.

Synonyms / Antonyms:

• Synonyms: Chesed (H2617 – “steadfast love, covenant mercy”).

• Antonym: Sane (H8130 – “to hate, reject”).

Other Key Uses in Scripture:

• Genesis 22:2 — Abraham’s love (ahab) for Isaac.

• Deuteronomy 6:5 — “Love (ahab) the LORD your God with all your heart…”

• Proverbs 17:17 — A friend loves (ahab) at all times.

Reflection:In 1 Samuel 18:3, Jonathan loved David as himself. The use of ahab elevates their bond beyond convenience — it is sacrificial, covenantal love. It mirrors God’s love for His people and points to Christ’s command to love one another.

3. Berith (בְּרִית) – “Covenant”

• Language: Hebrew (Old Testament)

• Strong’s Number: H1285

• Pronunciation: ber·ēth’

Definitions:

• Simple: A binding agreement or covenant.

• Extended: Often sealed by sacrifice (“to cut a covenant” – karath berith), it establishes a solemn relationship with obligations, blessings, and curses. Used for God’s covenant with Noah, Abraham, Israel, and David.

Synonyms / Antonyms:

• Synonym: Oath (shĕbuw‘ah, H7621 – “a sworn promise”).

• Antonym: Breaking covenant (parar berith, Isaiah 24:5).

Other Key Uses in Scripture:

• Genesis 9:9 — God’s covenant with Noah.

• Genesis 15:18 — God “cut a covenant” with Abram.

• Jeremiah 31:31 — Promise of a “new covenant.”

Reflection:In 1 Samuel 18:3, Jonathan makes a berith with David, willingly binding himself to David’s God-given future. The sermon rightly connects this to the blood covenant in Christ, reminding us that believers are joined as family in a deeper, eternal berith.

Questions for Deeper Study

1. Jonathan surrendered his robe, weapons, and right to the throne (1 Samuel 18:4).

   • What areas of my life or identity might God be calling me to lay down so that His purposes can be fulfilled in others?

   • How does this connect with John the Baptist’s words, “He must increase, I must decrease” (John 3:30)?

2. Saul’s jealousy shifted his eyes off God and fixed them on David (1 Samuel 18:8–9).

   • Where am I tempted to compare myself with others instead of celebrating God’s work in their lives?

   • How can Hebrews 12:1–2 help me realign my focus?

3. The word kashar means to be “knit together” (1 Samuel 18:1).

   • How does God knit believers together in Christ today (see Acts 4:32–33)?

   • Who has God placed in my life as a “brother or sister born for adversity,” and how can I be that for someone else?