Study 27: 1 Samuel 18: 12-30: Trent Evans

This sermon from 1 Samuel 18 explores the contrast between David’s faithfulness and Saul’s envy, showing how jealousy can corrupt the heart and distort perception. Saul’s insecurity led him to see David, his greatest ally, as a threat, while David continued to walk in worship and obedience to God. The message highlights how sin and selfish ambition bring fear, disorder, and destructive actions, while those who trust God—even under attack—find success and strength in His presence. The challenge for believers is to resist comparison and bitterness, remain steadfast in worship, and keep pursuing God when opposition and betrayal arise, confident that His Spirit equips us to endure and overcome.

Sermon Outline

The Sovereignty of God and Our Invitation to Pray

• Timestamp: 00:02–03:33

• Key Point: God’s sovereignty does not bind us; it invites us to intercede, pray for miracles, and engage in one another’s lives.

• Scripture: 1 Samuel 18 (intro); emphasis on prayer and sovereignty.

  
  

1. The Rise of Envy in Saul’s Heart

   • Timestamp: 07:53–11:05

   • Key Point: Celebration of David’s victories stirred jealousy in Saul. Comparison corrupts contentment and blinds us to God’s blessings.

   • Scripture: 1 Samuel 18:6–9; James 3:16.

     
     

2. Eyes on Competition Instead of God

   • Timestamp: 11:56–12:43

   • Key Point: Saul fixed his eyes on David instead of God, misidentifying God-given allies as enemies.

   • Scripture: 1 Samuel 18:9; James 3:16.

     
     

3. The Spear and the Lyre: Worship vs. Violence

   • Timestamp: 13:45–21:59

   • Key Point: David’s worship contrasted with Saul’s violence. True battle strength flows from a life of worship.

   • Scripture: 1 Samuel 18:10–11; Galatians 6:7–8.

     
     

4. The First Betrayal—Saul’s Spear

   • Timestamp: 22:58–27:27

   • Key Point: Betrayal reveals Saul’s heart; David experiences confusion yet stays where God placed him.

   • Scripture: 1 Samuel 18:10–12.

     
     

5. Death Promotion: Saul’s Attempted Sabotage

   • Timestamp: 29:31–31:31

   • Key Point: Saul sends David into dangerous battles, hoping for his death, but David prospers because the Lord is with him.

   • Scripture: 1 Samuel 18:12–15.

     
     

6. The Accelerant of Public Praise

   • Timestamp: 32:32–35:49

   • Key Point: Israel’s love for David fueled Saul’s fear. Envy always escalates when the success of others is celebrated.

   • Scripture: 1 Samuel 18:15–16.

     
     

7. Saul’s Manipulation Through Marriage

   • Timestamp: 37:31–43:21

   • Key Point: Saul uses his daughters, Merab and Michal, as snares against David—showing how sin turns even family into pawns.

   • Scripture: 1 Samuel 18:17–21.

     
     

8. The Bride Price and God’s Vindication

   • Timestamp: 47:51–53:04

   • Key Point: Saul demands an impossible price, but God gives David greater success, exposing Saul’s schemes.

   • Scripture: 1 Samuel 18:25–27.

     
     

9. Two Battles: Saul’s Heart vs. David’s Faithfulness

   • Timestamp: 56:20–59:57

   • Key Point: Saul loses the battle of his heart through envy, while David holds the line in obedience to God. Believers are called to keep pursuing Christ, even under betrayal and attack.

   • Scripture: 1 Samuel 18:28–30; John 6:66–68 (Peter’s confession).

Scripture References

• 1 Samuel 18 (general chapter context)

  • Timestamp: 00:02–03:33

• Used to frame the study and set the background: God’s sovereignty, His invitation to pray, and the unfolding story of Saul and David.

  
  

  1 Samuel 18:6–9

  • Timestamp: 07:53–11:05

  • The women’s song (“Saul has slain his thousands, David his tens of thousands”) stokes Saul’s jealousy and exposes how comparison corrupts contentment.

    
    

• James 3:16

  • Timestamp: 12:43

  • Quoted directly: “For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.” Used to show how envy opens the door to sin.

    
    

• 1 Samuel 18:10–11

  • Timestamp: 13:45–17:40

  • Saul, under the influence of an evil spirit, tries to pin David with a spear while David worships on the lyre. Applied as a warning about letting sin take root and as encouragement to worship in battle.

    
    

• Galatians 6:7–8

  • Timestamp: 15:39–16:30

  • “A man reaps what he sows.” Used to show Saul reaping the fruit of disobedience and how disobedience in the heart manifests destruction in life.

    
    

• 1 Samuel 18:12–15

  • Timestamp: 27:27–31:31

  • Saul fears David because the Lord is with him; Saul promotes David to a dangerous command hoping for his death, but God grants success.

    
    

• 1 Samuel 18:15–16 (Hebrew word study: yārē vs. gûr)

  • Timestamp: 32:32–33:27

  • Contrast in words for “fear”: Saul’s fear deepens, moving from being filled with fear to shrieking in fear, showing progressive deterioration of envy.

    
    

• 1 Samuel 18:17–21

  • Timestamp: 37:31–43:21

  • Saul offers daughters Merab and Michal as snares, using family as pawns in his schemes against David.

    
    

• 1 Samuel 18:25–27

  • Timestamp: 47:51–52:01

  • Saul demands 100 Philistine foreskins as a bride price. David brings 200, proving God’s presence and exposing Saul’s failed scheme.

    
    

• 1 Samuel 18:28–30

  • Timestamp: 53:04–56:20

  • Saul realizes the Lord is with David and becomes his lifelong enemy. David’s name becomes well known because of God’s favor.

• John 6:66–68 (Peter’s confession)

  • Timestamp: 58:48

  • Quoted as an exhortation: when many left Jesus after a hard teaching, Peter said, “To whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” Applied to encourage perseverance in faith despite trials.

Word Study

1. Envy

• Language / Origin: Greek (New Testament reference, James 3:16).

• Original Word: ζῆλος (zēlos)

• Strong’s Number: G2205

• Pronunciation: dzay´-los

Definition:

• Simple: Strong desire that can be either positive (zeal) or negative (envy, jealousy).

• Extended: A passionate pursuit that may manifest as righteous zeal for God or sinful jealousy of others. It often expresses rivalry, ill will, or possessive ambition.

Synonyms / Antonyms:

• Synonyms: Jealousy (φθόνος, phthonos, G5355); rivalry.

• Antonyms: Contentment (αὐτάρκεια, autarkeia, G841, “sufficiency” – Philippians 4:11).

Other Key Passages:

• Galatians 5:20–21 — Envy listed among the works of the flesh.

• 2 Corinthians 11:2 — Paul uses zēlos positively, expressing godly jealousy.

• Acts 13:45 — Jewish leaders were filled with envy at Paul’s ministry.

Reflection:

In the sermon, envy blinds Saul to God’s work and corrupts his heart, making him see an ally as an enemy (1 Samuel 18:9). The study of zēlos reminds us that unchecked jealousy produces chaos (James 3:16), while zeal redirected toward God fosters growth and unity.

2. Fear

• Language / Origin: Hebrew (Old Testament, 1 Samuel 18:12, 15).

• Original Words:

  • יָרֵא (yārēʾ) — H3372 (yaw-ray´)

  • גוּר (gûr) — H1481 (goor)

Definition:

• יָרֵא (yārēʾ)

  • Simple: To fear, be afraid, reverence.

  • Extended: Can mean reverence toward God or dread toward others; context determines positive (awe) or negative (terror).

• גוּר (gûr)

  • Simple: To fear, to be afraid, to dread.

  • Extended: Carries a sense of trembling, shrinking back, or even shrieking in fear.

Synonyms / Antonyms:

• Synonyms: Terror (pachad, H6343); dread (chathath, H2865).

• Antonyms: Trust (batach, H982); confidence (emunah, H530).

Other Key Passages:

• Deuteronomy 6:13 — “Fear (yārēʾ) the LORD your God and serve him.”

• Jonah 1:10 — Sailors feared greatly (yārēʾ).

• Isaiah 8:12 — “Do not fear what they fear (gûr), nor be in dread.”

Reflection:

The sermon contrasted two forms of fear: Saul’s fear of David escalates from anxiety (yārēʾ) to shrieking dread (gûr). This progression shows how envy spirals into destructive paranoia. By contrast, believers are called to fear the Lord with reverence, not shrink in dread of others.

3. Prophecy

• Language / Origin: Hebrew (Old Testament, 1 Samuel 18:10).

• Original Word: נָבָא (nāvāʾ)

• Strong’s Number: H5012

• Pronunciation: naw-baw´

Definition:

• Simple: To prophesy, to speak by inspiration.

• Extended: To declare words under divine or spiritual influence, whether true prophecy from God or false declarations under another spirit. In 1 Samuel 18, Saul’s “prophesying” was influenced by an evil spirit.

Synonyms / Antonyms:

• Synonyms: Speak (dabar, H1696); proclaim (qaraʾ, H7121).

• Antonyms: Silence; deceitful speech (sheqer, H8267, “falsehood”).

Other Key Passages:

• Numbers 11:25 — Elders of Israel prophesied when the Spirit came upon them.

• Jeremiah 14:14 — Condemnation of false prophets who speak lies in God’s name.

• Ezekiel 37:10 — Ezekiel prophesies to the dry bones and they come to life.

Reflection:

The sermon noted that Saul’s nāvāʾ (prophesying) was not God-inspired but influenced by an evil spirit, leading him to declare murderous intent. This warns believers to discern the spirit behind speech. True prophecy builds life; false inspiration destroys.

Questions for Deeper Study

1. Envy vs. Contentment

   • How does Saul’s jealousy in 1 Samuel 18 reveal the dangers of comparison?

   • Where in your life do you need to replace envy with contentment in God’s provision (see Philippians 4:11–13)?

     
     

2. Fear vs. Trust

   • Saul’s fear of David grew from unease to dread. In what situations do you find fear escalating in your own life?

   • How can cultivating reverence for God (Deuteronomy 6:13) shift your focus from fear of others to trust in Him?

     
     

3. False Inspiration vs. True Worship

   • Saul’s prophesying was influenced by an evil spirit, but David’s hands were engaged in worship.

   • How can you discern whether your words and actions are Spirit-led or self/externally influenced (compare Galatians 5:16–25)?