1 Samuel 18:1–16

Instead of jealousy that the kingdom was now meant for David 1 Samuel 16:6–13 and the honor the people paid to David 1 Samuel 14:1–16, Jonathan was a great friend to David.Jonathan made a friendship covenant with David and literally gave him the clothes off his back because of his love for David. Unfortunately, the father was not like the son, which hints at the wonderful mother Jonathan must have had. At first Saul showed great respect for David 1 Samuel 18:2, 5 but this soon turned to sulky,  jealous, and homicidal actions 1 Samuel 18:6–9.

This section teaches us about the dangers of the sin PRIDE. “Saul became an enemy to David through pride. He was jealous because the crowds of Israelite women were singing that ‘Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands’ The proud stand more in fear of men’s judgment than of God’s judgment. … ‘What will men think of me?’ weighs heavier than ‘What will God think of me?’ …  Fear of men’s judgment manifests itself in competition for men’s approval. The proud love ‘the praise of men more than the praise of God’ (John 12:42–43). Our motives for the things we do are where the sin is manifest. Jesus said He did ‘always those things’ that pleased God (John 8:29). Would we not do well to have the pleasing of God as our motive rather than to try to elevate ourselves above our brother and outdo another? Some prideful people are not so concerned as to whether their wages meet their needs as they are that their wages are more than someone else’s. Their reward is being a cut above the rest. …  When pride has a hold on our hearts, we lose our independence of the world and deliver our freedoms to the bondage of men’s judgment. The world shouts louder than the whisperings of the Holy Ghost. The reasoning of men overrides the revelations of God, and the proud let go of the iron rod” Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign, May 1989, 5. 

"And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the Lord was with him. Wherefore when Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely, he was afraid of him. But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out and came in before them." 

1 Samuel 18:14–16 

From David's example, we might learn to not toot our own horns but to give the glory to God. Jesus did this during the great war in heaven, choosing to honor The Father. "And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels" Rev. 12: 7  

To “behave wisely” when successful, means to be a good sport, to be not boastful, to point out how God blessed you, and to be modest in receiving praise.  This study has given me reason to pause and think. Do I take credit for success or give the glory to God? Do I parade around like a proud peacock or with humility and modesty? This is something about which I must think and give some time to changing..