David Behaves Himself Wisely

I Samuel 18
:14 And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways;
    and the LORD was with him.

David is the next anointed King of Israel and he was also a stripling, a youth less than 20 years old. David also knows who he was and who his God was.

After David slew Goliath and brought his head back to Jerusalem Saul inquired as to who this young man was. And as Saul's manner was he enlisted him in his army (14:52) and wouldn't let him go back home. It is at this time that David met Jonathan, Saul's son and they became fast friends. Jonathan was about 24 years older than David so this friendship also had a paternal flavor to it.

I Samuel 18
:1 And it came to pass,
        when he [David] had made an end of speaking unto Saul,
    that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David,
    and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.
:2 And Saul took him that day,
    and would let him go no more home to his father's house.
:3 Then Jonathan and David made a covenant,
        because he loved him as his own soul.
:4 And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him,
    and gave it to David,
    and his garments,
        even to his sword,
    and to his bow,
    and to his girdle.

Jonathan is a Prince! He gave David status in the kingdom. Remember, Jonathan also listened to God, he overthrew the Philistine garrison when the armies of Israel was hiding in the caves and bushes. Jonathon knew God would deliver by many or by few. There is also a spiritual kinship that arises here.

There is also a Figure of Speech in verse 4 called Polysyndeton--"many ands" giving importance to each and every item in the list of things that Jonathan gave David.. The robe that Jonathan wore would be that of a prince. His garments, sword, bow and girdle would be of excellent quality and craftsmanship. I am currently in search of the significance of each item given. Since I do not know I will not guess. This is part of the covenant that Jonathan made with David usually an indication of allegiance. This is an important act of Jonathan's because God marked it with a figure of speech which lends significance to each item.

:5 And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him,
    and behaved himself wisely:
    and Saul set him over the men of war,
    and he was accepted in the sight of all the people,
    and also in the sight of Saul's servants.
:6 And it came to pass as they came,
        when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine,
    that the women came out of all cities of Israel,
        singing and dancing,
    to meet king Saul,
        with tabrets,
        with joy,
        and with instruments of musick.
:7 And the women answered one another as they played, and said,
        Saul hath slain his thousands,
        and David his ten thousands.
:8 And Saul was very wroth,
    and the saying displeased him;
    and he said,
        They have ascribed unto David ten thousands,
        and to me they have ascribed but thousands:
        and what can he have more but the kingdom?
:9 And Saul eyed David from that day and forward.

Saul, who was into appearances, did not get the adoration that David did and this made him very angry. What is Saul looking at? He is looking at everything from a carnal point of view. His thoughts are not on how he can serve the one true living God. Saul let the circumstances surrounding him affect him. Instead of looking to God and acknowledging Him and giving Him the glory Saul preferred to get the glory himself. This never works out.

Psalm 1
:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly,
    nor standeth in the way of sinners,
    nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD;
    and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water,
    that bringeth forth his fruit in his season;
    his leaf also shall not wither;
    and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
:4 The ungodly are not so:
    but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.

Saul was so distraught that he tried to kill David. This is the first of many attempts. Saul has let himself wander so far away from God that he attempts to commit murder. This is not a natural act of man--to murder--but one that is motivated by devil spirits. David--who had the spirit of God on him--was able to avoid the Javelin that Saul threw at him.

I Samuel 18
:12 And Saul was afraid of David,
    because the LORD was with him,
    and was departed from Saul.
:13 Therefore Saul removed him from him,
    and made him his captain over a thousand;
    and he went out and came in before the people.
:14 And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways;
    and the LORD was with him.
:15 Wherefore when Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely,
    he was afraid of him.
:16 But all Israel and Judah loved David,
        because he went out and came in before them. 

David dwelt among them, not in a separate tent surrounded by servants and in luxury away from them.

From this point onward Saul continued to try to kill David or orchestrate his death. But David behaved himself wisely. This wisdom is not going to be the kind that comes with living and good old age-David is still young. This wisdom is from God, for God took care of David and prospered him because he loved God and worshipped him. Many of the Psalms are praises to God that God had David write.

Let us put on God's wisdom. Initially it is from the Word of God that we have before us. When the situation arises where we need more specific information from God we should be accustomed to listening for His still small voice. This will come with commitment to Him, diligence in putting on the mind of Christ and practicing the presence of God. He is always with us, treat Him as such. God has made us righteous -

Philippians 3
:9 And be found in him,
    not having mine own righteousness,
        which is of the law,
    but that which is through the faith of Christ,
    the righteousness which is of God by faith:

II Corinthians 5
:21 For he [God] hath made him [Jesus Christ] to be sin for us,
        who knew no sin;
    that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Righteousness is the God-given justification whereby a person stands in the presence of God without any consciousness of sin, guilt or shortcomings.

Let us come boldly before the throne of grace and speak with our heavenly father. Walk wisely, walk with God.