After David is secretly anointed as the next king, he is inducted into the service of Saul. However, such service was notoriously short-term, and David was allowed to return to his father’s household. Very soon, though, events catapult David right back into the limelight and he becomes a hero to the Israelites.

A campaign is joined between the Philistines and the Israelites. In a curious twist, the Philistines are encamped to the northwest while the Israelites are to the southeast. As the armies continue to probe for weaknesses, Goliath challenges any Israelite to come and fight with him, winner take all. Israel offers no response to the fearsome giant.

During the standoff, Jesse sent David with provisions for his three oldest brothers and their commander. David arrives in time to hear Goliath roaring his challenge and he learns what reward is in store for the man who kills Goliath. Although his brothers rebuke him, David volunteers for the task. It seems ludicrous at first, but David points out that he’s already killed a lion and a bear. He declares that God will give him power over the giant, too. Saul loans him armor, but it’s far too big. David sets it aside and selects five ideal sling stones.

When David appears, Goliath is insulted by the Israelites’ choice of champion. David glorifies God and strikes down the giant with a single stone. He then springs upon him and hacks Goliath’s head from his body with his own sword. The Philistines break and run, and the rout is on. The Philistines were chased to Gath and Ekron. David kept Goliath’s weapons and Saul made good on the promised reward.

Jonathan and David made a covenant, signified by the gift of clothing and weapons. David was very successful and rose rapidly in the army, yet everybody is pleased by this development. After one successful campaign, Saul is struck by the acclaim for David and becomes murderously jealous. He tried to kill David, but failed. Then Saul sent David away to battle and David succeeded again. Saul feared him, but the people loved him as their hero. Saul offered his daughter to David, but David humbled himself and Saul gave her to another man.

Saul’s younger daughter, Michal, loved David, though, so Saul offered her-a less exalted position in the king’s family. Saul only has one condition for the marriage: proof of the death of 100 Philistines. In this way, Saul intended to get David killed by his enemies. Instead, David brought proof of 200 victims, and David and Michal were married. Again, David was the best of Saul’s commanders, but Saul feared him.

Saul ordered David’s death, but Jonathan warned him to run. Jonathan reasoned with Saul and the king listened and relented. David was restored to his position at court and won a great victory over the Philistines. Saul’s jealousy was rekindled and he tried to kill David. David escaped by placing a dummy in his bed and climbing out a window, with his wife’s help. Saul was furious, but Michal pleaded she had no choice.

David ran to Samuel and Saul sent assassins for him. After three failed attempts, Saul himself also failed. Plainly, God intervened to protect David.

David circled back from Samuel to meet with Jonathan and plead for his life. Jonathan declared that David was safe from Saul, but David knew better. They put together an elaborate plan to discover Saul’s real intentions and signal them to David. They then made a covenant of peace and mutual safety.

As the plan unfolded, Saul was so determined to kill David that he lashed out at Jonathan, trying to kill him! The next day, Jonathan used the pre-arranged signal to warn David. They spoke and parted as the closest of friends.

David ran to the Tabernacle, which was located at Nob. Ahimelech, the priest, was startled and fearful by the appearance of so high an official. The priest gave him bread from the table and turned over the sword that had belonged to Goliath, which had been stored there. One of Saul’s servants, Doeg the Edomite, witnessed the events.

David fled to Gath, but feared for his life when he was recognized as their great enemy. He pretended insanity and disgusted Achish, king of Gath. David was a fugitive, outcast from his own country and a hated enemy in the neighboring countries.

Discussion Questions:

1. What did Saul assume David needed in order to fight Goliath? What did David think he needed? What secured the victory for David? What developed David’s confidence in his ability to win?

2. If Saul was jealous and fearful of David, why did he offer his daughter in marriage? Why did David beg off marrying the older daughter, then accept the younger? Since Saul didn’t know about Samuel’s anointing of David, why was he so jealous and afraid of David?

3. When Saul ordered David’s death, why did the soldiers (who loved David) attempt to carry out the killing? Why would Saul persist in trying to kill David when both Jonathan and Michal aligned themselves with David? Why would he persist when it was plain that God was protecting David in a special way?

4. What did Jonathan want from his covenant with David? Why did Saul’s outburst against Jonathan not result in wholesale rebellion? Why do you think David and Jonathan were such close friends in spite of Saul’s attitude?

5. Why did David lie to the priest at the Tabernacle? In running from Saul, why would David choose Gath, a citadel of his enemies and the hometown of his first foe, Goliath? Why did he pretend insanity and assume he would be safe there?