So Saul was afraid of DavidSaul's fear of David is rooted in the spiritual and political dynamics of Israel at the time. Saul, the first king of Israel, was chosen by God but later rejected due to his disobedience (
1 Samuel 15:26). David, on the other hand, was anointed by Samuel to be the next king (
1 Samuel 16:13). Saul's fear is not just personal jealousy but a recognition of the divine favor shifting from him to David. This fear is compounded by David's growing popularity and military success, which threatened Saul's reign (
1 Samuel 18:7-9).
because the LORD was with David
The presence of the LORD with David signifies divine favor and blessing. This is a recurring theme in David's life, as seen in his victory over Goliath (1 Samuel 17) and his success in various military campaigns. The LORD's presence with David is a fulfillment of the covenantal promises to Israel, where God would be with those who are faithful and obedient. This divine presence is a precursor to the New Testament understanding of God being with His people through the Holy Spirit (John 14:16-17).
but had departed from Saul
The departure of the LORD from Saul is a significant turning point in Saul's kingship. It reflects the consequences of Saul's disobedience and rejection of God's commands (1 Samuel 15:23). This departure is not just a loss of divine favor but also the removal of the Spirit of God, which had empowered Saul for leadership (1 Samuel 10:10). Theologically, this highlights the importance of obedience and faithfulness to God. It also foreshadows the New Testament teaching on the necessity of abiding in Christ to bear fruit (John 15:4-5). Saul's spiritual decline serves as a warning of the dangers of pride and disobedience.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
SaulThe first king of Israel, anointed by the prophet Samuel. Saul's reign was marked by initial success but later marred by disobedience to God, leading to his rejection by God as king.
2.
DavidA young shepherd anointed by Samuel to be the future king of Israel. Known for his faithfulness to God, David was a man after God's own heart and became a central figure in Israel's history.
3.
The LORDThe covenant name of God, Yahweh, who is actively involved in the lives of His people. His presence with David signifies divine favor and guidance.
4.
IsraelThe nation over which Saul was king and David would eventually rule. Israel's history is deeply intertwined with God's covenant promises.
5.
The Departure of the LORD's SpiritA significant event where God's Spirit, which had empowered Saul, departed from him due to his disobedience, marking a turning point in Saul's reign.
Teaching Points
The Presence of GodThe presence of the LORD with David is a source of strength and success. As believers, we should seek to live in a way that invites God's presence into our lives.
Fear and InsecuritySaul's fear of David highlights how insecurity can arise when we are not aligned with God's will. Trusting in God's plan can help us overcome fear.
Obedience and DisobedienceSaul's disobedience led to the loss of God's favor. Obedience to God is crucial for maintaining His presence and blessing in our lives.
God's SovereigntyGod's choice of David over Saul demonstrates His sovereign will. We must trust in God's plans, even when they differ from our own.
Spiritual LeadershipThe contrast between Saul and David underscores the importance of spiritual leadership that is rooted in a relationship with God.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of 1 Samuel 18:12?
2.How does Saul's fear of David reflect his spiritual state in 1 Samuel 18:12?
3.What role does the Lord's presence play in David's success in 1 Samuel 18:12?
4.How can we discern God's presence in our lives like David did?
5.What other biblical figures experienced fear due to God's presence with someone else?
6.How should we respond when others fear us because of God's favor?
7.Why did the LORD's presence with David cause Saul to fear him in 1 Samuel 18:12?
8.How does 1 Samuel 18:12 illustrate the theme of divine favor versus human jealousy?
9.What does Saul's fear of David in 1 Samuel 18:12 reveal about his character?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 18?
11.How does 1 Samuel 19 reconcile with accounts in other sections of the Bible where David is portrayed as protected by divine power rather than subterfuge?
12.How did David consult the ephod for instant divine guidance in 1 Samuel 23:9–12 when similar direct communication is uncommon elsewhere in the Old Testament?
13.1 Samuel 18:20-21: Why would Saul offer his daughter Michal to David if he intended to harm him, and does this suggest inconsistencies within the narrative?
14.Why does 1 Chronicles 18:12 credit Abishai with killing 18,000 Edomites, while 2 Samuel 8:13 attributes the same victory to David?What Does 1 Samuel 18:12 Mean
So Saul was afraid of David• Saul’s fear is not random; it flows from earlier events—“When Saul saw that David was very successful, he dreaded him” (1 Samuel 18:15).
• David’s victory over Goliath (1 Samuel 17:50) and the women’s song, “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands” (1 Samuel 18:7), exposed Saul’s declining stature.
• Scripture records Saul becoming “even more afraid of David” (1 Samuel 18:29), showing a growing, not passing, dread.
• Fear replaces faith when a heart rejects God’s rule; compare the terror of ungodly kings inJoshua 2:9–11 and contrast with David’s boldness inPsalm 27:1.
• Saul’s fear underscores the sober reality that earthly position cannot secure peace once the Lord’s favor has shifted.
because the LORD was with David• The phrase points back to1 Samuel 16:13, “the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward.”
• David’s success, courage, and wisdom (1 Samuel 18:14) are practical evidences of God’s presence, just as Joseph prospered “because the LORD was with him” (Genesis 39:2).
• God’s nearness brings assurance; seeJoshua 1:9, “for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
• The narrative highlights covenant faithfulness—God chooses a shepherd boy and stays with him, preparing him for kingship (2 Samuel 5:10).
• David’s life becomes a living testimony that divine favor, not human pedigree, determines true greatness (Acts 7:46).
but had departed from Saul• The tragic counterpart appears in1 Samuel 16:14, “the Spirit of the LORD had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD tormented him.”
• Saul’s earlier disobedience—sparing Amalek’s king and livestock (1 Samuel 15:23)—brought God’s rejection of his rule.
• As with Samson, who “did not know that the LORD had left him” (Judges 16:20), departure of the Spirit marks a decisive end to empowered leadership.
• Saul’s later lament to Samuel, “God has turned away from me and answers me no more” (1 Samuel 28:15), exposes the emptiness left behind.
• David would later plead, “Do not take Your Holy Spirit from me” (Psalm 51:11), remembering Saul’s fate and seeking steadfast fellowship.
SummarySaul’s escalating fear springs from seeing God’s unmistakable favor on David while sensing the vacuum of that same favor in his own life. The verse teaches that divine presence brings courage and success, whereas its withdrawal breeds insecurity and dread. Obedience invites God’s abiding nearness; rebellion forfeits it.
(12)
And Saul was afraid of David.--Even after the scenes in the royal chamber just related, David remained at Court. He looked on such manifestations of bitter hatred as simple outbursts of a temporary insanity. His loyal nature would not believe in the enduring hate of one so great and noble as Saul; but we read here that even when the king recovered from the paroxysm, he
fearedDavid. Saul was conscious that his old vigour and ability were deserting him, and in David he recognised the presence of a power he knew had once been his. Not being able, even in his sane hours, to endure the presence of one whom he too surely felt would sooner or later take his place, the king dismissed him honourably from the Court, and invested him with an important military charge. Perhaps already the dark thought which some time later (see
1Samuel 18:17;
1Samuel 18:25) influenced the king had entered into his unhappy mind.
Verses 12-16. -
Saul was afraid of David. new feeling. To his jealousy succeeded a sense of powerlessness, as knowing that a higher power was with David, while he had lost the Divine protection. This miserable feeling grew upon the unhappy king, till before the battle of Gilboa we find him with all his old heroic spirit gone, a miserable wreck, seeking for comfort at the hands of a woman of the most worthless kind (
1 Samuel 28:5, 7, 20). In this despondent state of mind he dismisses David from attendance upon him, but in an honourable manner, giving him the command of a thousand men, at the head of whom
he went out and came in before the people,i.e. in a public capacity, as an officer of state. As Saul seems entirely to have neglected the internal administration of the kingdom, this would refer to military expeditions (see on ver. 5); and in these
David behaved himself wisely. Rather, "prospered" (see on ver. 5). His great success only increased Saul's fears; but both
Israel and Judah loved David, now that in this higher command they had full opportunities for judging of his high qualities. Thus again his removal from his place in Saul's bodyguard only served to make him better known. The separate mention of Israel and Judah is an indication of the Books of Samuel having been written at a post-Solomonic date, though the distinction was a very old one (see on 1 Samuel 11:8). SAUL, UNDER PRETENCE OF A MARRIAGE WITH HIS DAUGHTER, PLOTS DAVID'S DEATH (vers. 17-30).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
So Saulשָׁא֖וּל(šā·’ūl)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7586:Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israeliteswas afraidוַיִּרָ֥א(way·yi·rā)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3372:To fear, to revere, caus, to frightenofמִלִּפְנֵ֣י(mil·lip̄·nê)Preposition-m, Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440:The faceDavid,דָוִ֑ד(ḏā·wiḏ)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732:David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jessebecauseכִּֽי־(kî-)Conjunction
Strong's 3588:A relative conjunctionthe LORDיְהוָה֙(Yah·weh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israelwasהָיָ֤ה(hā·yāh)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961:To fall out, come to pass, become, bewith Davidעִמּ֔וֹ(‘im·mōw)Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5973:With, equally withbutוּמֵעִ֥ם(ū·mê·‘im)Conjunctive waw, Preposition-m
Strong's 5973:With, equally withhad departedסָֽר׃(sār)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5493:To turn asidefrom Saul.שָׁא֖וּל(šā·’ūl)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7586:Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites
Links
1 Samuel 18:12 NIV1 Samuel 18:12 NLT1 Samuel 18:12 ESV1 Samuel 18:12 NASB1 Samuel 18:12 KJV
1 Samuel 18:12 BibleApps.com1 Samuel 18:12 Biblia Paralela1 Samuel 18:12 Chinese Bible1 Samuel 18:12 French Bible1 Samuel 18:12 Catholic Bible
OT History: 1 Samuel 18:12 Saul was afraid of David because Yahweh (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) 
