1 Samuel 18.

Having defeated Goliath in lieu of Saul doing so in chapter 17, chapters 18-20 illuminate David’s entry into and service in the royal court of Saul. But these events are told in terms of David’s bond of sincere friendship with Saul’s good son, Jonathan. As we read, let us keep in mind that David is still a young man, and though he often displays a wisdom and ability beyond his years, his relative  spiritual immaturity will show itself in the coming chapters. Chapter 21 begins the period of David in exile from Saul’s court. There, David becomes a hunted man, and that period of desperation is used by the Lord to challenge and grow David spiritually and in godly virtues. We’ll return to that, but for now as David enters the king’s service as a young man, keep his relative spiritual immaturity in mind and how God sovereignly uses the events in David’s life to grow him and to show him God’s grace and mercy, and also that when believers sin, there are often terrible temporal consequences. We will return to that vital issue soon on another Sunday.