Saul becomes fearful of David
1 Samuel 18:1 – 19:24
Saul continues to sink into paranoia, becoming both jealous and afraid of David. David, for his part, remains loyal to Saul but flees for his own safety.
David becomes increasingly popular with the people and the military leadership, which only increases Saul’s suspicion of him.
Meanwhile, David and Saul’s son Jonathan develop one of the Bible’s deepest friendships. Where you might expect Jonathan to be jealous of David, he gives him his robe and weapons, symbolically ceding his position as successor to the throne to David.
David marries Saul’s daughter, Michal. She, too, is more loyal to David than to her father, and helps him escape when Saul wants to kill him.
Saul makes several attempts on David’s life, ranging from subtle efforts to put him in the path of danger to assassination attempts and even throwing a spear at him on several occasions in a rage.
In spite of Saul’s belief that David is trying to replace him on the throne, David continues to be loyal to Saul. He evades the attempts on his life, but takes no action to either threaten or undermine the king.