The armies of the Philistines amassed against Israel. Instead of long battles, they proposed a single representative battle - one warrior from each side would battle and determine the ultimate winner. Philistia felt they could not lose; their warrior was literally 9 feet tall and wore a coat of mail weighing approximately 125 pounds (if my math is correct)! Not a man in Israel was willing to fight this impressive specimen of war. Except one. David, displaying simple faith and brilliant logic, volunteered to fight because "he has defied the armies of the living God."
You know the story, I am sure. David defeats Goliath of Gath with a single blow of one stone slung from his shepherd's sling. The forces of Philistia flee in fear; and David is the hero. Much to Saul's dismay.
The jealousy Saul has and nurses against David becomes an obsession. Twice Saul tries to kill David within the palace walls. Failing at these attempts, he puts David into active military duty, only to see him win battles and public recognition and favor. When Saul's son, Jonathan, befriends David the stakes increase. When David wins the heart and hand of Saul's daughter, Michal, Saul becomes so embittered toward David that "Saul was David's enemy continually." A major reason for Saul's hatred was the realization that God's favor no longer rested upon him but upon David.
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