And David had success in all his undertakings, for the LORD was with him.
Saul feared David because he sensed that God had left him and was with David instead. Note this well: those truly great and to be reverenced have God with them. David's wise behavior only deepened Saul's fear, for wisdom commands respect where threats and hectoring earn only the contempt of the discerning. Saul foolishly removed him from court, thinking to weaken him, but gave David instead a chance to win the people's love.
AI summary
Commenting on 1 Samuel 18:12-30
Wherefore when Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely,.... So that he could get no advantage against him, and he succeeded and was prosperous in all his enterprises, and was more and more in favour with the people: he was afraid of him; lest the time was drawing near that the kingdom should be rent from him, and given to David.
1Sa 18:6-16 Saul’s jealousy towards David. - Saul had no sooner attached the conqueror of Goliath to his court, than he began to be jealous of him. The occasion for his jealousy was the celebration of victory at the close of the war with the Philistines.
Commenting on 1 Samuel 18:6-16