The Benefits of God’s Favor
1 Samuel 18:1-30
1 Samuel 16:13-14
So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came upon David in power. Now the Spirit of the LORD had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD tormented him.
Luke 1:25
The Lord has done this for me," she said. "In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people."
Psalm 90:17
May the favor of the LORD our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us — yes, establish the work of our hands.
Proverbs 22:1
A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.
Acts 2:47
Praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Favor is the blessing of God on our life that:
a. Increases our influence with God and with people
b. Results in unusual success or effectiveness
c. Affirms the things we do by His presence upon us
d. Acts as a shield of protection
Psalm 5:12
For surely, O LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.
In 1 Samuel 18 we see God’s favor on David in 4 areas:
1st God’s favor gives us promotion
1 Samuel 18:1-4
After David had finished talking with Saul, he met Jonathan, the king's son. There was an immediate bond of love between them, and they became the best of friends. From that day on Saul kept David with him and wouldn't let him return home. And Jonathan made a solemn pact with David, because he loved him as he loved himself. Jonathan sealed the pact by taking off his robe and giving it to David, together with his tunic, sword, bow, and belt.
Jonathan was symbolically transferring his own royal rights and prerogatives (chief of which was his legitimate claim to the throne in Israel) to David. His passing over of his royal weapons and armor would have a similar significance. This was nothing less than an act of abdication ---John Woodhouse, 1 Samuel: Looking for a Leader, Preaching the Word (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2008), 350.
2nd God’s favor gives us protection
1 Samuel 18:6-12
When the victorious Israelite army was returning home after David had killed the Philistine, women from all the towns of Israel came out to meet King Saul. They sang and danced for joy with tambourines and cymbals. This was their song: "Saul has killed his thousands, and David his ten thousands!" This made Saul very angry. "What's this?" he said. "They credit David with ten thousands and me with only thousands. Next they'll be making him their king!" So from that time on Saul kept a jealous eye on David. The very next day a tormenting spirit from God overwhelmed Saul, and he began to rave in his house like a madman. David was playing the harp, as he did each day. But Saul had a spear in his hand, and he suddenly hurled it at David, intending to pin him to the wall. But David escaped him twice. Saul was then afraid of David, for the LORD was with David and had turned away from Saul.
3rd God’s favor gives us position
1 Samuel 18:12-16
Saul was then afraid of David, for the LORD was with David and had turned away from Saul. Finally, Saul sent him away and appointed him commander over 1,000 men, and David faithfully led his troops into battle. David continued to succeed in everything he did, for the LORD was with him. When Saul recognized this, he became even more afraid of him. But all Israel and Judah loved David because he was so successful at leading his troops into battle.
1 Samuel 18:30
Every time the commanders of the Philistines attacked, David was more successful against them than all the rest of Saul's officers. So David's name became very famous.
Genesis 39:3
The LORD was with Joseph, giving him success in everything he did.
Deuteronomy 16:15
The LORD your God at the place he chooses, for it is he who blesses you with bountiful harvests and gives you success in all your work.
Deuteronomy 30:9
The LORD your God will then make you successful in everything you do.
Joshua 1:7-8
Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
2 Samuel 23:5
Is it not my family God has chosen? Yes, he has made an everlasting covenant with me. His agreement is arranged and guaranteed in every detail. He will ensure my safety and success.
1 Chronicles 22:13
For you will be successful if you carefully obey the decrees and regulations that the LORD gave to Israel through Moses.
2 Chronicles 26:5
And as long as the king sought guidance from the LORD, God gave him success.
2 Kings 18:7
So the LORD was with him, and Hezekiah was successful in everything he did.
2 Chronicles 31:21
Hezekiah sought his God wholeheartedly. As a result, he was very successful.
Psalm 90:17
And may the LORD our God show us his approval and make our efforts successful. Yes, make our efforts successful!
Psalm 112:1-2
How joyful are those who fear the LORD and delight in obeying his commands. Their children will be successful everywhere;
Psalm 118:25
Please, LORD, please save us. Please, LORD, please give us success.
Proverbs 8:14
Common sense and success belong to me [Wisdom]. Insight and strength are mine.
4th God’s favor helps us prevail
1 Samuel 18:17-20
One day Saul said to David, "I am ready to give you my older daughter, Merab, as your wife. But first you must prove yourself to be a real warrior by fighting the Lord's battles." For Saul thought, "I'll send him out against the Philistines and let them kill him rather than doing it myself." "Who am I, and what is my family in Israel that I should be the king's son-in-law?" David exclaimed. "My father's family is nothing!" So when the time came for Saul to give his daughter Merab in marriage to David, he gave her instead to Adriel, a man from Meholah. In the meantime, Saul's daughter Michal had fallen in love with David, and Saul was delighted when he heard about it.
1 Samuel 18:21-29
"Here's another chance to see him killed by the Philistines!" Saul said to himself. But to David he said, "Today you have a second chance to become my son-in-law!" Then Saul told his men to say to David, "The king really likes you, and so do we. Why don't you accept the king's offer and become his son-in-law?" When Saul's men said these things to David, he replied, "How can a poor man from a humble family afford the bride price for the daughter of a king?" When Saul's men reported this back to the king, he told them, "Tell David that all I want for the bride price is 100 Philistine foreskins! Vengeance on my enemies is all I really want." But what Saul had in mind was that David would be killed in the fight. David was delighted to accept the offer. Before the time limit expired, he and his men went out and killed 200 Philistines. Then David fulfilled the king's requirement by presenting all their foreskins to him. So Saul gave his daughter Michal to David to be his wife. When Saul realized that the LORD was with David and how much his daughter Michal loved him, Saul became even more afraid of him, and he remained David's enemy for the rest of his life.
Isaiah 54:17
But in that coming day no weapon turned against you will succeed. You will silence every voice raised up to accuse you. These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the LORD; their vindication will come from me. I, the LORD, have spoken!
