And David had success in all his undertakings, for the LORD was with him.
David now serves in the king's court, and Saul has come to fear him. This verse says two things about David: how he acted, and that the LORD was with him.
Wisdom in a place he never sought
One writer weighs David's strength in battle against the way he behaved at Saul's court. He finds the second more astonishing.
William KellyHe had shown himself to be a man whom Jehovah had armed with remarkable strength. But I think the gracious and prudent wisdom of David — with Saul, for instance — is even more astonishing. The strength Jehovah gave his arm was, by comparison, a passing thing. In any case, it was only called for now and then... But his going in and out before the king, and the wise, sensitive, refined and admirable part David played at Saul's court, is a most instructive lesson for our souls.
The same writer compares this court with the errands David used to run for his father.
William KellyBefore this he had gone where his father sent him, and there Jehovah blessed him and gave him honour. Now he was in a new position. He did not choose this place. God gave it to him, in a setting he had never sought.
"In all his ways"
Verse 5 had already said David acted wisely. Older translations read, "David behaved himself wisely in all his ways," where the ESV says he "had success in all his undertakings." One writer notes the added words, and the open life behind them.
Leslie M. GrantThough David was away from Saul's presence, he could not be hidden from the eyes of the people. He "went out and came in before the people," which implies a clear, honest testimony: he had nothing to hide. Verse 5 told us that he behaved wisely; now the words "in all his ways" are added. This wise behaviour only increased Saul's fear of him. It did not win his thankful respect, as it did with the people.
God's presence, indoors and out
One writer traces what God's presence did with Saul's attacks on David.
William KellyGod took care that every step Saul took to humble David, or to show his ill will, or worse, became only a means in God's hands to fit David all the more for the kingdom. Jehovah was with him inside Saul's house and kept him safe. Jehovah was with him outside the king's house too, and there he proved himself before the people as their servant — the better servant because he was Jehovah's servant.
The same protection is traced through the specific dangers of the chapter, where God raised up help David had no reason to expect.
The Bible TreasuryWhile at the court, and in the camp, God watched over David in a marked way, and raised up friends where they might not have been expected. Twice God preserved him from being struck by the king's javelin.
Not cleverness — the wisdom of God
Where did this prudence come from? One writer traces it to God, not to natural cleverness.
J. N. DarbySaul fears him; for the God who has forsaken him is with David. He employs him at a distance from himself, but there he is more than ever in view of the people. God always carries out His purposes, despite all the merely human precautions of man. David is prudent. He has the wisdom of God, who is with him in all his ways. He is energetic and unassuming, and always successful. All Israel and Judah love him, and before them he goes out and comes in with all the strength and superiority of faith.
Another writer turns this into a test for anyone who claims wisdom.
Leslie M. GrantIs anyone wise and understanding? Let him show it in his behaviour, which involves more than his words. It takes in his whole manner of life, for "his works" are added here. Compare David, who "behaved himself wisely in all his ways" (1 Sam. 18:14). This is not said of Solomon, though he had such wisdom.
The shadow and the substance
David's wise walk points beyond itself. Psalm 101 puts a similar claim on the lips of a king, and commentators read the difference carefully.
L M GrantWho else could say, "I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way" (v. 2)? We are told "David behaved himself wisely in all his ways" (1 Sam. 18:14), but this was limited, and not perfect. Yet he is a picture of the perfect King... The Lord Jesus waits long for God to establish Him as King, just as David waited to take the throne of Israel, though he had been anointed long before.
Summary
- Sent, not chosen. David acted wisely in a court he never asked for. God gave him the place; he did not choose it.
- All his ways. The praise widens from single acts to a whole way of life — an open life with nothing to hide.
- With him. God was with David inside Saul's house and outside it. Every attempt to break him only trained him for the throne.
- Wisdom, not cleverness. This is the wisdom of God in a man of faith. It shows in works, not in talk, and it is not human scheming.
- Picture and reality. David's wisdom was real but limited. The perfect King it pictures still waits, as David waited, for God to seat Him on His throne.