Why did Saul try to kill David?

Answer 1

Many people feel that this incident is not fair, based on a superficial reading of the narrative. A closer reading indicates that this not so. The Gibeonites were murdered by Saul in violation of the oath between Israel and the Gibeonites.

As for the supposed innocence of the Saul's descendants, The Bible calls them a "house of blood", See the 2 Samuel 21:1. This shows that the sons of Saul too participated in his murderous excesses and are being justly punished.

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Actually, David didn't kill them, but he handed seven over to the Gibeonites, some of whom Saul had wrongly killed. See account below.

1Then there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year; and David enquired of the LORD. And the LORD answered, It is for Saul, and for his bloody house, because he slew the Gibeonites. 2And the king called the Gibeonites, and said unto them; (now the Gibeonites were not of the children of Israel, but of the remnant of the Amorites; and the children of Israel had sworn unto them: and Saul sought to slay them in his zeal to the children of Israel and Judah.) 3Wherefore David said unto the Gibeonites, What shall I do for you? and wherewith shall I make the atonement, that ye may bless the inheritance of the LORD? 4And the Gibeonites said unto him, We will have no silver nor gold of Saul, nor of his house; neither for us shalt thou kill any man in Israel. And he said, What ye shall say, that will I do for you. 5And they answered the king, The man that consumed us, and that devised against us that we should be destroyed from remaining in any of the coasts of Israel,6Let seven men of his sons be delivered unto us, and we will hang them up unto the LORD in Gibeah of Saul, whom the LORD did choose. And the king said, I will give them. 7But the king spared Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan the son of Saul, because of the LORD's oath that was between them, between David and Jonathan the son of Saul. 8But the king took the two sons of Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, whom she bare unto Saul, Armoni and Mephibosheth; and the five sons of Michal the daughter of Saul, whom she brought up for Adriel the son of Barzillai the Meholathite: 9And he delivered them into the hands of the Gibeonites, and they hanged them in the hill before the LORD: and they fell all seven together, and were put to death in the days of harvest, in the first days, in the beginning of barley harvest.

Answer 2

David felt that as king Saul was chosen by God as a king and was also anointed by the great prophet Samuel, he should not kill Saul , even when he had a chance. And Sauls son Jonathan was Davids best friend.

Answer 3

1) It was an act of piety. He felt that the matter should be left in the hand of God (1Samuel 24:12 and 26:10). 2) During Saul's lifetime, David's kingship had not spread over the entire nation (Talmud, Megillah 14b); only the tribe of Judah had accepted him as king, so he didn't yet have the full prerogative of kingship such as putting away those who would interfere with his power (ibid).

See also the Related Links.

Link: About King David

Link: Jewish history timeline

Answer 4

Out of pure jealousy because King Saul was troubled by an evil spirit sent from God unto him as punishment for his sin

Answer 5

Saul wanted to kill David, because he was getting jelous of David, who was his son Jonathan's big friend.