1 Samuel 19

1 Samuel 19:1

E. Fleeing from Saul (Chaps. 1926)

1. Jonathan’s Loyalty (Chaps. 19, 20)19:1-7 When Jonathan realized that his father intended to murder David, he advised David to hide . . . in the field while he sought to pacify the king. In reasoning with Saul about David, Jonathan reminded him of David’s bravery, loyalty, and success against Israel’s enemy. He had done nothing worthy of death. Saul was temporarily conciliated and David was restored to his position in the royal court. 19:8-10 But when war broke out again, David once more distinguished himself, and Saul’s jealousy was kindled afresh. The distressing spirit returned and Saul sought to pin David to the wall with his spear. This was the third time Saul missed. David barely escaped with his life. 19:11-17 That same night King Saul sent messengers to kill David at his house. Michal knew of the plot and helped him escape by putting the household image in his bed. (The idol probably belonged to her, since David was never an idolater.) When Saul sent the men to seize David, her subterfuge was discovered. 19:18-23 But by then David had escaped. He fled to Ramah to see Samuel. Men of God go to other men of God in time of trouble. Three times Saul’s messengers failed to catch David because, when they came near the prophets who were with Samuel, they themselves began to prophesy under the control of the Spirit of God. Later, when Saul himself went after David, he too was gripped by the power of God. This divine overpowering, however, was not the same thing as conversion. 19:24 Once again the people repeated the proverb about Saul being among the prophets (1Sa_10:11-12). His fluctuating behavior must have been puzzling to them. The word “naked” does not mean absolutely nude. It simply means that Saul took off his outer garments, the symbol of his royalty. While God held Saul prostrate on the ground all that day and all that night, David escaped (1Sa_20:1). Verse 24 does not contradict 1Sa_15:34-35, which says, “Samuel came no more to see Saul.” Here it was Saul who came to the prophet, and that unintentionally and quite unexpectedly.