1 Samuel 19
Saul's Jealousy of David; Jonathan's Intercession for DavidThis section shows the growing conflict between Saul and David. Saul's jealousy has turned into open hatred, and he wants David killed. In contrast, Jonathan, Saul's own son, becomes David's protector. The chapter reveals two very different characters: Saul's cruel and unstable nature, and Jonathan's loyal and wise friendship. God uses Jonathan to protect David from Saul's murderous plans.v. 1: Saul told his son Jonathan and all his servants that they should kill David . This was a shocking order, especially since everyone knew how much David had helped Israel. Saul did not care about justice or the good David had done. His jealousy had made him completely unreasonable. v. 2: Jonathan warned David about his father's plan, telling him, Take heed to thyself and stay in a secret place . Jonathan was a true friend who risked his father's anger to protect David. He knew some of Saul's servants might try to kill David to please the king. v. 3: Jonathan planned to talk to his father about David and find out what Saul was really thinking. He wanted to understand Saul's anger and try to calm him down . Jonathan was wise and patient, hoping to solve the problem peacefully. v. 4: When Jonathan spoke to his father, he reminded him of all the good David had done. He said, Let not the king sin against his servant David, because he has not sinned against you, and because his works have been very good toward you . Jonathan reminded Saul how David had helped him, especially by killing Goliath and playing music to comfort him. v. 5: Jonathan argued that David was innocent and should not be killed. He said David had risked his life to save Israel by fighting Goliath, and killing him would be a great sin . Jonathan was brave to speak against his father's wrong plans. v. 6: Saul listened to Jonathan and swore, As the Lord lives, he shall not be killed . For a moment, Saul seemed to change his mind and promise to protect David. v. 7: Jonathan brought David back to Saul, and David was in the king's presence as he had been before . Jonathan hoped that things would return to normal and that Saul's anger was truly gone. David Escapes from SaulThis section highlights the contrast between David’s faithfulness and Saul’s malice. David continues to serve Saul and Israel despite Saul’s hatred, while Saul’s jealousy drives him to repeated attempts to kill David. Through it all, God protects David, showing His care for those who trust Him.v. 8: David continued to serve Israel with bravery. When war broke out again with the Philistines, David led the charge, defeating many of them and causing the rest to flee . Even though Saul had treated him unfairly, David did not stop doing good for his country. He remembered that God rewards those who faithfully serve, even when others are ungrateful. v. 9: Saul, however, continued to let jealousy and anger control him. After David’s victory, Saul was again troubled by the evil spirit from God. David played the harp to try to comfort Saul, just as he had done before . David could have refused, thinking it was beneath him or too dangerous, but he humbly served Saul, trusting God to protect him. v. 10: Saul’s hatred boiled over again. While David was playing the harp, Saul grabbed his javelin and tried to pin David to the wall. Saul threw the javelin so hard that it stuck in the wall, but David escaped . Saul’s jealousy and rage gave Satan a foothold in his life, as the Bible warns, Do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil (Ephesians 4:26–27 a). Saul may have thought his actions could be excused because of his troubled mind, but God cannot be deceived by such excuses.God protected David, who fled and escaped that night. This was part of God’s ongoing care for David, who often praised God in the Psalms as his shield, rock, and fortress (e.g., Psalm 18:2 b). God’s faithfulness reminds us that He watches over those who trust in Him, even in the most dangerous circumstances. David Escapes from SaulThis passage tells how Saul’s attempts to kill David become even more serious. Saul sends men to David’s house to kill him, but David’s wife Michal helps him escape. Even though Saul planned evil, God protects David through Michal’s courage and quick thinking. The story also shows how people can suffer from both enemies and loved ones, but God’s care is always present.v. 11: After David escaped Saul’s javelin, Saul sent guards to watch David’s house and kill him in the morning . Saul wanted to murder David without a trial, showing how much his anger had grown. David later wrote about this danger and called his enemies “bloody men,” as seen in Psalm 59 (Psalm 59:1-17 c). v. 12: Michal, David’s wife, learned about the plan and warned David, saying he would be killed if he stayed until morning. She helped him escape by letting him down through a window . David trusted God during this crisis, and may have written I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning (Psalm 59:16 d) at this time. v. 13–14: To help David get away, Michal put an image in the bed, covered it with clothes, and made it look like David was sick (1 Samuel 19:13–14 e). When Saul’s messengers came, she told them David was too ill to get up. Michal’s plan was not honest, but she wanted to give David time to escape. – v. 15: When Saul heard that David was sick, he told his men to bring David to him in bed so he could kill him himself . Saul was so angry that he did not care if David was dying—he just wanted David dead by any means. v. 16: When the messengers returned, they discovered the trick. They saw it was only an image in the bed and not David . By this time, David was already gone and safe. v. 17: Saul scolded Michal for helping David escape, asking her why she had deceived him. Michal made an excuse, saying, He said to me, Let me go; why should I kill you? . This was not true, and it made David look bad. Sometimes, even those who help us may not always speak honestly about us, but God sees the truth. Saul Prophesies before SamuelThis section describes how David escapes from Saul and finds safety with Samuel, the prophet. Instead of going to his family or people who admired him, David seeks spiritual help from Samuel. Saul, however, keeps trying to capture David, but God’s Spirit protects David in a surprising way. Even Saul himself cannot harm David because God’s power is greater than any human plan.v. 18: David fled from his house and went to Samuel in Ramah. He told Samuel everything Saul had done to him . David trusted Samuel because Samuel was the one God used to anoint him as future king. In this time of trouble, David wanted encouragement, advice, and spiritual support. He also joined the group of prophets with Samuel, seeking comfort in worship and fellowship with God. v. 19: Saul learned where David was hiding. Someone told Saul that David was at Naioth in Ramah . Saul was determined to capture David, no matter what it took. v. 20–21: Saul sent messengers to arrest David. But when they arrived, the Spirit of God came upon them, and instead of taking David, they joined the prophets in praising God (1 Samuel 19:20–21 f). Saul sent more messengers, and the same thing happened. Even the third group could not harm David. God used His Spirit to protect David and to show His power over the hearts of people. – v. 22: Finally, Saul went himself to Naioth. He was so desperate to catch David that he stopped all other affairs to pursue him personally . Saul’s hatred made him act in ways that were beneath a king. v. 23: As Saul approached Naioth, the Spirit of God came upon him too. He began to prophesy, just like his messengers, and took off his royal clothes. He fell into a trance and prophesied all day and night . God stopped him from harming David by taking control of his mind and actions. v. 24: Because of this, people repeated the saying, Is Saul also among the prophets? (1 Samuel 19:24 g). Even though Saul was rejected by God and troubled by an evil spirit, God used him to protect David. This event shows that God’s Spirit is more powerful than any human hatred or plan.
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