1 Samuel 19

Saul Begins Pursuit of David

In this section, we see how God used King Saul’s son Jonathan, his daughter Michal, and His own Spirit to protect David from Saul’s murder attempts. Saul’s own children could clearly see what Saul could not - that he had become a desperate man of fear and jealousy who would be replaced by a king God Himself had chosen to lead His people.

Jonathan Defended David

Pretense Abandoned

Vs. 1 - Saul ordered his son Jonathan and all his servants to kill David.

Saul now abandoned pretense and ordered Jonathan and his soldiers to put David to death. He "went public" with his attacks against David, feeling driven…to more desperate measures.      - Thomas Constable

Jonathan’s Loyalty

Vs. 1 - But Saul’s son Jonathan liked David very much

Vs. 4 - Jonathan spoke well of David to his father, Saul. He said to him, “The king should not sin against his servant David.”

Jonathan spoke good of David, which he could not do without hazard to himself. Herein therefore he performed the duty of a true friend, and of a valiant man.         - Poole

Jonathan was the prince of Israel and had the most to lose if David lived.  From the king’s perspective, his son should have spoken ill of David, but he “spoke well.”  He should have loathed, but he “liked” instead.  His divinely orchestrated friendship with the future king proved too strong for the spirit of envy. 

Saul’s Oath

Vs. 6 - Saul listened to Jonathan’s advice and swore an oath: “As surely as the Lord lives, David will not be killed.”

Commentators note that the king’s words were common language for making an oath.  But Saul would fail to keep this promise to his son. 

David Escaped Death

An Evil Spirit

Vs. 9 - Now an evil spirit sent from the Lord came on Saul as he was sitting in his palace holding a spear.

Again, the author emphasized that the spirit of envy that drove Saul to madness and murder came directly from God.  He had rebelled and was now being rejected. 

Michal’s Help

Vs. 13-14 - Then Michal took the household idol and put it on the bed, placed some goat hair on its head, and covered it with a garment. When Saul sent agents to seize David, Michal said, “He’s sick.”

Michal incorporated both an idol and a lie in her ploy to deceive her father and protect her husband.  As the wife of her father’s perceived enemy, she found herself in a challenging position between two dynasties. 

Vs. 18 - So David fled and escaped

From now on David was no longer able to stay in Saul’s presence, but he had to flee and escape, seeking refuge from the king wherever he could find it. David’s days as a fugitive (living beyond the king’s reach), which began here, would continue until Saul died.         - Thomas Constable

David Guzik notes that the introductory notes to Psalm 59 include this description: When Saul sent agents to watch the house and kill him.

Rescue me from my enemies, my God; protect me from those who rise up against me.

Rescue me from evildoers, and save me from men of bloodshed.

Because look, Lord, they set an ambush for me. Powerful men attack me.

But I will sing of your strength and will joyfully proclaim your faithful love in the morning.

For you have been a stronghold for me, a refuge in my day of trouble.

Sad Words

Vs. 17 - You sent my enemy away

Saul’s prideful paranoia led to the tragic misidentification of a friend as an enemy. 

These are the saddest words in this passage.      - David Guzik 

Saul the “Prophet”

Divine Protection

Vs. 20 - However, when they saw the group of prophets prophesying with Samuel leading them, the Spirit of God came on Saul’s agents, and they also started prophesying.

God had used Saul’s children to protect David, but here, He thwarted the king’s mission directly.  Neither Saul’s agents nor the king himself could resist the will of God to preserve His servant. 

Note the symbolism of what took place. Saul is compelled by the Spirit of the Lord to take off his own kingly garments, showing the loss of his kingship by God’s power.             - Brent Kercheville

Derogatory Expression

Vs. 24 - That is why they say, “Is Saul also among the prophets?”

It is significant that this chapter closes with the repetition of the saying, "Is Saul also among the prophets?" The narrative that the two occurrences of this saying enclose explains Saul’s failure. He lost the opportunity to found a dynasty, he lost his own throne, and he lost his personal dignity because he refused to act like a prophet. That is, he refused to put the honor, glory, and will of God before his personal ambitions and pride.            - Thomas Constable