1 Samuel 19
McGeeCHAPTERS 19 AND 20THEME: Saul attempts to kill David again; Jonathan helps David escapeThis chapter begins a section which I have labeled “David Disciplined.” Saul personally attempts to kill David, then he openly gives orders that David be slain. Although several times King Saul briefly repents of his murderous intent, David’s life is in jeopardy until Saul’s death. During these days of exilepossibly a period of ten yearsDavid is hunted like a wild animal. He is a nomad, a vagabond. Living in caves in the wilderness, he endures many hardships and privations. However, he is being tested and trained in God’s school.
He takes the full course and graduates magna cum laude. He becomes Israel’s greatest kingin fact, the world’s greatest kingand a man after God’s own heart. Many of the wonderful Psalms of David are written during this rough and rugged period.
1 Samuel 19:1
SAUL ATTEMPTS TO KILL DAVID AGAINJonathan told David to get out of the palace, because his life was in danger there, and hide himself. Saul was now openly trying to take David’s life. His friend, Jonathan, wants to help him.
1 Samuel 19:3
Jonathan has a plan. He is going to try to talk to his father. Saul and Jonathan go out into the field and Jonathan says, “David has actually helped you. He is one of your followers. He is a wonderful citizen of your kingdom. You should not try to kill him.”
1 Samuel 19:5
Saul listened to his son, and David came back to the palace. David was wary, however, because he knew his life was in danger.
1 Samuel 19:8
Notice Saul’s reaction to David’s success.
1 Samuel 19:9
An evil spirit comes upon Saul again, and he wants to kill David. It is a very dramatic scene. David is playing his harp, and Saul is fingering his javelin. David senses his murderous mood. Saul throws that javelin with the intent of pinning him to the wall. David knows that he is no longer safe in the palace even though he is married to Saul’s daughter.
1 Samuel 19:11
Here in the beginning Michal was on David’s side. She told David that if he did not escape that very night he would be slain the next day. She knew her father meant business. So David fled from the palace, and Michal fixed up the bed to make it look like he was still in it.
1 Samuel 19:14
When Saul found out that he had been deceived, he demanded an explanation from his daughter. She placated him by saying that David would have killed her if she had failed to help him.
1 Samuel 19:18
Because Samuel had anointed David as king, his life, too, is in danger. Saul is now openly attempting to slay David. From now on David will live like a hunted animal. What will the future hold for David at this particular time? He will be on the run until the death of Saul.