1Samuel19.pdf

http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 1 Commentary by Ron Thomas Questions by John C. Sewell

SAUL TRIES TO KILL DAVID

1 SAMUEL 19:1-24

Landmark Publications, Inc., 1045 Maynor Avenue, Nashville, TN., 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor

http:www.biblestudyworkshop.org 2

Saul Tries to Kill David

Commentary

by

Ron Thomas

Text: 1 Samuel 19:1-24, 1. Saul told his son Jonathan and all the attendants to kill David. But Jonathan was very fond of David 2. and warned him, "My father Saul is looking for a chance to kill you. Be on your guard tomorrow morning; go into hiding and stay there. 3. I will go out and stand with my father in the field where you are. I'll speak to him about you and will tell you what I find out." 4. Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his father and said to him, "Let not the king do wrong to his servant David; he has not wronged you, and what he has done has benefited you greatly. 5. He took his life in his hands when he killed the Philistine. The LORD won a great victory for all Israel, and you saw it and were glad. Why then would you do wrong to an innocent man like David by killing him for no reason?" 6. Saul listened to Jonathan and took this oath: "As surely as the LORD lives, David will not be put to death." 7. So Jonathan called David and told him the whole conversation. He brought him to Saul, and David was with Saul as before.



8. Once more war broke out, and David went out and fought the Philistines. He struck them with such force that they fled before him. 9. But an evil spirit from the LORD came upon Saul as he was sitting in his house with his spear in his hand. While David was playing the harp, 10. Saul tried to pin him to the wall with his spear, but David eluded him as Saul drove the spear into the wall. That night David made good his escape. 11. Saul sent men to David's house to watch it and to kill him in the morning. But Michal, David's wife, warned him, "If you don't run for your life tonight, tomorrow you'll be killed." 12. So Michal let David down through a window, and he fled and escaped. 13. Then Michal took an idol and laid it on the bed, covering it with a garment and putting some goats' hair at the head. 14. When Saul sent the men to capture David, Michal said, "He is ill." 15. Then Saul sent the men back to see David and told them, "Bring him up to me in his bed so that I may kill him." 16. But when the men entered, there was the idol in the bed, and at the head was some goats' hair. 17. Saul said to Michal, "Why did you deceive me like this and send my enemy away so that he escaped?" Michal told him, "He said to me, 'Let me get away. Why should I kill you?' " 18. When David had fled and made his escape, he went to Samuel at Ramah and told him all that Saul had done to him. Then he and Samuel went to Naioth and stayed there. 19. Word came to Saul: "David is in Naioth at Ramah"; 20. so he sent men to capture him. But when they saw a group of prophets prophesying, with Samuel standing there as their leader, the Spirit of God came upon Saul's men and they also prophesied.



21. Saul was told about it, and he sent more men, and they prophesied too. Saul sent men a third time, and they also prophesied. 22. Finally, he himself left for Ramah and went to the great cistern at Secu. And he asked, "Where are Samuel and David?" "Over in Naioth at Ramah," they said. 23. So Saul went to Naioth at Ramah. But the Spirit of God came even upon him, and he walked along prophesying until he came to Naioth. 24. He stripped off his robes and also prophesied in Samuel's presence. He lay that way all that day and night. This is why people say, "Is Saul also among the prophets?" (NIV) Commentary: I. Sauls decree to kill David.

A. Jonathan tells David.

1. 1 Samuel 19:1-3, Saul told his son Jonathan and all the attendants to kill David. But Jonathan was very fond of David and warned him, "My father Saul is looking for a chance to kill you. Be on your guard tomorrow morning; go into hiding and stay there. I will go out and stand with my father in the field where you are. I'll speak to him about you and will tell you what I find out." (NIV)

a. It is a curious thing to note Sauls insistence on killing David.

i. Because the Lord (having left Saul), was on Davids side, Saul felt as if he could overcome the Lords will.



ii. Surely his own experiences would have told him differently, and that he would know this was impossible. iii. However, this goes to show that when one leaves the Lord, the wisdom of ones thinking also leaves. iv. This is exactly the case with Saul.

b. Now the kings decree was made public.

i. Since Saul was unable to apprehend David, David now had to escape the soldiers who would be searching for him. ii. Just as David was forced to run, Jonathan was there. iii. The covenant the two of them established earlier (18:1-4) was not a mere covenant between equals, but one that went even deeper Jonathan and David were best friends. iv. 1 Samuel 18:1-4, After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return to his father's house. And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with



his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt. (NIV)

c. Jonathan revealed to David the plot of his father and gave David counsel as to what to do.

i. Jonathan thought he could convince his father that the decree was misguided. ii. In this he was successful.

B. Jonathan persuaded his father against seeking to kill David.

1. 1 Samuel 19:4-6, Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his father and said to him, "Let not the king do wrong to his servant David; he has not wronged you, and what he has done has benefited you greatly. He took his life in his hands when he killed the Philistine. The LORD won a great victory for all Israel, and you saw it and were glad. Why then would you do wrong to an innocent man like David by killing him for no reason?" Saul listened to Jonathan and took this oath: "As surely as the LORD lives, David will not be put to death." (NIV)

a. Jonathan said two things to his father about David.

i. First, David had not sinned against Saul. ii. Of course, the king would know this on a mere moments reflection.



iii. Second, David was actually a benefit to Saul. iv. Again, Saul would know this. v. Jonathans appeal culminates in a question: Why kill one who is innocent?

b. Saul was unable to overcome the words of his eldest son, and thus he declared David would not be killed (19:5-6).

i. 1 Samuel 19:5, 6, He took his life in his hands when he killed the Philistine. The LORD won a great victory for all Israel, and you saw it and were glad. Why then would you do wrong to an innocent man like David by killing him for no reason?" Saul listened to Jonathan and took this oath: "As surely as the LORD lives, David will not be put to death." (NIV) ii. This leads us to a point of reflection: Before one goes off the deep end, there still might be an opportunity to reason with the person. iii. However, when the leap (commitment) was made, all success at reasoning was essentially gone!

B. David, once again, stood before Saul.



1. 1 Samuel 19:7, So Jonathan called David and told him the whole conversation. He brought him to Saul, and David was with Saul as before. (NIV)

a. David has had two experiences with Saul that were both negative.

i. First, the king tried to pin David against the wall. ii. Second, the king sent out a decree to kill David. iii. No doubt, in both cases, David was beside himself in wondering why this was occurring (1 Samuel 20:4, 8). iv. 1 Samuel 20:4, 8, Jonathan said to David, "Whatever you want me to do, I'll do for you." As for you, show kindness to your servant, for you have brought him into a covenant with you before the LORD. If I am guilty, then kill me yourself! Why hand me over to your father?" (NIV)

b. With this in front of David and with him now standing before the king again, did David believe the king, and, even if he did, did David have any sense of security knowing the king was somewhat erratic and emotionally unstable?

1 Samuel 19:8-17, Once more war broke out, and David went out and fought the Philistines. He struck them with such force that they fled before him. But an evil spirit from the LORD



came upon Saul as he was sitting in his house with his spear in his hand. While David was playing the harp, Saul tried to pin him to the wall with his spear, but David eluded him as Saul drove the spear into the wall. That night David made good his escape. Saul sent men to David's house to watch it and to kill him in the morning. But Michal, David's wife, warned him, "If you don't run for your life tonight, tomorrow you'll be killed." So Michal let David down through a window, and he fled and escaped. Then Michal took an idol and laid it on the bed, covering it with a garment and putting some goats' hair at the head. When Saul sent the men to capture David, Michal said, "He is ill." Then Saul sent the men back to see David and told them, "Bring him up to me in his bed so that I may kill him." But when the men entered, there was the idol in the bed, and at the head was some goats' hair. Saul said to Michal, "Why did you deceive me like this and send my enemy away so that he escaped?" Michal told him, "He said to me, 'Let me get away. Why should I kill you?' " (NIV) I. Sauls distressing spirit had him go after David again.

A. 1 Samuel 19:8-17, Once more war broke out, and David went out and fought the Philistines. He struck them with such force that they fled before him. But an evil spirit from the LORD came upon Saul as he was sitting in his house with his spear in his hand. While David was playing the harp, Saul tried to pin him to the wall with his spear, but David eluded him as Saul drove the spear into the wall. That night David made good his escape. Saul sent men to David's house to watch it and to kill him in the morning. But Michal, David's wife, warned him, "If you don't run for your life tonight, tomorrow you'll be killed." So Michal let David down through a window, and he fled and escaped. Then Michal took an idol and laid it on the bed, covering it with a garment and putting some



goats' hair at the head. When Saul sent the men to capture David, Michal said, "He is ill." Then Saul sent the men back to see David and told them, "Bring him up to me in his bed so that I may kill him." But when the men entered, there was the idol in the bed, and at the head was some goats' hair. Saul said to Michal, "Why did you deceive me like this and send my enemy away so that he escaped?" Michal told him, "He said to me, 'Let me get away. Why should I kill you?' " (NIV)

1. David was victorious over the Philistines

a. 1 Samuel 19:8, Once more war broke out, and David went out and fought the Philistines. He struck them with such force that they fled before him. (NIV)

i. Once again David showed himself to be a valiant soldier, leading his men into battle and coming out victoriously. ii. If the women sang the praises of David and his men, as they did earlier of Saul and David, David knew trouble might brew.

2. Saul seeks to spear David.

a. 1 Samuel 19:9, 10, But an evil spirit from the LORD came upon Saul as he was sitting in his house with his spear in his hand. While David was playing the harp, Saul tried to pin him to the wall with his spear, but David eluded him as Saul drove the spear into the wall. That night David made good his escape. (NIV)



i. The distressing spirit came from the Lord, and the music David played to soothe Saul did not work. ii. In a fit of jealousy, Saul sought to pin David again with his spear. iii. Keil and Delitzsch made an interesting point about this. They may or may not be correct, but their comments are interesting. The words Rauch Jehovah describe the attack of madness in which Saul threw the javelin at David according to its higher cause, and that, as implied in the words Ruach Elohim (1 Samuel 18:10; 1 Samuel 16:15), as inflicted upon him by Jehovah. The thought expressed is, that the growth of Sauls melancholy was a sign of the hardness of heart to which Jehovah had given him up on account of his impenitence (E-Sword). iv. 1 Samuel 18:10, The next day an evil spirit from God came forcefully upon Saul. He was prophesying in his house, while David was playing the harp, as he usually did. (NIV) v. 1 Samuel 16:15, Saul's attendants said to him, "See, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you. (NIV)

3. David escaped from Saul with Michals help.



a. 1 Samuel 19:11-17, Saul sent men to David's house to watch it and to kill him in the morning. But Michal, David's wife, warned him, "If you don't run for your life tonight, tomorrow you'll be killed." So Michal let David down through a window, and he fled and escaped. Then Michal took an idol and laid it on the bed, covering it with a garment and putting some goats' hair at the head. When Saul sent the men to capture David, Michal said, "He is ill." Then Saul sent the men back to see David and told them, "Bring him up to me in his bed so that I may kill him." But when the men entered, there was the idol in the bed, and at the head was some goats' hair. Saul said to Michal, "Why did you deceive me like this and send my enemy away so that he escaped?" Michal told him, "He said to me, 'Let me get away. Why should I kill you?' " (NIV)

i. By now Davids wife Michal was privy to what was going on; she sought to save her husband from her father (19:11). ii. 1 Samuel 19:11, Saul sent men to David's house to watch it and to kill him in the morning. But Michal, David's wife, warned him, "If you don't run for your life tonight, tomorrow you'll be killed." (NIV) iii. Both Jonathan and Michal must have been at odds with their father Saul, as a result of incidents like this.



iv. The break between David and Saul is now permanent.

4. Michal helped David escape a third time by letting him down through a window, and then feigned a covered David in bed in order for David to make distance further from the pursuing king (19:12-13).

a. 1 Samuel 19:12, 13, So Michal let David down through a window, and he fled and escaped. Then Michal took an idol and laid it on the bed, covering it with a garment and putting some goats' hair at the head. (NIV)

i. Added to this is the lie she told, knowing the servants of the king would return to the king before continuing on with their next task (19:14-16). ii. 1 Samuel 19:14-16, When Saul sent the men to capture David, Michal said, "He is ill." Then Saul sent the men back to see David and told them, "Bring him up to me in his bed so that I may kill him." But when the men entered, there was the idol in the bed, and at the head was some goats' hair. (NIV) iii. One wonders why they just did not go in and arrest David. There is no way to know, but perhaps the sickness Michal told them David had was something contagious and they would not, under such conditions, go in on their own without the kings order.



iv. Saul then questioned his daughter and her loyalty. v. She lied again and placed responsibility for the ruse squarely on David (19:17).

1 Samuel 19:18-24, When David had fled and made his escape, he went to Samuel at Ramah and told him all that Saul had done to him. Then he and Samuel went to Naioth and stayed there. Word came to Saul: "David is in Naioth at Ramah"; so he sent men to capture him. But when they saw a group of prophets prophesying, with Samuel standing there as their leader, the Spirit of God came upon Saul's men and they also prophesied. Saul was told about it, and he sent more men, and they prophesied too. Saul sent men a third time, and they also prophesied. Finally, he himself left for Ramah and went to the great cistern at Secu. And he asked, "Where are Samuel and David?" "Over in Naioth at Ramah," they said. So Saul went to Naioth at Ramah. But the Spirit of God came even upon him, and he walked along prophesying until he came to Naioth. He stripped off his robes and also prophesied in Samuel's presence. He lay that way all that day and night. This is why people say, "Is Saul also among the prophets?" (NIV) I. A prophesying occasion.

A. David fled to Samuel.

1. Knowing that his break with Saul was at its low point, David went to the leader who appointed him Gods chosen anointed no doubt to ask what he should do next. 2. Samuel told David to stay with him.



3. This would give him time and, surely, Saul would not do anything to Samuel, Gods chosen prophet!

B. Saul finally caught up with David and sent his servants to apprehend David.

1. However, the Lord would not allow it to happen.

a. Not once, or twice, but three times Saul sent his servants for David, but they did not come back with David. b. They prophesied instead. c. Saul went and he, too, did the same.

2. All this should have been a strong signal to Saul that David was not going to be arrested by Saul the Lord made sure of it!

a. Compare this with the events in 10:1-13 where the Lord made sure that Saul understood David was Israels new king.

i. 1 Samuel 10:1-13, Then Samuel took a flask of oil and poured it on Saul's head and kissed him, saying, "Has not the LORD anointed you leader over his inheritance? When you leave me today, you will meet two men near Rachel's tomb, at Zelzah on the border of Benjamin. They will say to you, 'The donkeys you set out to look for have been found. And now your father has stopped thinking about them and is worried about



you. He is asking, "What shall I do about my son?" ' "Then you will go on from there until you reach the great tree of Tabor. Three men going up to God at Bethel will meet you there. One will be carrying three young goats, another three loaves of bread, and another a skin of wine. They will greet you and offer you two loaves of bread, which you will accept from them. "After that you will go to Gibeah of God, where there is a Philistine outpost. As you approach the town, you will meet a procession of prophets coming down from the high place with lyres, tambourines, flutes and harps being played before them, and they will be prophesying. The Spirit of the LORD will come upon you in power, and you will prophesy with them; and you will be changed into a different person. Once these signs are fulfilled, do whatever your hand finds to do, for God is with you. "Go down ahead of me to Gilgal. I will surely come down to you to sacrifice burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, but you must wait seven days until I come to you and tell you what you are to do." As Saul turned to leave Samuel, God changed Saul's heart, and all these signs were fulfilled that day. When they arrived at Gibeah, a procession of prophets met him; the Spirit of God came upon him in power, and he joined in their prophesying. When all those who had formerly known him saw him



prophesying with the prophets, they asked each other, "What is this that has happened to the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?" A man who lived there answered, "And who is their father?" So it became a saying: "Is Saul also among the prophets?" After Saul stopped prophesying, he went to the high place. (NIV)

3. Then Saul listened, now he does not.

a. The prophesying was a sign to those who believe; Saul chose to reject Gods sign!



Questions

1 Samuel 19:1-24

(Questions based on NIV text.)

1. _____________________ told his ______________________ __________________ and all the _______________________ to ________________ ___________________. But _____________ was very ____________________ of ____________________ and ______________________ him. My ______________________ ___________________ is looking for a ___________________ to _______________ you. Be on your ________________________ ________________________ ______________________; go into ____________________ and ____________________ there. I will go out and __________________ with my _______________ in the __________________ where you are. Ill ______________ to him about you and will ________________________ you what I ___________________ ______________. 2. ________________ ____________________ _____________ of _______________________ to _______________________ his ___________________ and said to him, Let not the ___________ do _________________ to his ______________ ______________; he has not _____________________ you, and what he has done has _________________ you _____________________. He took his __________________ in his _____________________ when he ______________________ the _____________________. The __________________________ __________________________ a __________________________ ______________________ for all _________________, and you saw it and were _______________. Why then would you do ______________ to an _______________ ____________________________ like ___________________ by



___________________ him for ___________________________ ____________________? 3. Why are innocent people killed? Why did Saul want to kill David? _______________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 4. _______________ ___________________ to _____________ and took this __________________: As surely as the __________ ___________________, ____________________ will not be put to __________________. 5. So _________________ called and told him the ___________ ________________. He brought him to ____________________, and ___________________ was with ____________________ as ______________________. 6. If you had been David, how confident would you have been that Saul would keep his word not to kill him? Give reasons for your position. ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 7. Once more ______________________ __________________ ______________________, and _______________________ went out and ____________________ the _______________________. He ___________________ them with such ________________ that they _________________ ______________________ him.



8. But an _____________________ ____________________ from the __________________ came upon __________________ as he was ____________________ in his ___________________ with his _____________________ in his ___________________. While __________________ was ____________________ the __________________, _________________ tried to pin him to the ___________________ with his ________________________, but ___________________ him as ____________________________ ________________________ the ____________________ into the _________________. That ________________ ______________ made ______________________ his ___________________. 9. ________________ _________________ ________________ to _________________s __________________ to ____________ it and to ___________________ ______________________ in the _________________. But _______________, ______________s ___________________, warned him, If you dont ____________ for your ________________ __________________, ___________ youll be ___________________. So ___________________ let __________________ ___________________ ________________ a _________________, and he ________________________ and ____________________. Then _____________________ took an _______________________ and ____________________ it on the _________________, covering it with a ___________________ and ________________ some __________________s _______________________ at the ____________________. 10. What do you think of Michals having a bald headed idol in her house? _______________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________



11. When __________________ ______________________ the _______________ to __________________ _________________, ________________ said, ______________ is _____________. 12. Then ________________ sent the __________________ back to see _________________ and told them, _________________ him up to me _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ so that ______________________ may ____________________ ____________________. But when the ____________________ ____________________, there was the _____________________ in the ___________________, and at the ________________________ was some _________________ ____________________. 13. _____________________ said to ___________________, Why did you ______________________ me like this and send my _____________________ ________________________ so that he ___________________? 14. ___________________ told him, He said to me, __________________ me ________________ ______________. Why should ______________ ______________ ___________? 15. Was Michals deception justified? If not, how better could she have handled the situation? _______________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 16. What kind of person would murder someone confined to a sick bed? _________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________



__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 17. When __________________ had ____________________ and ______________ his ________________, he _____________ to __________________ at ___________________ and told him all that _______________ had ________________ to him. Then he and __________________ went to _____________________ and ___________________ ________________. ______________ came to _____________________: _____________________ is in __________________ at ___________________; so he sent men to ________________ him. But when they saw a ________________ of __________________ ________________, with ___________________ ____________________ there as their___________________, the _____________ of ____________________ came upon ______________________s ___________________ and they also ______________________. ________________ was told about it, and he sent _____________ ______________, and they ______________ too. _____________ sent ______________ a _________________ ________________, and they also ____________________. Finally, he ____________ left for _______________ and went to the ___________________ __________________ at __________________. and he asked, Where are _________________ and ___________________? 18. Over in _______________ at ____________________, they said. 19. Geographically locate Ramah, Naioth and Secu. ____________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________



20. Was Michal a loyal wife? _____________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 21. Both Jonathon and Michal opposed their father in regard to David. What do you make of this? _________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 22. Show how Gods providential care was operative in Davids life. __________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 23. So ______________________ went to ________________ at ________________________. But the ____________________ of ________________ came even upon him, and he ______________ along ___________________ until he came to _______________. He ___________________ off his ___________________ and also ______________ in _____________s _________________. He ________________________ that _________________ all that ____________________ and ___________________. This is why ________________ say, Is _________________ also among the _____________________?



24. In your own words describe Sauls behavior as is presented in verses 23 and 24. _______________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 25. Michal let David down through a window. Of what other biblical events does this remind you? _______________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 26. What reasons did Jonathan give Saul for not killing David? ___ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 27. By the end of chapter 19 how many times had Saul tried to kill David? _______________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 28. Saul was an unlikely candidate for receipt of Gods Spirit. What other unlikely recipients of Gods Spirit can you recall? ____ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________



__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 29. Compare the behaviors of all the people mentioned in chapter 19 with people in todays society, news. _____________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 30. What lessons have you learned from your study of this chapter that will impact your life? ________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


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