The First Book of Samuel, otherwise called the First Book of the Kings
1 Samuel 19
Chapter XIX · Vol. II, pp. 659–661
1 Jonathan discloseth to David his father's purpose to kill him. 4 He persuadeth his father to a reconciliation. 8 By reason of David's good success in a new war, Saul's malicious rage breaketh out against him. 12 Michal deceiveth her father with an image in David's bed. 18 David cometh to Samuel to Naioth. 20 Saul's messengers sent to take David, 23 and Saul himself, prophesy.
2 But Jonathan, Saul's son, bdelighted much in David; and Jonathan told David, saying, Saul my father seeketh to kill thee:1 now therefore, I pray thee, take heed to thyself until the morning, and abide in a secret place, and hide thyself:
b ch.18.1,3. Ac.23.12-16. Pr.17.17; 18.24.
1 This was no breach of allegiance, for no allegiance can bind a man to any immoral act.—C.
3 And I will go out and stand beside my father in the field2 where thou art, and I will commune with my father of thee; and what I see, that I will tell thee.
2 Some field where Saul commonly walked was pitched upon by Jonathan for this conference; that David, being there concealed, might have the fullest evidence of Jonathan's fidelity and affection, and all the information he could procure him.—I.
4 And Jonathan cspake good of David unto Saul his father, and said unto him, Let not the king dsin against his servant, against David; because he hath not sinned against thee, and because ehis works have been to thee-ward very good:
5 For he fdid put his life in his hand, and slew the Philistine, and the LORD gwrought a great salvation for all Israel:3 thou sawest it, and didst rejoice; wherefore then wilt thou sin against innocent blood, to slay David without a cause?
f Ju.9.17; 12.3. ch.28.21; 17.50. Ps.119.109.
g ch.14.45; 17.50-53; 18.7. Ps.3.8.
3 In the note on ch. 18. 1, the similarity of David and Jonathan's piety was stated—here it appears both ascribe victory to God alone.—C.
6 And Saul hearkened unto hthe voice of Jonathan: and Saul sware, As the LORD liveth, he shall not be slain.4
h Mat. 27. 4, with ver.10; ch.14.44. Ps.15. 4. Je.4.2. Pr.26.25.
4 There seems little reason to doubt the sincerity of Saul in this oath, but his good purposes were short-lived. Jealousy and caprice, approaching to mania, seem to have been the most permanent features of his character.—C.
7 And Jonathan called David, and Jonathan showed him all those things: and Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence as in times past.5
5 Heb. yesterday, or the third day.
8 And there was war again: and iDavid went out and fought with the Philistines, and slew them with a great slaughter; and they fled from him.6
i Ps.18.32-42; 27.2,3; 118.10-12.
6 Heb. his face.
9 And the kevil spirit from the LORD7 was upon Saul as he sat in his house with his javelin in his hand; and David played with his hand.
k ch.16.14; 18.10. 1 Ki.22.22,23. Ac.19.16.
7 Permitted or commissioned to have power over him as a righteous punishment for his sins. C.—Saul perceived that David increased while he decreased in popularity; and he began again to view him with a jealous and malignant eye 'It is a sign that the Spirit of God is departed from men if they are peevish in resenting affronts, envious and suspicious of all about them, and ill-natured in their conduct.' Henry.—No sooner does Saul conceive malice against David than the evil spirit, that had formerly haunted him, seizes him again. Those who indulge in envy and uncharitableness give place to the devil, and prepare for the re-entry of the unclean spirit, with seven others more wicked. Where envy is, there is confusion.—I.
10 And Saul lsought to smite David even to the wall with the javelin; but he slipped away out of Saul's presence, and he smote the javelin into the wall: and David fled, and mescaped that night.
l ver.1; ch.18.11. Pr. 26. 25, with ver. 6. Ho. 6.4.
A.M. 2945. B.C. 1059.
11 Saul also nsent messengers unto David's house, to watch him, and to slay him in the morning: and oMichal, David's wife, told him, saying, If thou save not thy life to-night, to-morrow thou shalt be slain.
n Ps.34.19; 59.title.
o ch.18.20,21.
13 And Michal took qan image,8 and laid it in the bed, and put a pillow of goats' hair for his bolster, and covered it with a cloth.
q Heb. teraphim, Ge.31.19. Ju.18.17.
8 What kind of image (teraphim) we know not, as the word may apply to other than idolatrous images. The mention of the pillow most probably suggests the idea, that, in health, the hardy soldier never used a pillow; but now, it is employed to suggest the idea of sickness. And whoever has suffered with febrile pain in the head, will be well aware of the otherwise inconceivable comfort derived from a soft pillow. 'The cloth,' most likely similar to our muslin, seems to have been the ordinary means for guarding the sick or sleeping against the annoyance of flies.—C.
15 And Saul sent the messengers again to see David, saying, Bring him up to me in the bed,1 that I may slay him.
1 The eastern bed being generally a mere mat, of materials more or less valuable, according to diversity of rank, it would have been easy for two or more persons to carry the bed and the patient to the king.—Note, This will explain how our Lord ordered the impotent man to 'take up his bed and walk,' and how the sick were frequently brought to him in their beds.—C.
16 And when the messengers were come in, behold, there was an image in the bed, with a pillow of goats' hair for his bolster.
17 And Saul said unto Michal, Why hast thou sdeceived me so, and sent away mine enemy, that he is escaped? And Michal answered Saul, He said unto me, Let me tgo; why should I kill thee?2
s ch.22.17. Ex. 1.17. Mat. 2. 16. Ac. 4.19; 5. 29.
t 2 Sa.2.22.
2 Having practised one deception, it was easy to practise another. —Note, Passionate parents are very frequently punished by disingenuous children: the one sin being generated to avoid the evils of the other.—C.
18 So David fled, and escaped, and came uto Samuel to Ramah, and told him all that Saul had done to him: and he and Samuel went and dwelt in Naioth.
u Ps.116. 11. Mal. 2. 7. Ja.5. 16. ch.7.17; 15. 34. He fled to Samuel for advice, comfort, strengthening of faith, and for security from Saul.
19 And it xwas told Saul, saying, Behold, David is at Naioth in Ramah.
x ch.22. 9, 10; 23. 19; 26.1. Pr.29.12.
20 And Saul ysent messengers to take David: zand when they saw the acompany of the prophets prophesying,3 and Samuel standing as appointed over them, the Spirit of God was upon the messengers of Saul, and they also prophesied.
y ver.22,23; ch.20.1.
z ver.11.
a ch. 10. 5, 10. Jn. 7. 45,46. Nu.11.25.
3 Engaged in the solemn service of God—the venerable Samuel standing, in ripened godliness, as head of the prophetic college, and the divine sympathy with which the military messengers of Saul are successively seized, present one of the most lively pictures of triumphant piety anywhere exhibited to the eye, while he that knows the heart ascribes the triumph directly to the Spirit of the Lord.—C.
21 And when it was told Saul, he bsent other messengers, and they prophesied likewise. And Saul sent messengers again the third time, and they prophesied also.
22 Then went he also to Ramah, and came to a great well that is in Sechu: and he asked and said, Where are Samuel and David? And one said, Behold, they be at Naioth in Ramah.
23 And he went thither to Naioth in Ramah: and the cSpirit of God was upon him also, and he went on and prophesied until he came to Naioth in Ramah.
24 And he stripped off his dclothes also, and prophesied before Samuel in like manner, and lay4 down naked all that day and all that night. Wherefore they say, eIs Saul also among the prophets?5
d Upper garments, 2 Sa.6.20. Mi.1.8. Is.20. 2.
A.M. 2945. B.C. 1059.
4 Heb. fell.
e ch.10.11. Ac.9.21.
5 This is a suggestive incident. Saul ought to have learned from what had occurred to his servants, that God had the hearts as well as the bodies of men in his power. But passion triumphed over judgment, and made him mad. He went himself to seize David. The Spirit of the Lord seized him, as he had done before, and brought him for the time under his almighty influence. This new occurrence occasioned a renewal of the proverb: 'Is Saul also among the prophets?'—P.
Notes
[Ver. 24. Is Saul also among the prophets? This is the second time surprise has been expressed at Saul putting on any decided appearance of religion.—Note, Popular prejudice cannot be right; but where there is no prejudice, popular opinion seldom errs in its estimate of public characters. Even children detect character with a perspicacity perfectly astonishing. Indeed there is no valley nor shadow of death where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves. C.]
Reflections.—What a mercy is a true and disinterested friend, who with heartiness and prudence espouses the cause of persecuted saints! Good advice, even from an inferior, deserves attention. But the oath of a common swearer, and the sudden change of a passionate man, are a bad security for one's life. It is good always to keep close to our duty, however ill men may reward us for it. But while we are on earth, something will ever allay the joys of our triumphs; and no kindness will cure the ranklings of inveterate malice. Happy are they who trust God with their protection and deliverance! He can make the very things intended for ensnaring us the means of our relief. Women justly cleave to their husbands rather than to their parents. But how dangerous is it to begin wandering out of God's way! One lie, or other act of sin, hardens the conscience for another. God can easily disarm the rage of the most furious, and turn persecutors into preachers and praisers. In danger let me therefore always cleave close to the Lord's faithful ministers and people: over all the glory shall be a defence. And let me take heed lest my spiritual gifts or experiences should, like Saul's, be merely occasional, intended for the good of others, not for my own.