UNROLL
Night in Gibeah: the plastered side wall of a large stone house, a goat-hair rope hanging from a small high window down to the empty lane below, under a calm starry sky.

The Book of

1 Samuel 19

The king has given the order. His son, his daughter and the Spirit of God stand in the way.

24 verses≈ 5 min5 peopleBSB

Images are artistic interpretations.

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In this chapter

Where we are

  1. 1–7SamuelA boy who listened
  2. 8–15SaulA king like the nations
  3. 16–20David risesThe LORD looks at the heartChapter 19
  4. 21–27David huntedThe anointed one waits
  5. 28–31Saul fallsEndor and Gilboa

Saul Tries to Kill David

Then Saul ordered his son Jonathan and all his servants to kill David. But Jonathan delighted greatly in David,

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so he warned David, saying, “My father Saul intends to kill you. Be on your guard in the morning; find a secret place and hide there. I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where you are, so I can ask about you. And if I find out anything, I will tell you.”

The king should not sin against his servant David; he has not sinned against you.

Jonathan

In fact, his actions have been highly beneficial to you. He took his life in his hands when he struck down the Philistine, and the LORD worked a great salvation for all Israel. You saw it and rejoiced, so why would you sin against innocent blood by killing David for no reason?”

Saul

Saul listened to the voice of Jonathan and swore an oath: “As surely as the LORD lives, David will not be put to death.”

So Jonathan summoned David and told him all these things. Then Jonathan brought David to Saul, and David was with Saul as before.

Reflect

He spoke well of David

“Jonathan spoke well of David to his father Saul,” before the one man who could hurt them both. Who needs you to speak well of them this week, and where? Write down a name, and what you could say.

When war broke out again, David went out and fought the Philistines and struck them with such a mighty blow that they fled before him.

Night in Saul’s house, after: a bronze-headed spear stuck deep in the plastered wall at shoulder height, and on the mat below a small wooden lyre lying on its side; an open door on darkness.

But as Saul was sitting in his house with his spear in his hand, a spirit of distress from the LORD came upon him. While David was playing the harp, Saul tried to pin him to the wall with his spear. But David eluded him and the spear struck the wall. And David fled and escaped that night.

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Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

Then Saul sent messengers to David’s house to watch him and kill him in the morning. But David’s wife Michal warned him, “If you do not run for your life tonight, tomorrow you will be dead!”

Saul

And Saul said to Michal, “Why did you deceive me like this? You sent my enemy away, and he has escaped!”

Michal

Michal replied, “He said to me, ‘Help me get away, or I will kill you!’”

Question

Quick question

Saul’s men were outside David’s house, waiting for morning. Michal had a plan.

What did Michal put in David’s bed?

Early morning in a stone courtyard at Ramah: old Samuel on a stone bench with his staff leans forward listening as David, dusty from the road, sits before him speaking with open hands.

So David ran away and escaped. And 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.

When Saul was told that David was at Naioth in Ramah, he sent messengers to seize him. But when they saw the group of prophets prophesying, with Samuel leading them, the Spirit of God came upon them, and Saul’s messengers also began to prophesy.

When this was reported to Saul, he sent more messengers, but they began to prophesy as well. So Saul tried again and sent messengers a third time, and even they began to prophesy.

1 Samuel 19:21

Finally, Saul himself left for Ramah and came to the large cistern at Secu, where he asked, “Where are Samuel and David?” “At Naioth in Ramah,” he was told.

So Saul went to Naioth in Ramah. But the Spirit of God came upon even Saul, and he walked along prophesying until he came to Naioth in Ramah. Then Saul stripped off his robes and also prophesied before Samuel. And he collapsed and lay naked all that day and night.

Is Saul also among the prophets?

Pray

Hidden in His hand

Three times Saul’s men came for David, and three times the Spirit of God stopped them without a sword. Thank God that He guards His people in ways no one expects. Pray for friends who will speak up for you, and ask for a heart that yields to His Spirit rather than resisting Him.

You’ve experienced

1 Samuel 19

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A verse to carry with you

The king should not sin against his servant David; he has not sinned against you.

1 Samuel 19:4

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