1 Samuel 19-21
What I Noticed Today (1 Samuel 19-21)
1 Samuel 19
Saul is jealous of David and tries to kill him.
In verses 1-7, clearly fearful that David will take his kingship away from him, Saul ordered Jonathan and his servants to find and kill David. Jonathon spoke up in defense of David and gave his father three reasons why killing David was not a good idea:
- David had not sinned against Saul,
- David had brought great victories to Israel, and
- Saul would be guilty of shedding innocent blood.
Because of Jonathon, Saul swore an oath that David would not be put to death.
Note: The phrase “As surely as the Lord lives” was often the way an oath to God was made.
In verse 8, war broke out between the Philistines and the Israelites again. David led the Israelite army and defeated the Philistines.
In verses 9-17, an evil spirit from the Lord came upon Saul, and Saul tried to kill David again. First, by hurling a spear at him (v. 10), then by trying to have him captured (v. 11). David eluded Saul with his wife, Michal’s help, then again with Jonathan’s help. Saul’s children, Jonathan and Michal, both lied to Saul to protect David.
In verse 18, David fled to Ramah (three miles) to tell Samuel everything Saul had done. Samuel and David left Ramah and stayed at Naioth
In verses 19-24, Saul sent agents to seize David at Naioth in Ramah. Three times Saul sent men to seize David. Each time the men encountered Samuel and the prophets, the Spirit of God came upon them, and they also began to prophesy. Finally, Saul himself went to Naioth. The Spirit of God came upon Saul, and he also prophesied before Samuel
1 Samuel 20
Jonathan and David meet secretly, and Jonathan protects David.
In verses 1-24, David left Naioth and met Jonathan. David enlisted Jonathan’s help in determining what Saul’s intentions toward him were.
- David was supposed to join the king at the New Moon festival.
- If Saul missed David but was not angry, he knew he would be safe. If, however, Saul became angry because David was not at the festival, then David knew Saul intended to kill him.
- David and Jonathan agreed to meet in a field the day after the festival. If Saul were not angry, Jonathan would send for David. If Saul was angry, Jonathan promised to warn David and send him away to safety.
In verses 24-42, at the New Moon festival dinner, Saul noticed David’s absence. At first, he thought David was ceremonially unclean and was unable to come. The second day when David did not attend, Saul confronted Jonathan, who deceived his father about David’s absence.
- Saul became so angry he tried to kill his own son, Jonathan, with a spear.
- The next morning Jonathan went to the field to meet David and told him about Saul’s anger toward him.
- Jonathan and David pledged allegiance to each other in the name of the Lord.
- David left, and Jonathan returned to the city.
Note: David lived about ten years in exile. During that time, Saul repeatedly tried to kill David.
1 Samuel 21
David flees to Nob and then to Gath.
In verses 1-9, David fled to Ahimelech, the priest at Nob. David deceived Ahimelech about his real purpose in being in Nob. He asked for bread, and the priest gave him the consecrated bread for his men. Doeg the Edomite, who was Saul’s chief shepherd, was there and overheard David. (We’ll see why this was important in 1 Samuel 22:9.)
In verses 10-15, David fled further away from Saul, going all the way to Gath, which was in Philistine territory. When David realized that people had heard of him, even referring to him as king, he got nervous and pretended to be crazy, so the Philistines would leave him alone.
Some thoughts for further consideration:
- I am a bit surprised at David’s scheming in these chapters. This is the man who had such faith and courage before the Lord that he took on Goliath in battle. He led Saul’s army to many victories over the Philistines. Yet when it came to Saul, he lied repeatedly and involved others in his lies and deceptions. The one thing I don’t see here is David consulting God for direction. He seems to be living out this period of his life on his own wisdom rather than seeking God’s wisdom.
What did you notice in your study today? Feel free to visit the website and leave a question or a comment.