1 samuel 19 commentary

1 SAMUEL 19 COMMENTARY
Saul Tries to Kill David
1 Saul told his son Jonathan and all the
attendants to kill David. But Jonathan was very
fond of David
CLARKE, "That they should kill David - Nothing less than the especial
interposition of God could have saved David’s life, when every officer about the king’s
person, and every soldier, had got positive orders to despatch him.
GILL, "And Saul spake to Jonathan his son,.... Who was heir to his crown; and
though he knew he loved David, and was in strict friendship with him, yet he might
hope, that as his succession to the kingdom was in danger, as he thought, and that David
was his rival in it, his mind would be alienated from him; and that he would listen rather
to a father than a friend, and would see where his true interest lay, and abandon David,
yea, seek his ruin, which Saul was intent upon
and to all his servants; who yet pretended to love David, and as he himself said they
did, and some of them might; with these he might rather hope to succeed, as they were
attached to him, and might be secretly enemies of David, and therefore to these, as well
as to his son, he spake, and gave his orders:
that they should kill David; as if he was a traitor, and an usurper of his throne, and
one that had a design upon that, and upon his life; finding he could do nothing by the
schemes, and snares, and stratagems, he used in a private manner, he grew outrageous
and furious, and openly declared his views, and laid his injunctions on his son and
servants to take away David's life, as a very dangerous person to his crown and
government.
HENRY, "Saul and Jonathan appear here in their different characters, with reference
to David.
I. Never was enemy so unreasonably cruel as Saul. He spoke to his son and all his
servants that they should kill David, 1Sa_19:1. His projects to take him off had failed,
and therefore he proclaims him an out-law, and charges all about him, upon their
allegiance, to take the first opportunity to kill David. It is strange that he was not
ashamed thus to avow his malice when he could give no reason for it, and that knowing
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all his servants loved David (for so he had said himself, 1Sa_18:22), he was not afraid of
provoking them to rebel by this bloody order. Either malice was not then so politic, or
justice was not so corrupted as it has been since, or else Saul would have had him
indicted, and have suborned witnesses to swear treason against him, and so have had
him taken off, as Naboth was, by colour of law. But there is least danger from this
undisguised malice. It was strange that he who knew how well Jonathan loved him
should expect him to kill him; but he thought that because he was heir to the crown he
must needs be as envious at David as himself was. And Providence ordered it thus that
he might befriend David's safety.
JAMISON, "1Sa_19:1-7. Jonathan discloses his father’s purpose to kill David.
Saul spake to Jonathan his son, and to all his servants, that they should
kill David — The murderous design he had secretly cherished he now reveals to a few of
his intimate friends. Jonathan was among the number. He prudently said nothing at the
time, but secretly apprised David of his danger; and waiting till the morning, when his
father’s excited temper would be cooled, he stationed his friend in a place of
concealment, where, overhearing the conversation, he might learn how matters really
stood and take immediate flight, if necessary.
COFFMAN, "Coffman's Commentaries on the Bible
DAVID BEGINS LIFE AS A FUGITIVE AND AN OUTLAW
This chapter reports repeated attempts by Saul to murder David, resulting finally in
David's permanent exile from Saul's court and his being continually hunted by Saul
who forced upon him the status of an outlaw.
The remark of H. P. Smith that this chapter has, "Four sections which cannot be
reconciled with each other,"[1] exemplifies the confusion and frustration which
inevitably come from the false theories of "multiple sources." The chapter actually
presents no difficulties whatever.
SAUL DECIDES TO KILL DAVID; JONATHAN INTERVENES
"And Saul spoke to Jonathan his son and to all his servants that they should kill
David. But Jonathan, Saul's son, delighted much in David. And Jonathan told
David, "Saul my father seeks to kill you; therefore take heed to yourself in the
morning, stay in a secret place, and hide yourself,' And I will go out and stand
beside my father in the field where you are, and I will speak to my father about you;
and if I learn anything I will tell you." And Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his
father, and said to him, "Let not the king sin against his servant David; because he
has not sinned against you, and because his deeds have been of good service to you;
for he took his life in his hand and he slew the Philistine, and the Lord wrought a
great victory for all Israel. You saw it, and rejoiced; why then will you sin against
innocent blood by killing David without a cause"? And Saul hearkened to the voice
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of Jonathan; Saul swore, "As the Lord lives, he shall not be put to death." And
Jonathan called David and showed him all these things, and he was in his presence
as before."
"And Saul spoke to Jonathan ... and all his servants that they should kill David" (1
Samuel 19:1). The despotic wickedness of Saul reaches a climax here. All of his
schemes to have David killed by the Philistines having failed, "He here proclaims
him an outlaw, and charges all about him upon their allegiance to kill him."[2]
We are not given any of the reasons which Saul might have alleged as the basis of
this shameful edict against his own son-in-law; but, "He probably accused David of
being a traitor and of planning to usurp the throne."[3] Whatever reasons he might
have claimed as the basis of his shameful declaration, Jonathan intervened, refuted
the last one of all such evil allegations, insisted upon David's innocence, and in
return received from Saul a solemn oath in the name of the Lord that David would
not be put to death. Before leaving this, we must include the comment of Matthew
Henry, who said, "The ease with which Saul had violated other oaths makes the
sincerity of this one justly questionable."[4]
Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary
CONTENTS
The history of David, and Saul's enmity against him, is prosecuted in this chapter.
Saul throws of the mask, and openly commands his son and servants to kill David.
Jonathan expostulates with his father on the subject, and for a time obtains a
promise, that David shall not be hurt. But his malice breaks out afresh, and he is
obliged to flee for his life. Saul pursues him; but his design is overruled, and David
again escapes. These are the principal things contained in this chapter.
1 Samuel 19:1
(1) ¶ And Saul spake to Jonathan his son, and to all his servants, that they should
kill David.
We should again remark in the character of Saul, the progress of sin. In his example
indeed, it is most awful. Having not been able to accomplish his bloody design upon
David by private stratagem, he now proceeds by open command. So Herod, in his
intention to crush the Lord Jesus, desired the wise men, when they had found
Christ, to tell him where he was, that he might go and worship him also; but when
he found that scheme failed, he sent out an order to kill all children under two years
old, concluding that that must subject the Lord Jesus to the power of the sword.
Matthew 2:8-9; Mat_2:16.
TRAPP, "1 Samuel 19:1 And Saul spake to Jonathan his son, and to all his servants,
that they should kill David.
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Ver. 1. And Saul spake to Jonathan his son.] Detexit facinus fatuus et non implevit,
saith Tacitus of one that was sent by the senate to kill another, but revealed it to one
that disclosed and prevented it. Did Saul think that Jonathan would kill David
whom he so dearly loved? How grossly mistaken was Saul! how shameless and
impudent! This was in peius proficere: wicked men grow worse and worse, till
wrath come upon them to the utmost.
And to all his servants.] Who were, while, great admirers of David, [1 Samuel 18:5]
but now cold friends at best; not one of them speaks for him, and not a few of them
are ready to act against him, according to the courtier’s motto, Quicquid regi placet,
mihi placet; whatsoever pleaseth the king shall please me. Jonathan said nothing at
present, lest he should seem publicly to oppose his father: whom also he now
perceived to be in a rage, and so not in case to hear good counsel. Seedsmen sow not
in a storm; physicians give not a potion in a fit.
That they should kill David.] But reason or cause he allegeth none. It was indeed the
very same that Graecinus died for. Graecinum Iulium virum egregium Caesar
occidit ob hoc unum, quod melior vir erat quam esse quenquam tyranno expedirer,
saith Seneca: (a) that is, Graecinus Julius was by Caesar put to death for this only
reason, because he was a better man than the tyrant could well away with.
BENSON, "1 Samuel 19:1. Saul spake to Jonathan, and all his servants — When he
could not destroy David by craft, he declares open enmity to him; and commands
his son and his whole court to make him away; some of whom he thought would
obey him. It is strange he should speak to Jonathan to murder David, if he knew the
friendship he had for him; and he could not well be ignorant of it, since he had so
publicly declared it, as we read chap. 1 Samuel 18:3-4. But he imagined his love to a
father would overcome his love to a friend; and there was a great providence of God
in his disclosing his mind so freely to Jonathan, as by that means David came to be
certainly informed of his danger.
ELLICOTT, "(1) That they should kill David.—The literal translation of the
original gives a much better sense: “that he intended to kill David,” or “about
killing David.” The latter is the rendering of the LXX. and the Syriac. The
murderous impulse of the unhappy Saul gradually increased in intensity. First, it
showed itself only in the paroxysms of insanity, when the half distraught king would
grasp and poise his heavy spear, as though he would hurl it at the kindly musician
as he tried to calm the troubled spirit. Then it would plot and scheme against the
hated life, trying to involve this young soldier in some enterprise fraught with
deadly peril. Now he speaks openly to his heir and his counsellors of the risk
incurred by suffering so dangerous a man to live.
COKE, "1 Samuel 19:1-2. Saul spake to Jonathan— Jonathan, when Saul ordered
him to kill David, disobeyed the command, and, instead of murdering him, pleaded
his innocence and merits as reasons for saving him. He also disclosed to David his
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father's design and fixed resolution to destroy him; and, in my judgment, neither
was inconsistent with his duty and allegiance to his father and king. He who knows
of a conspiracy against an innocent person's life, and does not discover it, or who
kills such a one by another's instigation and command, is himself a murderer; and
no duty to a father, nor allegiance to a prince, can oblige any one to shed innocent
blood. Jonathan was, therefore, so far from acting contrary to his duty and
allegiance, in refusing to become his father's instrument in murdering David, that
he gave a noble instance of filial piety, affection, and duty, in his repeated
endeavours to preserve him from so unnatural and atrocious a crime; and piety and
virtue will ever applaud him for the generous concern that he expressed for the
honour of his father, and the preservation of his friend. The reader will observe,
that Jonathan ever considers David as an innocent person, and pleads for him to his
father, not as a rebel or notorious offender, to obtain his pardon, but as having
never done any thing to forfeit Saul's favour, or his own life; and therefore
Jonathan must be commended in disobeying his father's order, and doing all he can
to prevent his purpose to kill him.
CONSTABLE, "Verses 1-7
Jonathan"s attempt to protect David
Saul now abandoned pretense ( 1 Samuel 18:22) and ordered Jonathan and his
soldiers to put David to death (cf. 1 Samuel 19:11). He "went public" with his
attacks against David feeling driven, like the Pharaoh of the plagues, to more
desperate measures. This created a conflict of loyalties for Jonathan who needed to
honor his father and king, but who also loved David (cf. 1 Samuel 18:1; 1 Samuel
18:3). Jonathan chose to tell David what Saul"s intentions were, but he also tried to
honor his father by urging him not to kill David. He appealed to Saul logically and
rationally. He reminded Saul that he was the king and that David was his servant,
that he needed to be fair with David, and that it was in Saul"s best interest to let
David live ( 1 Samuel 19:4). He also reminded Saul that David was the Lord"s
instrument who had defeated Israel"s enemies and that Saul had rejoiced in his
success. Moreover he appealed for justice since David"s death was unwarranted ( 1
Samuel 19:5). Jonathan"s words echo Saul"s own statement when he had freed
Jabesh-gilead earlier in his reign ( 1 Samuel 11:12-15). Then Saul had generously
refused to punish his detractors. Perhaps it was this memory that moved him to
promise Jonathan that he would be merciful to David.
Jonathan"s appeal was successful, at least temporarily, and resulted in Saul
solemnly vowing not to kill David ( 1 Samuel 19:6), which vow he broke shortly ( 1
Samuel 19:10). Later Jonathan was not as successful ( 1 Samuel 20:28-29).
Nevertheless this time his appeal resulted in David"s restoration to the court and his
continuing ministry to the king ( 1 Samuel 19:7).
PETT, "Introduction
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Chapter 19.
David Must Die!
A Period Of Stalemate Is Followed By A Period In Which Saul Is Determined That
David Must Definitely Die, Which Results In David Taking Refuge With Samuel.
Saul, obsessed with jealousy and fears for his throne could only view David’s
continuing growth in popularity with suspicion. He was aware that he himself had
been rejected by YHWH, and that YHWH already had his successor in sight, and he
clearly thought that David was the one. He therefore began to scheme as to how he
could get rid of David, before David got rid of him.
Initially this led to his discussing the need for David to die with his son Jonathan
and his other advisers and courtiers (1 Samuel 19:1). We are given no details but
presumably Saul must have been suggesting that he was guilty of treason. In the
end, however, Jonathan managed to talk him round. But the problem was that
David continued to be militarily successful, and this simply renewed Saul’s
suspicions, for he was sick in mind. The result was that he made further attempts on
David’s life, firstly when he was playing for him because he was having ‘one of his
turns’, and then more systematically when he sought to have David arrested,
presumably on a charge of treason. He had become obsessed with the thought that
David must die.
Finally, recognising his parlous position, David sought help from his mentor
Samuel, who was still a name in the land, for he was still the prophet of YHWH.
And when Saul again sought to have him arrested, and finally went in order to do
the job himself, God intervened and prevented all his attempts through irresistible
acts of power.
Verses 1-7
Saul Is Determined That David Should Die, But Jonathan Intercedes For Him And
His Father Alters His Position (1 Samuel 19:1-7).
While his followers did not fully appreciate how bad he was Saul was now a very
sick man. He was seriously mentally unstable, an instability almost certainly
brought on by his rejection by Samuel, even though there must have been a latent
problem already there. Thus as he brooded on what in his view David was trying to
do, he made it clear to his courtiers and advisers that it was becoming necessary for
David to be called to account for his treasonable attitude towards the throne. No
actual order appears to have been given. Indeed it would probably at this stage have
been folly for him to issue one, because David was too popular. But he nevertheless
made his view clearly enough known for Jonathan to be worried about it.
Stand-off situations like this between kings and powerful men are found throughout
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history in cases where a king wishes to get rid of a powerful noble but is unable to
do it openly, because the noble has too much support. What the king therefore has
to do is wait for the noble to put a foot wrong, or hope that someone will arrange for
his assassination. But if the noble is wise he takes precautions and ensures that he is
never in a position to be directly accused, and never lets himself be found in a
situation where he is unprotected. This would appear to have been something like
David’s position (he was now a powerful and influential man in Israel) with regard
to Saul.
Meanwhile, seemingly at a time when he was thinking straight, Jonathan appealed
to Saul on behalf of David, and brought about in him a change of mind. He declared
in the strongest of terms that David should not die after all. In his medical innocence
Jonathan no doubt thought that he had obtained from his father a rational decision
that he would adhere to. What he, of course, did not realise was the nature of his
father’s illness. He was not to know that from this time on no one could ever be sure
what Saul would do next, because it all depended on his psychological state at the
time, something especially affected by his excessive pride in his kingship and his
paranoia about David.
Analysis.
a And Saul spoke to Jonathan his son, and to all his servants, indicating that they
should slay David (1 Samuel 19:1 a).
b But Jonathan, Saul’s son, delighted much in David. And Jonathan told David,
saying, “Saul my father seeks to slay you. Now therefore, I pray you, take heed to
yourself in the morning, and remain in a secret place, and hide yourself, and I will
go out and stand beside my father in the countryside where you are, and I will
discuss you with my father, and if I see anything, I will tell you” (1 Samuel 19:1-3).
c And Jonathan spoke good of David to Saul his father, and said to him, “Do not let
the king sin against his servant, against David, because he has not sinned against
you, and because his works towards you have been very good, for he put his life in
his hand, and smote the Philistine, and YHWH wrought a great victory for all
Israel. You saw it, and you rejoiced. For what reason then will you sin against
innocent blood, to slay David without a cause?” (1 Samuel 19:4-5).
b And Saul took note of the voice of Jonathan, and Saul swore, “As YHWH lives, he
shall not be put to death.” And Jonathan called David, and Jonathan showed him
all those things (1 Samuel 19:6-7 a).
a And Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence, as previously (1
Samuel 19:7 b).
Note that in ‘a’ Saul speaks with Jonathan about the need for David to die, and in
the parallel Jonathan brings about a reconciliation between Saul and David. In ‘b’
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Jonathan tells David that he will plead with his father on his behalf, and will inform
him of the result, and in the parallel, having pleaded successfully he informs David
of the result. Central in ‘c’ is the argument that he puts before Saul which gives a
clear summary of David’s virtues.
1 Samuel 19:1
‘And Saul spoke to Jonathan his son, and to all his servants, indicating that they
should slay David. But Jonathan, Saul’s son, delighted much in David.’
As we have suggested this was probably a statement made while Saul was in one of
his ‘bad periods’, and was deluding himself. It may be that his servants (his
courtiers) recognised this and therefore did little about it. Alternately it may have
been that he called a council in which he put to his court the reasons why David
needed to be dealt with. But Jonathan greatly loved David and he really could not
understand his father’s attitude towards him. He had no idea of the intricacies of a
deluded mind.
K&D, "Jonathan warded off the first outbreak of deadly enmity on the part of Saul
towards David. When Saul spoke to his son Jonathan and all his servants about his
intention to kill David (‫ד‬ ִ‫ו‬ ָ‫ת־דּ‬ ֶ‫א‬ ‫ית‬ ִ‫מ‬ ָ‫ה‬ ְ‫,ל‬ i.e., not that they should kill David, but “that he
intended to kill him”), Jonathan reported this to David, because he was greatly attached
to him, and gave him this advice: “Take heed to thyself in the morning; keep thyself in a
secret place, and hide thyself. I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where
thou art, and I will talk to my father about thee ( ְ‫בּ‬ ‫ר‬ ֶ‫בּ‬ ִ‫,דּ‬ as in Deu_6:7; Psa_87:3, etc.,
to talk of or about a person), and see what (sc., he will say), and show it to thee.” David
was to conceal himself in the field near to where Jonathan would converse with his
father about him; not that he might hear the conversation in his hiding-place, but that
Jonathan might immediately report to him the result of his conversation, without there
being any necessity for going far away from his father, so as to excite suspicion that he
was in league with David.
PULPIT, "JONATHAN’S LOVE FOR DAVID (1Sa_19:1-7).
1Sa_19:1
Saul spake to Jonathan his son...that they should kill David. The translation of
the last clause is untenable; it really means "about killing David," and so both the
Septuagint and the Syriac render it. The descent of men once full of noble impulses, as
was the case with Saul, into open crime is gradual, and with many halts on the way. Saul
first gave way to envy, and instead of struggling against his bad feelings, nourished
them. Then, when scarcely accountable for his actions, he threatened David’s life; and
next, with growing malice, encouraged him in dangerous undertakings, in the hope that
in one of them he might be slain. And now he goes one step farther. He talks to Jonathan
and his officers concerning the many reasons there were for David’s death; argues that
without it there will be no security for himself and his dynasty; represents David
probably as a traitor, with secret purposes of usurping the throne; and reveals what
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hitherto had been but the half-formed wishes of his heart. But even now, probably, he
still spoke of David’s death as a painful necessity, and had many misgivings in his own
mind. But he was really encouraging himself in crime, and by cherishing thoughts of
murder he was gradually descending towards the dark abyss into which he finally fell.
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.
CLARKE, "Take heed to thyself until the morning - Perhaps the order was
given to slay him the next day; and therefore Jonathan charges him to be particularly on
his guard at that time, and to hide himself.
GILL, "But Jonathan, Saul's son, delighted much in David,.... In his company
and conversation; he loved him with a love of complacency, and was constant and
steadfast in it, and which was a kind providence to David; for by this means he came to
the knowledge of Saul's designs upon him, and could the better guard against him:
and Jonathan told David, saying, Saul my father seeketh to kill thee; to
inform him of which was acting the part of a sincere and faithful friend:
now therefore, I pray thee, take heed of thyself until the morning: it seems it
was now evening when he informed him of it; and as he knew not what emissaries Saul
might have out that night in quest of him, he advises him to take care of himself, and not
expose himself to any danger, and to keep a strict guard about him; and in the morning
he would try to conciliate his father to him, when he might hope, having slept upon it,
that he would be in a better temper, and more disposed to hear what might be said to
him:
and abide in a secret place, and hide thyself; he seems to suggest as if it was not
safe for him to be in his own house, and in his own bedchamber that night, but that it
was advisable to retire to some private place, where it might not be known or suspected
that he was there. By what follows he means some field, and a private place in it.
HENRY, "II. Never was friend so surprisingly kind as Jonathan. A friend in need is a
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friend indeed. Such a one Jonathan was to David. He not only continued to delight much
in him, though David's glory eclipsed his, but bravely appeared for him now that the
stream ran so strongly against him.
1. He took care for his present security by letting him know his danger (1Sa_19:2):
“Take heed to thyself, and keep out of harm's way.” Jonathan knew not but that some of
the servants might be either so obsequious to Saul or so envious at David as to put the
orders in execution which Saul had given, if they could light on David.
BENSON, "1 Samuel 19:2. But Jonathan delighted much in David, and told
David — Jonathan disobeyed the command, and, instead of murdering David,
pleads his innocence and merits, as reasons for saving him. He also discovered his
father’s design and fixed resolution to destroy him, and certainly in neither case
acted inconsistently with his duty to his father, and king. “He,” says Dr. Dodd, “who
knows of a conspiracy against an innocent person’s life, and doth not discover it; or,
who kills such a one by another’s instigation and command, is himself a murderer;
and no duty to a father, or allegiance to a prince, can oblige any one to shed
innocent blood. Jonathan was therefore so far from acting contrary to his duty and
allegiance, in refusing to become his father’s instrument in murdering David, that
he gave a noble instance of filial piety, affection, and duty, in his repeated
endeavours to preserve him from so unnatural a crime; and humanity and virtue
will ever applaud him for the generous concern he expressed for the honour of his
father and the preservation of his friend.” Take heed to thyself until the morning —
Jonathan knew not but some of the servants might be either so obsequious to Saul,
or so envious at David, as to put the orders in execution which Saul had given, if
they could light on David.
TRAPP, "1 Samuel 19:2 But Jonathan Saul’s son delighted much in David: and
Jonathan told David, saying, Saul my father seeketh to kill thee: now therefore, I
pray thee, take heed to thyself until the morning, and abide in a secret [place], and
hide thyself:
Ver. 2. But Jonathan Saul’s son.] And heir apparent to the kingdom, which might
have made him an enemy to David, whom he knew likely to succeed his father.
And Jonathan told David.] Wherein he did him a most friendly office, for darts
foreseen are dintless, (a) and to his father no disservice at all; by hindering him
from imbruing his hands in innocent blood.
Saul my father seeketh to kill thee.] Before he had sought to do it more covertly; but
now more overtly; so true is that of Luther, Hypocritis nihil est crudelius,
impatientius, et vindictae cupidius, &c., there is nothing in the world more cruel,
more impatient, and more vindictive, than are hypocrites: truly they are very
serpents, spiteful, venemous, and revengeful.
Take heed to thyself until the morning,] viz., That thou be not surprised by my
father’s assassins and cut-throats.
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Abide in a secret place.] Such a hidingplace, as thou knowest of, near to Saul’s walk:
where thou mayest hear what passeth betwixt us; and what thou hearest not I will
tell thee.
HAWKER, "Verses 2-7
(2) But Jonathan Saul's son delighted much in David: and Jonathan told David,
saying, Saul my father seeketh to kill thee: now therefore, I pray thee, take heed to
thyself until the morning, and abide in a secret place, and hide thyself: (3) And I will
go out and stand beside my father in the field where thou art, and I will commune
with my father of thee; and what I see, that I will tell thee. (4) And Jonathan spake
good of David unto Saul his father, and said unto him, Let not the king sin against
his servant, against David; because he hath not sinned against thee, and because his
works have been to thee-ward very good: (5) For he did put his life in his hand, and
slew the Philistine, and the LORD wrought a great salvation for all Israel: thou
sawest it, and didst rejoice: wherefore then wilt thou sin against innocent blood, to
slay David without a cause? (6) And Saul hearkened unto the voice of Jonathan: and
Saul sware, As the LORD liveth, he shall not be slain. (7) And Jonathan called
David, and Jonathan shewed him all those things. And Jonathan brought David to
Saul, and he was in his presence, as in times past.
While we behold the friendship of Jonathan to his beloved David, let us not overlook
His friendship, concerning whom it may truly be said, as it relates to us and our
rescue from everlasting destruction, a greater than Jonathan is here. Jonathan was
made useful to David, in communicating to him his unkind father's designs
concerning him; and he pleaded for David with his unnatural father. But our
Jesus's friendship to us and our fallen nature, was, and is, manifested in
communicating to us the blessed intentions of our most merciful and kind Father, in
redemption work. He lay in the bosom of the Father, and was intimately acquainted
with all his gracious designs towards us from everlasting, and hath communicated
them: I have called you friends, (saith Jesus) for all things that I have heard of my
Father, I have made known to you. John 15:15. Yes! thou dear Lord, thou art a
Friend indeed, a Brother born for adversity, that lovest at all times, and one that
sticketh closer than a brother. Proverbs 17:17.
LANGE, "1 Samuel 19:2. Jonathan shows his friendship for David1) in informing
him of Saul’s designs on his life, and counselling him to conceal himself, and2) in
interceding for him with Saul, and trying to turn away his anger ( 1 Samuel 19:3), in
which he succeeds.—In thus attempting to restore friendly relations between his
father and David, Jonathan’s aim was to keep David at court for the welfare of his
father and the people, because he saw in David a specially chosen instrument of the
Lord for the welfare of Israel, as he expressly declares in 1 Samuel 19:4. (‫ר‬ֵ‫בּ‬ ִ‫דּ‬ with ְ‫בּ‬
as in Psalm 87:3; Deuteronomy 6:7 : “to speak concerning one.” Ew, § 217, 2.)—
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David is to hide in the field, as we infer from Jonathan’s saying that he will speak
with his father in the field where David is. The place designated by Jonathan was
perhaps one to which Saul used often to go, or where he was accustomed to hold
confidential and private conversations. To “what” [see Text. and Gram.—Tr.] we
must supply “he says” or “I hear” (Vulg.: et quodcunque videro tibi nuntiabo [so
Eng. A. V.]). Against De Wette’s translation: “what it Isaiah,” Thenius properly
urges that Jonathan already knew what Saul then had in mind. Against Thenius’
view that David was to hide near Saul in order to hear what he said is the fact that
Jonathan himself says to David: “I will tell thee.” Rather we must suppose with Keil
that Jonathan made this arrangement in order that he might tell David the result of
the conversation immediately, without having to go far from his father, and thus
awaken suspicion of an understanding with David.
PETT, "1 Samuel 19:2-3
‘And Jonathan told David, saying, “Saul my father seeks to slay you. Now therefore,
I pray you, take heed to yourself in the morning, and remain in a secret place, and
hide yourself, and I will go out and stand beside my father in the countryside where
you are, and I will discuss you with my father, and if I see anything, I will tell you.”
’
So when the opportunity came he took David on one side and warned him of what
had been said. He was in fact also determined to speak to his father about it, but he
wanted David to be aware of what was happening. Furthermore he wanted him to
know about the outcome of his conversation with his father. So he told David to find
somewhere where he could remain hidden, and then let him know where he was.
Then he could take his father there and discuss the matter with his father, and pass
on the result to David.
PULPIT, 1Sa_19:2, 1Sa_19:3
Until the morning. Rather, "in the morning." Saul’s purpose was taking shape, and as
there are always men too ready to commit crime at the bidding of a king, there was the
danger that secret murder might be the quick result of Saul’s open communication of his
wishes to his men of war. Jonathan, therefore, warns David of the king’s malice, and
urges him to hide himself until he has made a last entreaty for him. This was to take
place in the field, the open common land. There was no idea of David overhearing the
conversation, but when the king took his usual walk Jonathan was to join him, and hold
a conference with him apart in the unenclosed hill pastures. After probing his father’s
real feelings he would continue his walk, and, without awakening any suspicions, would
meet David and communicate to him the result. What I see, that I will tell thee.
More exactly, "I will see what (he says), and will tell thee."
12

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."
GILL, "And I will go out,.... In the morning, at the same time his father used to take
his morning walk:
and stand beside my father in the field where thou art; on that side of him next
to David, that he might not see him, and yet be so near, that David might hear what
passed between them:
and I will commune with my father of thee; speak in favour of him, and
endeavour to dissuade him from attempting to take away his life, which was of so much
importance and usefulness in the commonwealth of Israel:
and what I see that I will tell thee; what David could not well hear he would inform
him of, and what he could perceive in the countenance of Saul, as well as conclude from
his words, that he would make known to David, that so he might know better what he
had to do, and provide for his safety.
HENRY, "He took pains to pacify his father and reconcile him to David. The next
morning he ventured to commune with him concerning David (1Sa_19:3), not that
night, perhaps because he observed Saul to be drunk and not fit to be spoken to, or
because he hoped that, when he had slept upon it, he would himself revoke the order, or
because he could not have an opportunity of speaking to him till morning.
BENSON, "1 Samuel 19:3-5. I will stand by my father in the field — In which it is
likely Saul used to walk in the morning and take the fresh air. Thereabouts he
advised David to lurk in some secret place; that he might speedily acquaint him with
the issue of his discourse with his father, 1 Samuel 19:4-7. Jonathan spake good of
David unto Saul — Which he could not do without hazard to himself. Herein,
therefore, he performed the duty of a true friend and of a valiant man. He put his
life in his hand — Or, in the greatest hazard: And slew the Philistine — He puts him
in mind of that hazardous enterprise wherein he slew Goliath; in which David did
indeed hazard his life greatly, for had he missed with his sling he must certainly
have been slain.
13

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.
CLARKE, "Jonathan spake good of David - It is evident that Jonathan was
satisfied that David was an innocent man; and that his father was most unjustly incensed
against him.
GILL, "And Jonathan spake good of David unto Saul his father,.... Observed to
him what a good man be was, and what good things he had done, what wisdom and
prudence he had shown in the management of all his affairs, what valour and courage in
all his expeditions, what faithfulness and integrity to his king and country in every
instance:
and said unto him, let not the king sin against his servant, against David; by
taking away his life; which would have been a great sin indeed, a sin against the law of
God, which forbids murder, and which would have been attended with sad aggravations
of cruelty and ingratitude:
because he hath not sinned against thee; had not disobeyed any of his orders, but
faithfully served him in everything, and much less ever thought to take away his life, or
seize his crown, as he might imagine:
and because his works have been to thee-ward very good; by slaying the
Philistines, when he and his army were in the utmost terror; by driving away the evil
spirit from him, through playing on his harp before him; as well as by commanding his
troops, and leading them against the Philistines, and obtaining victory over them.
HENRY, "His intercession for David was very prudent. It was managed with a great
deal of the meekness of wisdom; and he showed himself faithful to his friends by
speaking good of him, though he was in danger of incurring his father's displeasure by
it - a rare instance of valuable friendship! He pleads, [1.] The good services David had
done to the public, and particularly to Saul: His work has been to thee-ward very good,
1Sa_19:4. Witness the relief he had given him against his distemper with his harp, and
his bold encounter with Goliath, that memorable action, which did, in effect, save Saul's
life and kingdom. He appeals to himself concerning his: Thou thyself sawest it, and
14

didst rejoice. In that and other instances it appeared that David was a favourite of
heaven and a friend to Israel, as well as a good servant to Saul, for by him the Lord
wrought a great salvation for all Israel; so that to order him to be slain was not only
base ingratitude to so good a servant, but a great affront to God and a great injury to the
public. [2.] He pleads his innocency. Though he had formerly done many good offices,
yet, if he had now been chargeable with any crimes, it would have been another matter;
but he has not sinned against thee (1Sa_19:1), his blood is innocent (1Sa_19:5), and, if
he be slain, it is without cause. And Jonathan had therefore reason to protest against it
because he could not entail any thing upon his family more pernicious than the guilt of
innocent blood.
JAMISON, "Jonathan spake good of David — He told his father he was
committing a great sin to plot against the life of a man who had rendered the most
invaluable services to his country and whose loyalty had been uniformly steady and
devoted. The strong remonstrances of Jonathan produced an effect on the impulsive
mind of his father. As he was still susceptible of good and honest impressions, he bound
himself by an oath to relinquish his hostile purpose; and thus, through the intervention
of the noble-minded prince, a temporary reconciliation was effected, in consequence of
which David was again employed in the public service.
K&D, "Jonathan then endeavoured with all the modesty of a son to point out most
earnestly to his father the grievous wickedness involved in his conduct towards David.
“Let not the king sin against his servant, against David; for he hath not sinned against
thee, and his works are very good (i.e., very useful) to thee. He hath risked his life (see
at Jdg_12:3), and smitten the Philistines, and Jehovah hath wrought a great salvation
of all Israel. Thou hast seen it, and rejoiced; and wherefore wilt thou sin against
innocent blood, to slay David without a cause?”
ELLICOTT, "(4) Jonathan spake good of David.—The heir to the throne—the one
above all men likely to be injured by the growing popularity of David—with great
power and intense earnestness, represented to his father the king the great virtues,
the unrivalled gifts, and, above all, the splendid services of the young soldier whose
life Saul was so anxious to cut short. “See,’ urged the eloquent pleader for his
friend’s life, “on that ever memorable occasion when he fought the giant, when he
aimed the pebble of the brook from his shepherd’s sling, he put his life in his hand.
Had he missed a hair’s-breadth, the giant would have slain him, and the deliverance
then wrought for Israel would never have been accomplished.”
TRAPP, "1 Samuel 19:4 And Jonathan spake good of David unto Saul his father,
and said unto him, Let not the king sin against his servant, against David; because
he hath not sinned against thee, and because his works [have been] to thee-ward
very good:
Ver. 4. And Jonathan spake good of David.] Though to the hazard of his own life, as
1 Samuel 20:32; 1 Samuel 20:37. The picture of true friendship among the ancients
15

was this, A fair young man, with head uncovered, with bosom open, so that his heart
might be seen; whereupon was written, Longe, Prope, Far and Near. In his forehead
was written, Aestas, Hyems, Summer and Winter; in the skirt of his garment, Mors
et Vita, Death and Life.
And because his works have been to thee-ward very good.] To render evil for evil is
brutish: but to render evil for good is devilish. Heathens abhorred ingratitude.
Lycurgus would make no law against it, quod prodigiosa res esset beneficium non
agnoscere, because he held it a thing monstrous and almost impossible.
LANGE, "1 Samuel 19:4-5. Jonathan’s statement to Saul is three-fold: 1) he spoke
good of David, that Isaiah, he spoke favorably of him, pointing out his excellent
qualities and his services to Saul and the nation; 2) on the ground of this he
implored Saul not to sin against his servant. This designation of David as his servant
accords with the foregoing reference to the good which David, as Saul’s faithful
servant, had done; 3) to this he adds two reasons, a negative: “he hath not sinned
against thee,” that Isaiah, he has done nothing to call forth thy vengeance; and a
positive: “his works are very useful to thee,” that Isaiah, far from doing thee harm,
he hath done thee only great service by his deeds.—The relation of 1 Samuel 19:5 to
the latter part of 1 Samuel 19:4 is this, that Jonathan, continuing his mediation, here
reminds his father of the deed which is specially to be taken into consideration, the
slaying of the Philistine, and how he had therein ventured his life: “he put his life in
his hand”[FN20] ( 1 Samuel 28:21; Judges 12:2), risked his life (perhaps alluding to
David’s hand, which swung the sling against the giant, on the firmness and certainty
of which his life depended).—Jonathan then proceeds to point out how serviceable
to Saul this deed of David was: and the Lord wrought a great salvation for all
Israel; thou sawest it and didst rejoice. This reminder of Saul’s joy at David’s
exploit (seen with his own eyes) and its grand results, this vivid presentation of the
situation at that time is the psychological stepping-stone to the ethical change which
is brought about in Saul’s attitude towards David by Jonathan’s pressing and yet
modest supplication: Why wilt thou sin against innocent blood, to slay David
without cause?—Saul was changeable and uncertain in his unstable inner life,
because there was yet in him a noble germ whence good fruit might yet come.
BI, "And Jonathan spake good of David unto Saul his father.
The blessed Peacemaker
I need not tell you how fast weeds grow; your own gardens show you every day: and if
you have eyes to look within, your own hearts will show the same sad truth. Saul’s evil
eye had now grown into continual hatred—he cares not even to conceal from man the
murderous desires of his heart; and being disappointed, both in his own skill and craft
he now openly speaks to Jonathan and all his servants that they should kill David. Well
doth the Holy Ghost testify, “Evil men and seducers wax worse and worse.” “And
Jonathan spake good of David unto Saul his father,” etc. “And Saul hearkened unto the
voice of Jonathan,” etc. “Blessed are the peacemakers!” why? “They shall be called the
children of God.” And is this the grand family likeness? how should we covet ill? Ah!
surely if there is one feature that shines more brightly than another in our adorable elder
16

brother, it is that of peacemaker. Do angels see their God cradled in a manger? it is as
Peacemaker, while flocking multitudes strike up the new anthem which unites forever
the choir below with the choir above, “Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, good
will towards men.” Do they see their maker agonised? a stranger to peace? a man of
sorrows? It is that He might make peace forever by the blood of His cross, and proclaim
peace to those who were afar off. Does He now appear as a Lamb slain? forever making
intercession? For some David He is pleading, for some afflicted one He is interceding.
(Helen Plumptre.)
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?"
CLARKE, "
For he did put his life in his hand - The pleadings in this verse, though short, are
exceedingly cogent; and the argument is such as could not be resisted.
GILL, "For he did put his life in his hand,.... Exposed himself to the utmost
danger, when no one in all the camp of Israel would do the like:
and slew the Philistine; Goliath of Gath, who defied the armies of Israel; against him
he went unarmed, only with his sling and stones, and fought him, and slew him:
and the Lord wrought a great salvation for all Israel; by his hand, so that they
were delivered from their enemies, who fled before them, and they pursued them, and
got a complete victory over them:
thou sawest it, and didst rejoice; he was an eyewitness of David's going forth
against the Philistine, and slaying him, and of all the happy effects of it, which then
greatly affected him, and he could not forbear expressing great joy on that occasion:
wherefore then wilt thou sin against innocent blood, to slay David without a
cause? and so entail the guilt of it on himself and family.
17

HENRY, "He pleads his innocency. Though he had formerly done many good offices,
yet, if he had now been chargeable with any crimes, it would have been another matter;
but he has not sinned against thee (1Sa_19:1), his blood is innocent (1Sa_19:5), and, if
he be slain, it is without cause. And Jonathan had therefore reason to protest against it
because he could not entail any thing upon his family more pernicious than the guilt of
innocent blood.
TRAPP, "1 Samuel 19:5 For he did put his life in his hand, and slew the Philistine,
and the LORD wrought a great salvation for all Israel: thou sawest [it], and didst
rejoice: wherefore then wilt thou sin against innocent blood, to slay David without a
cause?
Ver. 5. For he did put his life in his hand.] offered it, as it were, to Goliath to take
away if he could: like as the King of Sweden said of Queen Elizabeth when she took
upon her the protection of the Netherlands, that she took the crown from her own
head, and set it upon the head of fortune.
And the Lord wrought, &c.] And shall he be murdered who hath so highly merited?
Absit nefas.
6 Saul listened to Jonathan and took this oath:
"As surely as the LORD lives, David will not be
put to death."
CLARKE, "He shall not be slain - In consequence of this oath, we may suppose he
issued orders contrary to those which he had given the preceding day.
GILL, "And Saul hearkened unto the voice of Jonathan,.... Not only heard him
out what he had to say, but was affected with it, and wrought upon by it, and was
convicted for the present that he was wrong in seeking the life of David, and therefore
would desist from it; the Lord working upon his mind by what Jonathan said, and
inclined him to listen to it, and act accordingly:
18

and Saul sware, as the Lord liveth, he shall not be slain; this oath he added to
what he said to Jonathan, for the confirmation of it; and which was taken either with a
real intention to keep it, though that intention did not long continue; or with a view to
deceive Jonathan, that he might acquaint David with it, and so prevent his flight and
escape, and that he might the more easily fall into his hands; but the former seems
rather to be the case.
HENRY, " His intercession, being thus prudent, was prevalent. God inclined the
heart of Saul to hearken to the voice of Jonathan. Note, We must be willing to hear
reason, and to take all reproofs and good advice even from our inferiors, parents from
their own children. How forcible are right words! Saul was, for the present, so far
convinced of the unreasonableness of his enmity to David that, [1.] He recalled the
bloody warrant for his execution (1Sa_19:6): As the Lord liveth, he shall not be slain.
Whether Saul swore here with due solemnity or no does not appear; perhaps he did, and
the matter was of such moment as to deserve it and of such uncertainty as to need it. But
at other times Saul swore rashly and profanely, which made the sincerity of this oath
justly questionable; for it may be feared that those who can so far jest with an oath as to
make a by-word of it, and prostitute it to a trifle, have not such a due sense of the
obligation of it but that, to serve a turn, they will prostitute it to a lie. Some suspect that
Saul said and swore this with a malicious design to bring David within his reach again,
intending to take the first opportunity to slay him. But, as bad as Saul was, we can
scarcely think so ill of him; and therefore we suppose that he spoke as he thought for the
present, but the convictions soon wore off and his corruptions prevailed and triumphed
over them. [2.] He renewed the grant of his place at court. Jonathan brought him to
Saul, and he was in his presence as in times past (1Sa_19:7), hoping that now the storm
was over, and that his friend Jonathan would be instrumental to keep his father always
in this good mind.
K&D, "These words made an impression upon Saul. He swore, “As Jehovah liveth, he
(David) shall not be put to death;” whereupon Jonathan reported these words to David,
and brought him to Saul, so that he was with him again as before. But this reconciliation,
unfortunately, did not last long.
BENSON, "1 Samuel 19:6-9. Saul sware, As the Lord liveth — And, without all
doubt, he intended what he said, feeling a real change in himself for the present.
“God,” says Mr. Henry, “inclined the heart of Saul to hearken to the voice of
Jonathan.” From this, however, and other similar instances, it appears that Saul
was of a hasty, precipitate temper; and that he had too little reverence for an oath.
And as he swore inconsiderately, so, he as quickly and inconsiderately broke his
oath; which may be a lesson to us never to take an oath upon any occasion, but with
the greatest seriousness and an inward veneration, 1 Samuel 19:8-9. And there was
war again — The battles of which were only between parties, for David commanded
no more than a thousand men, 1 Samuel 18:13. And if the whole army of the
Philistines had been gathered together, Abner would have commanded the army of
19

Israel against them; for he was captain of the host. David went out and fought with
the Philistines — So David continues his good services, though they were ill
requited. They who are ill paid for doing good, yet must not be weary of well-doing,
remembering how bountiful a benefactor God is, even to the evil and unthankful.
The evil spirit was upon Saul — David’s successes against the Philistines revived his
envy, and the devil watched the opportunity as he had done before. And David
played with his hand — He did not omit his duty to Saul, though he knew his
danger.
TRAPP, "1 Samuel 19:6 And Saul hearkened unto the voice of Jonathan: and Saul
sware, [As] the LORD liveth, he shall not be slain.
Ver. 6. And Saul hearkened to the voice of Jonathan.] So far did Jonathan’s oratory
and David’s innocency together triumph in Saul’s conscience.
And Saul sware.] He was a customary swearer, and made little reckoning of an oath.
His bare word should have been as the laws of the Medes and Persians: how much
more when bound thus with an oath? That was a great dishonour to the heathen
Romans, that it should be said of them by Mirrhanes the Persian general, Romanis
promittere promptum est, promissis autem quanquam iuramento fermatis minime
stare, (a) they are free of their fair promises, but careless of performing the same,
yea, although they have sworn to them. But what a base shame is it to the modern
Romanists, those pseudo-Christians, that they should so break their promises and
oaths made not to Turks only, as did Ladislaus, king of Hungary, by the consent
and counsel of the Pope’s legate, - but to Protestants: witness their proceedings
against John Huss, and Jerome of Prague, contrary to the emperor’s safe conduct;
and the horrible massacre in France, &e.
He shall not be slain.] And it is very likely Saul now spake as he thought. But if good
thoughts look at any time into a wicked heart, they stay not there, as those that like
not their lodging. The flashes of lightning may be discerned in the darkest prisons,
but they are soon gone thence again: so here.
COKE, "1 Samuel 19:6. And Saul sware, As the Lord liveth, he shall not be slain—
To judge of Saul by his future conduct, we should be tempted to believe, that he
swore only the better to deceive his son Jonathan. But when we consider well the
character of this prince, weak, inconstant, passionate, we may suppose, without
much difficulty, that the discourse of Jonathan affected him, and that he sincerely
resolved no more to attack the life of David: a resolution, however, which David's
increasing glory soon overthrew, 1 Samuel 19:8.
20

7 So Jonathan called David and told him the
whole conversation. He brought him to Saul, and
David was with Saul as before.
CLARKE, "He shall not be slain - In consequence of this oath, we may suppose he
issued orders contrary to those which he had given the preceding day.
GILL, "And Saul hearkened unto the voice of Jonathan,.... Not only heard him
out what he had to say, but was affected with it, and wrought upon by it, and was
convicted for the present that he was wrong in seeking the life of David, and therefore
would desist from it; the Lord working upon his mind by what Jonathan said, and
inclined him to listen to it, and act accordingly:
and Saul sware, as the Lord liveth, he shall not be slain; this oath he added to
what he said to Jonathan, for the confirmation of it; and which was taken either with a
real intention to keep it, though that intention did not long continue; or with a view to
deceive Jonathan, that he might acquaint David with it, and so prevent his flight and
escape, and that he might the more easily fall into his hands; but the former seems
rather to be the case.
HENRY, "He renewed the grant of his place at court. Jonathan brought him to Saul,
and he was in his presence as in times past (1Sa_19:7), hoping that now the storm was
over, and that his friend Jonathan would be instrumental to keep his father always in
this good mind.
TRAPP, "1 Samuel 19:7 And Jonathan called David, and Jonathan shewed him all
those things. And Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence, as in
times past.
Ver. 7. And he was in his presence, as in times past.] But nothing so well assured of
Saul’s favour, now restored, as the chief butler was of Pharaoh’s; or Essex of Queen
Elizabeth’s: whom when she had first imprisoned and then enlarged, she no less
loved him than before, after that he had signified to her Majesty that he kissed her
royal hands, and the rod which had corrected him, not ruined him, &c.
PULPIT, "1Sa_19:4-7
In the field Jonathan intercedes for David, assures his father of his friend’s innocence,
reminds him of his noble exploit, and of Saul’s own joy at it, and beseeches him not to
shed innocent blood. And Saul, fickle and selfish, yet not destitute of noble feelings,
21

repents of his purpose, and with characteristic impetuosity takes an oath that David’s
life shall be spared. Whereupon a reconciliation takes place, and David resumes his
attendance upon the king’s person.
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.
GILL, "And there was war again,.... Between Israel and the Philistines; it does not
appear that either of them sent out their whole force, only some parties or detachments,
between which there were skirmishes:
and David went out and fought with the Philistines; he went out with his
thousand men, over which he was made captain, 1Sa_18:13; for he had not the
command of the whole army; that belonged to Abner:
and slew them with a great slaughter, and they fled from him; he killed many
of them in his engagements with them, and the rest fled, and he returned victorious;
which stirred up the envy and increased the jealousy of Saul, to observe which this is
related.
HENRY, "Here I. David continues his good services to his king and country. Though
Saul had requited him evil for good, and even his usefulness was the very thing for which
Saul envied him, yet he did not therefore retire in sullenness and decline public service.
Those that are ill paid for doing good, yet must not be weary of well doing,
remembering what a bountiful benefactor our heavenly Father is, even to the froward
and unthankful. Notwithstanding the many affronts Saul had given to David, yet we find
him, 1. As bold as ever in using his sword for the service of his country, 1Sa_19:8. The
war broke out again with the Philistines, which gave David occasion again to signalize
himself. It was a great deal of bravery that he charged them; and he came off victorious,
slaying many and putting the rest to flight.
JAMISON, "1Sa_19:8-17. Saul’s malicious rage breaks out against David.
David went out, and fought with the Philistines, and slew them with a
22

great slaughter — A brilliant victory was gained over the public enemy. But these fresh
laurels of David reawakened in the moody breast of Saul the former spirit of envy and
melancholy. On David’s return to court, the temper of Saul became more fiendish than
ever; the melodious strains of the harp had lost all their power to charm; and in a
paroxysm of uncontrollable frenzy he aimed a javelin at the person of David - the missile
having been thrown with such force that it pierced the chamber wall. David
providentially escaped; but the king, having now thrown off the mask and being bent on
aggressive measures, made his son-in-law’s situation everywhere perilous.
K&D, "Another great defeat which David had inflicted upon the Philistines excited
Saul to such an extent, that in a fit of insanity he endeavoured to pierce David with his
javelin as he was playing before him. The words Ruach 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 Jehovah in contrast with Ruach Elohim (1Sa_18:10; 1Sa_
16:15), as inflicted upon him by Jehovah. The thought expressed is, that the growth of
Saul's melancholy was a sign of the hardness of heart to which Jehovah had given him
up on account of his impenitence. David happily escaped this javelin also. He slipped
away from Saul, so that he hurled the javelin into the wall; whereupon David fled and
escaped the same night, i.e., the night after this occurrence. This remark somewhat
anticipates the course of the events, as the author, according to the custom of Hebrew
historians, gives the result at once, and then proceeds to describe in detail the more
exact order of the events.
PULPIT, "1Sa_19:8, 1Sa_19:9
The—more correctly an—evil spirit from Jehovah. The friendly relations between
Saul and David continued for some time; but when at length war broke out again, David
acquitted himself with his usual ability and success, whereupon Saul’s envy and jealousy
returned, and fits of melancholy, deepening into insanity, once again over. clouded his
reason. It is no longer called "an evil spirit from God," as in 1Sa_18:10, but from
Jehovah, as in 1Sa_16:14, suggesting that it was no longer a natural influence, but that
Saul, having broken his covenant relations with Jehovah, was now punished by him.
While in this moody state the same temptation to slay David with his javelin came over
him, but with such violence that he was no longer able to restrain his evil intent.
COFFMAN, "Verse 8
SAUL AGAIN TRIES TO KILL DAVID
"And there was war again; and David went out and fought with the Philistines, and
made a great slaughter among them, so that they fled before him. Then an evil spirit
from the Lord came upon Saul as he sat in his house with his spear in his hand.; and
David was playing the lyre. And Saul sought to pin David to the wall with his spear;
but he eluded Saul, so that he struck the spear into the wall. And David fled, and
escaped."
23

"And there was war again" (1 Samuel 19:8). This war, like many others, was with
the Philistines. This is not a reference to the conflict in which David defeated
Goliath, but to one of the campaigns of that long struggle of the Philistines against
Saul's government that finally resulted in its overthrow, ending in Saul's death.
David trusted the solemn oath Saul had sworn to the effect that he should not be put
to death; and for some extended time everything seemed to be back to normal.
David's great victories over the Philistines in this last campaign, however, again
triggered the murderous jealousy of Saul, and, in the fit of madness that came upon
him, David once more, as in the days of old, was assigned the task of soothing the
troubled king.
This episode is not a repetition or a "doublet" of the previous effort of Saul to strike
David to death with his spear. There is absolutely no evidence of such a thing.
Jamieson's eloquent description of what happened here is:
"The fresh laurels which crowned David's prosecution of the war in this last
conflict reawakened in the moody breast of Saul the former spirit of envy and
melancholy. Upon David's return to court, the temper of Saul became more fiendish
than ever; the melodious strains of the harp had lost all their power to charm; and
in a paroxysm of uncontrollable frenzy, he aimed his spear at the person of David,
who providentially made his escape."[5]
Matthew Henry suggested the possibility that Saul pretended insanity in this fit of
passion, thinking perhaps that he might be excused for David's murder in the eyes
of God and of men, as "being not in his right mind."[6]
"An evil spirit from the Lord came upon Saul" (1 Samuel 19:9). "We are not to
conclude that God sent an evil spirit, but that he permitted an evil spirit to take
possession of Saul. The spirit of envy and jealousy is obviously from the devil."[7]
We do not know the exact nature of Saul's affliction. It was sent upon Saul as a
punishment; and with God's permission, as Adam Clarke thought: "It was made
worse by some diabolical influence"[8]
"David fled, and escaped" (1 Samuel 19:10). "This remark somewhat anticipates
the course of events, as the author, according to the custom of Hebrew historians,
gives the result at once, and then proceeds to describe in detail the more exact order
of events."[9]
David escaped that same night, as indicated by the next verse, and thus his first
escape was from Saul's murderous presence to his own residence where he and his
wife Michal lived. Later that same night he fled from the city where Saul was.
CONSTABLE, "Verses 8-10
24

David"s continuing success and Saul"s renewed jealousy
This section records Saul"s fourth attempt to kill David. The writer set his account
of these attempts in chiastic form.
A Saul directly tried to kill David. 1 Samuel 18:10-16
B Saul indirectly tried using the Philistines. 1 Samuel 18:17-20
B" Saul indirectly tried using Jonathan and Saul"s men. 1 Samuel 19:1-7
A" Saul directly tried to kill David. 1 Samuel 19:8-10
This literary structure emphasizes how thoroughly Saul wanted to do away with his
rival. Not only did those who desired the best for God love David, but those who
desired the best for themselves hated him.
This is the third reference to an evil spirit afflicting Saul (cf. 1 Samuel 16:14; 1
Samuel 18:10). This influence overcame Saul"s good intentions and resulted in his
breaking his vow to God ( 1 Samuel 19:6). Now David had to "flee and escape." This
phrase occurs three times in this chapter ( 1 Samuel 19:10; 1 Samuel 19:12; 1
Samuel 19:18), and it contrasts with David being in Saul"s presence ( 1 Samuel
19:7). From now on David was no longer able to stay in Saul"s presence, but he had
to flee and escape, seeking refuge from the king wherever he could find it. David"s
days as a fugitive (living beyond the king"s reach), which began here, would
continue until Saul died.
David"s experience is typical of that of all people who choose to commit themselves
to following God faithfully. Because God blesses them and makes them a blessing to
others, many people appreciate them. However, others who want those blessings for
themselves, but are not willing to do what is necessary to get them, despise them.
PETT, "Verses 8-10
Saul Makes Further Attempts On David’s Life (1 Samuel 19:8-17).
David’s great success in the wars with the Philistines continued so that Israel
continued to enjoy their freedom from oppression. And when battle was again
joined Israel were victorious and slew many Philistines with the result that the
Philistines, thoroughly defeated, fled from David. But this further success would
raise David’s standing even more in the eyes of all Israel and it thus appears to have
brought on another bout of Saul’s illness. (Of course we cannot just directly relate
the illness with particular events. The illness was permanent and could affect Saul at
any time. But bouts of such illness can certainly be triggered off by particular
events). It was not, however, only his illness that caused the problems. Part of the
25

blame rested on Saul’s obsession with the kingship and his extreme jealousy, both of
which helped to trigger off the illness, and were then symptomatic of it. And the
result was to be a determined and sustained attempt on David’s life.
Saul Seeks To Pin David To The Wall (1 Samuel 19:8-10).
The first attempt to kill David followed the pattern of previous wild attempts. It was
probably not premeditated but occurred as passion was aroused in Saul, for as
David played for him in order to soothe him his jealousy over the latest reports of
David’s successes, no doubt accompanied by glowing praise of David, got the better
of him. And he raised his ceremonial spear and tried to spit David with it.
Analysis.
a And there was war again, and David went out, and fought with the Philistines, and
slew them with a great slaughter, and they fled before him (1 Samuel 19:8).
b And an evil spirit from YHWH was on Saul, as he sat in his house with his spear
in his hand, and David was playing with his hand (1 Samuel 19:9).
a And Saul sought to smite David even to the wall with the spear, but he slipped
away out of Saul’s presence, and he smote the spear into the wall, and David fled,
and escaped that night (1 Samuel 19:10).
Note that in ‘a’ the Philistines flee from David, and in the parallel David flees from
Saul. (The incongruity of the situation is quite clear). Central in ‘b’ is the fact that
David is seeking to do good to Saul. Note how two of Jonathan’s four points in
defence of David are being revealed here, his defeating of the Philistines and his
doing of good towards Saul.
1 Samuel 19:8
‘And there was war again, and David went out, and fought with the Philistines, and
slew them with a great slaughter; and they fled before him.’
Once again the Philistines appear to have encroached on Israel, with the result that
David went out and fought with them, and utterly routed them. With a general like
David as his son-in-law Saul clearly did not see any need for himself or Jonathan to
be involved. Besides the invading party may not have been a full-scale one. But
whatever was the case it could only enhance David’s prestige.
We should note that the writer continually wants us to see that the Spirit of YHWH
is still on David, and that that is why he is now the Deliverer of Israel, while Saul
has been thrust into the background. Furthermore it emphasises the truth of
Jonathan’s defence of David above. But one of the dangers of being a success is that
it arouses the envy of lesser men, and that was what happened in this case.
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PULPIT, "1Sa_19:8, 1Sa_19:9
The—more correctly an—evil spirit from Jehovah. The friendly relations between
Saul and David continued for some time; but when at length war broke out again, David
acquitted himself with his usual ability and success, whereupon Saul’s envy and jealousy
returned, and fits of melancholy, deepening into insanity, once again over. clouded his
reason. It is no longer called "an evil spirit from God," as in 1Sa_18:10, but from
Jehovah, as in 1Sa_16:14, suggesting that it was no longer a natural influence, but that
Saul, having broken his covenant relations with Jehovah, was now punished by him.
While in this moody state the same temptation to slay David with his javelin came over
him, but with such violence that he was no longer able to restrain his evil intent.
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,
CLARKE, "And the evil spirit from the Lord - His envy and jealousy again
returned, producing distraction of mind, which was exacerbated by diabolic influence.
See on 1Sa_16:14 (note).
GILL, "And the evil spirit from the Lord was upon Saul,.... His melancholy and
frantic disorder returned upon those victories of David, and he grew envious, jealous,
spiteful, and malicious:
as he sat in his house with his javelin his hand; which either describes the
posture he was in when the evil spirit came upon him; or the effects of it, he became dull
and melancholy, did not care to go abroad, but kept at home, and was suspicious of
everybody; and therefore kept a javelin in his hand to defend himself; or it may be rather
to dispatch David with it, when an opportunity should offer, which quickly did:
and David played with his hand; on some instrument of music, particularly the
harp, to drive away the evil spirit, the melancholy disorder, from Saul; which showed his
humility, that though he was an officer in the army, had a considerable post in it, yet
27

deigned to act the part of a musician to Saul, and his great kindness and affection for
him his sovereign, willing to serve him what he could to promote his health and comfort,
and the trust and confidence he put in his promise and oath, or rather in the providence
of God for his protection in the way of his duty, though he knew how spiteful and
injurious Saul had been to him.
HENRY 9-14, "As cheerful as ever in using his harp for the service of the prince.
When Saul was disturbed with his former fits of melancholy David played with his
hand, 1Sa_19:9. He might have pleaded that this was a piece of service now below him;
but a humble man will think nothing below him by which he may do good. He might
have objected the danger he was in the last time he performed this service for Saul, 1Sa_
18:10. But he had learned to render good for evil, and to trust God with his safety in the
way of his duty. See how David was affected when his enemy was sick (Psa_35:13, Psa_
35:14), which perhaps refers to Saul's sickness.
ELLICOTT, " (9) And the evil spirit . . . was upon Saul.—Again the terrible malady
was upon the king—not unlikely brought on by the wild storm of jealous fury which
Saul allowed to sweep unchecked across his soul. Once more—
“Out of the black mid-tent’s silence, a space of three days,
Not a sound hath escaped to thy servants of prayer nor of
praise,
To betoken that Saul and the spirit have ended their strife,
And that, faint in his triumph, the monarch sinks back
upon life.”
BROWNING: Saul.
But the time when the skilled musician with his Divine strains had roused him into
life again was passed (see 1 Samuel 16:21-23), not now as in old days, when, to use
the words the great poet put into David’s mouth—
“—I looked up to know
If the best I could do had brought solace: he spoke not, but
slow
Lifted up the hand slack at his side, till he laid it with care,
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Soft and grave, but in mild settled will, on my brow; through
my hair
The large fingers were pushed, and he bent back my head.
with kind power—
All my face back, intent to peruse it as men do a flower.
Thus held he me there, with his great eye that scrutinized
mine,
And oh, all my heart how it loved him! . . .”
BROWNING: Saul.
This time, seizing the tall spear which was ever by his side, he hurled it with deadly
intent at the sorrow-stricken, loving face, and David fled in hot haste from the
doomed presence for ever. The LXX. was offended at the statement “evil spirit of
(or from) Jehovah,” and cuts the knot by leaving out “Jehovah.” It is, no doubt, a
hard saying, and no human expositor has ever yet been able fully to explain it.
To the expression Ruach Jehovah, “Spirit of Jehovah” (for “of” is more accurate
than “from”), and the equivalent phrase, Ruach Elohim, “Spirit of God” (1 Samuel
16:14-15), the epithet “evil” is added. We cannot attempt to fathom the mysteries of
the spirit world—we have absolutely no data—we simply possess in the sacred book
a few scattered notices, which indicate the existence of evil spirits. To suppose that
these malignant or evil beings were part of the heavenly host employed by the
Eternal is a supposition utterly at variance with our conception of the All-Father.
We may, however, safely grant (1) the existence of evil spirits—probably beings
fallen through sin and disobedience from their high estate; and (2) we may suppose
that these evil spirits—all, of course, belonging to the Eternal, even in their deep
degradation (so though “evil,” still “spirits of God, or Jehovah,”)—receive
occasional permission, for some wise—though to us unknown—reasons, to tempt
and plague for a season the souls of certain men.
The introduction to the Book of Job (Job 1:6; Job 2:1-7), and the circumstance
which led to the death of King Ahab before Ramoth Gilead (1 Kings 22:19-22), at
least favour this hypothesis. The presence of those evil spirits, or “devils, who
possessed those unhappy ones whom we meet so often in the Gospel story, points to
the same conclusion. Why certain souls should have been exposed to this dread
experience is, of course, beyond our ken. From the scanty information vouchsafed to
us, it seems, however, that the power of the evil spirit was sometimes permitted to be
exercised (a) as a trial of faith, as in the case of Job; or (b) as a punishment incurred
29

by the soul’s desertion of God, as in the case of Saul.
HAWKER, "Verse 9-10
(9) And the evil spirit from the LORD was upon Saul, as he sat in his house with his
javelin in his hand: and David played with his hand. (10) And Saul sought 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 escaped that night.
What sad breaks in the history, are those melancholy instances of the evil spirit's
dominion over Saul. And such, Reader, would be his dominion over you and me, did
not sovereign grace restrain. It is Jesus that binds up his power, restrains the malice
of the foe, and subdues by his grace, the influences of his malignant venom upon our
corrupt and lustful nature.
LANGE, "1 Samuel 19:9. The ethical ground of Saul’s new outburst of rage after
David’s success is his envy and jealousy of David’s honor and glory, as is intimated
by the preceding mention of the latter’s victory over the Philistines.—“We have two
similar accounts of Saul’s outbreaks ( 1 Samuel 18:10 sq. and 1 Samuel 19:9 sq.)
simply because such outbreaks were really frequent (comp. especially 1 Samuel
18:18) and like one another” (Nägelsbach in Herz. XIII:403). An evil Spirit of
Jehovah came upon Saul.—While this evil spirit is in 1 Samuel 16:15 and 1 Samuel
18:10 referred to Elohim, the Deity in general, Jehovah is here affirmed to be its
sender, because Saul’s condition, which was there only ascribed in general to a
higher divine causality in respect to his person, is here regarded as a judgment of
the covenant-God of Israel on the reprobate king, who hardens his heart against
God.—Along with his military calling, David here again takes his old place as
harpist. He did not abandon the post assigned him by the Lord, so long as the Lord
did not through events command him to leave it, as was afterwards the case, cf 1
Samuel20.—The Sept. took offence at the “evil spirit of Jehovah” and left out
“Jehovah.”[FN21] But the Genitive means nothing more than what is said in 1
Samuel 16:14, that the God of Israel sent an evil spirit on Saul, or gave him over to
the power of the evil spirit.
PETT, "1 Samuel 19:9
‘And an evil spirit from YHWH was on Saul, as he sat in his house with his spear in
his hand, and David was playing with his hand.’
The consequence of David’s success and Saul’s bitter jealousy was that it brought on
a further heightening of Saul’s illness. A harmful spirit was aroused within him, and
because all things are in God’s hands it could be described as ‘from God’. So
suffering again from delusion and paranoia he sat in his palace with his spear of
authority in his hand, calling on David to come and play for him. And as he played
Saul eyed him and saw in him the great enemy. It is always difficult to know what
people with Saul’s illness will do next, but David had already had experience of
30

what a moody Saul could do, and was ready for what did happen next.
“Playing with his hand.” It was thus a harp like instrument. There may be intended
the thought that David’s hand was acting innocently, while the hand that was
gripping Saul’s spear had other intent.
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.
BARNES, "David fled - This was the beginning of David’s life as a fugitive and
outcast, though for no “offence or fauIt” of his (Psa_59:3, Prayer Book Version).
CLARKE, "
But he slipped away - He found he could not trust Saul; and therefore was
continually on his watch. His agility of body was the means of his preservation at this
time.
GILL, "And Saul sought to smite David even to the wall with his javelin,.... To
strike it through him, and fasten him to the wall with it, as he had attempted before,
1Sa_18:11,
but he slipped away out of Saul's presence: he perceived his design, and being of
great agility of body, moved out of his place before him very nimbly:
and he smote the javelin into the wall; he threw it with suck force that it entered
into the wall, and stuck there; so great was his resolution to destroy David, and such the
rage and passion that he was in, and such his strength of body, and which, in person; in
his circumstances, is strangely exerted at times:
and David fled, and escaped that night; it being towards night, or in the evening,
very probably, when this affair happened; upon which he departed from Saul's court,
and went to his own house, and so escaped the danger he was exposed to for the present.
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HENRY, " Saul continues his malice against David. He that but the other day had
sworn by his Maker that David should not be slain now endeavors to slay him himself.
So implacable, so incurable, is the enmity of the serpent against that of the woman, so
deceitful and desperately wicked is the heart of man without the grace of God, Jer_17:9.
The fresh honours David had won in this last war with the Philistines, instead of
extinguishing Saul's ill-will to him, and confirming his reconciliation, revived his envy
and exasperated him yet more. And, when he indulged this wicked passion, no marvel
that the evil spirit came upon him (1Sa_19:9), for when we let the sun go down upon our
wrath we give place to the devil (Eph_4:26, Eph_4:27), we make room for him and
invite him. Discomposures of mind, though helped forward by the agency of Satan,
commonly owe their origin to men's own sins and follies. Saul's fear and jealousy made
him a torment to himself, so that he could not sit in his house without a javelin in his
hand, pretending it was for his preservation, but designing it for David's destruction; for
he endeavored to nail him to the wall, running at him so violently that he struck the
javelin into the wall (1Sa_19:10), so strong was the devil in him, so strong his own rage
and passion. Perhaps he thought that, if he killed David now, he would be excusable
before God and man, as being non compos mentis - not in his right mind, and that it
would be imputed to his distraction. But God cannot be deceived by pretences, whatever
men may be.
III. God continues his care of David and still watches over him for good. Saul missed
his blow. David was too quick for him and fled, and by a kind providence escaped that
night. To these preservations, among others, David often refers in his Psalms, when he
speaks of God's being his shield and buckler, his rock and fortress, and delivering his
soul from death.
K&D, "1Sa_19:10-12
Saul sought to smite David. The verb used here is not that rendered cast in 1Sa_
18:11, where probably we had the record of a purpose threatened, but not carried out.
Here Saul actually threw his javelin at David with such violence that it was fixed into the
wall. But David, though playing some instrument of music at the time, was on his guard,
and slipped away. And David fled, and escaped that night. As usual, the historian
gives the ultimate results of Saul’s violence first, and then returns and gives the
particulars; for plainly David first went home, and it was only when he found that the
house was surrounded by Saul’s emissaries that he fled away to find refuge with Samuel.
Saul also sent messengers. As is often the case, this outbreak of violence on Saul’s
part broke down all the former restraints of upright feeling and conscience. He had lost
his self-respect, was openly a murderer as regards everything but the success of his
attempt, and he determined that.that should not be long wanting. He sends persons,
therefore, to watch David’s house, with orders that when in the morning he came out,
suspecting no danger, they should fall upon him and slay him. But Michal in some way
or other became aware of her husband’s danger. Possibly she had been at her father’s
house in the afternoon, and with quick observation had noticed that more than usual
was going on, and seeing that her own house was the object of these preparations, had
divined their intent; or possibly Jonathan may have given her information, and so she
warned David of his danger. As the entrance was guarded, he was let down through a
window, like St. Paul afterwards, and so began the weary life of wandering which lasted
32

through so many troubled years.
BENSON, "1 Samuel 19:10. Saul sought to smite David with the javelin — “How
sad and shocking a scene was this! David labouring with all his study and skill to
relieve Saul’s anguish; and Saul, in the same instant, meditating his destruction!
sitting sullen and determined, with his javelin in his hand, watching his opportunity,
and waiting, perhaps, until the power of music had so far calmed his spirits as to
render his hand steady. He then darted his spear at David with all his might, and
with such force, that, he happily declining it, it pierced and stuck into the wall; and
David fled.” — Delaney. Saul’s wrath and fury, on this occasion, made him entirely
forget his oath. So dangerous it is to be possessed with such passions! It seems likely,
from Saul’s having a javelin in or near his hand, that it was usual for kings, in those
days, to hold one in their hands, in the same manner as a sceptre in after-times, as a
mark of royal authority.
TRAPP, "1 Samuel 19:7 And Jonathan called David, and Jonathan shewed him all
those things. And Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence, as in
times past.
Ver. 7. And he was in his presence, as in times past.] But nothing so well assured of
Saul’s favour, now restored, as the chief butler was of Pharaoh’s; or Essex of Queen
Elizabeth’s: whom when she had first imprisoned and then enlarged, she no less
loved him than before, after that he had signified to her Majesty that he kissed her
royal hands, and the rod which had corrected him, not ruined him, &c. (a)
LANGE, "1 Samuel 19:10. David escapes Saul’s spear, which penetrates the wall.
He flees the same night. (The Art. of the Pron. is lacking from similarity of sound,
Ew. § 392 a, and § 70 c). The Sept. reads: “and it came to pass that night that Saul
sent” (inserting ‫י‬ ִ‫ה‬ְ‫י‬ִ‫ו‬ and connecting with the following), looking to 1 Samuel 19:12,
where the flight by night is first mentioned. Against this it is not necessary to insist
that the narrator here in Hebrew fashion gives the result first by anticipation, and
then details the immediate incidents; for Saul’s attempt may have occurred in the
evening, or, if it happened in the day-time, David may first have hidden in Saul’s
house, and then at night have fled to his own house. That David fled to his own
dwelling and remained there till night, appears from 1 Samuel 19:11, according to
which Saul sends messengers to his house to watch him and to kill him in the
morning (that Isaiah, when he went out again). With this agrees exactly the fact that
Michal, who acquainted him with the danger threatening him in his house, presses
him to flee that night, because in the morning he would be slain. In the night of the
same day on which the attempt on his life occurred, David fled from Saul’s house to
his own, and the same night by Michal’s means he fled from his own house. [Kitto:
“We may guess that only the fear of alarming the town, and of rousing the populace
to rescue their favorite hero, prevented him from directing them to break into the
house and slay David there.” Others suggest the fear of alarming or injuring
Michal. She could easily get notice of Saul’s design from Jonathan or others.—Tr
33

PETT, "1 Samuel 19:10
‘And Saul sought to smite David even to the wall with the spear, but he slipped
away out of Saul’s presence, and he smote the spear into the wall, and David fled,
and escaped that night.’
Suddenly, probably with a mad and wild look in his eyes (a pattern common with
such people), Saul raised his spear and sought to pin David to the wall. He would
make no attempt to hide his intention or to act subtly. This was no carefully planned
attempt at murder by an experienced warrior but rather a blatant and crude action
from a perverted mind which would have been well advertised. Saul had once again
decided that he wanted to see David’s blood, and he made no secret of it. And he
also wanted to rid himself of this enemy. But David was able to see what was coming
in plenty of time, avoid the blow and flee, thus escaping that night. This is the first
major example of David fleeing before Saul (contrast 1 Samuel 7 c and see 1 Samuel
19:18; 1 Samuel 20:1. Note further 1 Samuel 19:12, but that is in the middle of a
passage).
In fact 1 Samuel 20:33 suggests that this use by Saul of his ceremonial spear was a
‘normal’ practise when Saul was in this state and became angry. It had thus
probably also been experienced by a number of his other courtiers, which would
help to explain why David did not see it as indicating that Saul was particularly
venomous towards him.
PULPIT, "1Sa_19:10-12
Saul sought to smite David. The verb used here is not that rendered cast in 1Sa_
18:11, where probably we had the record of a purpose threatened, but not carried out.
Here Saul actually threw his javelin at David with such violence that it was fixed into the
wall. But David, though playing some instrument of music at the time, was on his guard,
and slipped away. And David fled, and escaped that night. As usual, the historian
gives the ultimate results of Saul’s violence first, and then returns and gives the
particulars; for plainly David first went home, and it was only when he found that the
house was surrounded by Saul’s emissaries that he fled away to find refuge with Samuel.
Saul also sent messengers. As is often the case, this outbreak of violence on Saul’s
part broke down all the former restraints of upright feeling and conscience. He had lost
his self-respect, was openly a murderer as regards everything but the success of his
attempt, and he determined that.that should not be long wanting. He sends persons,
therefore, to watch David’s house, with orders that when in the morning he came out,
suspecting no danger, they should fall upon him and slay him. But Michal in some way
or other became aware of her husband’s danger. Possibly she had been at her father’s
house in the afternoon, and with quick observation had noticed that more than usual
was going on, and seeing that her own house was the object of these preparations, had
divined their intent; or possibly Jonathan may have given her information, and so she
warned David of his danger. As the entrance was guarded, he was let down through a
window, like St. Paul afterwards, and so began the weary life of wandering which lasted
34

through so many troubled years.
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."
BARNES, "Saul’s plan was to surround the house at night, and to have David killed
as soon as he came abroad unsuspectingly in the morning.
CLARKE, "To slay him in the morning - When they might be able to distinguish
between him and Michal his wife; for, had they attempted his life in the night season,
there would have been some danger to Michal’s life. Besides, Saul wished to represent
him as a traitor; and consequently an attack upon him was justifiable at any time, even
in the fullest daylight.
GILL, "And Saul sent messengers unto David's house,.... Supposing that he was
gone thither; where this was is not said, very likely in Gibeah, where Saul lived:
to watch him; that he might not get out from thence in the night:
and to slay him in the morning; the reason why he did not order them to break into
the house, and slay him at once, but wait till morning, seems to be, lest should he be
alarmed by their breaking in, he might take the advantage of the night, and easily escape,
or another person through mistake might be slain for him; and therefore, that they
might be sure of him, they were to watch till it was broad daylight, when they could not
well miss him. Josephus (d) says, the orders to watch him until morning were, that he
might be taken and brought to a court of judicature, and be condemned and put to
death, which was usually held in a morning; but Saul's orders to the messengers were to
put him to death themselves, and he had no notion of dealing with him according to a
formal process of judgment:
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and Michal, David's wife, told him, saying, if thou save not thy life tonight,
tomorrow thou shalt be slain; meaning, if he did not take the benefit and advantage
of the night to make his escape, he would not be able to do it in the morning; the house
being so beset, as she perceived, by persons whom she might suspect were sent by Saul
to destroy him, knowing the ill will her father bore to him, or a messenger at the same
time might be dispatched to her, either from her brother Jonathan, or from one of her
friends at court, acquainting her with the design against David, and the danger he was
in. Upon this occasion David penned the fifty ninth psalm, see Psa_59:1.
HENRY, "Here is, I. Saul's further design of mischief to David. When David had
escaped the javelin, supposing he went straight to his own house, as indeed he did, Saul
sent some of his guards after him to lay wait at the door of his house, and to assassinate
him in the morning as soon as he stirred out, 1Sa_19:11. Josephus says the design was to
seize him and to hurry him before a court of justice that was ordered to condemn him
and put him to death as a traitor; but we are here told it was a shorter way they were to
take with him: they were ordered to slay him. Well might David complain that his
enemies were bloody men, as he did in the psalm which he penned at this time, and
upon this occasion (Ps. 59), when Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him. See
1Sa_19:2, 1Sa_19:3, and 1Sa_19:7. He complains that swords were in their lips.
II. David's wonderful deliverance out of this danger. Michal was the instrument of it,
whom Saul gave him to be a snare to him, but she proved to be his protector and helper.
Often is the devil out-shot with his own bow. How Michal came to know the danger her
husband was in does not appear; perhaps she had notice sent her from court, or rather
was herself aware of the soldiers about the house, when they were going to bed, though
they kept so still and silent that they said, Who dost hear? which David takes notice of,
Psa_59:7. She, knowing her father's great indignation at David, soon suspected the
design, and bestirred herself for her husband's safety.
JAMISON, "Saul sent messengers unto David’s house, to watch him, and
to slay him — The fear of causing a commotion in the town, or favoring his escape in
the darkness, seemed to have influenced the king in ordering them to patrol till the
morning. This infatuation was overruled by Providence to favor David’s escape; for his
wife, secretly apprised by Jonathan, who was aware of the design, or by spying persons
in court livery watching the gate, let him down through a window (see on Jos_2:15).
K&D, "“Saul sent messengers to David's house,” to which David had first fled, “to
watch him (that he might not get away again), and to put him to death in the (next)
morning.” Michal made him acquainted with this danger, and then let him down
through the window, so that he escaped. The danger in which David was at that time is
described by him in Ps 59, from which we may see how Saul was surrounded by a
number of cowardly courtiers, who stirred up his hatred against David, and were busily
engaged in getting the dreaded rival out of the way.
SBC, "In this passage there is a minute account of an appalling danger to which David
was exposed.
I. God’s servants are frequently exposed to alarming dangers. (1) This danger came at an
unexpected time. (2) This danger proceeded from a powerful enemy. (3) This danger
36

assumed a most alarming aspect.
II. God’s servants are frequently warned of approaching danger. (1) David’s warning
came from different sources. (2) David’s warning demanded immediate attention. (3)
David’s warning led to decisive action.
III. God’s servants are frequently delivered from impending dangers. The context shows
that God delivers His servants in four ways: (1) By friendly mediation. (2) By personal
watchfulness. (3) By conjugal fidelity. (4) By Divine interposition.
Parker, City Temple, vol. i., p. 81.
BENSON, "1 Samuel 19:11. To slay him in the morning — As he went out of the
door of his house. By this it is apparent, when Saul missed his blow, he was the more
enraged, and implacably pursued David’s destruction. And Michal, David’s wife,
told him — She had intelligence either from her brother Jonathan, or some other
friend at court: or, perhaps, she saw suspicious persons hovering about the house.
TRAPP, "1 Samuel 19:11 Saul also sent messengers unto David’s house, to watch
him, and to slay him in the morning: and Michal David’s wife told him, saying, If
thou save not thy life to night, to morrow thou shalt be slain.
Ver. 11. To watch him, and to slay him in the morning.] When he thought they
might do appointed judges to sit upon him that morning, and to condemn him for a
traitor: as our Richard III dealt by the Lord Hastings, whom he hastily executed.
And Michal, David’s wife, told him.] She might haply hear of that murderous design
by some friend: or she might see the assassins about the house by night. And
although she had little religion in her, yet nature had taught her to prefer a husband
to a father. Man and wife are as the two branches in the prophet Ezekiel’s hand,
enclosed in one bark, and so closing together that they make but one piece: they
should therefore mutually seek the preservation and good one of another. Mary,
queen of Hungary, showed the like kindness to her husband Sigismund, who was
afterwards chosen Emperor of Germany, A.D. 1411, but so did not Mary, queen of
Scots.
COFFMAN, "Verse 11
MICHAL SAVES HER HUSBAND'S LIFE
"That night Saul sent messengers to David's house to watch him, that he might kill
him in the morning. But Michal, David's wife, told him, "If you do not save your life
tonight, tomorrow you will be killed. So Michal let David down through the
window; and he fled away and escaped. Michal took an image and laid it on the bed
and put a pillow of goat's hair at its head, and covered it with clothes. And when
Saul sent messengers to take David, she said, "He is sick." Then Saul sent the
messengers to see David, saying, "Bring him up to me in the bed that I may kill
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