1 Samuel

1 Samuel 19:1-7

Saul plotted to kill David simply because the Lord was with him.  This hatred wasn't based on anything reasonable and probably made no sense to all the others.  It certainly made no sense to Jonathon.  The servants also loved David and saw how well he had served Saul.  Yet the King gave a command.  To disobey could cost one his life. 

Jonathon took this on himself.  He not only refused to be part of a plot to murder an innocent man, he actively worked against it.  He spoke well of David and did so to his father.  He tried to talk some sense into Saul.  Verse six says that he heeded the voice of Jonathon and swore not to kill him.  David was then brought back into Saul's presence and things went back to normal - or at least as close as possible after your life has been threatened.  I can imagine David constantly looking over his shoulder.

1 Samuel 19:8-10

Normal only lasted until another visit from the terrifying spirit.  David served Saul and the people well when he fought against the Philistines and was successful.  David once again was playing the harp for Saul when tried to pin him to the wall with a spear.

1 Samuel 19:11-17

Saul now goes further in his effort by sending people David's house.  He's very open with his threat as if everyone would know and understand why he was trying to kill David.  Michal rescues David from the hit men; letting David down from a window.  Michal put something David's bed and made it look like his is still in bed.  When Saul questioned why she did this, she says that David threatened her life so she had to let him go.  Saul had made David his enemy; even though David didn't want it that way. 

1 Samuel 19:18-24

David tells Samuel all that is going on and they go to Naioth.  When Saul finds out, he sends men there to kill David.  We can imagine the strange loyalties people developed; some wanting to please the king while some recognized his evil motives.  Strangers sent info to help when his own children plotted against him. 

When these men came to David the spirit of God came on them and they prophesied.  We can imagine men coming to inflict harm and with evil motives suddenly overcome with the Spirit and praising God in the Spirit.  This was the Lord's protection of David; it was divine intervention and protection of the one anointed by the Lord.  This happens a second time and then Saul himself decides to come.  He also is overcome with the Spirit as the Lord sent a clear message to Saul that He was in charge. 

Saul took his clothes off and lays naked before the Lord.  This nakedness was probably when he stripped off his royal robes.  It would be the equivalent of being in his underwear before the Lord.  Either way, this was a humbling and humiliating thing for a prideful man that refused to submit to the Lord.  He was overcome by the Spirit and forced to submit him self to God.  This was another clear indication from the Lord that God was in charge of this situation, not Saul.

©2015 Doug Ford