United Commentaries

1Sam.19.4

Jonathan addressed his father as the king out of reverence.

1Sam.19.6

vowed: Violating a vow is a serious offense against God (see Num 30:2; Deut 23:21-23; cp. Eccl 5:4-5). But Saul soon disregarded his promise and again sought to kill David (1 Sam 19:9-24).

1Sam.19.10

hurled his spear: See also 18:11; 20:33.

1Sam.19.11

See Ps 59:title.

1Sam.19.13

an idol: Hebrew teraphim, which were household idols (see Gen 31:30; Judg 17:5; 2 Kgs 23:24). The presence of an idol in the home of David and Michal might show the pervasive influence of pagan idol worship among the Israelites; perhaps the idol belonged to Michal. Apparently David did not object to its presence. (Cp. Rachel’s theft of her father’s household idols in Gen 31:19.)

Siblings Jonathan (1 Sam 19:1-7) and Michal (19:11-18) saved David from their father and undermined their father’s plans to eliminate him. Members of Saul’s royal family played a significant role in David’s rise, though David did not usurp Saul’s throne.

1Sam.19.18

Ramah: Samuel’s hometown (1:1).

Naioth was a tiny village not far from the other Ramah in Benjamin.

1Sam.19.20

Prophets often assembled in groups under a single leader (see 2 Kgs 2:15; 4:38; 6:1-7).

The Spirit of God came upon Saul’s men to allow David to escape (1 Sam 20:1).

1Sam.19.21

other troops . . . a third time: Each time Saul sent troops, David’s would-be captors were captured by the Spirit. Prophesying diverted them from pursuing David.

1Sam.19.24

When Saul tore off his clothes and lay naked, he unwittingly acted out his true spiritual condition of having been stripped of the kingship (13:14; 15:10-11, 23; see “Prophetic Sign Acts” Theme Note).

Is even Saul a prophet? In 1 Sam 10:9-13, Saul was rising as God’s chosen king; here, he is descending under the weight of God’s rejection.