1Sa 19:1-7 | Clarke | STEP | Jonathan pleads for David before Saul, who is for the present reconciled, . David defeats the Philistines; and Saul becomes again envious, and endeavors to slay him, but he escapes, . Saul sends men to David's house, to lie in wait for him; but Michal saves him by a stratagem, . David flees to Samuel, at Ramah, . Saul, hearing of it, sends messengers three several times to take him; but the Spirit of coming upon them, they prophesy, . Saul, hearing of this, goes after David himself, and falls under the same influence, . Verse 1 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.

1 Samuel 19:1-7

Introduction

Jonathan pleads for David before Saul, who is for the present reconciled, 1Sam 19:1-7. David defeats the Philistines; and Saul becomes again envious, and endeavors to slay him, but he escapes, 1Sam 19:8-10. Saul sends men to David's house, to lie in wait for him; but Michal saves him by a stratagem, 1Sam 19:11-17. David flees to Samuel, at Ramah, 1Sam 19:18. Saul, hearing of it, sends messengers three several times to take him; but the Spirit of coming upon them, they prophesy, 1Sam 19:19-21. Saul, hearing of this, goes after David himself, and falls under the same influence, 1Sam 19:22-24.

Verse 1

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. Verse 2

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. Verse 4

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. Verse 5

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. Verse 6

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. Verse 7

He was in his presence, as in times past - By Jonathan's advice he had secreted himself on that day on which he was to have been assassinated: the king having sworn that he should not be slain, David resumes his place in the palace of Saul.