There was war again. David went out, and fought with the Philistines, and killed them with a great slaughter; and they fled before him.
Parallel Translations
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There was war again. David went out, and fought with the Philistines, and killed them with a great slaughter; and they fled before him.
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And there was war again: and David went out, and fought with the Philistines, and slew them with a great slaughter; and they fled from him.
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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.
Cross-references (2)
Passages linked to 1 Samuel 19:8 in the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, ordered by reader-vote popularity; verse text shown in World English Bible.
- Psalms 18:32-50 the God who arms me with strength, and makes my way perfect? He makes my feet like deer’s feet, and sets me on my high places. He teaches my hands to war, so that my arms bend a bow of bronze. You have also given me the shield of your salvation. Your right hand sustains me. Your gentleness has made me great. You have enlarged my steps under me, My feet have not slipped. I will pursue my enemies, and overtake them. I won’t turn away until they are consumed. I will strike them through, so that they will not be able to rise. They shall fall under my feet. For you have armed me with strength to the battle. You have subdued under me those who rose up against me. You have also made my enemies turn their backs to me, that I might cut off those who hate me. They cried, but there was no one to save; even to Yahweh, but he didn’t answer them. Then I beat them small as the dust before the wind. I cast them out as the mire of the streets. You have delivered me from the strivings of the people. You have made me the head of the nations. A people whom I have not known shall serve me. As soon as they hear of me they shall obey me. The foreigners shall submit themselves to me. The foreigners shall fade away, and shall come trembling out of their strongholds. Yahweh lives! Blessed be my rock. Exalted be the God of my salvation, even the God who executes vengeance for me, and subdues peoples under me. He rescues me from my enemies. Yes, you lift me up above those who rise up against me. You deliver me from the violent man. Therefore I will give thanks to you, Yahweh, among the nations, and will sing praises to your name. He gives great deliverance to his king, and shows loving kindness to his anointed, to David and to his offspring, forever more.
- Psalms 27:3 Though an army should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear. Though war should rise against me, even then I will be confident.
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John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain 1Sa 19:8 And there was war again: and David…
1Sa 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 from him.
Ver. 8. And slew them with a great slaughter.] His name was no less terrible to them, likely, than was afterwards Hanniade’s to the Turks, or Zisca’s to the Papists in Bohemia and other parts; the mothers quieted therewith their crying children.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Henry 1710 · Public Domain Here I. David continues his good services to his…
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, Sa1 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. 2. 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, Sa1 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, Sa1 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.
II. 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 (Sa1 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 (Sa1 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.
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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.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible (1708–1710) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain And there was war again,.... Between Israel and the…
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, Sa1 18:13; for he had not the command of the whole army; that belonged to Abner:
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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.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain And David, &c. - So David continues his good…
And David, &c. - So David continues his good service, tho' it was 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.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain SAUL'S MALICIOUS RAGE BREAKS OUT AGAINST DAVID. (Sa1 19:8-17)
SAUL'S MALICIOUS RAGE BREAKS OUT AGAINST DAVID. (Sa1 19:8-17)
David went out, and fought with the Philistines, and slew them with a 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.
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain SAUL’S RENEWED ATTEMPTS UPON THE LIFE OF DAVID, 1Sa_19:8-17.
SAUL’S RENEWED ATTEMPTS UPON THE LIFE OF DAVID, 1Sa_19:8-17.
8. There was war again — Saul’s reconciliation soon came to an end. New wars crowned David with fresh laurels, and the king’s envious soul became a prey again of deep melancholy and wicked thoughts. Thus invited, the evil spirit again entered, and fired his darkest passions into sevenfold rage.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain 8–11. Saul’s attempt on David’s life
8–11. Saul’s attempt on David’s life
8. David went out, &c.] This preliminary mention of David’s fresh successes implies that Saul’s attack of madness was due to jealousy excited by them.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain RENEWED ATTEMPT TO SLAY DAVID FRUSTRATED BY MICHAL (vers.…
RENEWED ATTEMPT TO SLAY DAVID FRUSTRATED BY MICHAL (vers. 8-17).
Vers. 8, 9. The more correctly anevil 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.
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Vers. 8-17.
Revived sins and troubles.
The facts are
1. The fresh fame of David arouses the latent ill-will of Saul, who seeks invain to smite him with a javelin.
2. David fleeing to his house, Saul sends men to lie in wait for and slayhim.
3. Michal warns him of danger, and during the night aids his escape.
4. By a clever device she diverts his enemies from an immediate pursuit,and on being accused of aiding her father"s enemy, she pleads self-preservation. The troubles of life are but temporarily overcome. It was destined for David to smite the national enemy, since he went forth as none other did, strong in the "name of the Lord." The fame of his exploits no sooner reached the ears of Saul than the effect of Jonathan"s recent endeavour to reconcile him to David was utterly lost; and hence arose a series of new troubles for persecutor and the persecuted. We see here
I That A RADICAL CHANGE OF DISPOSITION IS THE ONLY GUARANTEE OF CONDUCT AND CHARACTER. The change wrought in Saul by Jonathan"s recent presentation of truth was only superficial. The old sin was loved and unrepented of. The nature of the man was alienated from the life of God; and hence on the slightest approach of temptation the old spirit broke forth. It is universally true that no intellectual recognition of truth, no acquiescence of conscience in the injustice of a course, no reformation consequent on human influence over the feelings or the intelligence, will make man, or enable him to be, what he ought to be. The fundamental disposition must be renewed. There are instances of this in Christian history. The lion becomes a lamb. A Saul of Tarsus becomes an apostle of Christ. It is in the nature of things that so it should be. For in the ordained subordination of the powers of the mind there is a ruling disposition to which all bend: if it be pure all will move in a holy direction; if it be impure the whole life will he stained. Out of the heart are the issues of life. It is the weakness of all systems of morality that they exalt virtue and teach the evils of vice, but furnish no adequate power to render the life virtuous in the highest sense of the term. Moralists may be immoral. The doing of truth is not involved in a knowledge of it. Here it is that the New Testament comes in to supplement man"s knowledge, and to perfect codes of morality. By the gift of the Holy Spirit it builds up outward character from within, and insures that at last sin shall have no dominion over us. There is danger of men overlooking this truth, especially when many run to and fro, and knowledge is increased. Civilisation, by securing a presentable exterior, diverts attention from the "hidden man of the heart." The indirect effect of Christianity is to incorporate with the ordinary character many of the virtues nourished only by itself, and hence men imagine that society would be what it is without Christianity. It is extremely important, therefore, to insist on the New Testament teaching of the need of a radical change by the power of the Holy Spirit; to seek to bring our children early under his renewing power, and to pray constantly that men may be renewed and become new creatures in Christ Jesus.
II That THE AFFLICTIONS OFTEN BEFALLING THE SERVANTS OF GOD PUT A SEVERE STRAIN ON THEIR FAITH. If Psalm 59 was written in reference to this persecution, we can see the propriety of the assertion, "Not for my transgression, and not for any sin of mine", (Psa_59:3) do they "set themselves." To a young man conscious of his integrity, and not without hope of being accepted of God, it must have seemed a strange providence which allowed his life to be so troubled. Could Samuel"s anointing really have a Divine significance?. (1Sa_16:13) Was it not a mistake to have left the quiet sheepfold for the scene of conflict?. (1Sa_17:20) Would it not be well even now to retire into private life? Why should an innocent, sincere soul have such constant reason to cry, "Awake to help me, and behold?". (Psa_59:4) The experience is not confined to David. One greater than David, when in pursuit of his higher work in the world, was a "Man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief." And likewise for many a year his Church, when pursuing her holy and beneficent course, was exposed to relentless persecution. It is still true that "many are the afflictions of the righteous," and that "through much tribulation "we enter the kingdom. But all this is not a matter of chance, nor an indication of imperfect wisdom and love. The world is evil, and goodness can only live in it by conflict. It is part of the great battle of the universe that sin shall be exterminated by endured sorrows. History proves that the purest lives and most beautiful virtues have flourished in times and by means of severe trial. Every sufferer knows how blessed it is to be driven nearer to God. The tribulation is only for a brief space, and works out a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. Hence faith can bear the strain; the more so as God does succour and delight the soul with his comforts. (Psa_59:17 Psa_94:19)
III That THOSE WHO DEVISE EVIL AGAINST THE SERVANTS OF GOD ARE SOMETIMES CAUGHT IN THEIR OWN DEVICES. In the exercise of his low cunning Saul gave Michal to David that she might be a snare to him, (1Sa_18:21) her character and tendencies being such as might in his judgment bring him into trouble. It now turned out that the snare for David became a snare for Saul. (Psa_7:14, Psa_7:15) Wicked men cannot always reckon safely on their instruments. Men laid snares for Christ, but were entangled in their own talk. (Mat_22:15-22) Pharaoh thought he would find Israel "entangled in the land", (Exo_14:3) and he found himself ensnared therein to his own destruction. Snares are laid for the Church of God in modern times, and some of these will doubtless prove the reverse of the original intent. We are invited with persuasive voice to enter the pathway of severe historical criticism and of physical science, and it is hoped thereby to disenchant us of the fascination of a supernatural Christianity. Men are as confident of the result as was Saul when he gave Michal to David; (1Sa_18:21) but we have nothing to fear, for criticism and science thus far only bring out the truth that the CHRIST is unexplainable on any hypothesis but that of the supernatural; and hence, on the ordinary principles of scientific research, men are bound to accept that hypothesis, or else declare themselves unscientific. "He must reign till he hath put all enemies under his feet", (1Co_15:25)
IV That ALTHOUGH IMPERFECT MORAL CONDUCT MAY SUBSERVE THE INTERESTS OF GOD"S SERVANTS, IT NEVERTHELESS IS DISHONOURING TO THEM. Michal acted a lie, and also told deliberate lies, in order to shield David and then herself. The issue was advantageous to David, as it put a wide distance between him and his pursuers. The statement of the facts in Scripture is by no means identical with approval of them. God"s purposes have sometimes been furthered by the actions of imperfect men, but the actions have been their own, and never have had Divine approval. It is true still that many a defective "earthen vessel" is the instrument of good. Indeed, were God to refrain from working out his blessed purposes of mercy till we were all pure as the angels, the prospects of the world would be dark enough. The safe rule is "not to do evil that good may come." Good does come often in spite of evil, as when God"s truth is diffused in spite of the mixed motives and strifes of those engaged in his service, and when comfort and joy flow to the poor from money given even for purposes far from benevolent. The command of God is "Lie not one to another". (Lev_19:11) It is not for us to say that dangers will be avoided by occasional lies. The principle involved in truth speaking is of vast importance in all times and places, and is worth the sacrifice of much for its vindication. Suppose a man is slain rather than utter a lie, does not his martyrdom for truth, in the enduring moral sphere, bring greater good to moral beings and himself than could have come from trampling on a sacred principle for a present advantage? God, moreover, does not leave his servants when they do right. Had Michal stated the facts she would have saved her husband from slander, and there were ten thousand ways by which God could have frustrated the purpose of the men and shielded David. Our duty is to be true and leave consequences to God. God does not lie we are children of God; Christ did not lie we are followers of Christ. We may be sure that permanent good must ensue on our being conformed to Christ, the image of God. There is a gain which is loss, and a loss which is gain. (Psa_37:3-8, Psa_37:27, Psa_37:28; Mar_8:36; Eph_5:9 Eph_6:14)
General lessons:
1. The influence of Christians may restrain the development of sin in some of its grosser forms, but it is an imperfect Christianity which rests in that.
2. The "wrath of man" is made to praise God, in that persecutions issue ingreater spirituality of mind and fitness for permanent service. (Rom_5:3-5)
3. We need not fret and be uneasy about the snares of the wicked if onlywe are in God"s service, as time is on our side. (Ps 37)
4. Christians should strive to put down all practical forms of falsehoodprevalent in society, and train children in a severe love of truth at any cost.
Vers. 8-18. (GIBEAH.)
David"s escape from court.
David fled, and escaped that night" (ver. 10). "There was war again", (1Sa_17:18:5, 1Sa_17:30) victory by David again, an evil spirit upon Saul; (1Sa_16:23 1Sa_18:10) and, as David once more sat in the palace, "playing with his hand," the king not merely brandished his spear as before, but hurled it at him. It was his last attempt of the kind. After what had taken place he might not be trusted again; and David fled, first to his own house, and during the night from the city. It is one of the memorable nights of the Bible.
1. That night was the commencement of his open persecution by Saul, and of the long and varied troubles he experienced as an outlaw. He had been at court some three or four years, and now at three and twenty went forth to his seven years" wanderings (2Sa_5:5: "He lived seventy years Josephus).
1. That night was, as is commonly thought, the occasion of thecomposition of the first of David"s psalms. PSALM 59., "the refuge of the persecuted," "is perhaps the oldest of the Davidic psalms that have come down to us" (Delitzsch). It is not necessary to suppose that it was actually written on the night of his escape. The thoughts and feelings then entertained may have been penned subsequently; perhaps while he continued at Ramah with Samuel and "the prophets" (vers. 18, 20). Other psalms have been referred by some to the same occasion viz., Psa 6:, Psa 7:, Psa_7:11. "His harp was his companion in his flight, and even in the midst of
2. peril the poet"s nature appears which regards all life as materials for song, and the devout spirit appears which regards all trials as occasions of praise" (Maclaren). How wide and deep was the stream of sacred song of which this was the commencement!
3. That night afforded one of the most remarkable instances of theprotecting and guiding providence of God by which the life of David was manifestly ordered. Notice
I HIS DANGER, and the anxiety and distress by which it was naturally attended (vers. 11, 14, 17, compared with Ps 59). Adversity
1. Often follows closely upon prosperity. In the morning David occupied a position of high honour as the king"s son-in-law, the successful general, the popular hero; at night he was hiding in secret and fleeing for his life. Vicissitude is the law of life; and none, however exalted, may boast of their security or continuance. (Job_29:18)
2. Appears sometimes to fall most heavily upon the godly man. "Not for my transgression nor for my sin". (Psa_59:3) Why should it be permitted? To test, manifest, strengthen, and perfect his character. David had been tried by prosperity, he must also be tried by adversity.
3. Is due, in great measure, to the opposition and persecution of the ungodly. What a picture is here presented of the enemies of David, "when Saul sent messengers, and they watched the house to kill him"! (Psa_59:3, Psa_59:6, Psa_59:14) And what a revelation does it make of the wickedness of the human heart, which was consummated in the crucifying of the Lord of glory! "As then he that was born after the flesh," etc.. (Gal_4:29) The conflict is renewed in every age and in every individual life. "All that will live godly," etc.. (2Ti_3:12)
4. Leads the good man to more entire trust in God and more earnest prayer. This is one of its chief purposes.
Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God! O Jehovah, God of hosts, God of Israel!.... O my Strength, on thee will I wait, For God is my Fortress?
5. Is never so bitter to him as trouble to the wicked, for he has peace within and undying hope. How different was it with David in this respect from what it was with Saul]
6 . However long the good man may suffer from the persecution of thewicked, his deliverance is certain for "God is Ruler in Jacob," etc. (Psa_59:13) "By him actions are weighed.
II HIS DELIVERANCE (vers. 11, 12, 17, 18). The interposition of Providence, to which it was due
1. Is not made without the watchful and diligent use of appropriate means. David did not presumptuously wait in the palace or his own house, but availed himself of the opportunity of escaping. "When they persecute you,". (Mat_10:23)
1. Is shown in turning to good what was meant for evil. The snare that was woven for his soul (1Sa_17:21; ver. 11; Psa_59:3) aided his escape.
2. Often fills the wicked with disappointment and confusion when most confident of success (ver. 17).
3. Provides a home for the good man when driven out of their society. "Came to Samuel and told him all," etc. That night he was received by his revered friend, to whose instructions he had doubtless often listened; and with whom else could he have found such sympathy and shelter?
4. Causes him to render praise to God.
But, as for me, I will sing of thy strength, Yea, I will shout aloud of thy mercy in the morning; For thou hast been a Fortress to me, And a Refuge in the day when I was in distress: O my Strength, unto thee will I harp, For God is my Fortress, my merciful God.
5. Conduces to the benefit of many. These Psalms of David the result (under "an unction from the Holy One") of his distresses and deliverances are among our greatest spiritual treasures. "They are for all time. Theynever can be outgrown. No dispensation while the world lasts and continues what it is can ever raise us above the reach or the need of them. They describe every spiritual vicissitude, they speak to all classes of minds, they command every natural emotion. They are penitential, jubilant adorative, deprecatory; they are tender, mournful, joyous, majestic; soft as the descent of dew; low as the whisper of love; loud as the voice of thunder; terrible as the almightiness of God". (Binney, "Service of Song in the House of the Lord"). D.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary 1892 · Public Domain 1Sa_19:9. “The evil spirit from the Lord (Jehovah).” “While…
CRITICAL AND EXPOSITORY NOTES—
1Sa_19:9. “The evil spirit from the Lord (Jehovah).” “While this evil spirit is in 1Sa_16:15 and 1Sa_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.” (Erdmann.)
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1Sa_19:11. “To slay him in the morning.” “We may guess that only the fear of alarming the town, and of rousing the populace to rescue their favourite hero, prevented Saul from directing them to break into the house and slay David there.” (Kitto.)
1Sa_19:13. “Image.” Literally, the teraphim as in Gen_35:2, evidently household gods which were still in use to some extent among the Israelites. See Jdg_17:5; Jdg_18:14, etc. “The plural here represents a single image which it seems must have had the human form, at least as to head and face, though the size may have varied since Rachel concealed it under the camel-saddle.” (Erdmann.) “Pillow.” The word so rendered occurs only here, and is derived from the Hebrew verb Cabar, to plait or braid. Hence it means something bound together or woven, evidently a portion of the bed-furniture, which Michal so arranged as to make her deception more complete.
1Sa_19:17. Michal evidently here pretends that her own life would have been in danger from her husband if she had not allowed him to escape.
MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.—1Sa_19:8-17
DAVID’S FIRST FLIGHT
I. Human transgressors axe surrounded by divinely raised barriers intended to prevent their departure from the right way. A soldier weary of the hardships of the camp forms a plan to desert his regiment, and thus to expose himself to dishonour and to punishment. But all around him are stationed sentinels who stand to prevent him from doing what would ruin all his prospects for life. It is well for him if the thought of the cold steel which encompasses him leads him to dismiss the idea from his mind—if the opposition which he knows he should meet with makes him pause and allow the purpose to die. But should he persist he will not succeed in making good his escape without encountering many a bayonet and bullet, each of which is a witness against him bearing testimony that he is a transgressor against martial law. In like manner God puts sentinels in the path of men which are intended to keep them from breaking through moral laws, and by the opposition which they offer to transgression to convince them of the self-destroying nature of sin. First and foremost stands the voice of conscience, and then, it may be, the pleadings of family affection, the arguments of reason and even the warnings of self-interest. Saul was surrounded by such divinely raised barriers, which he broke down one after another. His conscience and his reason echoing the remonstrance of Jonathan, had but lately stood across his path, and for a time had turned him from his purpose. But he had silenced them again, and now the opposition of his daughter, like another sentinel, rises up before him, and hinders him from staining his hands with innocent blood. Michal’s interposition surely reminded him that the man whose life he sought was not an obscure subject and a stranger but one whom his own act had made the husband of his daughter and a member of the royal household, and therefore one who, from family and political interests, had a claim upon him even if he was not open to influence from higher motives. Each admonition and hindrance which Saul encountered was a witness against him, and warned him that he was pursuing a path of self-destruction.
II. Those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake may serve God better by fleeing than by fighting. It costs a courageous man much more to flee than to fight, and yet there are times and circumstances when the voice of duty commands the former rather than the latter. The commander may feel a strong desire to encounter the enemy, and yet he may feel that a retreat for the present may ensure a victory with less loss of life in the future. Or he may long to attack a certain stronghold and yet he may feel assured that if he delay, it will shortly be surrendered without bloodshed. In both cases he will be acting wrongly if he allows his physical courage and martial ardour to get the better of his humanity. It will be better to expose himself to the charge of cowardice than to do that which will be least for the honour of his God and his country. Up to this period of his life David had never turned his back upon an enemy, or retreated when exposed to personal danger, excepting so far as to avoid the javelin of Saul. It must have been harder for him to flee with the help of a woman than it would have been to remain and face the messengers of the king. But he doubtless felt that the course which was least in accordance with his feelings was most in accordance with his duty. If he had come forward in open opposition to Saul he could scarcely have failed to rally many friends to his side, but a civil war might have been the result. He therefore chose the course which, though more apparently humiliating to himself, was most conducive to the welfare of his country, and therefore most pleasing to God. In all cases of a similar nature—whenever a servant of God finds himself the subject of unjust treatment—it becomes him to consider not his own personal feelings first, nor even his personal and present reputation merely, but the welfare of his country and the honour of his God.
III. Even good men are sometimes under obligations to unscrupulous and godless persons. Michal was destitute of the pure and lofty motives which governed David, yet at this time she was the instrument of his deliverance. In bringing about the end she desired she did not hesitate to endeavour to clear herself at the expense of her husband, and thus to deprive herself of all claim to our admiration and sympathy. Yet, as David was then situated, he was compelled to be indebted to her exertions, and to let her misrepresentation of his character go unchallenged. There is more than one way of testifying our regard for a friend in a position similar to that in which David war then placed. We may be bold enough openly to avow our affection for them, and take the consequences of so doing. Or we may prefer to show our love by sharing their misfortunes—by casting in our lot with theirs, and being willing to fare as they fare. Or we may only have so low a regard for them as to be willing to serve them only so far as we can do it without involving ourselves in trouble for their sakes. This last kind of regard was all apparently that Michal had for David. Jonathan did not scruple openly to seek to save his friend’s life, and to risk his father’s displeasure in so doing. Michal was willing to save his life if she could do it without exposing herself to Saul’s anger; she loved him enough to aid his escape, but not enough to take the blame upon herself. She did not even love him enough to share his exile, although she probably knew that he was the anointed king of Israel; she had some regard for his life, but none for his honour, or she would not have charged the absent hero with threatening to become her murderer (1Sa_19:17), and so have shielded herself under his blackened reputation. It mattered not to her that she was thus giving Saul some pretext for seeking his life—that she was thus wounding her husband in a more deadly manner than her father’s sword would have done. The meanness of the act shows us to what a contemptible instrument a noble man may sometimes be indebted for a service. Michal’s conduct, in contrast with that of her brother, gave David just ground to say in after days, “Thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women” (2Sa_1:26).
OUTLINES AND SUGGESTIVE COMMENTS
As the crystal vessel, though cast into its proper and permanent form, is unfit for use until it has been recommitted to the furnace, and, by the process of annealing, adapted for the rough process of ordinary usage, so the character of David, elevated and beautiful although it had already appeared, was as yet too soft for the strain and pressure of a royal position; years had to be spent in annealing it.… The great purpose of God, in David’s early trials, seems to have been to develop and mature those gifts and graces that were to fit him for a royal position.…
1. In this view, first of all it was most necessary that the spirit of trust in God, and all the graces depending on it and derived from it, should be exercised and nurtured to the highest measure of strength and endurance … and no discipline could have been better fitted than David’s for impressing this lesson …
2. Another important grace which David’s early trials seem designed to promote was the spirit of calm self-government under circumstances the most trying and agitating. The germ of this grace (as of the former) was exhibited in the combat with Goliath; but it too required to be strengthened into a steady, constant habit, ere he was qualified to hold the reins of government.…
3. The close and painful contact into which he was brought in these early trials with his predecessor, Saul, was obviously designed to serve a very important purpose. The same trials endured at the hand of another man would not have had the same effect.… If anything could have made him shudder at the thought of a ruler abandoned by God, and driving at nothing but the gratification of his own base passions, it was being himself the victim of those passions, receiving in his own person the blows aimed by Saul’s ungovernable fury.—Blaikie.
1Sa_19:16. The falsehood of Michal, by which she deceived her father Saul, was a retribution on him; it was the fruit of his own evil example, teaching her to practise deceit by his own acts: see 1Sa_18:17; 1Sa_18:19-21. His falsehood and treachery recoiled on himself, as Laban’s falsehood and treachery against Jacob recoiled on Laban himself by the conduct of his daughters to him (Gen_31:14-20; Gen_31:35). Saul had cheated David of his wife, as Laban had cheated Jacob of his wife. The daughters of Laban and Saul practised against their fathers the lessons of deceit which they had learned at their own homes.—Wordsworth.
1Sa_19:17. But how shall Michal answer this mockage unto her furious father? Hitherto she hath done like David’s wife; now she begins to be Saul’s daughter: “He said to me, Let me go, or else I will kill thee.” She, whose wit had delivered her husband from the sword of her father, now turns the edge of her father’s wrath from herself to her husband. His absence made her presume of his safety. If Michal had not been of Saul’s plot, he had never expostulated with her in those terms: “Why hast thou let mine enemy escape?” Neither had she framed that answer, “He said, Let me go”.… As she loved her husband better than her father, so she loved herself better than her husband: she saved her husband by a wile; and now she saves herself by a lie, and loses half the thank of her deliverance by an officious slander. Her act was good, but she wants courage to maintain it, and therefore seeks to the weak shelter of untruth. Those that do good offices, not out of conscience, but good nature or civility, if they meet an affront of danger, seldom come off cleanly, but are ready to catch at all excuses, though base, though injurious; because their grounds are not strong enough to bear them out in suffering for that which they have well done.—Bishop Hall.
The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary (gen. ed. Joseph S. Exell; Funk & Wagnalls, c. 1892) — public domain (pre-1929). A full-Bible homiletical/sermon-outline anthology covering 65 of 66 books (2 John is absent from the source module). Text from a community e-Sword module.
Paul E. Kretzmann 1924 · Public Domain Michal Saves David’s Life.
Michal Saves David’s Life.
v. 8. And there was war again, for the Philistines would not remain quiet; and David went out, marched forth to battle, and fought with the Philistines, and slew them with a great slaughter, administered a decisive defeat; and they fled from him.
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v. 9. And the evil spirit from the Lord was upon Saul; a judgment of the covenant God upon the reprobate king, as he sat in his house with his javelin in his hand; and David played with his hand, for he had again taken his position as harpist.
v. 10. And Saul, apparently in a fit of jealousy on account of the latest success of David, sought to smite David even to the wall with the javelin, by driving the spear through his body; but he slipped away out of Saul’s presence, dodging the threatened blow once more, and he smote the javelin into the wall. And David fled, and escaped that night.
v. 11. Saul also sent messengers unto David’s house, which he had reached before nightfall, to watch him, and to slay him in the morning; and Michal, David’s wife, told him, saying, If thou save not thy life tonight, tomorrow thou shalt be slain. The description given by David in Psalms 59, where he tells of this event, shows that there were jealous courtiers in attendance upon Saul, who were anxious to remove their powerful rival and therefore even added fuel to Saul’s jealousy.
v. 12. So Michal let David down through a window. And he went, and fled, and escaped, for Saul’s watchmen were guarding only the door.
v. 13. And Michal took an image, a picture of a household god, such as the Israelites still retained as the remnant of the idolatrous practices brought from their Chaldean home, Gen 31:19-34, and laid it in the bed, and put a pillow of goats’ hair for his bolster, a braided or woven quilt, and covered it with a cloth. Thus the figure, covered with the upper garment which served as a covering at night, looked very much like that of a human being.
v. 14. And when Saul sent messengers to take David, in the morning, she said, He is sick, for she probably thought, by telling this falsehood, to gain time for David, in order that he might have a longer start on his pursuers.
v. 15. And Saul sent the messengers again to see David, saying, Bring him up to me in the bed that I may slay him; he was determined to carry out his purpose this time.
v. 16. And when the messengers were come in, behold, there was an image in the bed, with a pillow of goats’ hair for his bolster. So the deceit was discovered.
v. 17. And Saul, angry because he had been duped, said unto Michal, Why hast thou deceived me so and sent away mine enemy, the expression implying that the enemy of the father should be the enemy of the daughter as well, that he is escaped? And Michal answered Saul, her fear of her father and her anxiety to save her own life causing her to tell another falsehood, He said unto me, Let me go; why should I kill thee? There is no wrong in throwing raging, ravening, murderous pursuers off the track, for such murderers are the instruments of Satan, who seeks to destroy the children of God in every possible manner.
Paul E. Kretzmann, Popular Commentary of the Bible (1921–1924) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 A harmful spirit from Yahweh
A harmful spirit from Yahweh
Here "harmful spirit" may refer to either "a spirit that causes trouble" or "an evil spirit." See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 16:14.
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translationWords
David
slaughter
spirit
Saul (OT)
spear
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.