1 Samuel 19

1 Samuel 19

Despite his previously failed attempt on David’s life, in 1 Samuel 19, Saul prepares to try to kill him again. In fact, he tells all his men, including Jonathan to find a way to kill David. Now Jonathan and David were good friends, and Jonathan was afraid for David’s life. So Jonathan went and warned David about what his father was up to and encouraged David to find a place to hide while he went and spoke with his father. So the next day, Jonathan went to his father and questioned him on his decision to kill David. He reminded Saul of all David had done for Israel. Now while this was the real reason as to why Saul wanted David dead, Saul changed his mind, forgot his jealousy, and decided not to kill David. David was restored to his previous position in Saul’s courts, and all was back to normal.


David once again had the chance to lead Israel into battle, and God once again gave him the victory over the Philistines. But instead of Saul being proud of David and glad that he once again protected Israel, his jealousy surfaced again and he sought David’s life. He attempted to kill David with his spear again, and as before, David escaped. Then, David’s wife found out about another one of Saul’s plots, so she helped David escape out their window. David was once again able to escape Saul’s presence, and his life was preserved. The story of 1 Samuel 19 is almost a repeat of the previous events between Saul and David.

The closing verses in this chapter show another change in heart for Saul. Just as Jonathan had convinced him to change his mind about killing David, this next encounter helps him change as well. David had escaped and found Samuel, where he also found protection. When Saul was told that David was with Samuel, he sent men to bring David back to him so that he could deal with him. But his men did not come back. Instead, they were influenced by Samuel and the other prophets in that city and began prophesying for God as well. Saul sent a second and third group, but the same happened to them. They were all changed and began to live for God in the presence of David and Samuel. This angered Saul, as he was upset that he had not only lost David but many of his men as well. So Saul went to capture David himself, and amazingly the same happened to him. Now while this was not a permanent change for Saul, he temporarily forgot about his anger toward David, and David was protected yet again.

Saul’s jealousy and revenge continued to be a problem in this chapter, and as we saw in 1 Samuel 18, there is no place for revenge for the child of God. In 1 Samuel 19, we see the importance of having godly friends. While it is important to know and reach out to the lost people around us, we should also have a close group of Christian friends as well. It is this group of people that can challenge us, hold us accountable, disciple us (or be disciple by us), and pray for us. David was protected by Jonathan and his wife Michal. They loved him enough to warn him of the trouble that he was facing, and they both even defended him in the presence of Saul. We too need friends who will be willing to stick up for us and stand by our side in those tough times, but they should also be willing to confront us if they see us living in sin. At the same time, we should be that type of friend to others as well. One of the greatest gifts God has given us is fellowship, fellowship with our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. By living life together, we can accomplish great things for God.

Matt