Bible Commentaries
1 Samuel 19

Introduction

Overview

1 Samuel 19:1, Jonathan discloses his father’s purpose to kill David; 1 Samuel 19:4, He persuades his father to reconciliation; 1 Samuel 19:8, By reason of David’s good success in a new war, Saul’s malicious rage breaks out against him; 1 Samuel 19:12, Michal deceives her father with an image in David’s bed; 1 Samuel 19:18, David comes to Samuel in Naioth; 1 Samuel 19:20, Saul’s messengers sent to take David, 1 Samuel 19:22, and Saul himself, prophesy.

Verse 1

And Saul: Saul's enmity now burst forth, in the avowed purpose of putting David to death; and nothing less than the especial interposition of Providence could have saved David's life, when every officer about the king's person, and every soldier, had positive orders to dispatch him. 1 Samuel 18:8, 1 Samuel 18:9, Proverbs 27:4, Ecclesiastes 9:3, Jeremiah 9:3, 2 Timothy 3:13

Reciprocal: Genesis 37:18 - conspired Psalms 59:3 - they

Verse 2

delighted: 1 Samuel 18:1-3, Psalms 16:3, John 15:17-19, 1 John 3:12-14

Jonathan: 1 Samuel 20:2, Proverbs 17:17, Acts 9:24, Acts 23:16

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 20:5 - that I may 1 Samuel 20:9 - then would 1 Samuel 20:19 - hide thyself 2 Samuel 1:26 - thy love 2 Samuel 4:8 - sought

Verse 3

what I see: 1 Samuel 20:9, 1 Samuel 20:13

Reciprocal: Matthew 27:23 - Why

Verse 4

spake good: 1 Samuel 20:32, 1 Samuel 22:14, Proverbs 24:11, Proverbs 24:12, Proverbs 31:8, Proverbs 31:9, Jeremiah 18:20

sin against: 1 Samuel 2:25, Genesis 9:6, Genesis 42:22, 2 Chronicles 6:22, 1 Corinthians 8:12, 1 John 3:15

because his works: Psalms 35:12, Psalms 109:4, Psalms 109:5, Proverbs 17:13, Jeremiah 18:20

Reciprocal: Psalms 7:4 - without Psalms 34:21 - they Psalms 38:20 - render Psalms 109:3 - fought Proverbs 18:24 - that hath Ecclesiastes 3:7 - and a time to speak Daniel 6:4 - but John 10:32 - for 1 John 3:12 - And

Verse 5

put his life: 1 Samuel 28:21, Judges 9:17, Judges 12:3, Psalms 119:109, Acts 20:24, Philippians 2:30

slew: 1 Samuel 17:49-51

wrought: 1 Samuel 11:13, 1 Samuel 14:45, 1 Samuel 17:52, 1 Samuel 17:53, Exodus 14:13, 1 Chronicles 11:14, Hebrews 2:3

sin against innocent: 1 Samuel 20:32, Jeremiah 26:15, Matthew 27:4, Matthew 27:24

without a cause: Psalms 25:3, Psalms 69:4, John 15:25

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 22:14 - And who 1 Samuel 27:6 - Ziklag 2 Samuel 19:9 - The king 2 Samuel 23:10 - the Lord 2 Samuel 23:16 - the three 1 Chronicles 11:18 - brake 1 Chronicles 11:19 - in jeopardy Nehemiah 6:11 - Should such Esther 4:16 - if I perish Job 13:14 - and put Psalms 7:4 - without Psalms 34:21 - they Psalms 35:12 - They Psalms 74:12 - working Psalms 109:3 - fought Proverbs 18:24 - that hath Ecclesiastes 3:7 - and a time to speak Daniel 6:4 - but Acts 7:25 - God 1 Corinthians 8:12 - when 1 John 3:12 - And

Verse 6

sware: 1 Samuel 14:39, 1 Samuel 28:10, Psalms 15:4, Proverbs 26:24, Proverbs 26:25, Jeremiah 5:2

he shall not: 1 Samuel 19:10, 1 Samuel 19:11

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 19:15 - Bring him 1 Samuel 20:31 - send 1 Kings 1:29 - As the Psalms 36:3 - The words Jeremiah 34:11 - General

Verse 7

in times past: Heb. yesterday, third day, 1 Samuel 16:21, 1 Samuel 18:2, 1 Samuel 18:10, 1 Samuel 18:13, Genesis 31:2, Exodus 4:10, 1 Chronicles 11:2, Isaiah 30:33, *marg.

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 13:5 - beforetime Psalms 36:3 - The words

Verse 8

David: Psalms 18:32-50, Psalms 27:3

him: Heb. his face

Verse 9

1 Samuel 16:14, 1 Samuel 18:10, 1 Samuel 18:11

Reciprocal: Numbers 25:7 - a javelin Numbers 35:20 - by laying 1 Samuel 20:27 - Wherefore 1 Samuel 22:6 - spear

Verse 10

sought: 1 Samuel 19:6, Hosea 6:4, Matthew 12:43-45, Luke 11:24-26, 2 Peter 2:20-22

he slipped: 1 Samuel 20:33, Job 5:14, Job 5:15, Psalms 18:17, Psalms 34:19, Proverbs 21:30, Isaiah 54:17, Luke 4:30, John 10:39

and escaped: Psalms 124:7, Matthew 10:23

Reciprocal: Joshua 2:22 - found them not 1 Samuel 16:14 - evil spirit 1 Samuel 18:11 - cast the javelin 1 Samuel 20:27 - Wherefore 1 Samuel 20:32 - what hath 2 Samuel 12:7 - I delivered Psalms 31:13 - while Psalms 64:4 - suddenly Jeremiah 5:26 - lay wait

Verse 11

sent messengers: Psalms 59:1, *title Psalms 59:3, Psalms 59:4, Psalms 59:6, Psalms 59:15, Psalms 59:16

to watch him: Judges 16:2

Reciprocal: Genesis 19:17 - Escape 1 Samuel 18:21 - the hand 1 Samuel 19:6 - he shall not 1 Samuel 19:20 - sent messengers 1 Samuel 20:31 - send 1 Samuel 20:32 - what hath 2 Samuel 3:13 - Michal 2 Samuel 22:19 - prevented 1 Chronicles 15:29 - Michal Psalms 4:1 - thou Psalms 11:1 - how Psalms 36:4 - deviseth Psalms 55:10 - Day Psalms 71:10 - lay wait for Proverbs 16:29 - General Jeremiah 5:26 - lay wait Hosea 7:6 - they Matthew 27:1 - the morning Acts 9:25 - let

Verse 12

Michal: Psalms 34:19

let David: Joshua 2:15, Acts 9:24, Acts 9:25, 2 Corinthians 11:32, 2 Corinthians 11:33

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 18:21 - the hand 1 Samuel 23:26 - David made haste Psalms 4:1 - thou Psalms 59:4 - run Psalms 59:16 - morning Acts 17:10 - the brethren

Verse 13

an image: Heb. teraphim, Genesis 31:19, *marg. Judges 17:5, Judges 18:14, Judges 18:17, Hosea 3:4

a pillow: Rather, "the net-work of goat's hair at its (the Teraphim's) pillow;" for the kevir, (whence the Chaldee and Syriac kavreetho, a honey-comb, from its net-like form), seems to have been a kind of mosquito-net, which, says Dr. Shaw, is "a close curtain of gauze, used all over the East, by people of fashion, to keep out the flies." That they had such anciently cannot be doubted. Thus when Judith had beheaded Holofernes in his bed (1 Samuel 13:9, 1 Samuel 13:15) "she pulled down the canopy (or the mosquito net, פן ךשםשנויןץ, from ךשםשר, a gnat, or mosquito, whence our word canopy) wherein he did lie in his drunkenness, from the pillars."

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 8:15 - that he took a thick cloth

Verse 14

she said: Joshua 2:5, 2 Samuel 16:17-19, 2 Samuel 17:20

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 19:17 - He said 1 Samuel 19:20 - sent messengers

Verse 15

Bring him: The eastern beds consist merely of two thick cotton quilts, one of which, folded double, serves as a mattress, the other as a covering. Such seems to have been the bed of David, which could easily have been carried, with himself in it, to the presence of Saul. 1 Samuel 19:6, Job 31:31, Psalms 37:12, Proverbs 27:3, Proverbs 27:4, Romans 3:15

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 20:27 - Wherefore 2 Samuel 4:8 - sought 1 Chronicles 5:20 - And they Psalms 35:12 - They Psalms 59:8 - Thou

Verse 16

And when: It is highly probable that David, when supposed to be sick, was thought to be hid in the harem or chamber of Michal. "The harems," says Deut. Lam. Motraye, "are sanctuaries, as sacred and inviolable, for persons pursed by justice for any crime, debt, etc., as the Roman Catholic churches in Italy, Spain, Portugal, etc." Thus we find, that to effect his purpose, Saul sent messengers to Michal, but they treated her harem with too much respect to enter it at first; but being authorised by Saul, they entered even into her chamber; and during the delay occasioned by respect for the privacy of Michal, David escaped. 1 Samuel 19:16

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 18:24 - into an inner chamber Psalms 59:8 - Thou

Verse 17

Why hast: 1 Samuel 22:17, 1 Samuel 28:12, Matthew 2:16

mine enemy: 1 Kings 21:20, Galatians 4:16

And Michal: 2 Samuel 17:20

He said: 1 Samuel 19:14, Exodus 1:17-19

why should: 2 Samuel 2:22

Reciprocal: Judges 16:7 - If they bind 1 Samuel 21:2 - The king Proverbs 16:29 - General

Verse 18

to Samuel: 1 Samuel 7:17, 1 Samuel 15:34, 1 Samuel 28:3, Psalms 116:11, James 5:16

Reciprocal: Psalms 56:8 - tellest

Verse 19

1 Samuel 22:9, 1 Samuel 22:10, 1 Samuel 23:19, 1 Samuel 26:1, Proverbs 29:12

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 20:1 - fled 1 Corinthians 14:32 - General

Verse 20

sent messengers: 1 Samuel 19:11, 1 Samuel 19:14, John 7:32, John 7:45

when they: 1 Samuel 10:5, 1 Samuel 10:6, 1 Samuel 10:10, Numbers 11:25, Numbers 11:26, Joel 2:28, John 7:32, John 7:45, John 7:46-52, 1 Corinthians 14:3, 1 Corinthians 14:24, 1 Corinthians 14:25

Reciprocal: Numbers 24:2 - the spirit 1 Samuel 19:23 - the Spirit 2 Kings 2:3 - And the sons 2 Kings 4:38 - the sons 2 Kings 6:1 - the place Amos 2:11 - I raised 1 Corinthians 12:10 - prophecy 1 Thessalonians 5:20 - General

Verse 21

sent messengers: 2 Kings 1:9-13, Proverbs 27:22, Jeremiah 13:23

prophesied also: Joel 2:28

Verse 23

the Spirit: 1 Samuel 19:20, 1 Samuel 10:10, Numbers 23:5, Numbers 24:2, Matthew 7:22, John 11:51, 1 Corinthians 13:2

until he came: Proverbs 16:9, Proverbs 21:1

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 10:6 - Spirit 2 Samuel 6:20 - uncovered

Verse 24

stripped: 2 Samuel 6:14, 2 Samuel 6:20, Isaiah 20:2, Micah 1:8

lay: Heb. fell, Numbers 24:4

Is Saul: 1 Samuel 10:10-12, Acts 9:21

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 10:6 - Spirit 1 Samuel 10:11 - Is Saul 1 Samuel 15:35 - Samuel 1 Samuel 18:10 - and he prophesied 2 Samuel 7:15 - But my Luke 8:27 - and ware John 21:7 - naked