35 David Flees from Saul

In this section of chapter 19, we continue to see Saul’s downward spiral, as the king becomes deranged and insistent upon destroying David.

The chapter began with Saul announcing that he wanted his perceived rival killed. And while for a short period of time, he seemed to have listened to the reason from his son Jonathan, but he was soon back to the “old” Saul, which meant his only desire was to hold onto his throne anyway possible.

After attempting to kill David one night, David was able to escape, which caused Saul to dispatch men to conduct a search.

1 David’s Home Searched

Saul’s men unsurprisingly searched the home of David and his wife Michal (Saul’s youngest daughter):

1 Samuel 19:11-12

There was great irony with all this, as alluded to previously, Saul had seemed convinced by Jonathan’s argument on behalf of David, and even swore that David wouldn’t be killed:

1 Samuel 19:6

Obviously, Saul couldn’t be trusted, as he showed his “true colors” as he attempted to kill David.

Yet it would be David’s wife Michal who would thwart her father’s attempt to capture and execute David:

1 Samuel 19:11b-12

Much like her older brother Jonathan, Michal remained loyal to David rather than her father the king. Both did so in response to a covenant relationship with David. Jonathan had established a “friendship” covenant with him, while in the case of Michal, it was a marriage covenant.

While, the world usually looks at marriage as a contract between two parties, the Lord sees it as a covenant among three: Himself, the husband, and the wife.

Michal knew that her father would be relentless in his pursuit of David, and therefore she had developed a plan to keep her husband safe.

2 Michal’s Full Plan

1 Samuel 19:13-17

In these verses, we see that Michal had an extensive plan, not only for her husband’s safety, but her own as well.

That showed the inherent difference between Michal and her brother Jonathan:

• Jonathan was unconcerned about himself when he supported David despite his father’s plan to kill his friend.
• While Michal was certainly loyal to David, not desiring he be executed, her plan also included provisions for herself, since she would also be in danger herself, for standing against her father.

Michal’s plan included deception, in an attempt to deceive Saul’s men, so she placed an “image” in David’s bed, covering it with goats’ hair and clothing.

The Hebrew word for “image” is the word <teraphim> which was frequently used to describe household idols. The ancient Israelites had adopted the practice of the pagan nations around them, and had begun using the idols for what they claimed to “aid” them in their worship of the Lord. Which was in direct contradiction to Scripture:

Leviticus 26:1

It’s hard to imagine this household idol as belonging to David, who had cultivated a personal relationship with God since his youth. So, it probably belonged to Michal, who unlike her husband, and her brother Jonathan, didn’t have such a relationship.

Verse 17, clearly shows how Michal was much like Saul by her use of deception:

1 Samuel 19:17

Michal made it seem as though David had threatened her to protect him, but that was far from the truth. Yet, it was but a picture of her true character, which would be fully revealed after David would become king.

3 David Flees to Samuel

David had been loyal to Saul, but now found himself on the run for his life. He was in need of fellowship and counsel, so he turned to the elderly prophet Samuel:

1 Samuel 19:18-24

Samuel probably wasn’t surprised when David told him all Saul had done, since he had seen much of Saul’s decline himself.

David had gone to Samuel’s home in Ramah, and then it seemed they moved on to Naioth a small village within the area of Ramah.

When Saul was advised of David’s location, he sent messengers to capture and bring David back. However, while the men didn’t see David, they found Samuel with his student-prophets.

And through the Lord, Saul’s men began “prophesying” themselves.

The particular Hebrew word for “prophesying” may be used to “speak under the inspiration of God” and simply foretelling future events.

Saul wouldn’t be deterred, as he sent two other delegations of men, and each group experienced the same touch from the Lord.

Saul then decided to handle things himself, and went to Ramah, and was told where David and Samuel were.

However, Saul had the same experience as did his men, as he also began prophesying. In his case, he displayed such humility, that he stripped of his clothing (down to his undergarments) and lay before Samuel all day and night.

Therefore, for the second time, the people asked whether Saul was also among the prophets.