Saul Orders David’s Execution

I Samuel 19:1-24

“And Saul spake to Jonathan his son, and to all his servants, that they should kill David.” (I Samuel 19:1) 

Saul had deliberately offered David one of his daughters in marriage, despite the fact that Merab was already married.  He wa no longer concerned with what God had said, His offer required David to kill a hundred Philistines in the hope that he would be killed trying to fulfill it.  When that attempt failed, and resulted in David becoming even more popular, he tried to get him into a less visible position to neutralize his influence.  Instead, David’s handling of his position further enhanced his reputation.  Since nothing else had worked, Saul directed his staff and cabinet to find a way to kill him.

“But Jonathan Saul's son delighted much in David: and Jonathan told David, saying, Saul my father seeketh to kill thee: now therefore, I pray thee, take heed to thyself until the morning, and abide in a secret place, and hide thyself: And I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where thou art, and I will commune with my father of thee; and what I see, that I will tell thee.” (I Samuel 19:2-3)

David was widely respected among the people Saul had commanded to kill him, but he was a close friend of Jonathan’s.  Jonathan warned David  to go into hiding and promised to try to intervene on his behalf.

“And Jonathan spake good of David unto Saul his father, and said unto him, Let not the king sin against his servant, against David; because he hath not sinned against thee, and because his works have been to thee-ward very good: For he did put his life in his hand, and slew the Philistine, and the LORD wrought a great salvation for all Israel: thou sawest it, and didst rejoice: wherefore then wilt thou sin against innocent blood, to slay David without a cause? 

And Saul hearkened unto the voice of Jonathan: and Saul sware, As the LORD liveth, he shall not be slain.” (I Samuel 19:4-6)

Jonathan reminded Saul of what David hat done that benefited him, and how loyal he had been.  To have him killed would be sheer unprovoked murder. Acknowledging the validity of Jonathans defense, Saul agreed to withdraw his directive and allow David to live.

“And Jonathan called David, and Jonathan showed him all those things. And Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence, as in times past.  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.” (I Samuel 19:7-8)

Restored to his former position, David resumed his duties.  When the Philistines attacked again, David again led the army to victory, killing a great many and driving them out, and further enhancing his reputation as a leader.

“And the evil spirit from the LORD was upon Saul, as he sat in his house with his javelin in his hand: and David played with his hand.  And Saul sought to smite David even to the wall with the javelin; but he slipped away out of Saul's presence, and he smote the javelin into the wall: and David fled, and escaped that night.” (I Samuel 19:9-10)

As often happens, rather than rejoicing in David’s victory and enjoying the benefits, Saul felt resentful that David was succeeding.  Becoming depressed after brooding about it, David was brought to play in hopes of distracting him and changing his attitude.  Instead, Saul tried again to murder him, driving a spear into the wall.  Rather than striking back, David escaped and went home.

“Saul also sent messengers unto David's house, to watch him, and to slay him in the morning: and Michal David's wife told him, saying, If thou save not thy life to night, to morrow thou shalt be slain. 

So Michal let David down through a window: and he went, and fled, and escaped.  And Michal took an image, and laid it in the bed, and put a pillow of goats' hair for his bolster, and covered it with a cloth.” (I Samuel 19:11-13)

Saul sent officers to stake out David’s house and kill him when he came out the next morning.  Knowing how her father thought, Michal warned David he better not wait until morning to escape.  Helping him escape from a second story window, she then arranged the bed so it looked like someone was sleeping in it in an effort to give David more time to escape.

 “And when Saul sent messengers to take David, she said, He is sick.  And Saul sent the messengers again to see David, saying, Bring him up to me in the bed, that I may slay him.  And when the messengers were come in, behold, there was an image in the bed, with a pillow of goats' hair for his bolster.” (I Samuel 19:14-16)

When David didn’t come out at his usual time, Saul sent messengers to bring him out so they could kill him without upsetting his daughter,  Michal told them David was sick and couldn’t come, Saul sent them back with orders to kill him in the bed.  When they discovered it wasn’t David in the bed they took Michal before Saul.

“And Saul said unto Michal, Why hast thou deceived me so, and sent away mine enemy, that he is escaped?

And Michal answered Saul, He said unto me, Let me go; why should I kill thee?” (I Samuel 19:17)

Saul then accused Michal of treason, in helping David to escape.  In an effort to prevent him killing her, Michal accused David of threatening to kill her if she didn’t help him.  Remembering Saul’s determination to kill Jonathan for eating a bite of honey against his orders, she had good reason for fearing him.

 “So David fled, and escaped, and came to Samuel to Ramah, and told him all that Saul had done to him. And he and Samuel went and dwelt in Naioth.” (I Samuel 19:18)

Samuel was still an influential figure in Israel.  David fled to him in hopes he could intervene and prevent Saul from killing him.  Samuel was aware of Saul’s disregard for the Law or what was right, and suspected he would kill anyone who stood with David, so he went into a better protected area at Naioth.

“And it was told Saul, saying, Behold, David is at Naioth in Ramah. 

And Saul sent messengers to take David: and when they saw the company of the prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing as appointed over them, the spirit of God was upon the messengers of Saul, and they also prophesied. 

And when it was told Saul, he sent other messengers, and they prophesied likewise. And Saul sent messengers again the third time, and they prophesied also.” (I Samuel 19:19-21)

When Saul heard where David was he sent agents to capture him even if it risked offending Samuel or the people and required putting others at risk.   Three times, God intervened, sending the Spirit of God on them and diverting them from their purpose to speak God’s word instead.

“Then went he also to Ramah, and came to a great well that is in Sechu: and he asked and said, Where are Samuel and David? And one said, Behold, they be at Naioth in Ramah. 

And he went thither to Naioth in Ramah: and the spirit of God was upon him also, and he went on, and prophesied, until he came to Naioth in Ramah.   And he stripped off his clothes also, and prophesied before Samuel in like manner, and lay down naked all that day and all that night. Wherefore they say, Is Saul also among the prophets?” (I Samuel 19:22-24)

Deciding that if he wanted something done, he’d have to do it himself, Saul went to Naioth to kill David.   Even his anger could not stop God’s Spirit, and like the others, Saul found himself caught up in God’s power and speaking the Word of God like he had when Samuel first anointed him to be king.  Once again we are reminded God can influence even the most stubborn and wicked heart.