1 Samuel 19

19:4 Jonathan addressed his father as the king out of reverence.

19:6 vowed: Violating a vow is a serious offense against God (see Num 30:2; Deut 23:21-23; cp. Eccl 5:4-5). But Saul soon disregarded his promise and again sought to kill David (1 Sam 19:9-24).

19:10 hurled his spear: See also 18:11; 20:33.

19:11 See Ps 59:title.

19:13 an idol: Hebrew teraphim, which were household idols (see Gen 31:30; Judg 17:5; 2 Kgs 23:24). The presence of an idol in the home of David and Michal might show the pervasive influence of pagan idol worship among the Israelites; perhaps the idol belonged to Michal. Apparently David did not object to its presence. (Cp. Rachel’s theft of her father’s household idols in Gen 31:19.) • Siblings Jonathan (1 Sam 19:1-7) and Michal (19:11-18) saved David from their father and undermined their father’s plans to eliminate him. Members of Saul’s royal family played a significant role in David’s rise, though David did not usurp Saul’s throne.

19:18 Ramah: Samuel’s hometown (1:1). • Naioth was a tiny village not far from the other Ramah in Benjamin.

19:20 Prophets often assembled in groups under a single leader (see 2 Kgs 2:15; 4:38; 6:1-7). • The Spirit of God came upon Saul’s men to allow David to escape (1 Sam 20:1).

19:21 other troops . . . a third time: Each time Saul sent troops, David’s would-be captors were captured by the Spirit. Prophesying diverted them from pursuing David.

19:24 When Saul tore off his clothes and lay naked, he unwittingly acted out his true spiritual condition of having been stripped of the kingship (13:14; 15:10-11, 23; see “Prophetic Sign Acts” Theme Note). • Is even Saul a prophet? In 1 Sam 10:9-13, Saul was rising as God’s chosen king; here, he is descending under the weight of God’s rejection.