NOTES for Sa1 19:1-24

“The farther from kings, the safer one’s head,” the saying goes. Even after the oath given to Jonathan, Saul does not cease his attempts to destroy David. Not long before, Saul had been ready to execute his own son merely to keep a reckless oath. But now Saul has added perjury to his transgressions.

David is forced to hide, and his coming to Samuel seems entirely natural. The man rejected by Saul goes to the greatest prophet of his day, who had testified that God had rejected Saul.

Such is the power of Samuel’s prophecy that, in his presence, even the royal servants sent to seize David begin to prophesy. Like Balaam in former times, they prove unable to carry out an evil command.

After the servants, Saul himself also begins to prophesy. It is difficult to understand why Saul, who rejects the Lord’s will, was given this late opportunity to prophesy. The gift of prophecy that broke through as he approached Samuel must have been Saul’s final reminder of the need to change his ways. If so, Saul once again disregarded this sign, as he had so many other warnings.