David and his Refuge | 1 Samuel 19

Recap

In 1 Samuel 18, after David’s victory over Goliath, he forms a deep friendship with Jonathan, Saul’s son, who loves him as his own soul and makes a covenant with him. David’s success in battle wins the admiration of the people and Saul’s servants, but it also stirs Saul’s jealousy as he hears the women praise David more highly than himself. Consumed by envy, Saul begins to fear David and twice tries to kill him with a spear. Despite this, David continues to serve faithfully and succeeds in all he does, gaining greater favor with Israel. Saul plots to have David killed indirectly by sending him against the Philistines as a condition to marry his daughter Michal, but David triumphs again, marrying Michal and further securing the Lord’s favor—causing Saul’s fear and hatred of him to deepen.

Bible Passage: 1 Samuel 19:1–24

1. A friend closer than a Brother

1 Samuel 19:1–7 “Now Saul spoke to Jonathan his son and to all his servants, that they should kill David; but Jonathan, Saul’s son, delighted greatly in David. So Jonathan told David, saying, “My father Saul seeks to kill you. Therefore please be on your guard until morning, and stay in a secret place and hide. And I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where you are, and I will speak with my father about you. Then what I observe, I will tell you.” Thus Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his father, and said to him, “Let not the king sin against his servant, against David, because he has not sinned against you, and because his works have been very good toward you. For he took his life in his hands and killed the Philistine, and the Lord brought about a great deliverance for all Israel. You saw it and rejoiced. Why then will you sin against innocent blood, to kill David without a cause?” So Saul heeded the voice of Jonathan, and Saul swore, “As the Lord lives, he shall not be killed.” Then Jonathan called David, and Jonathan told him all these things. So Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence as in times past.”

Saul’s Sin Comes out

James 1:15 “Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.”

Saul was angry 1 Samuel 18:8 “Then Saul was very angry, and the saying displeased him

Saul was insecure 1 Samuel 18:9 “So Saul eyed David from that day forward.”

Saul tired to murder David 1 Samuel 18:11 “And Saul cast the spear, for he said, “I will pin David to the wall! He even used his daughter as a trap by sending David to collect 100 foreskins

Saul was afraid of David 1 Samuel 18:12 “Now Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with him, but had departed from Saul.”

Saul’s fear turned him against David 1 Samuel 18:29 “and Saul was still more afraid of David. So Saul became David’s enemy continually.”

A friend like Jonathan

It says that Jonathan delighted greatly in David V.1

1 Samuel 18:1 “Now when he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.”

1 Samuel 18:3 “Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.”

Jonathan Warn’s David

Like any good friend would he went to David and told him what his father was planning to do.

Then asks David to be on his guard and stay hidden

He intercedes on David’s behalf

He brings up to Saul that David hasn’t sinned against Saul so Saul should not sin against David

He reminds Saul that David’s works toward Saul have been Very good Killed Goliath

will you sin against innocent blood, to kill David without a cause?

Saul swears to not kill David

1 Samuel 19:6–7 “So Saul heeded the voice of Jonathan, and Saul swore, “As the Lord lives, he shall not be killed.” Then Jonathan called David, and Jonathan told him all these things. So Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence as in times past.”

In the original Hebrew text, the word is “שָׁבַע” (shava), which means to swear or to take an oath by invoking God as witness to one’s promise

What is Saul’s record on oaths?

He is 0-2 so far.

1st one was the cursed is anyone who eats before i am avenged and the 2nd one is when he finds out Jonathan ate the honey Saul said Jonathan must die but the people convinced him to not kill jonathan

Jonathan Tells David and restores the bridge between Saul and David.

2. Perseverance Amidst Danger

1 Samuel 19:8–10 “And there was war again; and David went out and fought with the Philistines, and struck them with a mighty blow, and they fled from him. Now the distressing spirit from the Lord came upon Saul as he sat in his house with his spear in his hand. And David was playing music with his hand. Then Saul sought to pin David to the wall with the spear, but he slipped away from Saul’s presence; and he drove the spear into the wall. So David fled and escaped that night.”

David Stays the course

1 Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”

Hebrews 10:23 “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.”

Ephesians 6:13 “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”

David once again sets out to fight the Philistines And because God is on his side he comes out victorious

David comes back from the victory and goes back to ministering to Saul by playing music.

Saul Tries to kill David

This is the second time Saul tried to kill David with a spear. 1 Samuel 18:10 “And it happened on the next day that the distressing spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied inside the house. So David played music with his hand, as at other times; but there was a spear in Saul’s hand.”

Not once but 2 times. Notice the distressing spirit comes upon Saul after David returns from a battle. and yet David remained steadfast did not change course.

Acts 20:22–24 “And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”

We see Paul who was warned even pleaded wit not to go to Jerusalem because he was going to be arrested and then sent to Rome and put to death. Yet Paul continued the course.

3. Providence in the Unpredictable

1 Samuel 19:11–17 “Saul also sent messengers to David’s house to watch him and to kill him in the morning. And Michal, David’s wife, told him, saying, “If you do not save your life tonight, tomorrow you will be killed.” 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, put a cover of goats’ hair for his head, and covered it with clothes. So when Saul sent messengers to take David, she said, “He is sick.” Then Saul sent the messengers back to see David, saying, “Bring him up to me in the bed, that I may kill him.” And when the messengers had come in, there was the image in the bed, with a cover of goats’ hair for his head. Then Saul said to Michal, “Why have you deceived me like this, and sent my enemy away, so that he has escaped?” And Michal answered Saul, “He said to me, ‘Let me go! Why should I kill you?’ ””

Talk about ride or die.

Saul continues his Pursuit

He sends Messengers. Now understand Saul did not send the post man these were armed guards to watch him and kill him in the morning

Michal’s Deception

She sends David out the window and takes an image and goats hair puts it in the bed to make it lookm like david is sick in bed.

The image that Michal used was called a “teraphim,” which is a household idol or small statue that likely represented a human figure. The teraphim was not necessarily an object of worship in David’s house but more of a household figure or charm used in some families for protection or other traditional reasons.

She Lies to The messengers the messengers reported to Saul they come back and report that David was gone.

Saul confronts Michal and she lies again.

God can use our foolish things to work out His Plan

Genesis 50:20 “But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.”

Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

Proverbs 16:9 “A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.”

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

Trust The Process

The same way Jesus and the Disciples sailed across the Sea of Galilee and they all freaked out because of a storm in Mark 4:35-41

Jesus said at the beginning of their trip Let Us Cross over to the other side.

God had anointed David to be king and David trusted God to deliver him.

4. Power in God’s Presence

1 Samuel 19:18–24 “So David fled and escaped, and went to Samuel at Ramah, and told him all that Saul had done to him. And he and Samuel went and stayed in Naioth. Now it was told Saul, saying, “Take note, David is at Naioth in Ramah!” Then Saul sent messengers to take David. And when they saw the group of prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing as leader over them, the Spirit of God came upon the messengers of Saul, and they also prophesied. And when Saul was told, he sent other messengers, and they prophesied likewise. Then Saul sent messengers again the third time, and they prophesied also. Then he also went to Ramah, and came to the great well that is at Sechu. So he asked, and said, “Where are Samuel and David?” And someone said, “Indeed they are at Naioth in Ramah.” So he went there to Naioth in Ramah. Then the Spirit of God was upon him also, and he went on and prophesied until he came to Naioth in Ramah. And he also stripped off his clothes and prophesied before Samuel in like manner, and lay down naked all that day and all that night. Therefore they say, “Is Saul also among the prophets?””

David seeks out Samuel

David finds Refuge

Deuteronomy 33:27 “The eternal God is your refuge, And underneath are the everlasting arms; He will thrust out the enemy from before you, And will say, ‘Destroy!’”

Psalm 9:9 “The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, A refuge in times of trouble.”

Psalm 18:2 “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”

Psalm 32:7 “You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah”

Psalm 46:1–3 “God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah”

The Word Refuge is used about 40 times Just in the book of Psalms and about 90 times in the Old Testament.

I think God is trying to tell us something. Now see for me when i am trying to get my son to understand something i have to repeat it multiple times. i even make him repeat it back to me. Now the Psalms were considered the original worship songs. So God pens through the psalmist that God is our Refuge 40 times for Jews and the early church to sing over and over.

Is God Your Refuge?

Saul finds out Where David is at.

Three different groups of Guards 3 different times Saul sent after David

What happens They begin Prophesying. the Hebrew word here is Naba

As Strong’s #5012 (naba’), it primarily means “to prophesy,” that is, to speak or sing by divine inspiration, either in prophecy or making oneself a prophet. This prophetic speech is seen as Spirit-energized and revealing God’s will, not merely human prediction

Notice That in Each of the interactions of the messengers the Spirit of God was upon them then they prophesy

The Lord Fights for David as David Seeks Refuge

Exodus 14:14 “The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.””

Deuteronomy 3:22 “You must not fear them, for the Lord your God Himself fights for you.’”

Deuteronomy 20:4 “for the Lord your God is He who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.’”

Psalm 144:1–2 “Blessed be the Lord my Rock, Who trains my hands for war, And my fingers for battle— My lovingkindness and my fortress, My high tower and my deliverer, My shield and the One in whom I take refuge, Who subdues my people under me.”

Saul Himself comes after David

The Holy Sprit three times said Leave David alone he willing chose not to listen

The Holy spirit comes upon Saul to prevent Saul from capturing David. Through this saying Hands off my servant David, I am in Charge.

Saul is Humbled : Saul would not humble himself before God, and so God would find a way to humble him.

Saul naked in the Hebrew can mean stripping dow to your whitey tightys

Saul probably took off all the royal robes that said “prestige” and “royalty,” and laid himself out before the LORD in his plain linen undergarments. It was a way for the LORD to say, “You really aren’t a king anymore, Saul. I’ve stripped you of your royal glory.”

In this we see a person can be Affected by the power of God but not surrendered to the Power of God.

Takeaway

Be like Jonathan

Like pastor Jerry talked about in his Walk in Love message about we need to be careful who we hangout with. Who we take advice from. David had Jonathan who loved David as his own soul.

Are we like Jonathan?

Be Steadfast

Even as Trials await you as they come at you Know that God is with you even in the midst of it.

You are not alone. Not once in this passage was David by himself.

If David can remain stead fast after having a Sear thrown at him twice by Saul we should be able to

Trust the Process

If God says He is going to do something He is going to do it.

Is God your Refuge?

What are you running to in times of Difficulty? Your friends, family members, AI, your spouse?

As David Seeks Refuge in the Lord. God Defeats all of Davids enemies

What Trials, What self made messes are we running from? Are We Running to God and Seeking Refuge.