DBG - April 4 - I Samuel 19-21

In this chapter the tension between Saul and David intensifies.

vs. 1-7 – Jonathan intervenes when Saul speaks publicly about killing David.  The threat was strong enough that David was forced to hide while Jonathan interceded for him.  He gets his father to swear that he will not kill David (it won’t last long).

vs. 8-17 – David again is a military hero and Saul’s jealousy rises.  He tries for the third time to throw his spear and kill David.  David runs home but Saul sends his minions to watch the house and kill him when he leaves.  Michal helps David escape by pretending he is sick while David slips out of a window.  She lies to Saul when her rouse is discovered, saying that David threatened to kill her. 

vs. 18-24 – This is one of the strangest and, dare I say, funniest episodes in the Bible.  David made his way to Samuel’s home at Ramah.  Saul has something like a seminary set up to train prophets.  When Saul’s men show up to take David, they get caught up in the prophesying at the school and do not capture David.  The second group that is sent does the same.  Saul comes with the third group, and it happens again.  Saul casts off his royal robes and joins in.  It is such an unexpected turn that it creates a saying: “Is Saul also among the prophets?”

In this chapter David is finally convinced that it is time to flee from Saul.

vs. 1-23 – David is not ready to completely forsake his duty and place in the court of Saul.  He speaks with Jonathan, and the two come up with a plan to gauge Saul’s intent toward David and secretly communicate the findings to him.  The Jews used a lunar calendar, and the first day of the month was the first day there was a sliver of the new moon showing.  It was custom for Saul to hold a feast on these days.  David would remain absent and Jonathan would make an excuse for him, saying he had to return home on family business.  How Saul reacted to hearing this was the test.  To communicate the findings with David, Jonathan will shoot arrows in a field.  If the servant retrieved them, it meant Saul was not planning on killing David.  If the servant did not retrieve the arrows, it meant Saul was planning on killing David.  Note also the covenant between David and Jonathan in vs. 16-17.  Jonathan is aware that David will be king and would willingly have forfeited his own claim to the throne and served him.

vs. 24-34 – Saul flies into a murderous rage when he hears that David has left.  Jonathan attempts to intervene, but Saul tries to kill him with his spear.  There is no doubt where the intentions of Saul are now.

vs. 35-42 – Jonathan signals to David what had happened using arrows as they had planned.  It almost has a tragic turn as the servant does not listen to Jonathan’s command to leave the arrows and goes and fetches them anyway.  The two friends part amidst many tears.  They will meet only once more in this life.  David is now officially persona non grata in Saul’s kingdom.

In this chapter David seeks aid and refuge as he goes on the run.

vs. 1-9 – Note that the first place David ran to in the previous chapter was to God’s prophet, Samuel.  The first place he runs now is to the Tabernacle at Nob (“high place”) in order to inquire of the Lord what to do.  Ahimelech  (“brother of the king”) is the High Priest at this time.  David lies about what he is doing, saying he is on a secret mission.  He asks for food for himself and the few men with him.  The Priest replies that that only food they have is the consecrated shewbread, which is reserved for the priests.  David receives three things in this visit: the shewbread for food, direction from the Lord, and the sword of Goliath.  Saul’s servant Doeg (“fearful”) the Edomite witnesses these things and will report them back to Saul.

vs. 10-15 – David makes a mistake here.  He wants to get as far away from Saul as he can, so he goes to Saul’s mortal enemies, the Philistines.  He goes to Gath, the former home of Goliath, and meets king Achish (“angry”) there.  The people recognize him and David senses the danger he has put himself in.  He acts like he is crazy.  The Philistines, like many ancient and primitive cultures, shows kindness to those with mental illness.  The king is convinced that they have brought an insane man into his presence and David is allows to leave.

What a contrast we see in Saul and Jonathan.  Both men knew that God had appointed David to be the next king.  Saul’s pride leads him to desperately hold onto his power and attack those that threatened it.  Jonathan, from every indication we have, would have gladly forfeited his own royal claims to support the true, Divinely-appointed king.  It is an old story that still plays out today, I am sad to say.  Too many are so selfish and vain that they will refuse to humble themselves to God’s leading.  If only we had more men like Jonathan, in whom inhabits that same spirit of John the Baptist, who said, “He must increase, but I must decrease.”

I have chosen our hymn today, “God Be With You Till We Meet Again” by Jeremiah Rankin, because it beautifully captures the sentiments of when loved one are parting, as we saw David and Jonathan do.  It is my favorite benediction hymn.

1. God be with you till we meet again;
By His counsels guide, uphold you,
With His sheep securely fold you;
God be with you till we meet again.

Refrain
Till we meet, till we meet,
Till we meet at Jesus’ feet;
Till we meet, till we meet,
God be with you till we meet again.

2. God be with you till we meet again;
Neath His wings protecting hide you;
Daily manna still provide you;
God be with you till we meet again. [Refrain]

3. God be with you till we meet again;
With the oil of joy anoint you;
Sacred ministries appoint you;
God be with you till we meet again. [Refrain]

4. God be with you till we meet again;
When life’s perils thick confound you;
Put His arms unfailing round you;
God be with you till we meet again. [Refrain]

5. God be with you till we meet again;
Of His promises remind you;
For life’s upper garner bind you;
God be with you till we meet again. [Refrain]

6. God be with you till we meet again;
Sicknesses and sorrows taking,
Never leaving or forsaking;
God be with you till we meet again. [Refrain]

7. God be with you till we meet again;
Keep love’s banner floating o’er you,
Strike death’s threatening wave before you;
God be with you till we meet again. [Refrain]

8. God be with you till we meet again;
Ended when for you earth’s story,
Israel’s chariot sweep to glory;
God be with you till we meet again. [Refrain]