Tyndale Open Study Notes1 Samuel 19

Jonathan addressed his father as the king to show respect.

swore an oath: Breaking a vow is a serious offense against God (see Numbers 30:2; Deuteronomy 23:21–23; compare Ecclesiastes 5:4–5). However, Saul soon ignored his promise and tried to kill David again (1 Samuel 19:9–24).

tried to pin him to the wall with his spear: See also 1 Samuel 18:11; 20:33.

See Psalm 59:1.

• A household idol: The Hebrew word teraphim refers to household idols (small images used in homes, often for worship or protection). These idols appear in several Old Testament passages, such as Genesis 31:30; Judges 17:5; and 2 Kings 23:24. Having an idol in David and Michal's home might show how common pagan idol worship was among the Israelites. The idol might have belonged to Michal. David did not seem to object to Michal having it. (Compare to Rachel stealing her father’s household idols in Genesis 31:19.)

• Siblings Jonathan (1 Samuel 19:1–7) and Michal (19:11–18) saved David from their father and disrupted their father’s plans to harm him. Members of Saul’s royal family were important in David’s rise, though David did not take Saul’s throne by force.

• Ramah: This was Samuel’s hometown (1 Samuel 1:1).

• Naioth was a small village near another Ramah in the region of Benjamin.

• Prophets often assembled in groups under a single leader (see 2 Kings 2:15; 4:38; 6:1–7).

• The Spirit of God came upon Saul’s men to allow David to escape (1 Samuel 20:1).

messengers … a third time: Each time Saul sent troops, the Spirit captured David's would-be captors. Prophesying distracted them from chasing David.

• When Saul tore off his clothes and lay naked (that is, without his royal garments), he unknowingly showed his true spiritual condition. God had stripped him of the kingship. Earlier passages explain this rejection (1 Samuel 13:14; 15:10–11, 23; see “Prophetic Sign Acts” Theme Note).

• Is Saul also among the prophets?: In 1 Samuel 10:9–13, Saul was rising as God’s chosen king. Here, he is moving downward under the weight of God’s rejection.