B. Decline of Saul and rise of David (5 years) ~ cont.
2. David's dangers and flights ~ cont.
d. David flees to Samuel at Ramah with Saul in pursuit - 1 Samuel 19:18-24; Psalm 7:1-17; 25:1-22
e. Jonathan's arrows warn David - 1 Samuel 20;1-42; Psalm 26:1-12
{pages 454-459}
And Saul sent messengers to take David: and when they saw the company of the prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing as appointed over them, the Spirit of God was upon the messengers of Saul, and they also prophesied. (1 Samuel 19:20)
prophets - H5030 - From H5012; a prophet or (generally) inspired man.
prophesied - H5012 (see above)
So what did they say? What did the second and third set of messengers state/sing (1 Samuel 19:21)? What did Saul prophesy (1 Samuel 19:23-24)?
Gill's commentary on verse 20:
And Saul sent messengers to take David,.... Notwithstanding the sacred place he was in, so bent was he upon his destruction:
and when they saw the company of the prophets prophesying; or praising, as the Targum; singing hymns and songs of praise to God, under the inspiration and influence of the Spirit of God, who endited these songs for them, and excited them to sing them; these prophets belonged to the school or college of prophets at Naioth, whom the messengers saw when they came thither, and found them thus employed; or "when he saw" (m), for the word is singular, that is, the chief of the messengers, or everyone of them, so Kimchi:
and Samuel standing as appointed over them; he was president of the college, and he stood to instruct and teach them in the knowledge of divine things: so the Targum,"standing, teaching over them or by them,''and to direct and assist them in singing their songs of praise:
the Spirit of the Lord was upon the messengers of Saul, and they also prophesied: or praised, as the Targum; sung hymns and songs of praise as the prophets did, and were so taken up with these religious exercises, that they forgot, or were inattentive to the business they were sent to do. Ben Gersom thinks they foretold things to come, and so Abarbinel; and particularly that they prophesied that David should rule over all Israel, and that God would not suffer Saul to slay him; and so were indifferent to, and negligent of doing the errand they were sent on, yea, purposely avoided it.
Gill's commentary on verse 24 (which I found really helpful considering the physical dress, or lack, in/on Saul:
And he stripped off his clothes also,.... Not all his clothes, but his upper garments, as men in such circumstances used to do, as the prophets sometimes did, and as it seems his messengers had done; according to Jarchi, R. Isaiah, and others (n), he stripped himself of his royal robes, and put on the habit of the scholars, the disciples, and sons of the prophets:
and prophesied before Samuel in like manner, as the messengers had done, singing such like songs, or foretelling such like things as they did; he and they speaking not of themselves, but as they were moved by the Holy Spirit of prophecy; for such gifts have sometimes been bestowed on men that were destitute of the grace of God, as Balaam, Caiaphas, and others:
and lay down: or "fell down" (o), as persons in an ecstasy or trance: and lay
naked all that day, and all that night; not entirely naked, both without his upper garment or royal robes, or else his armour; so an unarmed man is said to be naked, though otherwise he has his clothes on: thus Gelon having conquered the Carthaginians, and made himself master of all Sicily, went into the forum "naked" (i.e. unarmed), and declared he would restore the government to the citizens, wherefore a naked statue for him was erected in the temple of Juno (p); so Quinctius Cincinnatus was found ploughing naked (q), who cannot be supposed to be without any clothes on him. Jarchi, from Menachem, reports, that he had heard from an Arabian, that the word the Targum makes use of for "naked", signifies, in the Arabic language, one that is furious or mad, as persons in an ecstasy, or under a prophetic spirit, sometimes seemed to be; now Saul was kept and held in such circumstances a whole day and night, that David might have an opportunity of making his escape, and getting at such a distance from him that he could not overtake him:
wherefore they say, is Saul also among the prophets? this became a common saying, a proverbial expression, at least was now revived and observed with admiration; that Saul, who had behaved himself in so ill a manner, as an enemy to so good a man, should be found among the prophets of the Lord, and prophesying as they did.
So prophesy could be foretelling, but also might be singing praises to or about the Lord. Interesting.
And David sware moreover, and said, Thy father certainly knoweth that I have found grace in thine eyes; and he saith, Let not Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved: but truly as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, there is but a step between me and death. (1 Samuel 20:3)
David knew he was to be king, yet in the midst of the trial he *felt* that he was just shy of immediate death. I wonder if Joseph or Moses felt in despair, yet knowing that God had a plan for their lives.
I have not had dreams of grandeur, nor anyone anointing my head, or been raised up in a palace and trained to be a leader, I have however, had times of extreme questioning and wonder at whether I would make it through the trials and tribulations which He has allowed.
I know God has a plan for each of HIS vessels and will keep us to the appointed time. We can not fail to do all that HE has foreordained for us. Nor will we depart this earthly sphere one second sooner or later than what HE has ordained. In knowing my fellow bond servants trials and endurance and in knowing HIM who is faithful and true, I am fully assured that HE will bring us through all, to HIS glory.
prophets - H5030 - From H5012; a prophet or (generally) inspired man.
- H5012 - A primitive root; to prophesy, that is, speak (or sing) by inspiration (in prediction or simple discourse)
prophesying - H5012 (see above)
prophesied - H5012 (see above)
So what did they say? What did the second and third set of messengers state/sing (1 Samuel 19:21)? What did Saul prophesy (1 Samuel 19:23-24)?
Gill's commentary on verse 20:
And Saul sent messengers to take David,.... Notwithstanding the sacred place he was in, so bent was he upon his destruction:
and when they saw the company of the prophets prophesying; or praising, as the Targum; singing hymns and songs of praise to God, under the inspiration and influence of the Spirit of God, who endited these songs for them, and excited them to sing them; these prophets belonged to the school or college of prophets at Naioth, whom the messengers saw when they came thither, and found them thus employed; or "when he saw" (m), for the word is singular, that is, the chief of the messengers, or everyone of them, so Kimchi:
and Samuel standing as appointed over them; he was president of the college, and he stood to instruct and teach them in the knowledge of divine things: so the Targum,"standing, teaching over them or by them,''and to direct and assist them in singing their songs of praise:
the Spirit of the Lord was upon the messengers of Saul, and they also prophesied: or praised, as the Targum; sung hymns and songs of praise as the prophets did, and were so taken up with these religious exercises, that they forgot, or were inattentive to the business they were sent to do. Ben Gersom thinks they foretold things to come, and so Abarbinel; and particularly that they prophesied that David should rule over all Israel, and that God would not suffer Saul to slay him; and so were indifferent to, and negligent of doing the errand they were sent on, yea, purposely avoided it.
Gill's commentary on verse 24 (which I found really helpful considering the physical dress, or lack, in/on Saul:
And he stripped off his clothes also,.... Not all his clothes, but his upper garments, as men in such circumstances used to do, as the prophets sometimes did, and as it seems his messengers had done; according to Jarchi, R. Isaiah, and others (n), he stripped himself of his royal robes, and put on the habit of the scholars, the disciples, and sons of the prophets:
and prophesied before Samuel in like manner, as the messengers had done, singing such like songs, or foretelling such like things as they did; he and they speaking not of themselves, but as they were moved by the Holy Spirit of prophecy; for such gifts have sometimes been bestowed on men that were destitute of the grace of God, as Balaam, Caiaphas, and others:
and lay down: or "fell down" (o), as persons in an ecstasy or trance: and lay
naked all that day, and all that night; not entirely naked, both without his upper garment or royal robes, or else his armour; so an unarmed man is said to be naked, though otherwise he has his clothes on: thus Gelon having conquered the Carthaginians, and made himself master of all Sicily, went into the forum "naked" (i.e. unarmed), and declared he would restore the government to the citizens, wherefore a naked statue for him was erected in the temple of Juno (p); so Quinctius Cincinnatus was found ploughing naked (q), who cannot be supposed to be without any clothes on him. Jarchi, from Menachem, reports, that he had heard from an Arabian, that the word the Targum makes use of for "naked", signifies, in the Arabic language, one that is furious or mad, as persons in an ecstasy, or under a prophetic spirit, sometimes seemed to be; now Saul was kept and held in such circumstances a whole day and night, that David might have an opportunity of making his escape, and getting at such a distance from him that he could not overtake him:
wherefore they say, is Saul also among the prophets? this became a common saying, a proverbial expression, at least was now revived and observed with admiration; that Saul, who had behaved himself in so ill a manner, as an enemy to so good a man, should be found among the prophets of the Lord, and prophesying as they did.
So prophesy could be foretelling, but also might be singing praises to or about the Lord. Interesting.
And David sware moreover, and said, Thy father certainly knoweth that I have found grace in thine eyes; and he saith, Let not Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved: but truly as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, there is but a step between me and death. (1 Samuel 20:3)
David knew he was to be king, yet in the midst of the trial he *felt* that he was just shy of immediate death. I wonder if Joseph or Moses felt in despair, yet knowing that God had a plan for their lives.
I have not had dreams of grandeur, nor anyone anointing my head, or been raised up in a palace and trained to be a leader, I have however, had times of extreme questioning and wonder at whether I would make it through the trials and tribulations which He has allowed.
I know God has a plan for each of HIS vessels and will keep us to the appointed time. We can not fail to do all that HE has foreordained for us. Nor will we depart this earthly sphere one second sooner or later than what HE has ordained. In knowing my fellow bond servants trials and endurance and in knowing HIM who is faithful and true, I am fully assured that HE will bring us through all, to HIS glory.
