Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
back to:
1 Samuel
Book: 1 Samuel
Chapter: 19
Overview:
Jonathan reconciles his
Father to
David,
Saul again tries to
slay him.
(1-10) David flees to
Samuel.
(11-24)
1-10 How forcible are right words!
Saul was, for a time,
convinced of the unreasonableness of his
Enmity to
David; but he
continued his malice against
David.
So incurable is the
Hatred
of the seed of the
Serpent against that of the
Woman;
So
deceitful and desperately wicked is the
Heart of
Man without the
Grace of
God, Jer 17:9.
11-24 Michal's stratagem to gain time till
David got to a
distance was allowable, but her falsehood had not even the plea
of necessity to excuse it, and manifests that she was not
influenced
By the same
Spirit of
Piety which had dictated
Jonathan's language to
Saul. In flying to
Samuel,
David made
God
his
Refuge.
Samuel, as a
Prophet, was best able to advise him
what to do in this
Day of distress. He met with little
Rest or
satisfaction in
Saul's
Court, therefore went to seek it in
Samuel's
Church. What little pleasure is to be had in this
world, those have who live a
Life of
Communion with
God; to that
David returned in the time of trouble.
So impatient was
Saul
after
David's
Blood,
So restless against him, that although
baffled
By one
Providence after another, he could not see that
David was under the special protection of
God. And when
God will
take this way to protect
David, even
Saul prophesies. Many have
great
Gifts, yet
No Grace; they may prophesy in
Christ's name,
yet are disowned
By him. Let us daily seek for renewing
Grace,
which shall be in us as a
Well of water springing up into
Everlasting Life. Let us cleave to
Truth and
Holiness with full
purpose of
Heart. In every danger and trouble, let us seek
protection, comfort, and direction in
God's ordinances.