Albert Barnes Commentary 1 Samuel 19
Albert Barnes Commentary
1 Samuel 19
Albert Barnes Commentary
1 Samuel 19
"And Saul sought to smite David even to the wall with the spear; but he slipped away out of Saul`s presence, and he smote the spear into the wall: and David fled, and escaped that night." — 1 Samuel 19:10 (ASV)
David fled - This was the beginning of David’s life as a fugitive and outcast, though for no offence or fault of his (Psalms 59:3, Prayer Book Version).
"And Saul sent messengers unto David`s house, to watch him, and to slay him in the morning: and Michal, David`s wife, told him, saying, If thou save not thy life to-night, to-morrow thou wilt be slain." — 1 Samuel 19:11 (ASV)
Saul’s plan was to surround the house at night and to have David killed as soon as he came out unsuspectingly in the morning.
"And Michal took the teraphim, and laid it in the bed, and put a pillow of goats` [hair] at the head thereof, and covered it with the clothes." — 1 Samuel 19:13 (ASV)
An image - “Teraphim” was an image, or a bust in human form and as large as life, of a kind of household god to whose worship the Israelites, and especially the women, were very devoted.
A pillow - This was probably a quilt or blanket of goats’ hair, commonly used as a bed covering. It is not clear whether Michal drew it over the head of the teraphim, as if for warmth, and so covered it, or whether she arranged it around the head to look like hair.
"And Saul said unto Michal, Why hast thou deceived me thus, and let mine enemy go, so that he is escaped? And Michal answered Saul, He said unto me, Let me go; why should I kill thee?" — 1 Samuel 19:17 (ASV)
Why should I kill you? - To avert Saul’s anger from herself, she pretended that David had threatened her life unless she facilitated his escape.
"Now David fled, and escaped, and came to Samuel to Ramah, and told him all that Saul had done to him. And he and Samuel went and dwelt in Naioth." — 1 Samuel 19:18 (ASV)
No such place as Naioth (or Nevaioth) is known, but the word means “dwellings.” Therefore, it is considered that Naioth was the name of the collegiate residence of the prophets, in or just outside Ramah, to which Samuel moved with David from his own house for greater safety, because of the sanctity of the place and the company.
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