1 Samuel 19

Saul Tries to Take David Out

1 Saul told Jonathan and all his officials, “Listen, we need to kill David.” But Jonathan, who really cared about David, was not having it.

2 He warned David, “My dad’s tryna take you out. You better lay low till morning. Hide somewhere safe.”

3 “I will go out with my dad to the field where you are hiding, and I will talk to him about you. I will let you know what he says.”

Jonathan Pleads with Saul

4 Jonathan spoke good on David’s name to Saul: “Dad, do not do wrong to David. He has not disrespected you. Matter fact, everything he has done helped you.”

5 “He risked his life when he killed Goliath. You saw it, and you were happy. Why sin by killing an innocent man?”

6 Saul listened to Jonathan and said, “Alright, I swear by the Lord, David will not be killed.”

7 Jonathan went back, told David everything, and brought him to Saul. David stayed close like before.

Another Attempt on David’s Life

8 War popped off again. David went out, handled business, and dropped more Philistines. Big win for Israel.

9 But once again, a dark spirit from the Lord came on Saul. He was chilling at home, spear in hand, while David played the harp.

10 Saul threw the spear at David, tryna pin him to the wall, again. But David dodged and dipped out that night.

Michal Helps David Escape

11 Saul sent men to watch David’s house, planning to kill him in the morning. But Michal, David’s wife, warned him: “If you do not bounce tonight, you will be dead by sunrise.”

12 She helped him sneak out through a window. He dipped and got away.

13 Then she grabbed a household idol, laid it in the bed, put goat hair on its head, and covered it with a blanket.

14 When Saul’s men came to grab David, she said, “He is sick.”

15 Saul said, “I do not care, bring him to me in the bed so I can kill him myself.”

16 When the men came in, they found the fake body in the bed, idol with goat hair.

17 Saul yelled at Michal, “Why did you lie to me and help him escape?” She said, “He threatened me! Said he would kill me if I did not help.”

David Runs to Samuel

18 David escaped and ran to Samuel at Ramah. He told him everything Saul had done. They went to Naioth and stayed there.

19 Saul got word: “David is at Naioth in Ramah.”

20 He sent men to catch David, but when they got there, they saw Samuel leading a group of prophets, all prophesying. God’s Spirit hit Saul’s men, and they started prophesying too.

21 Saul sent more men, same thing happened. Then he sent a third group, they started prophesying too.

Saul Gets Humbled

22 Finally, Saul said, “Forget it, I will go myself.” He went to Naioth at Ramah.

23 On the way, God’s Spirit hit him too. He started prophesying all the way to Naioth.

24 Then he stripped off his clothes, laid on the ground prophesying in front of Samuel all day and night. That is why folks said, “Is Saul one of the prophets too?”