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IS SAUL WITH THE PROPHETS? I Samuel 19:18-24. PM. 04/26/20. #62.
1 Samuel 19:18-24 [New King James Version (NKJV)]
18 So David fled and escaped, and went to Samuel at Ramah, and told him all that Saul had done to him. And he and Samuel went and stayed in Naioth. 19 Now it was told Saul, saying, “Take note, David is at Naioth in Ramah!” 20 Then Saul sent messengers to take David. And when they saw the group of prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing as leader over them, the Spirit of God came upon the messengers of Saul, and they also prophesied. 21 And when Saul was told, he sent other messengers, and they prophesied likewise. Then Saul sent messengers again the third time, and they prophesied also. 22 Then he also went to Ramah, and came to the great well that is at Sechu. So he asked, and said, “Where are Samuel and David?” And someone said, “Indeed they are at Naioth in Ramah.” 23 So he went there to Naioth in Ramah. Then the Spirit of God was upon him also, and he went on and prophesied until he came to Naioth in Ramah. 24 And he also stripped off his clothes and prophesied before Samuel in like manner, and lay down naked all that day and all that night. Therefore they say, “Is Saul also among the prophets?”
- David seeks out protection from Samuel
- David travels to Ramah, home of Samuel
- Samuel represented divine help
- Samuel was very old at this time
- Samuel had left Saul after the botched Amalekite campaign
- I Samuel 16 Samuel is told to anoint a new king, but he is fearful of Saul (God encourages Samuel)
- Once Samuel anoints David as king, David is invincible until he becomes king and accomplishes God’s will for him
- None can harm you until you finish your calling
- David doesn’t seek help from his troops, but God
- Notice the partnership between God and man
- David did what he could be escaping and seeking godly help
- David depended upon God to help him
- We are expected to do what we can while relying on God’s help
- David told Samuel all Saul had done
- We have no record of Samuel’s response
- Samuel was probably not surprised
- Saul’s nature had not changed
- Saul had not repented, nor shown signs of repent.
- Saul does not know that David had been anointed as king
- Saul knows that God’s favor was now on David
- Saul knows that David is more popular than he is
- Saul = not realized he fights against God (loses)
- Since David is God’s choice as king, Samuel helps him
- Samuel is very consistent in following God’s will
- Samuel and David are kindred spirits, unlike Saul
- Messenger mania
- 5 times Saul sent messengers to capture David
- Twice he sent them to David’s house
- Three times he sends mess. to Naioth (lit., dwellings or huts–dorms for the college of prophets outside Ramah)
- Each time mess. reach Naioth they are turned into temporary prophets, prophesying with the regular prophets
- Saul does not take “no” for an answer
- Saul’s jealousy has moved to obsession (obsession is a very destructive force–$, relations, fame, possessions…)
- Saul seams to take no notice that God protects David
- God offers 3 levels of protection according to his purposes:
- Divine protection (Joseph, Elijah, Daniel, Peter[Acts 12])
- Martyrdom (John the Baptist, Stephen, James [Acts 12])
- Delayed martyrdom (OT prophets, Peter, Paul, Rev. 6)
- 5 times Saul sent messengers to capture David
- Saul among the prophets
- Saul goes after David himself
- He doesn’t heed the warning God sends him (stops mess.)
- Power of the king is not absolute (Nebuchadnezzar, Ahab, Herod…)
- Saul is also turned into a prophesying prophet
- 2nd time Saul has prophesied
- 1 Samuel 10 as a confirmation of his calling
- 1 Samuel 19 as a confirmation of his rejection
- Saul is made to strip down and be exposed all night
- 2nd time Saul has prophesied
- A difference between humiliation and humility
- Humiliation is circumstantial, but humility is a choice
- Is Saul among the prophets? (slur-king or prophet?)
- More lessons on humility are taught than learned
- Proverbs 16:18 a person who refuses to be humbled, will be destroyed
- Saul goes after David himself