1 Samuel 21:1

1 Samuel 21:1 says, Then came David to Nob to Ahimelech the priest: and Ahimelech was afraid at the meeting of David, and said unto him, Why art thou alone, and no man with thee?   When David came to Abimelech the priest at Nob, Abimelech was afraid.  This was evidently because David came alone, which made Abimelech wonder why.  As a priest of God, if he was being faithful, there should have been no situation that lead him to be afraid, much less simply the appearance of David by himself.  As followers of Christ, we are a part of the priesthood of believers, and we should not be afraid no matter what is happening, but we especially shouldn't be afraid simply because something out of the ordinary that is non-threatening happens.  Verse two adds, And David said unto Ahimelech the priest, The king hath commanded me a business, and hath said unto me, Let no man know any thing of the business whereabout I send thee, and what I have commanded thee: and I have appointed my servants to such and such a place.  When David was asked what he was doing there, he lied to Abimelech.  This is not what we would expect from a man who was said to be after God's own heart.  I don't know if David did this totry to  protect Abimelech if Saul were to find out that he had helped David or not, but whatever the reason, neither Abimelech nor David seemed to be putting a lot of faith in God.  I believe that as Christian we should stand by faith and always tell the truth about what we are doing 8n the world and for God, and especially with our fellow believers.  Verse three continues, Now therefore what is under thine hand? give me five loaves of bread in mine hand, or what there is present.  David then asked Abimelech for five loaves of bread, or for however much he could spare if he didn't have five loaves.  We should not be ashamed to ask our fellow Christians for help if we need it.  Verse four states,  And the priest answered David, and said, There is no common bread under mine hand, but there is hallowed bread; if the young men have kept themselves at least from women.  Abimelech told David that he had no common bread, but only hallowed bread, or bread considered sacred and set aside for God.  Still, he told David that they could have it if they were sexually pure.  What we as Christians must understand is that everything we own should be sacred to God, which means it should be dedicated to Him.  Why Abimelech chose this particular qualification to determine whether he would give them the shewbread or not I'm not sure, but he may have thought it would disqualify them from eating it.  Verse five adds, And David answered the priest, and said unto him, Of a truth women have been kept from us about these three days, since I came out, and the vessels of the young men are holy, and the bread is in a manner common, yea, though it were sanctified this day in the vessel.  David only addressed the status of the young men for the last three days, and said that they had remained pure, or holy to God, so even if the bread had been consecrated to God, in the current situation it could be used as common bread.  If the bread were holy, so were they.  If we are followers of Christ, we are holy, or set apart from the world, and all things under God's guidance are lawful to us.  Verse six continues, So the priest gave him hallowed bread: for there was no bread there but the shewbread, that was taken from before the LORD, to put hot bread in the day when it was taken away.  Abimelech gave David the showbread because it was all he had.  We may have things dedicated to God today, but if so and someone needs whatever it is for their well-being, under God's guidance we should give it to them.  I personally don't believe that God wants us to simply store up the things he blesses us with, but expects us to use them to further His work and to help our fellow Christians and even non Christians if they need help.  Verse seven says, Now a certain man of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before the LORD; and his name was Doeg, an Edomite, the chiefest of the herdmen that belonged to Saul.  One of Saul's servants named Doeg was there while this was happening.  He was Saul's chief herdsman, and we would assume he was loyal to Saul.  We should not be concerned with who sees us doing God's work today, even if we might think they could be a threat to us.  Verse eight adds, And David said unto Ahimelech, And is there not here under thine hand spear or sword? for I have neither brought my sword nor my weapons with me, because the king’s business required haste.  David then asked Abimelech for a spear or sword, again lying and saying that in his haste, he had forgotten his.  I believe that he may have forgotten what he had done to Goliath with a sling and a stone.  As long as we are faithful to God, He will always meet our needs, though He may not always keep us from harm in this world.  Verse nine continues, And the priest said, The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom thou slewest in the valley of Elah, behold, it is here wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod: if thou wilt take that, take it: for there is no other save that here. And David said, There is none like that; give it me.  Abimelech said the only sword available was the sword of Goliath, and he offered it to David.  It had been on display, but there was now a better use for it.  There may be better uses for things that we may be just putting on display for God today, and we as followers of Christ should always be armed with the sword of tha Spirit. 

1 Samuel 20:35

1 Samuel 20:35 says, And it came to pass in the morning, that Jonathan went out into the field at the time appointed with David, and a little lad with him.  The next morning at the time David and he had agreed on, Jonathan went into the field to shoot some arrows, and he had a lad with him to retrieve the arrows as they had agreed the sign would be.   Jonathan was carrying out the plan, though I am sure it was with a heavy heart.  He actually had not wanted to believe that Saul, his father, was trying to kill David or have him killed.   We may not want to believe that people we know are out to destroy other Christians, but if we see the proof, we must accept it, but under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and not just by our own understanding.  Verse thirty-six adds, And he said unto his lad, Run, find out now the arrows which I shoot. And as the lad ran, he shot an arrow beyond him.  Jonathan told the lad to run and find the arrows he shot, and Jonathan shot them behind him.  This was one of the two possible outcomes to signal Saul's intent toward David.  Of course, Jonathan could have still not accepted the fact yhat Saul was trying to kill David or have been more faithful to Saul, his father, and have sent the wrong message to David, but he didn't.  We, as followers of Christ, must be more devoted to God and His truth than we are to anyone else, even family.  Verse thirty-seven continues, And when the lad was come to the place of the arrow which Jonathan had shot, Jonathan cried after the lad, and said, Is not the arrow beyond thee?  When the lad got to the place where the arrow should be, Jonathan cried out, not really to him, but for David’s benefit, asking the lad if the arrow was not beyond him.  Of course, it really didn't matter where the arrow was, but only that David got the message.  Then, David had to act on the message.  Our circumstances today as we witness to the world do not really matter but only the message does.  Of course, Jonathan was trying to save David physically, and we as Christians when we share the gospel are trying to give them an opportunity to be saved spiritually.  It is then up to them to act on the message of the gospel.  Verse thirty-eight states, And Jonathan cried after the lad, Make speed, haste, stay not. And Jonathan’s lad gathered up the arrows, and came to his master.  Jonathan told the lad to hurry and gather the arrows, and he did and returned to Jonathan.  I believe this was also directed more towards David than the lad, telling him to make haste in leaving.  Verse thirty-nine adds, But the lad knew not any thing: only Jonathan and David knew the matter.  As Jonathan had planned, the lad knew nothing about what was really happening, but David and Jonathan alone did. Even though he was successful without anyone knowing that he was helping David, Jonathan was still putting himself in danger to do so, especially with a somewhat paranoid Saul seeking the death of David.  We need this type of Christian friends today.  Verse forty continues, And Jonathan gave his artillery unto his lad, and said unto him, Go, carry them to the city.  Jonathan then gave his artillery to the lad and told him to take it into the city.  Jonathan was then free to have a personal conversation with David, even though the signal had been for David to flee.  Jonathan didn't risk this until he knew there was no danger to David or himself.  Even if we desire to speak with a fellow Christian, especially one that we are very good friends with, we should do so only if we know that we are not somehow putting them in danger by doing so, and there may come a day when this will be a true possibility.   Verse forty-one declares, And as soon as the lad was gone, David arose out of a place toward the south, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times: and they kissed one another, and wept one with another, until David exceeded.  After the lad left, David rose from his hiding place and bowed three times before Jonathan and then they greeted one another affectionately as brothers.  We need to be willing to affectionately greet our fellow believers in Christ today, without fear of what the world may think.  Verse forty-two adds, And Jonathan said to David, Go in peace, forasmuch as we have sworn both of us in the name of the LORD, saying, The LORD be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed for ever. And he arose and departed: and Jonathan went into the city.  Jonathan told David to go in peace and reminded him of their covenant under God's authority to live in peace with one another and for their descendants to do the same forever.  They had an unbelievable friendship and even brotherhood under God's direction and power, and we need to always make sure that if we are forming lasting relationships with people today that we do so by God's guidance.   David left, and Jonathan went back into the city.  Even though they were separated physically they were united in spirit.  We may be physically separated from our fellow Christians today, but we need to remember that we are always united spiritually. 

1 Samuel 20:24

1 Samuel 20:24 says, So David hid himself in the field: and when the new moon was come, the king sat him down to eat meat.  While Saul was sitting down to eat the feast, David was hidden in the field.  Verse twenty-five adds, And the king sat upon his seat, as at other times, even upon a seat by the wall: and Jonathan arose, and Abner sat by Saul’s side, and David’s place was empty.  Jonathan and Abner were seated with Saul where they should have been, but David's seat was noticeably empty.  I am sure that Saul wasn't the only one to notice this since people are often looking for reasons to gossip.   We may not even realize it, but people are watching us as Christians today, both our fellow Christians and the lost people of the world.  Too often both groups are watching us to see if they can find something to discredit us with.  Verse twenty-six continues,  Nevertheless Saul spake not any thing that day: for he thought, Something hath befallen him, he is not clean; surely he is not clean.  Saul didn't say anything that David, believing that something had befallen David that prevented him from being there, such as doing something that would have made him spiritually unclean.  This was a religious feast, so being spiritually unclean would have been a legitimate reason for David not to be there.  If we are not at church functions today, we need to make certain that it is for spiritual reasons and not personal ones.  Verse twenty-seven states, And it came to pass on the morrow, which was the second day of the month, that David’s place was empty: and Saul said unto Jonathan his son, Wherefore cometh not the son of Jesse to meat, neither yesterday, nor to day?  The next day when David wasn't there, Saul asked Jonathan, who was David’s good friend, why the son of Jesse wasn't there.  I don't know if Saul did not use David’s name to imply that they weren't that close or what, but the implication is there that this may have been the point.  We can be certain that when people of the world are attempting to discredit Christians today they are going to attempt to make us seem as unimportant possible.  To make a big deal of who we are would imply that what we think and who we are in relationship to God is important.  Verse twenty-eight adds, And Jonathan answered Saul, David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Bethlehem:  Jonathan then lied to his father who was also the king.  He said David had earnestly asked permission to go to Bethlehem.  I am not sure that we should ever lie to others about what our fellow believers may be up to, but if it is to keep them from being persecuted or killed, it might be justified.  We would need to pray about this though instead of just doing it.  In this case, it was a part of Jonathan's plan to find out Saul’s intentions toward David, so I believe it was justified.  Verse twenty-nine continues, And he said, Let me go, I pray thee; for our family hath a sacrifice in the city; and my brother, he hath commanded me to be there: and now, if I have found favour in thine eyes, let me get away, I pray thee, and see my brethren. Therefore he cometh not unto the king’s table.  Jonathan then continued with his story, saying David had asked him for permission to go to Bethlehem because his brother had asked him to come to a family sacrifice, and that David had ask to be allowed to go there if he had found favor in Jonathan's eyes.  Of course, we might wonder why David was asking Jonathan instead of Saul for permission.  Verse thirty says, Then Saul’s anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said unto him, Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman, do not I know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own confusion, and unto the confusion of thy mother’s nakedness?  Saul then became angry with Jonathan and unleashed a torrent of abuse on him.  Saul called Jonathan an illigimant child who was rebellious because he had his mother's nature and not Saul's.   Saul said Jonathan being more devoted to David than to Saul himself reflected badly to the world, even though Jonathan had been obedient to his father.  We should not be surprised if at times people of the world lash out at Christians with a torrent of verbal abuse.  Verse thirty-one adds, For as long as the son of Jesse liveth upon the ground, thou shalt not be established, nor thy kingdom. Wherefore now send and fetch him unto me, for he shall surely die.  Saul then revealed his true feelings about David.  He said as long as the son of Jesse, still not calling David by name even though he was his son-in-law, was alive that Jonathan would never inherit the kingdom.   He then demanded that David be brought to him so he could be killed.  I believe that if someone wishes to harm Christians today that eventually this intention will be revealed to those who are watching what is going on.  Of course, if we are watching under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, it should become apparent more quickly.  Verse thirty-two states, And Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said unto him, Wherefore shall he be slain? what hath he done?  Jonathan asked Saul what David had done to deserve to be destroyed, and we might ask the same question of those out to destroy Christians today.  If we a truly living under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, then we will not be trying to destroy the lost people of the world but to reach them with the gospel.  Verse thirty-three adds, And Saul cast a javelin at him to smite him: whereby Jonathan knew that it was determined of his father to slay David.  In reply to Jonathan's question,  Saul threw a javelin at him attempting to kill him as he had earlier attempted to kill David.   Jonathan then knew that it was true that his father was attempting to kill David.   Jonathan may not have believed David when he told him that Saul was trying to kill him, but he was willing to find out for himself, and he now had the proof.  I don't know if Jonathan realized how much danger he was putting himself in, but I believe he would have still carried out his plan even if he did.  When we stand up for a fellow Christian, we may not realize how much danger we are putting ourself in, but we still need to be willing to do it no matter what. Verse thirty-four continues, So Jonathan arose from the table in fierce anger, and did eat no meat the second day of the month: for he was grieved for David, because his father had done him shame.  Jonathan left the table without eating because he was grieved for David because his father had acted shamefully toward David.  Sometimes, we may have to move away from our family because they are acting shamefully toward other Christians or even toward God Himself.  Of course, if we do, we still need to be in prayer for them that they will come to a right relationship with God.  Then, if they do, we can have a restored relationship with them.

1 Samuel 20:12

1 Samuel 20:12 says, And Jonathan said unto David, O LORD God of Israel, when I have sounded my father about to morrow any time, or the third day, and, behold, if there be good toward David, and I then send not unto thee, and shew it thee;  Johnathan sought God's guidance in the situation.  He still  wasn't sure that David was right about Saul wanting to kill him, but he was willing to accept the fact that it could be true and to ask for God's help in determining the truth.  We may not always know the truth of a situation, but if we don't, our first step as followers of Christ should be to ask God for His help in determining the truth.  Jonathan told David to stay away from the feast while he found out the truth.  Verse thirteen adds, The LORD do so and much more to Jonathan: but if it please my father to do thee evil, then I will shew it thee, and send thee away, that thou mayest go in peace: and the LORD be with thee, as he hath been with my father.  Again, Jonathan left it up to God to make the determination, and said if Saul had evil intents toward David that he would send David away.  He also said that God should punish him if he were not being truthful.  We need to be truthful in our relationships with other people as Christians, and we should expect God to punish us if we aren't.   Verse fourteen states, And thou shalt not only while yet I live shew me the kindness of the LORD, that I die not:  Jonathan then asked David to show him the kindness of not killing him if it turned out that his father was trying to kill David.  This would not have been that unusual then,because Jonathan would have been seen as the successor to the throne and could have been seen as a threat to David.  Just because someone is a threat to us today doesn't mean that we are to want their whole family destroyed.  Verse fifteen adds, But also thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house for ever: no, not when the LORD hath cut off the enemies of David every one from the face of the earth.  Jonathan continued by asking that David not cut off his kindness from his house, or family, once God had cut off all of David's enemies and he was established as king.  Again, we cannot allow the actions of one person determine our actions toward all their family as Christians, but even more importantly, we must allow God to guide us.  Verse sixteen continues, So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, Let the LORD even require it at the hand of David’s enemies.  Jonathan made a covenant with David and God.  As followers of Christ, all our covenants should be guided by God, and if they are, we can never go wrong.  Verse seventeen concludes, And Jonathan caused David to swear again, because he loved him: for he loved him as he loved his own soul.  Jonathan had David swear to the covenant, because he loved David as much as he loved his own soul.  This was a Godly brotherly love and not something sexual as some might imply today to justify a sexual relationship between two men.  We are expected to love others even more than we love ourself as Christians, but this is always to be a Godly love.  Verse eighteen says, Then Jonathan said to David, To morrow is the new moon: and thou shalt be missed, because thy seat will be empty.  Jonathan said the next day was the feast of the new moon, and when David wasn't there, that he would be missed because his seat would be empty.   If we are absent from Christian gatherings today, we should be missed, but often we may not be.  Verse nineteen adds, And when thou hast stayed three days, then thou shalt go down quickly, and come to the place where thou didst hide thyself when the business was in hand, and shalt remain by the stone Ezel.  Jonathan then told David after three days that he was to come to the stone, or rock,of Ezel.  This is another case of someone being told to come to the rock, and as followers of Christ, the Rock that we always need to come to is our faith in Jesus Christ, the Rock of our salvation.  Verse twenty states, And I will shoot three arrows on the side thereof, as though I shot at a mark.  Jonathan told David his plan to let him know Saul’s intention.  He was going to shoot three arrows as though he were shooting at a mark.  This would be nothing unusual. Verse twenty-one adds, And, behold, I will send a lad, saying, Go, find out the arrows. If I expressly say unto the lad, Behold, the arrows are on this side of thee, take them; then come thou: for there is peace to thee, and no hurt; as the LORD liveth.  Jonathan said that he would send a lad to find the arrows, and if he said they were on this side of the mark, it would be safe for David to return.  Verse twenty-two continues, But if I say thus unto the young man, Behold, the arrows are beyond thee; go thy way: for the LORD hath sent thee away.  Jonathan then said that if he said the arrows were on the other side of the mark that David was to leave, because the LORD would have sent him away.  Once more Jonathan was acknowledging God's guidance in the plan.   When we come up with plans today as Christians, whatever it might be for, we need to make sure that we have sought God's guidance for it. Verse twenty-three concludes, And as touching the matter which thou and I have spoken of, behold, the LORD be between thee and me for ever. Jonathan then said that in the matter of the relationship, or friendship, between David and himself that God should guide them forever.  This is what we should want for our friendship with other people today.  We need God's guidance and a Godlike love each other.

1 Samuel 20:1

1 Samuel 20:1 says, And David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and came and said before Jonathan, What have I done? what is mine iniquity? and what is my sin before thy father, that he seeketh my life?  David fled to Ramah, where he meet Jonathan and asked him what he had done to Saul to make him want to kill him.  Though we should do our best to find out why the people of the world at times seem so angry at Christians that they want to destroy them, there may never be an answer.  David had done nothing against Saul, and we as followers of Christ should do nothing to harm others, unless it is necessary to defend our faith and keep God from being dishonored.  Saul had not openly done any of this, other than assuming the duties of a priest, which David had not been directed by God to correct.  Verse two adds, And he said unto him, God forbid; thou shalt not die: behold, my father will do nothing either great or small, but that he will shew it me: and why should my father hide this thing from me? it is not so.  Jonathan refused to believe it when David said Saul was trying to kill him.  Jonathan said Saul, his father, discussed all his plans with him, and asked David why his father would keep his plan to kill David from him.  He underestimated the integrity of his father, and people today often underestimate the integrity of those that they look up to, especially if it is a close family member.   Verse three continues, 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.  David explained to Jonathan that it was because Jonathan was friends with David and to avoid him suffering from grief at knowing his plans to kill David that Saul had told Jonathan nothing about his plans.  People today still want others to see them in the best light, and often do things in secret that they don't want others to know about.  David assured Jonathan that he was one step from death at the hands of Saul.  All we can do is tell people the truth of our situation if we are in danger because of our faith today.  Verse four states, Then said Jonathan unto David, Whatsoever thy soul desireth, I will even do it for thee.  Jonathan then told David that he would help him anyway that he desired.  This is all that we can do today if our fellow Christians reach out to us for help.  Verse five adds, And David said unto Jonathan, Behold, to morrow is the new moon, and I should not fail to sit with the king at meat: but let me go, that I may hide myself in the field unto the third day at even.  David said the next day was a new moon and the time for a holy feast that he should not fail to eat with Saul but proposed that instead of doing that, he would hide himself in the field until the third day.  Matthew Henry points out that even though the Spirit of God had departed Saul, he was still going through the motions of observing the holy feasts.  We as Christians do not want to be guilty of going the motions of worship if the Holy Spirit is not guiding us.  Verse six continues, If thy father at all miss me, then say, David earnestly asked leave of me that he might run to Bethlehem his city: for there is a yearly sacrifice there for all the family.  David told Jonathan if Saul asked about his absence, to tell him that David begged his leave but he had to return to Bethlehem for a yearly sacrifice there.  This was a part of a test to determine Saul’s intent toward David and sometimes we may have to test the intentions of others toward us, but we should do so only under God's direction.  Verse seven says, If he say thus, It is well; thy servant shall have peace: but if he be very wroth, then be sure that evil is determined by him.  David said if Saul said that David returning to Bethlehem was a good thing so that he could have peace in his soul, then everything was okay between them.  If on the other hand Saul was really angry with David, then nothing was good between them.  Saul would have no reason to be angry with David if David was doing what he believed God was calling him to do.  If people become angry with us because we don't do what they want or maybe even expect us to do, we might want to question their real attitude about us.  Verse eight adds, Therefore thou shalt deal kindly with thy servant; for thou hast brought thy servant into a covenant of the LORD with thee: notwithstanding, if there be in me iniquity, slay me thyself; for why shouldest thou bring me to thy father?   David then asked Jonathan to deal kindly with him and do this for him, and he then said if Jonathan thought there was any iniquity in David in relationship to Saul that Jonathan should just go ahead and kill David himself.  That would eliminate any need for Jonathan to bring David to Saul.  We need to have enough faith to lay our life on the line if necessary to prove our innocence in a particularly dangerous situation, especially if we are asking someone to help us that might also put them in danger, as Jonathan could be doing by helping David.  Verse nine states, And Jonathan said, Far be it from thee: for if I knew certainly that evil were determined by my father to come upon thee, then would not I tell it thee?  Jonathan still didn't want to believe David.  He said if his father proposed evil against David that he would know it.  As stated before, it is sometimes hard to know the evil that may be in someone's heart simply by outward appearance.   Verse ten adds, Then said David to Jonathan, Who shall tell me? or what if thy father answer thee roughly?  David said if Jonathan didn't help him, who would.  If we are ever a person's last hope of finding out the truth in a situation, we need to pray that we will always be willing to help them, even at the risk of bringing danger to ourself.   Verse eleven continues, And Jonathan said unto David, Come, and let us go out into the field. And they went out both of them into the field.  Jonathan then told David that they should both go out in the field. Jonathan may still not have believed David concerning Saul’s intent, but he was still willing to stand with him.  Ultimately, that is all we can be expected to do for our Christian brothers and sisters today.  Even if we don't really understand what they are facing, if they ask us for help, we need to be willing to stand with them by our faith in God.

1 Samuel 19:11

1 Samuel 19:11 says, Saul also 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 shalt be slain.  Saul sent messengers to David's house to not only watch him but to kill him in the morning.  They were there to make sure David didn't leave.  God was watching out for David, though, and Michal, his wife warned him of Saul’s plans, even though he was her father.  We can be certain that God is always watching out for us, no matter what happens in life, and it is also important that we put our spouse above our parents.  Verse twelve adds, So Michal let David down through a window: and he went, and fled, and escaped.  Michal not only warned David, but she helped him escape as well.  She could have been putting herself in danger, but she was willing to put David first, and she lowered him out window and he escaped.  We need to be willing to put ourself in danger if necessary in order to help our fellow Christians.  Verse thirteen continues, And Michal took an image, and laid it in the bed, and put a pillow of goats’ hair for his bolster, and covered it with a cloth.  Michal then made a dummy to put in David’s bed so it would look like he was still sleeping.  She went above and beyond what many people would do, even for a spouse.  After all, Saul was still considered the king, even though God had already replaced him.  We also should be willing to stand up against authorities if they are threatening our fellow Christians.  Verse fourteen states, And when Saul sent messengers to take David, she said, He is sick.  When Saul sent messengers to take David, Michal said he was sick, still risking her safety to save him.  Sometimes, we may have to use whatever method we have in order to help a fellow Christian, and we should be willing to do so even if it is risky for us.  Verse fifteen adds, And Saul sent the messengers again to see David, saying, Bring him up to me in the bed, that I may slay him.  Saul was not going to be put off.  He told the messengers to bring David in his bed so that he could slay him.  Saul might have even liked that better than having to face David man to man, especially since he knew God was with David and not him. We can expect the people of the world to use every advantage available to discredit or destroy Christians.  Verse sixteen continues, And when the messengers were come in, behold, there was an image in the bed, with a pillow of goats’ hair for his bolster.  The messengers discovered that an image and a wig were in David’s bed.  If they were the ones responsible for watching him, they  could have been in big trouble.  Verse seventeen says, And Saul said unto Michal, Why hast thou deceived me so, and sent away mine enemy, that he is escaped? And Michal answered Saul, He said unto me, Let me go; why should I kill thee?  Saul asked Michal, his daughter, why she had sent David his enemy away, and she said David had said he would have to kill her if she didn't.  Matthew Henry points out that this false implication might have made Saul feel even more justified in wanting to kill David.  Though she had helped David escape, Michal did not stand up to her father by telling him the truth when she was put in a position of a possible threat to herself, and we may find friends who have stood with us against evil in the world today abandon us if they feel threatened, much like Peter did with Jesus right before His crucifixion.  Verse eighteen declares, So 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.  David didn't return to his family, but went to Samuel instead, which might have partially been because Samuel had anointed him as king.  Whatever reason we might have for running when faced with a threat because of our being a Christian today, we need to go to the source of our power, which is God Himself, and for David, Samuel represented the source of God's power.  Verse nineteen adds, And it was told Saul, saying, Behold, David is at Naioth in Ramah.  David and Samuel had gone to Naioth, and Saul was told this, evidently by some of the people of Israel who were either still loyal to Saul or afraid of him.  We need to pray that we as God's people today do not become divided and betray one another.  Verse twenty continues, 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.  Saul sent messengers to take David, but when they found themselves in the company of prophets, the themselves began to prophesy as well as the Spirit of the LORD came over them. God can change the heart of those who are working against us just as easily today, especially if we have a group of Christians acting under His leadership.  Verse twenty-one says, And when it was told Saul, he sent other messengers, and they prophesied likewise. And Saul sent messengers again the third time, and they prophesied also.  Saul sent messengers twice more, and both times they began to prophesy as well.  When the Spirit of God is at work, it doesn't matter how many times nor how many people His enemies send against Him.  God can change their heart if they are open to the leadership of the Holy Spirit, which these messengers had to have been, because as stated before God does not force His will on anyone.  Verse twenty-two adds, Then went he also to Ramah, and came to a great well that is in Sechu: and he asked and said, Where are Samuel and David? And one said, Behold, they be at Naioth in Ramah.   Then Saul went looking for David and Samuel himself and stopped at a great well in Sechu and asked someone where they were.  He was given a truthful answer that they were at Naioth.  Whether the person who told Saul knew of his intent or not, he was still king, if in name only.  We may not always know the true intent of people today when they ask about things relating to God and His.people, so all we can do is tell the truth under God's guidance.  Verse twenty-three continues, And he went thither to Naioth in Ramah: and the Spirit of God was upon him also, and he went on, and prophesied, until he came to Naioth in Ramah.  As Saul continued on to Naioth, the Spirit of the LORD came on him as well.  God had never really abandoned Saul, and when he was open to God's Spirit, He still directed Saul. Verse twenty-four concludes, And he stripped off his clothes also, and prophesied before Samuel in like manner, and lay down naked all that day and all that night. Wherefore they say, Is Saul also among the prophets? Saul stripped off his clothes and began to prophesy himself, lying naked all night, and the people began to ask if Saul was now a prophet.  Removing his clothes may have been symbolic of removing everything that stood between God and him.  He was no longer Saul the king but simply a man with nothing between God and Himself.   We may at times,e specially if we have gotten off track as Christians, need to strip our soul bare before God and allow the Holy Spirit to work in our life.

1 Samuel 19:1

1 Samuel 19:1 says, And Saul spake to Jonathan his son, and to all his servants, that they should kill David.  Saul began to attempt to recruit his servants and even his son, Jonathan, to kill David.  His subtle plans had failed, so he became more open in acting on his hatred or jealousy of David.  When subtle methods don't work in discrediting or destroying Christians, or at least their works for God today, we should not be surprised when those who hate or are jealous of us begin to use more open, aggressive means in attempting to do so.  Verse two adds, But Jonathan Saul’s son delighted much in David: and Jonathan told David, saying, Saul my father seeketh to kill thee: now therefore, I pray thee, take heed to thyself until the morning, and abide in a secret place, and hide thyself:  Instead of following his father’s orders, Jonathan who was a true friend to David, warned him of Saul's intent and told him to go and hide himself.  If people are plotting against us as followers of Christ today, we need to pray that we have at least one friend like Jonathan who will stand beside us no matter what.  Jonathan would have been the apparent successor to Saul as his son, but he did not allow jealousy about David's popularity to keep him from doing what was best for David. We may seem to be the heir apparent to a position in the church today, but we cannot allow selfish desires to keep us from looking out for the best interest of other Christians, even if they take the place we might assume should have been ours.  Verse three continues, And I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where thou art, and I will commune with my father of thee; and what I see, that I will tell thee.  Not only did Jonathan warn David, he said he would take his place by his father’s side and warn David of Saul's intent toward David.  Jonathan was really putting himself at risk, nor only in battle, but also by defying his father's order to kill David.   We should be willing as Christians to put ourselves in danger for the benefit of our fellow Christians if necessary.   Verse four states, And Jonathan spake good of David unto Saul his father, and said unto him, Let not the king sin against his servant, against David; because he hath not sinned against thee, and because his works have been to theeward very good:  Jonathan also spoke to his father on David's behalf, telling him that David had done nothing but good toward Saul, which was true.  We need to be that kind of friend to our fellow Christians today if they are in danger.  Verse five adds, For he did put his life in his hand, and slew the Philistine, and the LORD wrought a great salvation for all Israel: thou sawest it, and didst rejoice: wherefore then wilt thou sin against innocent blood, to slay David without a cause?  Jonathan reminded Saul that by God's grace David had delivered the people of Israel from Goliath, and that Saul had rejoiced because of it, and then asked him why he now wanted to shed the innocent blood of David.  Jonathan was really putting himself in danger by doing this, since he was questioning a jealous king filled with hatred for David.  It is one thing to silently support our fellow Christians, but we need the faith in God that causes us to openly support them no matter what it may cost us.  Verse six concludes, And Saul hearkened unto the voice of Jonathan: and Saul sware, As the LORD liveth, he shall not be slain. Saul listened to Jonathan and swore that as surely as the LORD lived he would not destroy David.  Of course, we will see later that Saul didn't live up to this promise, even though it was made to God.  People of the world may make promises about not trying to destroy Christians or even God's word, but they seldom remain true to these promises.  Verse seven says, And Jonathan called David, and Jonathan shewed him all those things. And Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence, as in times past.  Jonathan called David out of hiding, and David was once again in Saul’s presence as he had been in the past.  There was at least a temporary truce on Saul's part, since David didn't need to make one since he had never attempted to do anything to harm Saul.  If there is a truce between the world and us today it needs to be on their part, since we as Christians should never want to do anything to harm them.  We are called on to reach out to the lost people of the world with love and compassion, and not with hatred and evil intent.  Verse eight adds, And there was war again: and David went out, and fought with the Philistines, and slew them with a great slaughter; and they fled from him.  The war with the Philistines continued,and David continued to fight against and kill them, so the Philistines were afraid of him.  All we can do today as followers Christ is to be willing to engage in the battle against sin and evil in the world  even if it puts us in danger.  Verse nine declares, And the evil spirit from the LORD was upon Saul, as he sat in his house with his javelin in his hand: and David played with his hand.  Once again we are told that an evil spirit from the LORD came upon Saul, but as I have stated before, I don't believe that God ever sends evil spirits on anyone.  Saul may have attributed the evil spirit to God, but it was really a result of Saul's own lack of being willing to follow God's will that resulted in his attitude, which was once again a desire to kill David.  Temporary truces with the people of the world today will never last.  Saul sat with a javelin in his hand as David played the harp again.  David was still willing to do all that he could to please Saul under God's guidance.  We should be willing to do all that we can to help people today, even those who may be our enemies, as long as we don't go against God's word.  Verse ten adds, And Saul sought to smite David even to the wall with the javelin; but he slipped away out of Saul’s presence, and he smote the javelin into the wall: and David fled, and escaped that night.  As David was playing the harp for Saul, Saul threw the javelin at David, again trying to kill him in spite of his word to Jonathan and God, but once again God protected Davtd and he slipped away.  All we can do today in our battle against Satan and his forces is to put our life in God's hands.  He will keep us secure in our everlasting relationship with Him no matter what happens in this world.