1 Samuel

1 Samuel 19: The LORD keeps David safe

Begin in prayer

Before we follow David as he escapes Saul's spear, and learn that the LORD keeps His servant safe, let us pray together. Ask Him to guard our family, and to show us Jesus, whom the Father kept safe.

Yahweh will keep you from all evil.

Psalm 121:7

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You keep Your servants safe, and help us to trust You when we are afraid. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Saul told his servants and Jonathan to kill David, but Jonathan delighted in David and warned him to hide. Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul, and Saul swore that David would not be put to death. When Saul threw his spear again, David escaped, and Michal let him down through a window. Michal laid a household figure in the bed, so that Saul’s messengers were fooled. When Saul sent messengers to Naioth, God’s Spirit came on them, and they prophesied. Saul went himself, and the Spirit came on him too, and he lay down for a day and a night.

As you read 1 Samuel 19, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD keeps David safe, and His Spirit turns aside the plans of Saul.

Saul told his son Jonathan and all his servants to kill David (verse 1). Jonathan loved David, warned him to hide, and reminded Saul that David had risked his life (verses 1 to 5). Saul swore David would not die. He soon threw his spear at David again (verses 6 to 10). That night Michal helped David escape through a window and told Saul's messengers that he was sick (verses 11 to 14). David went to Samuel at Ramah, and Saul sent three groups of messengers to seize him there (verses 18 to 21). Each time the Spirit of God came on them and they prophesied, and Saul himself was stopped the same way (verses 20 to 24). David was kept safe through a friend, a wife and the Spirit of God. The LORD had anointed him, and Saul's spear could not stop that purpose.

How does 1 Samuel 19 show us that the LORD keeps David safe, and that His Spirit turns aside the plans of Saul?

The LORD keeps His servant safe.

Saul threw his spear to pin David to the wall, but David slipped away (verses 9 and 10). That night Saul sent messengers to watch David's house and kill him in the morning (verse 11). Michal warned David and let him down through the window, and he escaped (verses 11 and 12). God kept the child Jesus safe from Herod, who sought to destroy Him (Matthew 2 verses 13 to 15).

God’s Spirit turns aside Saul’s plans.

David fled to Samuel at Ramah, and they stayed at Naioth (verse 18). Saul sent messengers three times, and each time God's Spirit came on them and they prophesied (verses 20 and 21). Then Saul went himself, and God's Spirit came on him too (verses 22 and 23). He lay down for a day and a night, and his plan to seize David came to nothing (verse 24).

Jonathan speaks for David.

Jonathan told David that Saul sought to kill him, and he told him to hide (verses 1 and 2). Jonathan spoke good of David to Saul and asked why he would sin against innocent blood (verses 4 and 5). Jonathan spoke for his friend to his own father, and Saul listened for a time (verses 4 to 6).

Memorise

So Michal let David down through the window. He went away, fled, and escaped.

1 Samuel 19:12

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, when I am in danger, where do I run for safety?

Saul sent his men to seize David, and Saul's spear came close. Michal let David down through a window, and the text says, “He went away, fled, and escaped.”

The danger that matters most is the judgment of God on sin, and none of us can escape it by running. Jesus is the Son whom no enemy could stop from doing the Father's will. At the right time He gave Himself up, and on the cross He bore the sin of His people. God raised Him from the dead, and no enemy could hold Him in the grave. He gave Himself once for all.

Run to Him for safety. Turn from your sin, and trust Jesus. Everyone who takes refuge in Him is forgiven and kept.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD keeps His people safe, and that Jesus was kept safe by the Father as a child. Parents, you may want to explain verses 13 and 24 in your own words. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that He keeps His people safe, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

For he will put his angels in charge of you, to guard you in all your ways.

Psalm 91:11

Father, thank You that You keep Your people safe and turn aside the plans of their enemies. Thank You for Jesus, who speaks for His people before You. Give us courage in every fear, and help us to trust You. Keep us safe in Your care this week. Amen.