MPV Commentary

Saul's Malicious Rage Breaks Out against David.

David's victory over the Philistines (1Sa 19:8-10) reignited Saul's envy and melancholy. Upon David's return to court, Saul's temper became even more volatile. The king's usual charm was lost on him, and in a fit of uncontrollable rage, he hurled a javelin at David, narrowly missing him as it pierced the chamber wall.

David providentially escaped this attempt on his life, but Saul's actions made his situation increasingly perilous everywhere. The king had now shed his mask and was determined to take aggressive measures against his son-in-law.

Saul sent messengers to watch over David's house with instructions to slay him (1Sa 19:11-12). However, the king's plan was thwarted by Providence, allowing David to escape. His wife, Michal, had been secretly informed of the plot through Jonathan or other sources in court. She took an image and placed it on a divan, covering it with a mantle and arranging goat hair to resemble human dishevelled locks.

The pretext was that David lay sick in bed (1Sa 19:13-14). The first messengers were deceived by this ruse, but upon closer inspection, they discovered the truth. Saul's orders remained unchanged, and he demanded that David be brought to him on a portable couch or mattress (1Sa 19:15).