1 Samuel Chapter 19 Verse 9: The Persecution of David by King Saul
The Context
In 1 Samuel chapter 19, we find David, the anointed king of Israel, being pursued by King Saul, who is jealous of David's growing popularity and the Lord's favor towards him. Saul, who was once a great leader, has now become consumed by his own pride and insecurities.
The Verse
1 Samuel 19:9 (NIV) "The evil spirit from God came upon Saul as he was sitting in his house with his spear in his hand. While David was playing the lyre, the evil spirit from God came powerfully upon Saul, and he hurled the spear, saying, 'I'll pin David to the wall!' But David eluded him twice."
The Persecution of David
In this verse, we see King Saul's jealousy and paranoia towards David reaching a boiling point. The evil spirit from God has come upon Saul, influencing his thoughts and actions. Even though David is innocently playing the lyre, Saul becomes enraged and tries to kill David, hurling a spear at him. This is not the first time Saul has attempted to harm David, and it won't be the last.
The Protection of David
Despite Saul's best efforts to harm him, David is able to elude the spear not once, but twice. This is no coincidence. The Lord is watching over David, protecting him from harm. David's faith in God is strong, and he trusts in His deliverance.
Lessons from the Verse
- Jealousy and pride can lead to destructive behavior: King Saul's jealousy of David's popularity and favor with God leads him to commit evil acts. This serves as a warning to us to examine our own hearts and motives.
- God's protection is available to those who trust in Him: David's trust in God results in his protection from harm. This encourages us to put our faith in God, knowing that He is our rock and salvation.
May we learn from the example of David and King Saul, and may we trust in God's sovereignty and protection in our own lives.
