1 Samuel 19:11

¶ 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 {H7586} also sent {H7971} messengers {H4397} unto David's {H1732} house {H1004}, to watch {H8104} him, and to slay {H4191} him in the morning {H1242}: and Michal {H4324} David's {H1732} wife {H802} told {H5046} him, saying {H559}, If thou save {H4422} not thy life {H5315} to night {H3915}, to morrow {H4279} thou shalt be slain {H4191}.

But Sha'ul sent messengers to David's house to watch for him and kill him in the morning. Mikhal David's wife told him, "If you don't save your life tonight, tomorrow you'll be dead."

Then Saul sent messengers to David’s house to watch him and kill him in the morning. But David’s wife Michal warned him, “If you do not run for your life tonight, tomorrow you will be dead!”

And Saul 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 wilt be slain.

Commentary

1 Samuel 19:11 records a critical moment in the life of David, illustrating the escalating and dangerous hostility of King Saul towards him. Following a previous attempt on David's life with a javelin (see 1 Samuel 19:10), Saul's murderous intent becomes more calculated and public as he dispatches messengers—effectively assassins—to David's own house.

Context

This verse is set against the backdrop of Saul's intense jealousy and paranoia regarding David's popularity and success. Despite David's loyalty and his role as a valiant warrior for Israel, Saul views him as a direct threat to his throne. Saul's son, Jonathan, had recently interceded for David, leading to a temporary reconciliation (1 Samuel 19:4-7). However, David's continued victories, particularly against the Philistines, reignited Saul's envy, pushing him to plot David's death meticulously. The phrase "to watch him, and to slay him in the morning" reveals a premeditated plan to catch David at dawn, making his escape more difficult.

Key Themes

  • Escalating Enmity: Saul's hatred for David has moved from impulsive acts of violence to calculated assassination plots. This highlights the destructive power of unchecked envy and insecurity.
  • Divine Protection: Despite the grave danger, God's providential hand is evident. He uses Michal, Saul's own daughter and David's wife, as the instrument of David's salvation, demonstrating that God is a protector of His anointed.
  • Loyalty and Betrayal: Michal's loyalty to David overrides her allegiance to her father, showcasing a profound act of devotion and courage. Saul, conversely, betrays his own family and promises in his obsessive pursuit of David.
  • Urgency and Deliverance: The verse captures the immediate and life-threatening peril David faces, underscored by Michal's urgent warning: "If thou save not thy life to night, to morrow thou shalt be slain." This sets the stage for David's miraculous escape, detailed in the subsequent verses.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "watch" (שָׁמַר - shamar) implies a careful guarding or surveillance, indicating that Saul's men were to maintain a vigil outside David's house throughout the night. The intent "to slay him" (הָרַג - harag) is a clear command for murder, emphasizing the king's direct order for an assassination. Michal's direct warning, "If thou save not thy life to night," uses language that stresses the absolute necessity of immediate action for survival.

Practical Application

This narrative reminds us that even when facing intense opposition or life-threatening situations, God can provide unexpected means of deliverance. It underscores the importance of wisdom, discernment, and quick action when confronted with danger. Furthermore, it serves as a stark warning about the destructive nature of unchecked jealousy and how it can corrupt even those in positions of power. David's story, throughout this period, consistently illustrates the truth that the Lord's purpose will prevail, regardless of human schemes.

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Cross-References

  • Psalms 59:1 (5 votes)

    ¶ To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David; when Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him. Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me.

  • Psalms 59:17 (5 votes)

    Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God [is] my defence, [and] the God of my mercy.

  • Judges 16:2 (3 votes)

    [And it was told] the Gazites, saying, Samson is come hither. And they compassed [him] in, and laid wait for him all night in the gate of the city, and were quiet all the night, saying, In the morning, when it is day, we shall kill him.