1 Samuel 19:8 - Meaning and Application

Here David keeps serving his king and his country well. Saul had paid him back with evil for good, and even felt jealous because David was so useful, yet David did not pull away in bitterness or stop serving. People who are treated badly for doing good must still not grow tired of doing what is right. They should remember how generous their heavenly Father is, even to those who are stubborn and ungrateful.

Even after all Saul had done to him, David stayed faithful. He was still brave with his sword in the service of his country, as in 1 Samuel 19:8. War broke out again with the Philistines, giving David another chance to show his courage. He attacked them boldly, won the victory, killed many, and drove the rest away.

He was also just as ready to serve with his harp in the service of the king. When Saul was troubled by his earlier fits of deep sadness, David played music for him (1 Samuel 19:9). David could have said this work was beneath him now, but a humble person does not think any good service is too small. He could also have remembered the danger he faced the last time he did this for Saul (1 Samuel 18:10). Still, he had learned to return good for evil and to trust God with his safety while doing his duty. See also how David felt when his enemy was sick, in (Psalm 35:13, Psalm 35:14), which may refer to Saul’s illness.

Saul kept on hating David. Just the day before, he had sworn by his Maker that David would not be killed, yet now he tried to kill him himself. How stubborn and hopeless human hatred can be without God’s grace. Scripture says the human heart is deceitful and deeply sinful (Jeremiah 17:9). David’s new honor in the war against the Philistines did not calm Saul’s jealousy. Instead, it made his envy worse.

When Saul gave in to this sin, it was no surprise that an evil spirit came over him again (1 Samuel 19:9). When we let a day end while we are still angry, we give Satan a place to work in us (Ephesians 4:26, Ephesians 4:27). Disordered minds often have help from Satan, but their troubles usually begin in their own sins and foolish choices. Saul was so full of fear and jealousy that he could not even sit in his house without a javelin in his hand. He claimed it was for protection, but he meant to use it against David. He tried to pin David to the wall by hurling the spear so hard that it stuck in the wall (1 Samuel 19:10). His rage and the devil’s power were both strong in him.

Maybe Saul thought that if he killed David then, people would excuse it because he was out of his mind, and not hold him responsible. But God cannot be fooled by excuses, no matter what people may think.

God kept caring for David and still watched over him for good. Saul missed his strike. David moved quickly and fled, and by God’s kind care he escaped that night. David often looks back on these rescues in his Psalms, calling God his shield, his rock, his fortress, and the one who saves him from death.