1 Samuel 19
Second Samuel 19 covers David’s journey to put down Absalom’s rebellion and return to Jerusalem. The first half of the chapter contrasts David, who is plunged into deep grief because of Absalom’s death, with Joab, who offers him practical counsel. After that, David prepares to restore his kingship centered on the tribe of Judah, and through encounters with those who in the past cursed him or cast doubt on him, he practices forgiveness and reconciliation during the process of his return. In the end, however, tensions between the tribes of Israel and Judah come to light, leaving sparks of national division. This is a passage to reflect on, focusing on David’s process as king of regaining control of his emotions and restoring his leadership, as well as the broad-minded compassion he demonstrates.
1verseSaul spoke to Jonathan his son and to all his servants, that they should kill David. But Jonathan, Saul’s son, greatly delighted in David.
2verseJonathan told David, saying, “Saul my father seeks to kill you. Now therefore, please take care of yourself in the morning, live in a secret place, and hide yourself.
3verseI will go out and stand beside my father in the field where you are, and I will talk with my father about you; and if I see anything, I will tell you.”
4verseJonathan spoke good of David to Saul his father, and said to him, “Don’t let the king sin against his servant, against David; because he has not sinned against you, and because his works have been very good toward you;
5versefor he put his life in his hand and struck the Philistine, and the LORD worked a great victory for all Israel. You saw it and rejoiced. Why then will you sin against innocent blood, to kill David without a cause?”
6verseSaul listened to the voice of Jonathan; and Saul swore, “As the LORD lives, he shall not be put to death.”
7verseJonathan called David, and Jonathan showed him all those things. Then Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence as before.
8verseThere was war again. David went out and fought with the Philistines, and killed them with a great slaughter; and they fled before him.
9verseAn evil spirit from the LORD was on Saul as he sat in his house with his spear in his hand; and David was playing music with his hand.
10verseSaul sought to pin David to the wall with the spear, but he slipped away out of Saul’s presence; and he stuck the spear into the wall. David fled and escaped that night.
11verseSaul sent messengers to David’s house to watch him and to kill him in the morning. Michal, David’s wife, told him, saying, “If you don’t save your life tonight, tomorrow you will be killed.”
12verseSo Michal let David down through the window. He went away, fled, and escaped.
13verseMichal took the teraphim and laid it in the bed, and put a pillow of goats’ hair at its head and covered it with clothes.
14verseWhen Saul sent messengers to take David, she said, “He is sick.”
15verseSaul sent the messengers to see David, saying, “Bring him up to me in the bed, that I may kill him.”
16verseWhen the messengers came in, behold, the teraphim was in the bed, with the pillow of goats’ hair at its head.
17verseSaul said to Michal, “Why have you deceived me like this and let my enemy go, so that he has escaped?” Michal answered Saul, “He said to me, ‘Let me go! Why should I kill you?’”
18verseNow David fled and escaped, and came to Samuel at Ramah, and told him all that Saul had done to him. He and Samuel went and lived in Naioth.
19verseSaul was told, saying, “Behold, David is at Naioth in Ramah.”
20verseSaul sent messengers to seize David; and when they saw the company of the prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing as head over them, God’s Spirit came on Saul’s messengers, and they also prophesied.
21verseWhen Saul was told, he sent other messengers, and they also prophesied. Saul sent messengers again the third time, and they also prophesied.
22verseThen he also went to Ramah, and came to the great well that is in Secu: and he asked, “Where are Samuel and David?” One said, “Behold, they are at Naioth in Ramah.”
23verseHe went there to Naioth in Ramah. Then God’s Spirit came on him also, and he went on, and prophesied, until he came to Naioth in Ramah.
24verseHe also stripped off his clothes. He also prophesied before Samuel and lay down naked all that day and all that night. Therefore they say, “Is Saul also among the prophets?”
David’s Grief and Joab’s Rebuke (Verses 1–8)
After Absalom’s death, David falls into overwhelming grief and weeps even in front of the army. But this grief has the result of lowering the morale of the soldiers who have returned in victory from war. Joab rebukes David, telling him to remember the loyalty and hard work of the people, and demands that the king take a responsible attitude. In the end, David restores his leadership by sitting at the city gate and showing himself to the people.
Preparing the King’s Return and the Role of the Tribe of Judah (Verses 9–15)
Among the tribes of Israel, discussions are held about bringing David back as king, and David approaches the tribe of Judah first and takes gestures to restore the relationship. He sends messages to the priests Zadok and Abiathar, and also to the elders of Judah, making his intentions clear. David promises that he will appoint Amasa as commander of the army instead of Joab, which is also a strategy to win the hearts of the tribe of Judah.
Scenes of Forgiveness and Reconciliation (Verses 16–30)
On the way back to Jerusalem after crossing the Jordan, David meets three people. First, Shimei apologizes for what he did in the past by cursing David, and David forgives him. Next, Mephibosheth explains that he did not betray David, showing his loyalty, and David resolves the issue of the land of Ziba with him. Finally, Jair’s Gileadite man Barzillai is recognized as someone who greatly helped David. Because he is old, he does not go along to Jerusalem; instead, he sends his servant Chimham to accompany David.
Signs of Conflict Between the Tribes (Verses 41–43)
When David crosses the Jordan together with the men of Judah, the tribes of Israel express their dissatisfaction. They criticize Judah for acting on its own, saying that they too have the right to welcome the king back. The men of Judah counter by presenting their closer ties, and the argument grows more and more intense. This becomes the seed of conflict between the tribes that will lead to the divided kingdom later.
Meditation Points
- As king, David had to put the community first rather than his personal feelings. What kind of sense of responsibility do we carry within the community?
- Even in the process of restoring his leadership, David shows gentleness and forgiveness. What does my leadership look like?
- David’s willingness to try forgiveness and reconciliation first shows wisdom for resolving conflicts in our lives.
Try Applying It to Me
- If I were in the position of a leader, look back and reflect on whether I am making decisions for the community rather than for my feelings.
- Check whether I have the courage and wisdom to reach out first to someone with whom there has been conflict.
- Remember that seemingly small misunderstandings and complaints can lead to a major split, and be careful not to lightly brush off even small conflicts in everyday relationships.
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