4Jonathan spoke well of David to his father, Saul. He said to him, “The king should not sin against his servant David.19:4 Gn 44:22; Pr 17:13; Jr 18:20 He hasn’t sinned against you; in fact, his actions have been a great advantage to you.

5He took his life in his hands when he struck down the Philistine,19:5 1Sm 17:42–51 and the Lord brought about a great victory for all Israel.19:5 1Sm 11:13 You saw it and rejoiced, so why would you sin against innocent blood by killing David for no reason?” 19:5 Dt 19:10–13; 1Sm 20:32

6Saul listened to Jonathan’s advice and swore an oath: “As surely as the Lord lives, David will not be killed.”

7So Jonathan summoned David and told him all these words. Then Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he served him as he did before.19:7 1Sm 16:21; 18:2,10,13

8When war broke out again, David went out and fought against the Philistines. He defeated them with such great force that they fled from him.

9Now an evil spirit sent from the Lord19:9 1Sm 16:14; 18:10–11 came on Saul as he was sitting in his palace holding a spear.19:9 1Sm 18:10 David was playing the lyre,19:9 1Sm 16:14–16; 18:10

10and Saul tried to pin David to the wall with the spear.19:10 1Sm 18:11; 20:33 As the spear struck the wall, David eluded Saul, ran away, and escaped that night.

11Saul sent agents to David’s house to watch for him and kill him in the morning.19:11 Ps 59 But his wife Michal19:11 1Sm 18:20 warned David, “If you don’t escape tonight, you will be dead tomorrow!”

12So she lowered David from the window, and he fled and escaped.19:12 Jos 2:15; Ac 9:23–25

13Then Michal took the household idol and put it on the bed, placed some goat hair on its head, and covered it with a garment.

14When Saul sent agents to seize David, Michal said, “He’s sick.”19:14 Jos 2:5

15Saul sent the agents back to see David and said, “Bring him on his bed so I can kill him.”

16When the agents arrived, to their surprise, the household idol was on the bed with some goat hair on its head.

17Saul asked Michal, “Why did you deceive me like this? You sent my enemy away, and he has escaped!”

18So David fled and escaped and went to Samuel at Ramah19:18 1Sm 7:17 and told him everything Saul had done to him. Then he and Samuel left and stayed at Naioth.19:18 2Kg 6:1–2

19When it was reported to Saul that David was at Naioth in Ramah,

20he sent agents to seize David.19:20 1Sm 19:11; Jn 7:32 However, when they saw the group of prophets prophesying19:20 1Sm 10:5–6,10 with Samuel leading them, the Spirit of God came on Saul’s agents, and they also started prophesying.

21When they reported to Saul, he sent other agents, and they also began prophesying.19:21 Nm 11:25 So Saul tried again and sent a third group of agents, and even they began prophesying.

22Then Saul himself went to Ramah. He came to the large cistern at Secu and asked, “Where are Samuel and David?”

23So he went to Naioth in Ramah. The Spirit of God also came on him,19:23 1Sm 10:10 and as he walked along, he prophesied until he entered Naioth in Ramah.

24Saul then removed his clothes and also prophesied before Samuel; he collapsed and lay naked19:24 Is 20:2; Mc 1:8 all that day and all that night. That is why they say, “Is Saul also among the prophets?” 19:20–24 1Sm 10:5–13