24. lay down naked—that is, divested of his armor and outer robes—in a state of trance. Thus God, in making the wrath of man to praise Him, preserved the lives of all the prophets, frustrated all the purposes of Saul, and preserved the life of His servant. read more
1. God’s deliverance in Ramah 19:18-24How natural it was for David to seek refuge with the faithful prophet Samuel who resided less than an hour’s walk from Saul’s headquarters. Naioth was evidently a compound within Ramah where Samuel headed a school of prophets. The Hebrew word literally means "habitations." [Note: For extended notes on the schools of prophets, see Keil and Delitzsch, pp. 199-206, Edward J. Young, My Servants the Prophets, ch. V: "The Schools of the Prophets.," and Wood, The... read more
B. David Driven out by Saul 19:18-20:42The previous section of text (1 Samuel 16:1 to 1 Samuel 19:17) gave evidence that God was preparing David to become king. This one (1 Samuel 19:18 to 1 Samuel 20:42) narrates the events that resulted in the rift that separated Saul and David. There were two events that were especially significant: God’s overruling Saul’s hostility against David at Ramah (1 Samuel 19:18-24) and Jonathan’s failure to heal the breach between Saul and David (ch. 20). read more
Saul’s Hatred of David. David escapes to Samuel2. Until the morning] RV ’in the morning.’6. It was difficult for David to estimate correctly Saul’s feelings towards him, because the king’s repentance was real while it lasted, and because much might be ascribed to his madness.10. That night] David would probably flee at once: hence LXX may be right in joining these words to 1 Samuel 19:11, ’And it came to pass that night that Saul sent.’13. An image] RV ’the teraphim.’ ’Teraphim,’ like ’Elohim,’... read more
(24) And he stripped off his clothes also, and prophesied before Samuel in like manner.—This was certainly not the first time that Saul had experienced a similar influence of the Spirit of God. We are told (1 Samuel 10:10) that directly after his anointing by Samuel, he met a company of prophets, who were prophesying at Gibeah, and that “the Spirit of God came upon him, and he prophesied among them.” On that occasion he had been changed into another man. What was the meaning of the outpouring... read more
Religious Enthusiasm, True and False 1 Samuel 19:18-24 This is a sort of subject that needs to be thought out and discreetly treated. And yet it can never be made quite plain. It goes off into mystery on every side; for the action of the nervous system is involved in this, and the whole question of contagious emotion which not the best physiologists thoroughly understand. But without going into physiological questions, there are here things very plain which ought to be known by all intelligent... read more
CHAPTER XXVI.SAUL’S FURTHER EFFORTS AGAINST DAVID.1 Samuel 19:1-24.ANEW Stage of his wicked passion is now reached by Saul; he communes with his servants, and even with his son, with a view to their killing David. Ordinary conspirators are prone to confine their evil designs to their own breasts; or if they do have confidants, to choose for that purpose persons as vile as themselves, whom they bind to secrecy and silence. Saul must have been sadly overpowered by his passion when he urged his... read more
4. Saul’s Renewed Attempt and David’s Escape CHAPTER 19 1. Saul and Jonathan (1 Samuel 19:1-7 ) 2. Saul’s new attempt to kill David (1 Samuel 19:8-10 ) 3. David’s escape (1 Samuel 19:11-18 ) 4. Saul’s pursuit and his helplessness (1 Samuel 19:19-24 ) The lost King goes from bad to worse. First he tried to spear David; then he attempted to take his life through having him killed by the Philistines, and now he speaks openly to his own son and to all his servants that David must be... read more
19:24 And he stripped off his {l} clothes also, and prophesied before Samuel in like manner, and lay {m} down naked all that day and all that night. Wherefore they say, [Is] Saul also among the prophets?(l) His kingly apparel.(m) He humbled himself as others did. read more
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Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 Samuel 19:24
1 Samuel 19:24. He stripped off his clothes—and lay down naked— When Saul went down to Naioth he went like himself, with the military dress and distinguishing habit of a king; and when he prophesied, he put off his military habit or vestment, and thus appeared like the rest of the prophets, a plain, disarmed, and therefore naked man. The text says, he pulled off בגדיו begadav, his exterior garment. This is the certain meaning of the word בגד beged, without any forced criticism. Joseph's... read more