1 Samuel 19:21
When this was reported to Saul, he sent more messengers, but they began to prophesy as well. So Saul tried again and sent messengers a third time, and even they began to prophesy.
When this was reported to Saul
This phrase indicates the communication of events back to King Saul. The Hebrew root for "reported" is "נָגַד" (nagad), which means to make known or declare. In the historical context, this reflects the structured communication within the royal court, where information was relayed to the king, emphasizing Saul's persistent pursuit of David despite divine intervention.

he sent more messengers
The act of sending more messengers shows Saul's determination and authority as king. The Hebrew word for "sent" is "שָׁלַח" (shalach), which conveys the idea of dispatching or commissioning. This reflects Saul's relentless efforts to capture David, highlighting his growing desperation and the futility of opposing God's will.

but they also prophesied
The unexpected prophesying of the messengers is a divine intervention. The Hebrew word for "prophesied" is "נָבָא" (naba), which means to speak or sing by inspiration. This miraculous event underscores God's sovereignty and protection over David, as even those sent to harm him are overtaken by the Spirit of God, turning their intentions to divine praise.

So Saul sent a third group of messengers
Saul's persistence is evident as he sends yet another group. The repetition of sending messengers highlights Saul's obstinacy and the futility of human efforts against divine plans. It serves as a reminder of the biblical principle that God's purposes cannot be thwarted by human schemes.

and even they prophesied
The phrase emphasizes the consistency of God's intervention. The repetition of the messengers prophesying signifies the overwhelming power of God's Spirit, which transforms the intentions of men. This serves as a powerful testament to God's control over all circumstances and His ability to protect His anointed, reinforcing the theme of divine sovereignty throughout the narrative.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Saul
The first king of Israel, who is increasingly troubled by jealousy and fear of David, whom he sees as a threat to his throne.

2. David
The anointed future king of Israel, who is fleeing from Saul's attempts to kill him.

3. Messengers
Individuals sent by Saul to capture David, but who end up prophesying instead.

4. Prophesying
An act of speaking under divine inspiration, which in this context, indicates the overpowering presence of God's Spirit.

5. Ramah
The location where David sought refuge with Samuel, and where the Spirit of God intervened.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty
God's Spirit can intervene in human affairs, overriding human intentions and plans. This demonstrates His ultimate control over all situations.

The Power of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit can transform and redirect individuals, even those with hostile intentions, towards God's purposes.

The Futility of Opposing God's Anointed
Attempts to thwart God's plans, as seen in Saul's repeated efforts to capture David, are ultimately futile. God's purposes will prevail.

The Role of Prophecy
Prophecy serves as a sign of God's presence and power, often occurring in unexpected circumstances to reveal His will.

Trust in God's Protection
Like David, believers can trust in God's protection and intervention, even when facing seemingly insurmountable threats.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the repeated prophesying of Saul's messengers demonstrate God's control over the situation?

2. In what ways can we see the Holy Spirit working in unexpected ways in our own lives today?

3. How does this passage encourage us to trust in God's protection when we face opposition?

4. What can we learn from the contrast between Saul's earlier experiences with the Spirit and his current state?

5. How does this event in 1 Samuel 19:21 connect with other instances in the Bible where God intervenes in human plans?
Connections to Other Scriptures
1 Samuel 10:10-11
Earlier in Saul's life, he also prophesied when the Spirit of God came upon him, showing a contrast between his past and present spiritual state.

Acts 9:1-6
Saul (later Paul) on the road to Damascus, where God intervenes in his life, similar to how God intervenes with Saul's messengers.

Numbers 11:24-30
The Spirit of God coming upon the seventy elders, causing them to prophesy, illustrating God's sovereign control over who receives His Spirit.
Religious Consolation and Religious ExcitementG. Wood 1 Samuel 19:18-24
People
David, Jonathan, Michal, Samuel, Saul
Places
Jerusalem, Naioth, Ramah, Secu
Topics
Addeth, Declare, Likewise, Messengers, News, Prophesied, Prophesy, Prophets, Saul, Third
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Samuel 19:19-24

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Library
The Exile Continued.
"So David fled, and escaped and came to Samuel to Ramah, and told him all that Saul had done unto him. And he and Samuel went and dwelt in Naioth" (1 Sam. xix. 18)--or, as the word probably means, in the collection of students' dwellings, inhabited by the sons of the prophets, where possibly there may have been some kind of right of sanctuary. Driven thence by Saul's following him, and having had one last sorrowful hour of Jonathan's companionship--the last but one on earth--he fled to Nob, whither
Alexander Maclaren—The Life of David

Why all Things Work for Good
1. The grand reason why all things work for good, is the near and dear interest which God has in His people. The Lord has made a covenant with them. "They shall be my people, and I will be their God" (Jer. xxxii. 38). By virtue of this compact, all things do, and must work, for good to them. "I am God, even thy God" (Psalm l. 7). This word, Thy God,' is the sweetest word in the Bible, it implies the best relations; and it is impossible there should be these relations between God and His people, and
Thomas Watson—A Divine Cordial

Samuel
Alike from the literary and the historical point of view, the book[1] of Samuel stands midway between the book of Judges and the book of Kings. As we have already seen, the Deuteronomic book of Judges in all probability ran into Samuel and ended in ch. xii.; while the story of David, begun in Samuel, embraces the first two chapters of the first book of Kings. The book of Samuel is not very happily named, as much of it is devoted to Saul and the greater part to David; yet it is not altogether inappropriate,
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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