11 And Saul sendeth messengers unto the house of David to watch him, and to put him to death in the morning; and Michal his wife declareth to David, saying, 'If thou art not delivering thy life to-night—tomorrow thou art put to death.' 12 And Michal causeth David to go down through the window, and he goeth on, and fleeth, and escapeth; 13 and Michal taketh the teraphim, and layeth on the bed, and the mattress of goats' 'hair' she hath put 'for' his pillows, and covereth with a garment. 14 And Saul sendeth messengers to take David, and she saith, 'He 'is' sick.' 15 And Saul sendeth the messengers to see David, saying, 'Bring him up in the bed unto me,'—to put him to death. 16 And the messengers come in, and lo, the teraphim 'are' on the bed, and the mattress of goats' 'hair', 'for' his pillows. 17 And Saul saith unto Michal, 'Why thus hast thou deceived me—that thou dost send away mine enemy, and he is escaped?' and Michal saith unto Saul, 'He said unto me, Send me away: why do I put thee to death?'
18 And David hath fled, and is escaped, and cometh in unto Samuel to Ramath, and declareth to him all that Saul hath done to him, and he goeth, he and Samuel, and they dwell in Naioth. 19 And it is declared to Saul, saying, 'Lo, David 'is' in Naioth in Ramah.' 20 And Saul sendeth messengers to take David, and they see the assembly of the prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing, set over them, and the Spirit of God is on Saul's messengers, and they prophesy—they also. 21 And they declare 'it' to Saul, and he sendeth other messengers, and they prophesy—they also; and Saul addeth and sendeth messengers a third time, and they prophesy—they also. 22 And he goeth—he also—to Ramath, and cometh in unto the great well which 'is' in Sechu, and asketh, and saith, 'Where 'are' Samuel and David?' and 'one' saith, 'Lo, in Naioth in Ramah.' 23 And he goeth thither—unto Naioth in Ramah, and the Spirit of God is upon him—him also; and he goeth, going on, and he prophesyeth till his coming in to Naioth in Ramah, 24 and he strippeth off—he also—his garments, and prophesieth—he also—before Samuel, and falleth down naked all that day and all the night; therefore they say, 'Is Saul also among the prophets?'
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Samuel 19:11-24
Commentary on 1 Samuel 19:11-24
(Read 1 Samuel 19:11-24)
Michal's stratagem to gain time till David got to a distance was allowable, but her falsehood had not even the plea of necessity to excuse it, and manifests that she was not influenced by the same spirit of piety which had dictated Jonathan's language to Saul. In flying to Samuel, David made God his refuge. Samuel, as a prophet, was best able to advise him what to do in this day of distress. He met with little rest or satisfaction in Saul's court, therefore went to seek it in Samuel's church. What little pleasure is to be had in this world, those have who live a life of communion with God; to that David returned in the time of trouble. So impatient was Saul after David's blood, so restless against him, that although baffled by one providence after another, he could not see that David was under the special protection of God. And when God will take this way to protect David, even Saul prophesies. Many have great gifts, yet no grace; they may prophesy in Christ's name, yet are disowned by him. Let us daily seek for renewing grace, which shall be in us as a well of water springing up into everlasting life. Let us cleave to truth and holiness with full purpose of heart. In every danger and trouble, let us seek protection, comfort, and direction in God's ordinances.