8 And there addeth to be war, and David goeth out and fighteth against the Philistines, and smiteth among them—a great smiting, and they flee from his face. 9 And a spirit of sadness 'from' Jehovah is unto Saul, and he is sitting in his house, and his javelin in his hand, and David is playing with the hand, 10 and Saul seeketh to smite with the javelin through David, and through the wall, and he freeth himself from the presence of Saul, and he smiteth the javelin through the wall; and David hath fled and escapeth during that night.
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?'
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Samuel 19:8-17
Commentary on 1 Samuel 19:1-10
(Read 1 Samuel 19:1-10)
How forcible are right words! Saul was, for a time, convinced of the unreasonableness of his enmity to David; but he continued his malice against David. So incurable is the hatred of the seed of the serpent against that of the woman; so deceitful and desperately wicked is the heart of man without the grace of God, Jeremiah 17:9.
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.