1st Samuel 19 WITHOUT A CAUSE The changing, unpredictable actions of men when controlled by the flesh defy description because they are so unreasonable. When we consider the case of Saul and his antagonism and hatred toward David, we learn that his attitude was also known to his servants and his family. Bitterness and hatred reach beyond the depths of one's own soul and can take control of one's life and affect other people. It that way the bitterness in one person can "defile many." By its very nature its polluting influence can change all that is good that has happened, and overpowers it until all those affected are focused on what a bittern person says.
David had "behaved himself wisely" and that behavior established his reputation among the people of Israel as a man who could be trusted. The admiration of the people was resented by Saul to the extent that he wanted him killed. He had seen the victory over Goliath and was glad about that. Other battles had been won and David was now his son-in-law, and was apparently the only one who could sooth Saul's troubled spirit with his music. Still, Saul wanted him dead because he was the object of attention of others that Saul wanted for himself. When our Lord Jesus Christ was here faithfully doing "His Father's business," those motivated by religious flesh, and those "defiled" by their bitterness, wanted to kill "the Lord of glory." People had been blessed by Him in many ways and yet that "root of bitterness defiled many."
Jonathan, like a faithful disciple, was not turned aside from his love for David by the commands and will of his father. We are to 'honor our father and mother," but when they want us to do what we know is not right, we are under a higher jurisdiction. A son should be respectful and helpful to his parents, but when they demand our obedience to violate God's laws, "we ought to obey God rather than man." Other servants' love for David may have cooled or they feared Saul more that they loved David. But Jonathan made it a point to find a place and a way to "communicate" with David in fellowship.
When the time was right, he "confessed" David openly to his father. There are times when it is appropriate to testify openly to other people our association with our "heavenly David." It may be hard when those motivated by the flesh blaspheme the Lord's name and make a mockery of God's truth. But that may be the perfect time to interject "grace" that we have experienced into the conversation. Our testimony to the grace of God may not change the minds of people permanently, but like Jonathan with his father, "a soft answer" may turn away wrath for awhile.
We have to remember the flesh will always be in opposition to God along with its partners, the world and the devil. The flesh is at enmity with the Spirit of God and is not subject to the will of God. It is not in the nature of the flesh to submit to God even through at times it may seem to be subdued to it. That is only a temporary stop until it breaks out like cancer in another way and place.
When David returned to the palace of the king under the king's authority, he was again called upon to go to war against the Philistines, and again God was with him and gave victory in the battle. The bitter jealousy of Saul moved him to try to kill David again even when he was playing his harp to calm Saul. In a similar way the people of Nazareth who knew the Lord Jesus for thirty years when He lived among them, would have been aware of the uniqueness of His Person and His life. Still, when He read the scriptures in the synagogue and explained them publicly, they tried to kill Him. We may think we have finally got the victory over the flesh, but it attacks when we least expect it. As long as we are in the body and are in the world, our three-fold enemies will not stop trying to stop us in our life for God.
David realized that the time for reconciliation for Saul was passed. Reconciliation is impossible when we are dealing with ignorant and unruly men. The comes a time in some situations that arise, when we have to face the fact that there is no accommodation of the Spirit with the flesh, and we cannot reconcile ourselves to those things that please the flesh. Our only recourse in that situation is to leave without further confrontation and move on to do that which God has called us to do.
Even in his own house David was not safe from the effects of jealousy and hatred. He realized, even as he wrote the words of Psalm 59 at that time, that he needed God's deliverance, God's strength, God's mercy and God's power. When we find out those who oppose us are wanting to stop the work to which we have been called, we need to immediately turn to the Lord and get our directions from Him. It is hard on our pride to have to accept that which seems to be a defeat, but is a wise person who will "commit our way unto the Lord" knowing that He will sustain us. Others before us have had to live with infirmity, suffering and disappointment, and they have found the Lord is at their side even though others have forsaken them to please the flesh.
Some had experienced those in their own family and in the home, who would only commit themselves to going a certain distance and then they were left to go farther alone. The Lord experienced that with His family. David experienced that with Michal. She was brave enough to help him escape, but not brave enough to go with him. The idol she had kept in addition to David, now took David's place. It is possible to harbor something secretly in our lives, and when the going gets tough, to allow it to take the place of the Lord in our life. Once that happens, then usually excuses or even lies follow, and our fellowship with the Lord is broken.
Finally, David found the fellowship and safety he needed with the one person who could help and strengthen him in the Lord. Jonathan was devoted to him but was still with Saul. Michal loved him but was still in her home with only an image taking David's place. Samuel was already outside of the mainstream of the things of the world and flesh, and he was waiting to receive David. He knew what was going to happen and what to expect. Our Lord Jesus Christ was in the outside place when He was here. Now we are called to go "outside the camp" unto Him bearing His reproach. There were a few our Lord Jesus knew He could go to when He needed rest and fellowship when He was here. His friends Lazarus, Martha and Mary living in Bethany were there to share what they had with Him.
When David was at Naioth with Samuel, he was with those who were in fellowship with God. Even those who came three times to capture David under the direction of Saul (the flesh), submitted to the power of the Spirit of God who came on those in the "outside place." God's power is irresistible, and the stubborn, willful, rebellious man of the flesh had to bend, bow and strip himself before God who he had rejected. For a day and a night, the fleshly man, Saul, lay exposed in humility instead of pride; in weakness instead of triumph.
God's power can bring down the mighty to where he admits God is there in those of faith who live and practice the truth.