1 Samuel 19:8-10

1 Samuel 19:8-10

[8] And there was war  again:  and David  went out,  and fought  with the Philistines,  and slew  them with a great  slaughter;  and they fled  from  him. [9] And the evil  spirit  from the LORD  was upon Saul,  as he sat  in his house  with his javelin  in his hand:  and David  played  with his hand.  [10] And Saul  sought  to smite  David  even to the wall  with the javelin;  but he slipped away  out of Saul's  presence,  and he smote  the javelin  into the wall:  and David  fled,  and escaped  that night. 

What does 1 Samuel 19:8-10 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

This section records Saul"s fourth attempt to kill David. The writer set his account of these attempts in chiastic form.
ASaul directly tried to kill David. 1 Samuel 18:10-16BSaul indirectly tried using the Philistines. 1 Samuel 18:17-20B"Saul indirectly tried using Jonathan and Saul"s men. 1 Samuel 19:1-7A"Saul directly tried to kill David. 1 Samuel 19:8-10
This literary structure emphasizes how thoroughly Saul wanted to do away with his rival. Not only did those who desired the best for God love David, but those who desired the best for themselves hated him.
This is the third reference to an evil spirit afflicting Saul (cf. 1 Samuel 16:14; 1 Samuel 18:10). This influence overcame Saul"s good intentions and resulted in his breaking his vow to God ( 1 Samuel 19:6). Now David had to "flee and escape." This phrase occurs three times in this chapter ( 1 Samuel 19:10; 1 Samuel 19:12; 1 Samuel 19:18), and it contrasts with David being in Saul"s presence ( 1 Samuel 19:7). From now on David was no longer able to stay in Saul"s presence, but he had to flee and escape, seeking refuge from the king wherever he could find it. David"s days as a fugitive (living beyond the king"s reach), which began here, would continue until Saul died.
David"s experience is typical of that of all people who choose to commit themselves to following God faithfully. Because God blesses them and makes them a blessing to others, many people appreciate them. However, others who want those blessings for themselves, but are not willing to do what is necessary to get them, despise them.