Study 28: 1 Samuel 19: 1-10: Trent Evans

This sermon on 1 Samuel 19 explores how God’s sovereignty prevails even when human motives and relationships break down. The message traces Saul’s growing jealousy and fear of David, revealing how insecurity and rebellion against God lead to self-destruction. In contrast, Jonathan’s loyalty to David reflects alignment with God’s will, showing that true faith may require costly obedience and courage to confront sin. David’s restraint (refusing to fight or expose Saul) demonstrates wisdom and trust that God alone defends and vindicates His people. The sermon closes by emphasizing surrender: believers are not called to be saviors but to point others to the only true Rescuer. Like David, we must flee from striving to fix others and rest in God’s protection, pursuing Him as our refuge, fortress, and answer in every trial.

Sermon Outline

1. Introduction: God Has Rigged It for Our Good

Timestamp: 00:03–02:50

Scripture: Romans 8:28 (implied principle)

Key Points:

• God’s love “rigs” the outcome for those who follow Him—our success is already secured in His plan.

• Even in hardship or success, what God gives cannot be taken away.

• Encouragement to trust that God’s sovereignty overrules our circumstances.

  
  

2. Context Review: Saul’s Jealousy and David’s Favor

Timestamp: 05:06–08:09

Scripture: 1 Samuel 18:10–30

Key Points:

• Saul’s envy of David reaches its peak as he throws a spear at him.

• Saul promotes David to dangerous battle positions—“death promotions”—hoping he’ll be killed.

• Despite Saul’s schemes, David succeeds because “the Lord was with him” (v. 14).

• True success comes from God’s presence, not human ability.

3. Fear and Separation: The Lord Departed from Saul

Timestamp: 08:09–09:10

Scripture: 1 Samuel 18:12–29

Key Points:

• Saul fears David because God’s Spirit has left him.

• Spiritual fear arises when we sense God’s favor resting on someone else.

• Saul’s hostility grows—David’s loyalty contrasts with Saul’s spiritual decay.

4. Exposure of the Heart: Saul’s Command to Kill David

Timestamp: 11:56–13:52

Scripture: 1 Samuel 19:1

Key Points:

• Saul’s intentions are finally revealed to everyone, including Jonathan.

• Pressure exposes what lies in the heart—like “squeezing a Twinkie,” what’s inside comes out.

• Sin that’s hidden under stress will eventually surface.

5. Jonathan’s Loyalty: Siding with God Over Family

Timestamp: 14:45–16:50

Scripture: 1 Samuel 19:1–3; Luke 12:51–53

Key Points:

• Jonathan loves David as himself and warns him of Saul’s plans.

• True loyalty is ultimately to God, even above family bonds.

• Jesus foretold this division between good and evil within households.

• Obedience to God often means costly separation.

6. David’s Restraint: Letting God Expose the Truth

Timestamp: 17:47–19:42

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5–6; Romans 12:19

Key Points:

• David never exposes Saul’s sin to Jonathan; he lets God reveal it.

• Principle: “You don’t have to fight for yourself when God is fighting for you.”

• Wisdom means waiting for God to uncover truth instead of trying to prove ourselves right.

7. Courage in Confrontation: Jonathan Speaks Truth to Saul

Timestamp: 20:39–25:52

Scripture: 1 Samuel 19:4–7

Key Points:

• Jonathan confronts his father boldly but respectfully: “Let not the king do wrong to his servant David.”

• Confrontation should be rooted in truth and kindness.

• Many avoid confrontation—even with their children or leaders—but godly courage demands it.

• Jonathan appeals to Saul’s memory of David’s faithfulness in killing Goliath.

8. Empty Promises and Hard Hearts

Timestamp: 27:07–31:21

Scripture: 1 Samuel 19:6, 9; Isaiah 29:13; Matthew 15:8

Key Points:

• Saul swears an oath—“As surely as the Lord lives, David will not be put to death”—but soon breaks it.

• Oaths made in the mind and not the heart will not hold.

• Spiritual change requires truth to move from intellect to heart.

• Like Saul, many honor God with lips but not hearts.

9. David’s Escape and the Limits of Human Rescue

Timestamp: 34:36–39:29

Scripture: 1 Samuel 19:10–12; Ezekiel 36:26

Key Points:

• David escapes Saul’s spear again and realizes he cannot change Saul’s heart.

• We exhaust ourselves trying to “fix” people only God can transform.

• When we play the hero, we delay God’s work by drawing others’ dependence to ourselves.

• God alone rescues and renews hearts.

10. Conclusion: God Alone Is the Fortress

Timestamp: 40:35–44:47

Scripture: Psalm 46:1; 1 Samuel 19:18; 2 Samuel 22:2–3

Key Points:

• David runs to Samuel, who also points him back to God.

• The true hero is not David, Samuel, or us—it’s God Himself.

• Illustration: A man saved by a spider’s web reminds us that “where God is, a spider’s web is a wall.”

• Application: Stop striving to save or fix others—run toward God, your refuge and stronghold.

• “Today may be the day to make good your escape into surrender.”

Scripture References

1. Romans 8:28 – “All things work together for good…”

Timestamp: 01:47–02:50

Context in Sermon: Used as an implied foundation for the opening illustration. The pastor compares life to a situation “rigged” by God’s love—whatever happens, God ensures the final outcome works for the believer’s good and cannot be undone by the world.

2. 1 Samuel 18:10–12 – Saul’s jealousy and the evil spirit

Timestamp: 06:11–07:07

Context in Sermon: Read directly to recall Saul throwing his spear at David when overcome by an evil spirit. The preacher uses this to set the scene for chapter 19 and to show how Saul’s envy reaches its peak, marking the first time David sees Saul’s true intentions.

3. 1 Samuel 18:17–30 – Saul’s manipulation using his daughters

Timestamp: 07:07–08:09

Context in Sermon: Describes Saul giving his daughters, Merab and Michal, to David with hopes they would become “snares” to him. The preacher calls this a “death promotion,” illustrating how Saul’s plans were rooted in deceit while David’s success came only because “the Lord was with him”.

4. 1 Samuel 18:12 – “The Lord was with David, but had departed from Saul.”

Timestamp: 08:09–09:10

Context in Sermon: The verse is cited as the turning point that fuels Saul’s fear. The pastor explains that Saul’s awareness of God’s favor resting on David—and not on him—becomes the catalyst for hatred and insecurity.

5. 1 Samuel 18:28–29 – Saul’s growing fear and hostility

Timestamp: 09:10–10:07

Context in Sermon: Read to transition into chapter 19. The preacher notes that the text says Saul made David his enemy, but not the other way around—highlighting that David remained innocent while Saul’s heart was hardened.

6. 1 Samuel 19:1 – Saul commands Jonathan and servants to kill David

Timestamp: 11:56–13:52

Context in Sermon: Marks the first open revelation of Saul’s murderous intent to his inner circle. The pastor uses this to teach how “pressure exposes what’s inside us”—the state of Saul’s heart is revealed under the strain of jealousy and failure.

7. 1 Samuel 19:2–3 – Jonathan warns David

Timestamp: 14:45–15:55

Context in Sermon: Jonathan’s deep friendship with David moves him to protect David from Saul. The preacher emphasizes that Jonathan’s loyalty is not merely to David but to God’s plan, showing spiritual discernment and courage.

8. Luke 12:51–53 – “I came not to bring peace but division…”

Timestamp: 15:55–16:50

Context in Sermon: Jesus’ words are quoted to explain Jonathan’s situation—choosing loyalty to God over loyalty to family. The preacher draws a parallel between Jonathan’s faith and modern believers who may face division for righteousness.

9. Proverbs 3:5–6 (Implied) – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart…”

Timestamp: 17:47–19:42

Context in Sermon: While not quoted directly, the principle of trusting God instead of acting in self-defense underlies this section. David allows God to expose Saul’s sin rather than defending himself—an example of humble trust in God’s timing.

10. 1 Samuel 19:4–7 – Jonathan’s intercession before Saul

Timestamp: 23:55–25:52

Context in Sermon: Jonathan respectfully confronts his father: “Let not the king do wrong to his servant David.” The preacher highlights Jonathan’s courage and wisdom in speaking truth to power, appealing to Saul’s memory of God’s past deliverance through David.

11. 1 Samuel 17:50–51 (Implied) – David kills Goliath

Timestamp: 25:52–27:07

Context in Sermon: Jonathan references David’s earlier victory to remind Saul that David risked his life for Israel. The preacher uses this to show how quickly hearts can turn from gratitude to hatred when envy takes root.

12. 1 Samuel 19:6 – Saul’s oath: “As surely as the Lord lives…”

Timestamp: 28:07–29:13

Context in Sermon: Saul momentarily relents, swearing before God not to kill David. The pastor warns that vows made in the mind without heart transformation are empty, connecting it to the danger of intellectual faith without spiritual surrender.

13. Isaiah 29:13 / Matthew 15:8 – “They honor me with their lips…”

Timestamp: 33:37–34:36

Context in Sermon: Jesus’ rebuke of the Pharisees is used to explain Saul’s hypocrisy. Saul’s lips honor God through oaths, but his heart remains rebellious—illustrating the difference between outward religion and inward obedience.

14. 1 Samuel 19:9–10 – Saul tries again to kill David

Timestamp: 30:20–34:36

Context in Sermon: The evil spirit returns as Saul reverts to his old posture. The preacher ties this to spiritual instability—when rebellion persists, evil reclaims the heart that resists God.

15. Ezekiel 36:26 (Implied) – “I will give you a new heart…”

Timestamp: 38:33–39:29

Context in Sermon: Referenced conceptually in the discussion about transformation. The preacher explains that only God can replace a heart of stone with a heart of flesh—believers cannot change others by their own effort.

16. 1 Samuel 19:18 – David flees to Samuel

Timestamp: 40:35–42:04

Context in Sermon: Mentioned as David’s next step after escaping Saul. The preacher uses this to show that even spiritual mentors like Samuel must ultimately point people back to God as the true rescuer.

17. Psalm 46:1 – “God is our refuge and strength…”

Timestamp: 40:35–44:47

Context in Sermon: Implied as David’s reality—God alone becomes his fortress. The preacher exhorts believers to “run toward God” for safety and rest, connecting David’s story to the believer’s daily trust in divine refuge.

18. 1 Samuel 24:6; 26:9 (Implied) – David spares Saul’s life

Timestamp: 44:47–45:53

Context in Sermon: The preacher recalls later events in 1 Samuel where David refuses to harm Saul. These moments demonstrate David’s surrender to God’s justice and deepen the sermon’s final appeal to “make good your escape” into full trust and surrender.

Word Study

ANOINTED / ANOINTING

Origin: Hebrew (Old Testament)

Hebrew Word: מָשַׁח (māshach)

Strong’s Number: H4886

Pronunciation: maw-shakh’

Definition:

• Simple: To smear, rub with oil, or consecrate for a holy purpose.

• Extended: To set apart someone or something for divine use; to confer authority or empowerment by the Spirit of God. In the ancient Near East, anointing symbolized both God’s choice and the Spirit’s covering for service.

Synonyms: Appoint, consecrate, sanctify.Antonyms: Reject, profane, forsake.

Cross References:

• 1 Samuel 16:13 – “Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David.”

• Isaiah 61:1 – “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings.”

• Luke 4:18 – Jesus applies Isaiah’s prophecy to Himself: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me...”

Reflection:The word māshach frames the entire conflict between Saul and David. Saul had been anointed but lost the Spirit; David’s anointing marked him as the vessel of God’s presence. This sermon shows how divine favor—not human effort—defines success. The reminder is that our “anointing” (spiritual calling and empowerment) cannot be taken by human hands, for it is God-given and Spirit-sealed.

FEAR

Origin: Hebrew (Old Testament)

Hebrew Word: יָרֵא (yārē’)

Strong’s Number: H3372

Pronunciation: yaw-ray’

Definition:

• Simple: To fear, stand in awe, or revere.

• Extended: Expresses both terror (when directed at man or judgment) and reverent awe (when directed at God). The same term describes Saul’s fear of David and David’s reverence for the Lord—showing fear’s double edge: destructive when misplaced, sanctifying when rightly ordered.

Synonyms: Awe, reverence, respect.Antonyms: Arrogance, indifference, rebellion.

Cross References:

• 1 Samuel 18:12 – “Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with him, but had departed from Saul.”

• Proverbs 9:10 – “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”

• Psalm 27:1 – “The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?”

• Luke 12:5 – “Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell.”

Reflection:Fear drives both Saul’s downfall and David’s humility. Saul feared losing control, while David feared God and trusted His justice. The sermon’s theme—“you don’t have to fight for yourself when God is fighting for you”—echoes this contrast. The wrong kind of fear isolates and destroys, but the fear of the Lord anchors faith and produces peace.

REFUGE / FORTRESS

Origin: Hebrew (Old Testament)

Hebrew Word: מַחְסֶה (machseh)

Strong’s Number: H4268

Pronunciation: makh-seh’

Definition:

• Simple: A shelter or place of protection.

• Extended: Figuratively describes trust or hope in God’s covering presence. Often used in Psalms to portray God as a fortress or safe dwelling against spiritual and physical enemies.

Synonyms: Shelter, hiding place, fortress, stronghold.Antonyms: Exposure, vulnerability, danger.

Cross References:

• Psalm 46:1 – “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

• Psalm 91:2 – “I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust.”

• 1 Samuel 19:18 – “David fled and escaped and came to Samuel at Ramah.” (David’s physical refuge foreshadowed his spiritual dependence on God.)

• 2 Samuel 22:2–3 – “The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer.”

Reflection:As the sermon concluded, David’s flight from Saul became more than survival—it symbolized surrender. His refuge was not in Samuel, but in God Himself. The word machseh deepens the message that God alone is the fortress, not human strength or heroism. When believers “make good their escape” from self-reliance, they discover that true safety is found in God’s sovereignty and love.

Questions for Deeper Study

1. Trust and Control

When David refused to expose Saul or defend himself, he trusted God to reveal the truth in His timing.Question: What situations in your life require you to stop striving to control outcomes and instead trust God to fight for you?

2. Courage and Confrontation

Jonathan risked his relationship with his father to stand for what was right before God.Question: Where might God be calling you to show the same kind of courage—to speak truth in love even when it’s costly?

3. Surrender and Refuge

David’s “great escape” wasn’t running away—it was running toward God as his protector and fortress.Question: What would it look like for you to “make good your escape” today by releasing what isn’t yours to fix and resting in God’s refuge?