Delivered amid Praises

David does not know exactly why Saul is so full of malice toward him (see 1 Sam. 20:1). But he now knows that Saul’s rage against him cannot be placated. And so he flees from Gibeah. But he does not go to his family in Bethlehem or to any other city or town that might offer him protection and support. Instead, probably seeking divine direction and assurance, he goes to Samuel in Ramah, just a few miles to the north. There, he tells the prophet all that Saul has done, and Samuel takes him on to Naioth, which probably is the camp of the prophets associated with Samuel.

Somehow, Saul gets word of David’s whereabouts, and sends men to seize him. Of course, God will have none of that. He could send a pillar of fire or perhaps an angel with a sword to keep these men from reaching the anointed deliverer of His people. Instead, in one of the most unusual deliverances in all Scripture, God sends the Holy Spirit to protect David. When Saul’s men come to Naioth and see Samuel presiding over the prophets, the Spirit comes upon them and they, too, begin to prophesy, that is, to praise God. Lost in their prophetic ecstasy, the men apparently forget their errand and never return to Saul. But when he hears of the failure of his posse, Saul quickly sends another to apprehend David. But they also begin to prophesy, and a third group likewise. Finally, in frustration, Saul sets off for Naioth himself. By now he should have some inkling that God does not intend to allow him to harm David, but he is blind to David’s divine protection. “So impatient was he in his thirst after David’s blood, so restless to compass his design against him, that, though baffled by one providence after another, he could not perceive that David was under the special protection of heaven,” Matthew Henry writes.

Saul comes to Ramah and determines David’s whereabouts, but he gets no chance to lay hands on David. The Spirit also comes upon Saul to cause him to prophesy all the way to Naioth. In this ecstatic state, Saul strips off his clothes and lies naked for a day and a night, giving a new meaning to the proverb that arose after his earlier prophesying (10:12). Now it refers to humiliation, for God has stripped away Saul’s dignity. And yet, He has protected His servant David and brought forth praises for Himself even from David’s sworn enemy.