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HISTORICAL CONTEXT

Text: 1 Samuel 19
7 July 2009

(I) HISTORICAL CONTEXT

1. Saul’s reign

a) Tyranny

b) Paranoia

c) Personal vendetta against David (1 Samuel 19:9-11)

2. Jonathan’s loyal friendship

a) Warns David of Saul’s wrath (1 Samuel 19:1-3)

b) Attempts to placate Saul’s wrath (1 Samuel 19:4-7)

3. David’s flight

a) From his family (1 Samuel 19:11-17)

b) Flight to Ramah (1 Samuel 19:18)

(II) SAMUEL AT RAMAH

1. Samuel was still living in Ramah

“But he (Samuel) always returned to Ramah, for his home was there.

There he judged Israel, and there he built an altar to the LORD.” 1 Samuel 7:17

2. Evening years

a) He did not travel as much after:

i) Anointing Saul (1 Samuel 10)

ii) Anointing David (1 Samuel 16)

b) His work as Judge

i) Diminished

ii) Monarchy and its system curtailed and finally replaced the rule by Judges

(III) SAMUEL’S MINISTRY AS A PROPHET

1. Ministry in Naioth of Ramah

“It was told Saul, saying, ‘Take note, David is at Naioth in Ramah’” 1 Samuel 19:19

2. Samuel’s leading role as head of the prophets

“The group of prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing as leader over them” 1 Samuel 19:20

3. David consults with Samuel

“So David fled and escaped, and went to Samuel at Ramah, and told him all that Saul had done to him. And he and Samuel went and stayed in Naioth.” 1 Samuel 19:18

(IV) GOD’S PROTECTION

1. All Attempts to arrest David were unsuccessful

a) Saul sent “messengers” to arrest David three times (1 Samuel 19:20-21)

b) Saul’s personal attempt to arrest David (1 Samuel 19:22)

2. God’s protection (of David and Samuel)

a) All the messengers, including Saul, had a special encounter with the Spirit of God (1 Samuel 19: 20, 21, 23)

b) All of them “prophesied”

c) God’s power was made manifest!

d) Saul was stripped of all his royal garments and “prophesied” (1 Samuel 19:24)

i) He was completely impotent against the power of God!