WEEK 1 ● Day 2
READ 1 SAMUEL 19
These days, I love studying the Bible. As in, looove it. But there were a lot of years after I invited Christ into my life that I didn’t spend time in the Word in a consistent way —let alone enjoy doing it.
I think much of my problem was that stories I’d learned in Sunday school, youth group, and Bible studies made the Bible feel disjointed. I didn’t understand how things fit together. I had no comprehension of what was going on culturally or what the language actually meant.
But then I went to Capernwray Bible School in England, where I was required to read through the entire Bible before the end of the spring semester. For months, before every afternoon tea, I’d get cozy on my bed and plug away through the Bible —and my relationship with God’s Word began to change. As I stared out the window at the rolling green hills dotted with fluffy white sheep, all those disconnected stories began to connect.
I finally understood backstory and context. I began to understand how one thing led to another.
I realized there are no stand-alone
stories in Scripture.
At first, reading the Psalms can feel like walking up to a group of friends who are in the middle of a conversation. I often think, Huh? Why is the psalmist so worried or overjoyed? What’s going on in this passage that I don’t understand? Because we’re not privy to the beginning of the story, we have no clue what’s going on.
My desire to have a fuller understanding of the story behind David’s psalms led me to dig in further. I realized that by using the reference notes in the middle or bottom of each page in my Bible, I’m able to see the bigger picture. I also happened on some incredible information: that some of David’s psalms were written from experiences he had in 1 and 2 Samuel.
1. Let’s figure out the backstory to Psalm 59 (the passage we studied yesterday). Flip to 1 Samuel 19 in your favorite translation and pen down the essence of this story.
2. What verse(s) in this chapter seems to relate specifically to Psalm 59?
3. How does your version describe the men sent by Saul in 1 Samuel 19:11? How does David describe the men in Psalm 59?
4. Why do you think the group of assailants are described so differently?
First Samuel was written by the prophet Samuel. Perhaps since Samuel wasn’t the one actually in the scary situation, or because he knew David wasn’t ultimately captured and killed by these men, he wrote it in a less dramatic way.
Still curious about the dichotomy in the description of these men? Good. I am too.
Head to BlueLetterBible.org or the BLB app on your phone and look up 1 Samuel 19:11, select the Interlinear tab, and then click on the word messenger. We see that in the original Hebrew, the word messenger used here is mal’ak (מַלְאָךְ, pronounced mal-ahk).[1]
5. In the space below, write the various definitions of mal’ak:
We see here that mal’ak means “to dispatch as a deputy; a messenger; specifically, of God, i.e. an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher): —ambassador, angel, king, messenger.”[2]
Anyone else think this description is a little strange? Why don’t we see a word more like ratsach (רָצַח, pronounced rah-tsakh),[3] which leans more toward the assassin and murderer type of definition?
6. Why do you think the work mal’ak might be used in this passage rather than a word like ratsach?
Truth be known, I’ve looked and looked and no one seems to be talking about this, so I only have my own thoughts to go from. But I’m encouraged by something Charles Spurgeon said:
The commentators are good instructors, but the Author himself is far better.[4]
All throughout my studying, I’m talking to God, asking Him questions and praying. After all, I don’t want my Bible study time to feel like homework, unengaged with the Person I’m trying to get to know. This being said, let me share what I think God is telling me about this passage.
Below is this section of 1 Samuel 19 we’re talking about. Remember, verse 11 is what connects with our psalm. Circle each time the word messengers is used.
11 Then Saul sent messengers to David’s house to watch for him, so that he might kill him in the morning. But Michal, David’s wife, told him, “If you do not save your life tonight, tomorrow you will be killed.” 12 So Michal let David down through the window, and he fled and escaped. 13 And Michal took the household idol and laid it on the bed, put a pillow of goats’ hair at its head, and covered it with clothes. 14 And when Saul sent messengers to take David, she said, “He is sick.” 15 Then Saul sent the messengers [again] to see David, saying, “Bring him up to me on his bed [if necessary], so that I may kill him.” 16 When the messengers came in, there was the household idol on the bed with a quilt of goats’ hair at its head.
Here’s what I’m asking God about the use of this word mal’ak. When Saul sent these messengers, did God perhaps sent some of His as well? Maybe the use of this Hebrew word, which typically refers to an angel or someone of authority specifically sent from God, is meant to remind us that these bloodthirsty men were not alone. Perhaps God’s mal’ak stood right behind or in front of them to ensure that Saul’s evil plan would not be carried out.
Whatever the case, David was not unprotected as he faced Saul’s wrath. God never leaves us alone in the darkness. He is with us (Joshua 1:9) and for us (Romans 8:31), no matter what we’re facing.
So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Let’s wrap up today by spending some time talking to our heavenly Father, thanking Him for protection in hard situations:
Amen.