8 And there was war again: and David went out fighting the Philistines, causing great destruction among them; and they went in flight before him. 9 And an evil spirit from the Lord came on Saul, when he was seated in his house with his spear in his hand; and David made music for him. 10 And Saul would have sent his spear through him, pinning him to the wall, but he got away and the spear went into the wall: and that night David went in flight and got away.
11 Then in that night Saul sent men to David's house to keep watch on him so as to put him to death in the morning: and David's wife Michal said to him, If you do not go away to a safe place tonight you will be put to death in the morning. 12 So Michal let David down through the window, and he went in flight and got away. 13 Then Michal took the image and put it in the bed, with a cushion of goat's hair at its head, and she put clothing over it. 14 And when Saul sent men to take David, she said, He is ill. 15 And Saul sent his men to see David, saying, Do not come back without him, take him in his bed, so that I may put him to death. 16 And when the men came in, there was the image in the bed, with the cushion of goat's hair at its head 17 And Saul said to Michal, why have you been false to me, letting my hater go and get safely away? And in answer Michal said to Saul, He said to me, Let me go, or I will put you to death.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Samuel 19:8-17
Commentary on 1 Samuel 19:1-10
(Read 1 Samuel 19:1-10)
How forcible are right words! Saul was, for a time, convinced of the unreasonableness of his enmity to David; but he continued his malice against David. So incurable is the hatred of the seed of the serpent against that of the woman; so deceitful and desperately wicked is the heart of man without the grace of God, Jeremiah 17:9.
Commentary on 1 Samuel 19:11-24
(Read 1 Samuel 19:11-24)
Michal's stratagem to gain time till David got to a distance was allowable, but her falsehood had not even the plea of necessity to excuse it, and manifests that she was not influenced by the same spirit of piety which had dictated Jonathan's language to Saul. In flying to Samuel, David made God his refuge. Samuel, as a prophet, was best able to advise him what to do in this day of distress. He met with little rest or satisfaction in Saul's court, therefore went to seek it in Samuel's church. What little pleasure is to be had in this world, those have who live a life of communion with God; to that David returned in the time of trouble. So impatient was Saul after David's blood, so restless against him, that although baffled by one providence after another, he could not see that David was under the special protection of God. And when God will take this way to protect David, even Saul prophesies. Many have great gifts, yet no grace; they may prophesy in Christ's name, yet are disowned by him. Let us daily seek for renewing grace, which shall be in us as a well of water springing up into everlasting life. Let us cleave to truth and holiness with full purpose of heart. In every danger and trouble, let us seek protection, comfort, and direction in God's ordinances.