And David fled, and escaped that night (ver. 10). "There was war again" (1 Samuel 17; 1 Samuel 18:5, 30), victory by David again, an evil spirit upon Saul again (1 Samuel 16:23; 1 Samuel 18:10); and, as David once more sat in the palace, "playing with his hand," the king not merely brandished his spear as before, but hurled it at him. It was his last attempt of the kind. After what had taken place he might not be trusted again; and David fled, first to his own house, and during the night from the city. It is one of the memorable nights of the Bible.

1. That night was the commencement of his open persecution by Saul, and of the long and varied troubles he experienced as an outlaw. He had been at court some three or four years, and now at three and twenty went forth to his seven years' wanderings (2 Samuel 5:5: "He lived seventy years" - Josephus).

2. That night was, as is commonly thought, the occasion of the composition of the first of David's psalms. Psalm 59., 'the refuge of the persecuted,' "is perhaps the oldest of the Davidic psalms that have come down to us" (Delitzsch). It is not necessary to suppose that it was actually written on the night of his escape. The thoughts and feelings then entertained may have been penned subsequently; perhaps while he continued at Ramah with Samuel and "the prophets" (vers. 18, 20). Other psalms have been referred by some to the same occasion - viz., Psalm 6., 7., 11. "His harp was his companion in his flight, and even in the midst of peril the poet's nature appears which regards all life as materials for song, and the devout spirit appears which regards all trials as occasions of praise" (Maclaren). How wide and deep was the stream of sacred song of which this was the commencement!

3. That night afforded one of the most remarkable instances of the protecting and guiding providence of God by which the life of David was manifestly ordered. Notice -

I. HIS DANGER, and the anxiety and distress by which it was naturally attended (vers. 11, 14, 17, compared with Psalm 59.). Adversity -

1. Often follows closely upon prosperity. In the morning David occupied a position of high honour as the king's son-in-law, the successful general, the popular hero; at night he was hiding in secret and fleeing for his life. Vicissitude is the law of life; and none, however exalted, may boast of their security or continuance (Job 29:18).

2. Appears sometimes to fall most heavily upon the godly man. "Not for my transgression nor for my sin" (Psalm 59:3). Why should it be permitted? To test, manifest, strengthen, and perfect his character. David had been tried by prosperity, he must also be tried by adversity.

3. Is due, in great measure, to the opposition and persecution of the ungodly. What a picture is here presented of the enemies of David, "when Saul sent messengers, and they watched the house to kill him"! (Psalm 59:3, 6, 14). And what a revelation does it make of the wickedness of the human heart, which was consummated in the crucifying of the Lord of glory! "As then he that was born after the flesh," etc. (Galatians 4:29). The conflict is renewed in every age and in every individual life. "All that will live godly," etc. (2 Timothy 3:12).

4. Leads the good man to more entire trust in God and more earnest prayer. This is one of its chief purposes.

"Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God!...
O Jehovah, God of hosts, God of Israel! ....
O my Strength, on thee will I wait,
For God is my Fortress?'

5. Is never so bitter to him as trouble to the wicked, for he has peace within and undying hope. How different was it with David in this respect from what it was with Saul]

6. However long the good man may suffer from the persecution of the wicked, his deliverance is certain for "God is Ruler in Jacob," etc. (Psalm 59:13). "By him actions are weighed."

II. HIS DELIVERANCE (vers. 11, 12, 17, 18). The interposition of Providence, to which it was due -

1. Is not made without the watchful and diligent use of appropriate means. David did not presumptuously wait in the palace or his own house, but availed himself of the opportunity of escaping. "When they persecute you," etc. (Matthew 10:23).

2. Is shown in turning to good what was meant for evil. The snare that was woven for his soul (1 Samuel 17:21; ver. 11; Psalm 59:3) aided his escape.

3. Often fills the wicked with disappointment and confusion when most confident of success (ver. 17).

4. Provides a home for the good man when driven out of their society. "Came to Samuel and told him all," etc. That night he was received by his revered friend, to whose instructions he had doubtless often listened; and with whom else could he have found such sympathy and shelter?

5. Causes him to render praise to God.

"But, as for me, I will sing of thy strength,
Yea, I will shout aloud of thy mercy in the morning;
For thou hast been a Fortress to me,
And a Refuge in the day when I was in distress:
O my Strength, unto thee will I harp,
For God is my Fortress, my merciful God."

6. Conduces to the benefit of many. These Psalms of David - the result (under "an unction from the Holy One") of his distresses and deliverances - are among our greatest spiritual treasures. "They are for all time. They never can be outgrown. No dispensation while the world lasts and continues what it is can ever raise us above the reach or the need of them. They describe every spiritual vicissitude, they speak to all classes of minds, they command every natural emotion. They are penitential, jubilant adorative, deprecatory; - they are tender, mournful, joyous, majestic; - soft as the descent of dew; low as the whisper of love; loud as the voice of thunder; terrible as the almightiness of God ["(Binney, 'Service of Song in the House of the Lord'). - D.

I need not tell you how fast weeds grow; your own gardens show you every day: and if you have eyes to look within, your own hearts will show the same sad truth. Saul's evil eye had now grown into continual hatred — he cares not even to conceal from man the murderous desires of his heart; and being disappointed, both in his own skill and craft he now openly speaks to Jonathan and all his servants that they should kill David. Well doth the Holy Ghost testify, "Evil men and seducers wax worse and worse." "And Jonathan spake good of David unto Saul his father," etc. "And Saul hearkened unto the voice of Jonathan," etc. "Blessed are the peacemakers!" why? "They shall be called the children of God." And is this the grand family likeness? how should we covet ill? Ah! surely if there is one feature that shines more brightly than another in our adorable elder brother, it is that of peacemaker. Do angels see their God cradled in a manger? it is as Peacemaker, while flocking multitudes strike up the new anthem which unites forever the choir below with the choir above, "Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, good will towards men." Do they see their maker agonised? a stranger to peace? a man of sorrows? It is that He might make peace forever by the blood of His cross, and proclaim peace to those who were afar off. Does He now appear as a Lamb slain? forever making intercession? For some David He is pleading, for some afflicted one He is interceding.

(Helen Plumptre.)