Rest of the Story

1 Samuel 19:1-24 depicts "the rest of the story, between Saul, the first king of Israel, and David, the young shepherd whom God had chosen to be his successor. In this passage, we witness Saul's growing jealousy and fear of David, leading to his relentless pursuit to kill him. Additionally, we observe the role played by Michal, Saul's daughter and David's wife, in deceiving her father and aiding David's escape.

Paul Harvey (1918-2009) was a renowned American radio broadcaster and commentator who gained immense popularity for his distinctive storytelling style and captivating delivery. Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Harvey began his radio career in the 1930s. Eventually, he became one of the most recognizable voices on the airwaves.

Harvey's signature segment, titled "The Rest of the Story," aired on his radio show "News and Comment" and later on "The Paul Harvey News," which reached millions of listeners across the United States. The segment followed a unique format where Harvey would present an intriguing and often lesser-known story or anecdote, typically related to famous people, historical events, or cultural phenomena. He would engage listeners with captivating narratives, building suspense and curiosity throughout the story.

Harvey's segments typically lasted a few minutes. As he approached the climax, he would pause dramatically before uttering his famous tagline: "And now, the rest of the story." These words marked the turning point, revealing the unexpected twist, the subject's identity, or shedding light on a lesser-known aspect of the story. This technique created anticipation and rewarded listeners with a satisfying conclusion.

With his deep and distinctive voice, Harvey captivated audiences. He became one of the most trusted and influential radio personalities of his time. His conservative viewpoints and folksy demeanor resonated with many listeners, and his broadcasts were syndicated across hundreds of radio stations, making him a household name for several decades.

Harvey received numerous accolades throughout his career, including induction into the National Radio Hall of Fame and the Presidential Medal of Freedom, awarded in 2005 by President George W. Bush. Paul Harvey's enduring legacy lies in his ability to entertain, inform, and engage audiences with his unique storytelling style and iconic catchphrase, "And now, the rest of the story."

So in true Harvey fashion, it is time to turn our attention to "the rest of the story." 1 Samuel 19 begins with Saul discussing his intentions to kill David with his son Jonathan and all his servants. Jonathan, however, deeply loved David and recognized his righteousness, so he warned David about his father's intentions. Jonathan also interceded on David's behalf, reminding Saul of David's loyalty and faithfulness towards him. Temporarily persuaded by his son's words, Saul promised not to harm David.

However, Saul's envy and fear of David's popularity and military success resurfaced despite his promise. Saul's obsession with eliminating David grew to the extent that he commanded his servants and son Jonathan to assassinate him. Jonathan, aware of David's innocence and that God was with him, refused to carry out his father's command.

Jonathan then devised a plan to gauge Saul's true intentions toward David. He suggested that David hide in the field while he confronted Saul and observed his reaction. If Saul responded calmly, it would mean that he no longer sought David's life. But if Saul reacted violently, it would confirm Jonathan's suspicion that David was still in danger. David agreed to this plan, and as Jonathan confronted Saul, he learned that his father was indeed determined to kill David.

Jonathan met David in the field the next day and informed him of Saul's true intentions. Together, they devised another plan to ensure David's safety. David would hide in a secret location while Jonathan would speak with his father during a meal. Jonathan would observe Saul's reaction and report back to David. If Saul's anger was appeased, David would be allowed to return to the king's presence. But if Saul's anger persisted, it would signify that David should flee.

Jonathan executed the plan, and it became evident that Saul's anger toward David had not subsided. In a rage, Saul hurled a spear at Jonathan, seeking to kill him. Jonathan understood the gravity of the situation and angrily departed from the table, signaling to David that he must flee.

That night, David escaped from his house through a window and fled to Samuel, the prophet, who resided in Ramah. Saul, discovering David's absence, sent messengers to arrest him. However, God intervened and thwarted their attempts, causing them to prophesy instead of capturing David.

Saul persisted in his pursuit of David and dispatched another group of messengers. Still, they, too, succumbed to prophetic states upon encountering Samuel and the company of prophets. This repeated two more times until Saul himself went to Ramah. Astonishingly, Saul also fell under the influence of the Spirit of God and prophesied among the prophets.

Now aware of Saul's futile attempts, David continued his journey to Naioth in Ramah, where he sought refuge with Samuel. Meanwhile, Saul's messengers returned to him, reporting that they had been unable to capture David due to the prophetic influence in Ramah. Fueled by his obsession, Saul decided to go to Naioth personally, intending to apprehend David.

As Saul arrived in Naioth, he too experienced the prophetic influence. He prophesied in the presence of Samuel and the prophets. Saul's determination to harm David had been transformed into an involuntary expression of worship and praise before God. This incident demonstrated God's protection over David and His power to turn the hearts of men.

Lastly, the passage briefly mentions Michal's deception of her father. When Saul inquired about David's whereabouts, Michal claimed that David was sick in bed. She used this ruse to buy David time and create a window of opportunity for his escape. Michal then took an image, placed it in David's bed, and covered it with goat's hair, giving the impression that David was resting. When Saul discovered the deception, he was furious, but Michal's actions allowed David to escape unharmed.

In conclusion, 1 Samuel 19:1-24 portrays the escalating conflict between Saul and David. Saul's jealousy and fear of David's rising popularity and success fueled his relentless pursuit to eliminate him. Meanwhile, Jonathan, recognizing David's righteousness, supported and protected him. Michal, Saul's daughter and David's wife played a crucial role in deceiving her father and ensuring David's escape. Through divine intervention and the loyalty of Jonathan and Michal, David managed to evade Saul's deadly plans and continue his journey as the chosen one of God.