1 Kingdoms (1 Samuel) 19:20Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Why did the messengers of Saul who were sent to David and Samuel prophesy, yet in the end, Saul himself prophesied? The Lord has various methods of intervention. He draws some through the agency of others and blinds others, as seen in the case of Elisha. In this instance, however, He employed prophetic grace, which ultimately safeguarded David from death. Despite this divine intervention, the murderous nature of Saul remained unchanged. Saul summoned David twice, and upon realizing that divine restraint was placed upon those he sent, he ordered more to be sent. When those messengers were similarly restrained by grace, he chose to go himself. Yet he too became subject to the same limitations of the flesh.

Initially, he placed his trust in God's safeguarding through Samuel the prophet and his family, and they provided him with protection. When Saul's messengers, followed by Saul himself, approached to seize David, the Spirit of the Lord caused them to act in a frenzy, leading them to speak and behave in ways contrary to their intentions.