1 Samuel 18:6

_AND IT CAME TO PASS AS THEY CAME, WHEN DAVID WAS RETURNED FROM THE SLAUGHTER OF THE PHILISTINE, THAT THE WOMEN CAME OUT OF ALL CITIES OF ISRAEL, SINGING AND DANCING, TO MEET KING SAUL, WITH TABRETS, WITH JOY, AND WITH INSTRUMENTS OF MUSICK._ The women came out of all cities of Israel - in the homeward march from the pursuit of the Philistines. WITH INSTRUMENTS OF MUSIC, х_ UWBSHAALISHIYM_ (H7991); Septuagint, en kumbalois] - with cymbals. These were metallic instruments of percussion. They were in form somewhat like a cup, and on the outside of the hollow part was a strap, through which the player who held them struck one against the other with greater or less violence, as the music or the occasion called for (Psalms 150:5). In the open air their sound produced a martial effect. This is a characteristic trait

6-11 David's troubles not only immediately follow his triumphs, but arise from them; such is the vanity of that which seems greatest in this world. It is a sign that the Spirit of God is departed from men, if, like Saul, they are peevish, envious, suspicious, and ill-natured. Compare David, with his harp in his hand, aiming to serve Saul, and Saul, with his javelin in his hand, aiming to slay David; and observe the sweetness and usefulness of God's persecuted people, and the barbarity of their persecutors. But David's safety must be ascribed to God's providence....

Verse 1 Samuel 18:6. _WHEN DAVID WAS RETURNED_] This verse connects well with the 54th verse of the preceding chapter; 1 Samuel 17:54 and carries on the narration without any break or interruption. See the notes there. _THE WOMEN CAME OUT_] It was the principal business of certain women to celebrate _victories_, sing at _funerals_, c. _WITH INSTRUMENTS OF MUSIC._] The original word (שלשים _shalishim_) signifies instruments with _three strings_ and is, I think, properly translated by the Vulgate, _cum sistris_, "with _sistrums_." This instrument is well known as being used among the ancient Egyptians: it was made of brass, and had _three_, sometimes more, brass rods across; which, being loose in their holes,

THE PHILISTINE - Rather as in the margin. The allusion is not to Goliath, but to one of the expeditions referred to in 1 Samuel 18:5. SINGING AND DANCING - Women used to dance to the sound of the timbrel, and to sing as they danced and played. (instruments of music The word means, an instrument like the triangle, or with three cords....

PERSONAL RELATIONS OF SAUL AND DAVID (CHS. 18-27). FRIENDSHIP OF DAVID AND JONATHAN (CHS. 18-20). EXPOSITION JONATHAN LOVES DAVID (1 Samuel 18:1). 1 SAMUEL 18:1 WHEN HE HAD MADE AN END OF SPEAKING. This conversation took place as soon as the pursuit of the Philistines and the collecting of the spoil were over. There would then be a muster of the Israelites, and Abner would naturally present the youthful champion to the king, who is represented as having virtually forgotte

AND IT CAME TO PASS, AS THEY CAME,.... The armies of Israel, with their commanders at the head of them: WHEN DAVID WAS RETURNED FROM THE SLAUGHTER OF THE PHILISTINE; either from the slaughter of Goliath, with his head in his hand, going to Jerusalem, and Saul accompanying him; or rather from the slaughter of the Philistines at some other time, the singular being put for the plural; since, according to the order of the history, this seems to be done after David was brought to court, and had been made a captain, and had been sent out on military expeditions, and had been successful therein, and from one of which he now returned: THAT THE WOMEN CAME OUT OF ALL THE CITIES OF ISRAEL; through which they passed: SINGING AND DANCING; as were usual after great victories obtained, and deliverances wrought, the female sex being generally greatly affected with such things; since when things go ot...

3. JONATHAN AND DAVID--SAUL'S JEALOUSY CHAPTER 18 _ 1. Jonathan's love for David (1 Samuel 18:1)_ 2. The beginning of Saul's jealousy (1 Samuel 18:5) 3. David's marriage (1 Samuel 18:17) A beautiful scene opens this chapter. Jonathan, the man of faith, loves David. He was about 40 years old and David about 17. Jonathan made a covenant with David and loved him as his own soul. He showed also his great devotion by giving to David, his robe, his garments, his sword, his bow and his girdle. Thus he stripped himself of all for David's sake. Such devotion and love should we manifest towards Him, who is greater than David. No doubt Jonathan's devotion was kindled by the deed young D

SAUL'S JEALOUSY (J). The victors, as they return, are greeted by the women with songs and dances; Saul's jealousy is aroused because David's achievements are spoken of as greater than his....

PHILISTINE. Authorized Version and Revised Version margin "Philistines". dancing.. great celebration. Twice referred to later (1 Samuel 21:11; 1 Samuel 29:5). Compare subscription of Psalms 52, which is mahalath. the great dancing". TABRETS. Hebrew. _toph_. drums of various sizes....

The celebration of David's victory 6. _And it came to pass_, &c. The narrative has made a digression to relate the circumstances of David's permanent reception into Saul's service, the commencement of the friendship between him and Jonathan, and his ultimate promotion and success. It now goes back to relate the welcome which David received when the army returned in triumph from the successful completion of the Philistine war. Ch. 1 Samuel 18:6 is to be read (as it actually stands in the Sept.) in connexion with 1 Samuel 17:54, though some time may have elapsed, during which the army was occupied in following up its first success. The Sept. reads 1 Samuel 18:6 thus; "And the dancing women came out of all t