_A.M. 2941. B.C. 1063._ David becomes the friend of Jonathan, the constant attendant of Saul, and the favourite of all the people, 1 Samuel 18:1. Saul's envy raised, 1 Samuel 18:6. He seeks to kill David, 1 Samuel 18:10; 1 Samuel 18:11. Is afraid of him, 1 Samuel 18:12. Promises to give him his eld... [ Continue Reading ]
_The soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David_ On account of the prudence and modesty of his discourse and behaviour after such an heroic action, and the other excellent virtues which shone forth both in his speeches and actions; for the service he had done to God and to his people; and for... [ Continue Reading ]
_Saul took him that day_ By which it appears, that, before this, David had not had his constant residence at court, after he first came thither, but went home to his father when Saul was well, and had no need of him. This confirms the remarks made on the former chapter.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Jonathan and David made a covenant_ Solemnly entered into an agreement of perpetual friendship. _Because he loved him_, &c. Or rather, as Le Clerc renders it, _so that each loved the other as his own soul._ For it cannot be supposed but that David loved Jonathan as well as Jonathan loved him. Their... [ Continue Reading ]
_Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him_ This he did that he might do honour to, as well as show his affection for, David. For it is probable that David was before clothed in a rustic habit, not fit to appear in at court.... [ Continue Reading ]
_David went out_, &c. Upon military expeditions, of which that phrase is often used. _And behaved himself wisely_ Showed as much prudence in his conduct as he did courage. _Saul set him over the men of war_ Not over all, for Abner was general, as we speak, of all his forces; but he made him captain... [ Continue Reading ]
_The women came out of all the cities_ All the neighbouring cities. _And the women answered one another as they played_ They sang, as well as played on musical instruments. And they sang alternately, as they did Exodus 15:21. And the burden of the song seems to have been that which follows. _And sai... [ Continue Reading ]
_On the morrow the evil spirit from God_ Which had formerly troubled him, producing melancholy, (1 Samuel 16:14,) was brought again upon him. The very next day after he conceived envy at David, discontent and anger, the evil spirit was permitted by God to seize him again. Such is the fruit of envy a... [ Continue Reading ]
_Saul_ w _as afraid of David_ Lest, as he had gained the favour of God, and of all the people, he should also take away his kingdom. _Saul removed him from him_ From his presence and court; which he did because he feared lest David should find an opportunity to kill him, as he had designed to kill D... [ Continue Reading ]
_David behaved himself wisely_ He headed them in all their expeditions, with a bravery and conduct equally distinguished; greatest in command, but greater in his example. He behaved in such a manner that no exception could be taken at any of his actions. _The Lord was with him_ Made all his undertak... [ Continue Reading ]
_And Saul said to David, Behold my elder daughter Merab_, &c. He at last bethinks himself of the promise he had publicly made unto him that should kill Goliath; the performance of which David did not demand, but in modesty left it to Saul's own conscience; who now judges it would be a proper bait to... [ Continue Reading ]
_David said, Who am I? and what is my life?_ How little is my life worth, that by the exposing of that to some hazard, I should purchase a king's daughter! In these expressions David showeth not only his humility, but also his wisdom, in discovering so deep a sense of his own meanness, that Saul mig... [ Continue Reading ]
_She was given unto Adriel_ The son of Barzillai, as he is called 2 Samuel 21:8. This was an act of great injustice, at the same time that it was a most high affront to David, and accordingly this marriage was accursed by God, and the children begotten in it were, by God's appointment, cut off, 2 Sa... [ Continue Reading ]
_The thing pleased him_ Not out of any love to David, or desire to perform his promise; but because he hoped, by her means, to bring his ends about of destroying David. _That she may be a snare to him _ He hoped his daughter, in obedience to him, might be persuaded to bring him into some snare that... [ Continue Reading ]
_Commune with David secretly_ It seems David was not forward to embrace Saul's offer, having been before so grossly abused. Therefore Saul ordered his courtiers, in private discourse, to take occasion to persuade him to it. _Seeing that I am a poor man_ Having no estate, and of small credit; and the... [ Continue Reading ]
_The king desireth not any dowry_ It was customary in those times for the husband to give a present, or, as it is rendered, _a dowry_, to his father-in-law when he received his wife. _But a hundred foreskins of the Philistines_ Saul made this demand of David, probably thinking that the necessity he... [ Continue Reading ]
_The days were not expired_ That is, the time allowed by Saul to David for the execution of this exploit. _Two hundred_ He doubled the number required; to oblige Saul the more to the performance of his promise, and to show his great respect and affection to Saul's daughter.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Saul knew that the Lord was with David_ He was convinced of it, by the success which he constantly had in all his undertakings. _And Saul was yet the more afraid of David_ Having thus advanced him; and seeing no hope of bringing his designs to pass against him. _And Saul became David's enemy contin... [ Continue Reading ]
_The princes of the Philistines went forth_ To fight with the Israelites: who had highly incensed them by David's late action, as well as by former losses. _David behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul_, &c. By discovering, it is likely, the designs of the Philistines, and prevent... [ Continue Reading ]