1Sa 18:1 And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.
When he had made an end of speaking - These first five verses are omitted by the Septuagint.
Jonathan loved him as his own soul – A deep friendship subsisted between them; and they loved each other with fervent brotherly love. No love was lost between them; each was worthy of the other. They had a friendship which could not be affected with changes or chances. He loved him as he loved himself.
1Sa 18:2 And Saul took him that day, and would let him go no more home to his father's house.
Saul would let him go no more home-- By which it appears, that before this David had not his constant residence at court. He was established as a permanent resident at court.
1Sa 18:3 Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.
Then Jonathan and David made a covenant - A covenant of friendship; entered into a solemn agreement to keep up and maintain a cordial respect to each other, and to support each other's interest both in life and after death, whoever was the survivor; and in consequence of this David had a friend at court, when Saul fell out with him, and who pleaded his cause, and discovered his father's plots, and was the means of preserving David's life:
Then Jonathan and David made a covenant--Such covenants of brotherhood are frequent in the East. They are ratified by certain ceremonies, and in presence of witnesses, that the persons covenanting will be sworn brothers for life.
because he loved him as his own soul - so that this covenant was not founded in mere words, but in sincere and cordial affection, and was lasting and inviolable.
1Sa 18:4 And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle.
Jonathan stripped himself - Presents of clothes or rich robes, in token of respect and friendship, are frequent in the East. Frequently arms and clothing were presented by warriors to each other in token of friendship.
Jonathan stripped himself - As a token of his hearty love and true friendship, and that David might appear at court not in the habit of a shepherd, but in that of a prince:
Jonathan stripped himself of the robe --To receive any part of the dress which had been worn by a sovereign, or his eldest son and heir, is deemed, in the East, the highest honor which can be conferred on a subject. The girdle, being connected with the sword and the bow, may be considered as being part of the military dress, and great value is attached to it.
1Sa 18:5 And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him, and behaved himself wisely: and Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul's servants.
Set him over the men of war - that is, of some of them, gave him the command of a troop; for Abner was captain or general of the army, and continued so:
David went out whithersoever Saul sent him - About any business whatsoever, especially about martial affairs, for which he was abundantly qualified:
behaved himself wisely - in the management of them, using great prudence and discretion, and so failed not of success, and of recommending himself; he was prosperous and successful in whatsoever he engaged, for the Lord was with him, and blessed him:
he was accepted in the sight of all the people - of all the people in the land in general, of all that knew or heard of him; being looked upon as a wise, valiant, and successful commander, and which gained him the esteem and affection of the people:
also in the sight of Saul's servants - which was very much, and a rare thing, for in general the servants were too apt to envy such as are rising in their credit and reputation;
1Sa 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.
From striking 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, 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
Singing and dancing - Women used to dance to the sound of the timbrel, and to sing as they danced and played. It was the principal business of certain women to celebrate victories, sing at funerals.
With instruments of music - The original word signifies instruments with three strings; Possibly an instrument well known as being used among the ancient Egyptians called a sistrum: it was made of brass, and had three, sometimes more, brass rods across; which, being loose in their holes, made a jingling noise when the instrument was shaken.
the women came out of all cities of Israel--in the homeward march from the pursuit of the Philistines. On the return of friends long absent, and particularly on the return of a victorious army, bands of women and children issue from the towns and villages, to form a triumphal procession, to celebrate the victory, and, as they go along, to gratify the soldiers with dancing, instrumental music, and extempore songs, in honor of the generals who have earned the highest distinction by feats of gallantry. The Hebrew women, therefore, were merely paying the customary gratulations to David as the deliverer of their country, but they committed a great indiscretion by praising a subject at the expense of their sovereign.
1Sa 18:7 And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.
1Sa 18:8 And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom?
Saul was very wroth - Partly because they called him plain Saul, and not King Saul; did not give him his royal title, and so had given more honor to an inferior officer than to the commander-in-chief, more to a subject than to a sovereign:
what can he have more but the kingdom - some think that Saul knew, by the prudent behavior of David, and the favor he was in with God and men, and by these commendations of the women, that the kingdom would be his; and that the words of Samuel were true, and would be confirmed, that the kingdom would be rent from him, and given to his neighbor better than he.
1Sa 18:9 And Saul eyed David from that day and forward.
Saul eyed David from that day - he looked at him with a sour, ill natured look; he looked at him with an evil, spiteful, malicious, and envious eye; or he diligently watched and observed all his motions and actions, whether they tended to disloyalty and treason, to dethrone him, and take the kingdom to himself, which he was suspicious of; he laid wait for him.
1Sa 18:10 And it came to pass on the morrow, that the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as at other times: and there was a javelin in Saul's hand.
He prophesied in the midst – the Hebrew word does not mean to prophesy in this instance, but “to rave” according to one scholar.
He prophesied in the midst – The effect of the evil spirit coming upon him. It is impossible to give the sense of “raving” to the word “prophesied,” as though a merely natural state of frenzy were intended. The “prophesying” here was as directly the effect of the coming of the evil spirit upon Saul, as the “prophesying” in 1Sa_10:10 was the effect of the Spirit of God coming upon him. At the same time it is quite true that “madness” and “prophesyings” were considered as near akin Jer_29:26 The LORD has made you priest instead of Jehoiada the priest, to be officers in the house of the LORD, over every madman who prophesies, that you should put him into the stocks and into the collar. Evil spirits prophesied elsewhere in the bible too Act_16:16-18 And as we went to prayer, it happened that a certain girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much gain by divining. The same followed Paul and us and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the Most High God, who are announcing to us the way of salvation. And she did this many days. But being distressed, and turning to the demonic spirit, Paul said, I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her! And it came out in that hour. 1John 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but try the spirits to see if they are of God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
he prophesied in the midst of the house - either delivering out divine songs, as the prophets did; or he feigned himself a prophet, mimicking their motions and gestures; or, as the Targum, acted like a mad man, or a fool, uttering foolish words, and using ridiculous gestures, which seems most agreeable to the evil spirit in him: The meaning seems to be, that Saul, influenced by the evil spirit, feigned to be prophesying, the better to conceal his murderous intentions, and to render David unsuspicious.
David played with his hand as at other times - upon his harp, to remove the evil spirit, or melancholy disposition from Saul; for though he was now advanced at court, and an officer in the army, and high in the affections and applause of the people: yet he did not think it below him to act as a musician, to do service to his prince; of such an humble, kind, and ingenuous disposition was he:
1Sa 18:11 And Saul cast the javelin; for he said, I will smite David even to the wall with it. And David avoided out of his presence twice.
Saul cast the javelin - The javelin or spear was the emblem of regal authority; kings always had it at hand, and in ancient monuments they are always represented with it.
I will smite David even to the wall with it - he determined to cast it with such force and violence, that it should pierce through David, and enter into the very wall
David avoided out of his presence twice - to escape the javelin cast at him; one scholar thinks, that David, while he was playing, his eyes were so fixed upon his own hands, that he was not aware of the javelin, and turned himself from Saul without intention both times, and so escaped without knowledge of it; such was the good providence of God towards him, and which, when Saul perceived, it wrought upon him.
David avoided out of his presence twice - The fact that David did not leave Saul immediately after this attempt upon his life, may be explained not merely on the supposition that he looked upon this attack as being simply an outburst of momentary madness, which would pass away, but still more from his firm believing confidence, which kept him from forsaking the post in which the Lord had placed him without any act of his own, until he saw that Saul was plotting to take his life, not merely in these fits of insanity, but also at other times, in calm deliberation.
1Sa 18:12 And Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him, and was departed from Saul.
Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with him - Protecting and preserving him, prospering and succeeding him, giving him victory over his enemies, and favor among the people;
and was departed from Saul - so that he was destitute of courage, and greatness of mind, and of wisdom and prudence, and became mean and abject, and exposed himself to the contempt of his subjects.
Saul was afraid of David - In this fear of David on the part of Saul, the true reason for his hostile behavior is pointed out with deep psychological truth. The fear arose from the consciousness that the Lord had departed from him, - a consciousness which forced itself involuntarily upon him, and drove him to make the attempt, in a fit of madness, to put David to death.
1Sa 18:13 Therefore Saul removed him from him, and made him his captain over a thousand; and he went out and came in before the people.
Made him his captain - This was under pretense of doing him honor, when it was in effect only to rid himself of the object of his envy, partly to cover his malice, and please the people, and partly in hope that he might be slain by the enemy at the head of his troop.
Therefore Saul removed him - From court, partly that he might be out of his sight, having such an hatred of his person that he could not bear to see him, and partly that he might be safer from any designs of his upon his life, which he might fear, because of his treatment of him:
he went out and came in before the people - or at the head of them; he led them out to war, and returned with them in safety, with victory and in triumph, with great honor, and highly respected by them; quite contrary to the intention and hope of Saul.
Therefore Saul removed him - Saul was sensible that the Lord was departed from him; while he perceived, with evident sorrow of heart, that the Lord had given David peculiar wisdom, and that he was with him to prosper all his undertakings. This increased the disquietude of his malevolent mind, and his dread of David as a prevailing rival. he therefore removed him from his presence. This impolitic step, however, served the more to ingratiate David with the people, by affording him the opportunity of leading them forth to victory over their enemies.
made him captain over a thousand--gave him a military commission, which was intended to be an honorable exile. But this post of duty served only to draw out before the public the extraordinary and varied qualities of his character, and to give him a stronger hold of the people's affections.
1Sa 18:14 And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the LORD was with him.
David behaved himself wisely in all his ways - Both in the court and in the camp, in whatsoever service he was employed; or "prospered", as the word also signifies.
1Sa 18:15 Wherefore when Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely, he was afraid of him.
He was afraid of him - lest the time was drawing near that the kingdom should be rent from him, and given to David.
1Sa 18:16 But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out and came in before them.
And all Israel and Judah loved David - The verb is singular, and denotes that everyone of them loved him in all the tribes of Israel, as well as in Judah his own tribe; in such general esteem was he, and so much had he got the hearts and affections of the people:
1Sa 18:17 And Saul said to David, Behold my elder daughter Merab, her will I give thee to wife: only be thou valiant for me, and fight the LORD'S battles. For Saul said, Let not mine hand be upon him, but let the hand of the Philistines be upon him.
daughter Merab, her will I give thee to wife - Saul had not hitherto fulfilled the promise of which David had heard; nor was it unnatural that Saul should delay to do so, until the shepherd’s boy had risen to a higher rank.
And Saul said to David - Not in friendship and good will to him, but designing to lay a snare for him:
fight the Lord's battles - he knew he was a valiant man, and ready enough to fight; but he expected that in consideration of such a favor, and such high honor as this, that he would exert himself in an extraordinary manner, and engage in hazardous attempts, and show himself worthy to be the son of a king, in the defense of him and of his country, and for the glory of the God of Israel; all this he suggests, that he should expose his life to such danger, that it might be hoped it would be taken away:
let not mine hand be upon him - he had attempted to lay hands on him, or to kill him with his own hands, but now he thought better, and considered how the people would view him.
let the hand of the Philistines be upon him - he hoped by these means that he would fall by their hands at the head of his troop, while he was displaying his valor, and hazarding his life for the good of his king and country; what Saul contrived for David instead was Saul’s end, he died in battle with the Philistines, 1Sa_31:2-4 And the Philistines followed Saul and his sons. And the Philistines killed Jonathan and Abinadab and Malchishua, Saul's sons. And the battle went hard against Saul. And the archers hit him, and he was sorely wounded by the archers. And Saul said to his armor-bearer, Draw your sword and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised ones come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armor-bearer would not, for he was very much afraid. So Saul took a sword and fell on it.
Behold my elder daughter Merab - Though bound to this already [1Sa_17:25], he had found it convenient to forget his former promise. He now holds it out as a new offer, which would tempt David to give additional proofs of his valor. But the fickle and perfidious monarch broke his pledge at the time when the marriage was on the eve of being celebrated, and bestowed Merab on another man 1 Samuel 18: 19 And it happened at the time when Merab, Saul's daughter should have been given to David, she was given to Adriel the Meholathite to be his wife; an indignity as well as a wrong, which was calculated deeply to wound the feelings and provoke the resentment of David. Perhaps it was intended to do so, that advantage might be taken of his indiscretion. But David was preserved from this snare.
1Sa 18:18 And David said unto Saul, Who am I? and what is my life, or my father's family in Israel, that I should be son in law to the king?
What is my life - condition, or means of living. In these expressions David shows not only his humility, but also his wisdom, in discovering so deep a sense of his own meanness, that Saul might see how far he was from aspiring at the kingdom.
David said unto Saul - Surprised at the offer Saul made him, yet not refusing it, but expressing himself with great modesty and humility:
who am I - as to his person, parentage, and employment, mean and despicable, at least in his own eyes.
1Sa 18:19 But it came to pass at the time when Merab Saul's daughter should have been given to David, that she was given unto Adriel the Meholathite to wife.
Adriel the Meholathite - Saul did not keep his promise. When the time arrived for its fulfillment, he gave his daughter to Adriel the Meholathite, a man of whom nothing further is known. The five sons of this marriage perished by the hands of the Gibeonites, where we learn further that the name of Adriel’s father, or ancestor, was Barzillai. His birth-place was Meholah, probably the same as Abel-Meholah. 2 Sam 21:8-9 But the king took the two sons of Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, whom she bore to Saul, Armoni and Mephibosheth, and the five sons of Michal the daughter of Saul, whom she bore to Adriel the son of Barzillai the Meholathite. And he delivered them into the hands of the Gibeonites. And they hanged them in the hill before Jehovah. And they fell, seven together, and were put to death in the days of harvest, in the first days, in the beginning of barley harvest. Michal had no children of her own, but did raise her sisters children after the death of her sister Merab. This verse considers Michal to be the one who bore them, since she raised them.
She was given to Adriel - This was an act of great injustice; and accordingly this marriage was accursed by God, and the children begotten in it, were, by God's appointment cut off.
Merab is not married to David - The pretext under which Saul broke his promise is not given.
1Sa 18:20 And Michal Saul's daughter loved David: and they told Saul, and the thing pleased him.
The thing pleased him - Not from any favor to David, but he saw that it would be turned to the advancement of his malicious purposes, and the more so when, by the artful intrigues and flattery of his spies, the loyal sentiments of David were discovered.
1Sa 18:21 And Saul said, I will give him her, that she may be a snare to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him. Wherefore Saul said to David, Thou shalt this day be my son in law in the one of the twain.
In the one of the twain - Some prefer “the second time”. The first contract had been broken by giving Merab to Adriel.
That she may be a snare to him - Saul had already determined the condition on which he would give his daughter to David; that he should slay one hundred Philistines: this he supposed he would undertake for the love of Michal, and that he must necessarily perish in the attempt; and thus Michal would become a snare to him.
That she may be a snare to him - The cause and occasion of his fall and ruin, by means of what he should propose to him as the condition of marriage; but instead of proving a snare to him, she was the means of his deliverance, when Saul sent messengers to slay him, 1Sa_19:11 Saul also sent messengers to David's house to watch him and to kill him in the morning. And David's wife Michal told him saying, If you do not save your life tonight, tomorrow you shall be killed.
that the hand of the Philistines may be against him - provoked by the condition of marriage he set before David. The scheme he had in his head after appears, and what he now said was not openly said before his servants and courtiers, but this he said within himself, conceived and contrived it in his own mind:
be my son in law in the one of the twain - by marrying one of his two daughters; signifying, that he would not defer the marriage, or put it off to a longer time, as he had done before, but that he should be married immediately to one or other of his daughters; and seeing he could not have the eldest, she being disposed of, he should have the youngest, and so be equally his son-in-law. He should be his son-in-law on two accounts, one by betrothing Merab, though he was not married to her, and the other by being married to Michal, so that he would be doubly his son in law; but the first sense is best.
1Sa 18:22 And Saul commanded his servants, saying, Commune with David secretly, and say, Behold, the king hath delight in thee, and all his servants love thee: now therefore be the king's son in law.
Saul commanded his servants - Saul therefore employed his courtiers to persuade David to accept his offer. And persuade him to marry Michal, and assure him of Saul's real regard to him, and good intention towards him; for it seems that David being ill used in the affair of his eldest daughter, did not listen to the proposals of Saul as to the youngest, and therefore Saul took this method to bring him into them:
1Sa 18:23 And Saul's servants spake those words in the ears of David. And David said, Seemeth it to you a light thing to be a king's son in law, seeing that I am a poor man, and lightly esteemed?
David replied to the courtiers - This reply was given by David in perfect sincerity, since he could not possibly suppose that the king would give him his daughter without a considerable marriage portion. David is apparently utterly unable to offer anything like a suitable dowry to the king.
A poor man and lightly esteemed - Psa_119:141 I am small and despised; yet I do not forget Your commandments.
seemeth it to you a light thing - a small a trifling matter, an easy thing to come into, every thing requisite to it:
lightly esteemed - not by the people of Israel and Judah , who loved him, as he was loved even by the servants of Saul, at least in profession; but by Saul himself, who had slighted him in giving his elder daughter to another man, when he had promised her to him, which was discouraging to David, and resented by him.
1Sa 18:24 And the servants of Saul told him, saying, On this manner spake David.
1Sa 18:25 And Saul said, Thus shall ye say to David, The king desireth not any dowry, but an hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to be avenged of the king's enemies. But Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines.
An hundred foreskins – he required or desired no other dowry of David, but that he would slay an hundred Philistines, and bring their foreskins to him; As neither David nor his family were in circumstances to give a suitable dowry for a princess, the king intimated that he would be graciously pleased to accept some gallant deed in the public service.
a hundred foreskins of the Philistines--Such mutilations on the bodies of their slain enemies were commonly practised in ancient war, and the number told indicated the glory of the victory. Saul's willingness to accept a public service had an air of liberality, while his choice of so difficult and hazardous a service seemed only putting a proper value on gaining the hand of a king's daughter. But he covered unprincipled malice against David under this proposal, which exhibited a zeal for God and the covenant of circumcision.
1Sa 18:26 And when his servants told David these words, it pleased David well to be the king's son in law: and the days were not expired.
The days were not expired - That is, the time allowed by Saul to David for the execution of this exploit. David was so rapid in his attack upon the Philistines that he was able to bring the required dowry within the time within which he was to receive his wife. The words “and the days were not full” form a circumstantial clause, which is to be connected with the following sentence, “David arose,” etc. David delivered twice the price demanded.
1Sa 18:27 Wherefore David arose and went, he and his men, and slew of the Philistines two hundred men; and David brought their foreskins, and they gave them in full tale to the king, that he might be the king's son in law. And Saul gave him Michal his daughter to wife.
slew of the Philistines two hundred men – 1 Samuel
18:27 And David arose, and went, he and his men, and smote among the Philistines a hundred men: and he brought their foreskins, and he becomes the king's son-in-law, and [Saul] gives him Melchol his daughter to wife. (Septuagint) Saul covenanted with David for a hundred; and David himself saysthat he espoused Michal for a hundred: 2Sa_3:14 And David sent messengers to Ishbosheth, Saul's son, saying, Deliver my wife Michal, whom I betrothed to me for a hundred foreskins of the Philistines.
slew of the Philistines two hundred men - This he did himself, for the verb is singular, and which were an hundred more than required; this he did to show his regard to the orders of Saul, and his obedience to him, and to testify the sincerity of his affections to his daughter, for whose sake he risked his life in this expedition, as well as to express his zeal for God, and his country, against their avowed enemies.
Saul gave him Michal his daughter to wife - which he could not in honor refuse to do, seeing he had performed the condition he had required.
1Sa 18:28 And Saul saw and knew that the LORD was with David, and that Michal Saul's daughter loved him.
And Saul saw and knew that the Lord was with David - The knowledge of the fact that David had carried out all his enterprises with success had already filled the melancholy king with fear. But when the failure of this new plan for devoting David to certain death had forced the conviction upon him that Jehovah was with David, and that he was miraculously protected by Him; and when, in addition to this, there was the love of his daughter Michal to David; his fear of David grew into a lifelong enmity. Thus his evil spirit urged him ever forward to greater and greater hardness of heart.
And Saul saw and knew that the Lord was with David - This he perceived by the favor he gave him among men, by overruling all the steps Saul took to do him hurt, for his good, and in giving him success in all that he engaged in;
Michal, Saul's daughter, loved him - and therefore could entertain no hope of making use of her as an instrument of his ruin, but, on the contrary, would, out of her great affection to her husband, betray the designs of her father against him, and do all she could to preserve him.
1Sa 18:29 And Saul was yet the more afraid of David; and Saul became David's enemy continually.
Saul was yet the more afraid of David - Because the Lord was with him, and his wife loved him; so that he feared he should never be able to accomplish his designs, and that this marriage, which he intended as the means of his ruin, would pave the way for his ascending the throne:
Saul became David's enemy continually - was every day giving fresh evidence of his enmity against him; now enmity was rooted and habituated, and was constant and continually showing itself.
1Sa 18:30 Then the princes of the Philistines went forth: and it came to pass, after they went forth, that David behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul; so that his name was much set by.
Then the princes of the Philistines went forth - Probably to avenge themselves on David and the Israelites: but of this war we know no more than that David was more skillful and successful in it than any of the other officers of Saul. His military skill was greater, and his success was proportionate to his skill and courage; hence it is said, he behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul.
Then the princes of the Philistines went forth - Out of their cities in troops, to revenge and spoil the land of Israel, being enraged at their defeat when Goliath their champion was slain, and at the injury and dishonor done them by David very lately in slaying two hundred of them, and taking off their foreskins; perhaps having heard of the marriage of David, and understanding the Israelites had a law, that a newly married man might not go to the war the first year, took this opportunity of invading and spoiling them; whereas David understood that law better than they, and knew it referred not to a voluntary war, but to that which was the command of God against the seven nations; and even in that case, as some think, it did not oblige such persons to remain at home, but left it to their choice to do as they pleased:
David behaved himself more wisely - showed himself to be more expert in the art of war, and formed designs with great wisdom and prudence, and which he as wisely executed, as well as with great courage and valour, to the annoyance and defeat of the enemy, and to the advantage, defence, and safety of the people of Israel; or he was more "prosperous" than they, as the Targum, and so others interpret it; he was more successful in his attacks on the Philistines, and in his skirmishes with them:
his name was much set by - he was in high esteem with the people; his name was "precious" to them; they made mention of it, with great honor and glory; so that Saul failed much, and was greatly disappointed in the scheme he had formed against him,
Then the princes of the Philistines went forth - Of this war we know no more than that David, whose military skill was greater, was more successful in it, than all the other officers of Saul.
