1 Samuel 18:9-19

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 18:17

And Saul said to David ,.... Not in friendship and good will to him, but designing to lay a snare for him: behold, my eldest daughter Merab, her will I give thee to wife ; most interpreters understand it, that he was obliged to this by promise, on account of David's slaying Goliath, 1 Samuel 17:25 ; but Abarbinel is of another mind, and he rightly observes, that the words referred to are not the words of Saul, but of the men of Israel, who might suppose what the king would do; or if... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 18:18

And 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, a type of the lowly Jesus, Matthew 11:29 , and what is my life ? keeping sheep, for from thence was he taken and advanced; though some think his meaning is, that to hazard his life, as Saul proposed, was not equivalent to such an... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 18:19

But it came to pass, at the time when Merab, Saul's daughter , should have been given to David ,.... Either when the giving of her to him was talked of, or when the time fixed for her marriage was come: that she was given to Adriel the Meholathite to wife : Saul either having in reality never designed she should be given to David, only proposed it to please the people, or to affront David, and expose him to shame and confusion by the step he meant to take, or however he soon changed... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 18:10

The evil spirit from God - See on 1 Samuel 16:14 ; (note), etc. He prophesied in the midst of the house - He was beside himself; made prayers, supplications, and incoherent imprecations: "God preserve my life," "Destroy my enemies," or such like prayers, might frequently escape from him in his agitated state. The Arabic intimates that he was actually possessed by an evil spirit, and that through it he uttered a sort of demoniacal predictions. But let us examine... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 18:11

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. In ancient times, says Justin, kings used a spear instead of a diadem: Per ea tempora reges hastas pro diademate habebant , Hist. lib. xliii. And as spears were the emblems of supreme power, hence they were reputed as attributes of the Divinity, and were worshipped as representatives of the gods. Ab origne verum,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 18:13

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. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 18:15

He was afraid of him - He saw that, by his prudent conduct, he was every day gaining increasing influence. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 18:17

Fight the Lord ' s battles - Mr. Calmet properly remarks that the wars of the Hebrews, while conducted by the express orders of God, were truly the wars of the Lord; but when the spirit of worldly ambition and domination became mingled with them, they were no longer the wars of the Lord, but wars of lust and profanity. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 18:1-9

Love and jealousy. One great exploit performed in the sight of two armies took David at once and forever out of obscurity. Thenceforth he was a man much observed. The quiet pastoral life at Bethlehem was ended, and could never be resumed. Sudden success brings rapid distinction, but also brings trials and risks from which the obscure are free. David leaped at a bound into honour and fame, but for that very reason he found himself at the beginning of his troubles. Well that, before those... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 18:5-11

Some dangers of persistent sin. The facts are— 1 . David, behaving wisely in his public position, wins favour with the people, and in the welcome to him on his return from the battle the women ascribe to him, in their song, higher praise than to Saul. 2 . The fact excites Saul's envy henceforth. 3 . In a fit of envious rage Saul seeks to smite David. The victory over Goliath brought Saul and David into a proximity highly favourable to the development of their respective... read more

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