Wherefore when Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely ,.... So that he could get no advantage against him, and he succeeded and was prosperous in all his enterprises, and was more and more in favour with the people: he was afraid of him ; lest the time was drawing near that the kingdom should be rent from him, and given to David. read more
He was afraid of him - He saw that, by his prudent conduct, he was every day gaining increasing influence. read more
Saul was afraid of David. new feeling. To his jealousy succeeded a sense of powerlessness, as knowing that a higher power was with David, while he had lost the Divine protection. This miserable feeling grew upon the unhappy king, till before the battle of Gilboa we find him with all his old heroic spirit gone, a miserable wreck, seeking for comfort at the hands of a woman of the most worthless kind ( 1 Samuel 28:5 , 1 Samuel 28:7 , 1 Samuel 28:20 ). In this despondent state of mind he... read more
The disturbing power of goodness. The facts are— 1 . Saul, seeing the signs of God's presence with David, fears him, and removes him to a distance. 2 . Increasing wisdom of David adds to Saul's fear, and secures the favour of the people. 3 . The departure of God from Saul explains his self-abandonment to the Influence of this fear. We have here a statement of the diverse relation of God to David and Saul,—he was with the one and was departed from the other,—and the consequences... read more
1 Samuel 18:14-15. 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 undertakings prosperous. Saul’s fears, however, increased in proportion as he saw David still behave so well. read more
David’s success and Saul’s jealousy (18:1-30)Once David came to live at Saul’s court, he and Jonathan became close friends. In fact, Jonathan promised loyalty to David as if bound to him by covenant. David continued to produce outstanding successes as a soldier, and Saul made him an officer. The promotion was popular with army officers and common people alike (18:1-5). David’s popularity, however, stirred up Saul’s jealousy, and Saul tried to kill him (6-11). Saul was now afraid of David, so... read more
afraid. Hebrew. nur = shrank from, sore afraid; stronger than 1 Samuel 18:12 . read more
3. The results of God’s selection of David 18:1-19:17Earlier the writer narrated Saul’s anointing, military success, and the popular reaction to him (chs. 10-11). Now he followed the same pattern by recording David’s anointing, military success, and the popular reaction to him (1 Samuel 16:1 to 1 Samuel 19:17). The popular reaction to Saul was fairly simple: most of the people supported him, though a few opposed him (1 Samuel 11:12-15). The popular reaction to David was much more complex and... read more
Saul’s first direct attempt to kill David 18:10-16The evil spirit from the Lord (cf. 1 Samuel 16:4, whatever it was) afflicted Saul the very next day. David and Saul each had something in their hand. David held a harp with which he sought to help the king by playing soothing music. Saul held a spear with which he sought to harm his helper. The writer stated the reason Saul attempted to pin David to the wall clearly in 1 Samuel 18:12. God was with David, and He had withdrawn from Saul (cf. 1... read more
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Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 18:12-30
Saul had now, in effect, proclaimed war with David. He began in open hostility when he threw the javelin at him. Now we are here told how his enmity proceeded, and how David received the attacks of it. I. See how Saul expressed his malice against David. 1. He was afraid of him, 1 Sam. 18:12. Perhaps he pretended to be afraid that David would do himself mischief, to force his way to the crown. Those that design ill against others are commonly willing to have it thought that others design ill... read more