1 Samuel 18:10 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 18:6-11

Now begin David's troubles, and they not only tread on the heels of his triumphs, but take rise from them, such is the vanity of that in this world which seems greatest. I. He was too much magnified by the common people. Some time after the victory Saul went a triumphant progress through the cities of Israel that lay next him, to receive the congratulations of the country. And, when he made his public entry into any place, the women were most forward to show him respect, as was usual then in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 18:10

And it came to pass on the morrow ,.... After the women had met him with their music and dancing, and when returned home: that the evil spirit from God came upon Saul ; thinking on the above things that had passed, he became melancholy: and he prophesied in the midst of the house ; either really, delivering out divine songs, as the prophets did; according to Abarbinel, he foretold that David would be king, and the kingdom would be taken from him, and given to him; or he feigned... 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

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 18:10-11

It came to pass on the morrow . The day had been a time of public triumph, and yet one of the chief actors goes home to a sleepless couch, because he thinks that another has received higher honour than himself. His melancholy deepens till a fit of insanity comes on. For the evil spirit from God came upon Saul. Literally, " an evil spirit (breath) of God descended mightily upon Saul" (see 1 Samuel 16:15 ). Just as all mighty enthusiasms for good come from God, so do strong influences for... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 18:10

He prophesied - This, as the effect of the evil spirit coming upon him, is singular as regards Saul, but is borne out by what we read in 1 Kings 22:22. (Compare Acts 16:16-18; Acts 19:15; 1 John 4:1-3). 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 1 Samuel 10:10 was the effect of the Spirit of... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 18:10-11

1 Samuel 18:10-11. 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 and uncharitableness! And he prophesied in the midst of the house That is, he was actuated by such motions and agitations of body as the prophets sometimes were. And David... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 18:1-30

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

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Samuel 18:10

evil . See note on 1 Samuel 16:16 . spirit . Hebrew. ruach. App-9 . God . Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 1 Samuel 18:10

SAUL'S FIRST ATTEMPT TO MURDER DAVID"And on the morrow an evil spirit from God rushed upon Saul, and he raved within his house, while David was playing the lyre, as he did day by day. Saul had his spear in his hand; and Saul cast the spear, for he thought, "I will pin David to the wall." But David evaded him twice.""Saul raved within his house." (1 Samuel 18:10). That `evil spirit' that came upon Saul bore a remarkable resemblance to paranoid insanity; but it was nevertheless a punishment... read more