1 Samuel 18:17

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

John Gill

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

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 18:17-18

Behold my elder daughter Merab. Saul had promised that he would give his daughter in marriage to whosoever should slay the giant ( 1 Samuel 17:25 ); and not only was there in this the honour of a close alliance with the royal house, but, as it was usual to give large presents to the father in return for the daughter's hand, the gift had also a substantial value. After long delay Saul now refers to this promise, not so much with the intention of fulfilling it, as of leading David on to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 18:17-30

The plot and its lessons. The facts are— 1 . Saul, in hopes of compassing the death of David, promises him his eldest daughter to wife, on condition that he is valiant against the Philistines. 2 . David expresses his unworthiness of so great an honour. 3 . Saul, having broken this promise by giving Merab to Adriel, offers David his daughter Michal. 4 . On David intimating that, being poor, he was not able to provide a becoming dowry, Saul is content with proof of the death... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 18:17

Saul had not hitherto fulfilled the promise of which David had heard (marginal reference); nor was it unnatural that Saul should delay to do so, until the shepherd’s boy had risen to a higher rank. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 18:17

1 Samuel 18:17. 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 be laid for his destruction. “David had been very successful; but it did not follow that he must always be so; he had prudence, prowess, and conduct; but all these are often... 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 18:17

Behold . Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 . valiant . Hebrew son of valour. Let not mine hand, &c. Compare David and Uriah. 2 Samuel 11:15 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 1 Samuel 18:17

SAUL HOPED TO SEE THAT DAVID WAS KILLED IN BATTLE"Then Saul said to David, "Here is my elder daughter Merab; I will give her to you as a wife; only be valiant for me and fight the Lord's battles." For Saul thought, "Let not my hand be upon him, but let the hand of the Philistines be upon him." And David said to Saul, "Who am I, and who are my kinsfolk, my father's family in Israel, that I should be son-in-law to the king"? But at the time when Merab, Saul's daughter, should have been given to... read more

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