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
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