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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 19:1-7

Saul and Jonathan appear here in their different characters, with reference to David. I. Never was enemy so unreasonably cruel as Saul. He spoke to his son and all his servants that they should kill David, 1 Sam. 19:1. His projects to take him off had failed, and therefore he proclaims him an out-law, and charges all about him, upon their allegiance, to take the first opportunity to kill David. It is strange that he was not ashamed thus to avow his malice when he could give no reason for it,... read more

John Gill

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

And Saul spake to Jonathan his son ,.... Who was heir to his crown; and though he knew he loved David, and was in strict friendship with him, yet he might hope, that as his succession to the kingdom was in danger, as he thought, and that David was his rival in it, his mind would be alienated from him; and that he would listen rather to a father than a friend, and would see where his true interest lay, and abandon David, yea, seek his ruin, which Saul was intent upon and to all his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 19:2

But Jonathan, Saul's son, delighted much in David ,.... In his company and conversation; he loved him with a love of complacency, and was constant and steadfast in it, and which was a kind providence to David; for by this means he came to the knowledge of Saul's designs upon him, and could the better guard against him: and Jonathan told David, saying, Saul my father seeketh to kill thee ; to inform him of which was acting the part of a sincere and faithful friend: now therefore, I... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 19:3

And I will go out ,.... In the morning, at the same time his father used to take his morning walk: and stand beside my father in the field where thou art ; on that side of him next to David, that he might not see him, and yet be so near, that David might hear what passed between them: and I will commune with my father of thee ; speak in favour of him, and endeavour to dissuade him from attempting to take away his life, which was of so much importance and usefulness in the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 19:4

And Jonathan spake good of David unto Saul his father ,.... Observed to him what a good man be was, and what good things he had done, what wisdom and prudence he had shown in the management of all his affairs, what valour and courage in all his expeditions, what faithfulness and integrity to his king and country in every instance: and said unto him, let not the king sin against his servant, against David ; by taking away his life; which would have been a great sin indeed, a sin against... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 19:5

For he did put his life in his hand ,.... Exposed himself to the utmost danger, when no one in all the camp of Israel would do the like: and slew the Philistine ; Goliath of Gath, who defied the armies of Israel; against him he went unarmed, only with his sling and stones, and fought him, and slew him: and the Lord wrought a great salvation for all Israel ; by his hand, so that they were delivered from their enemies, who fled before them, and they pursued them, and got a complete... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 19:6

And Saul hearkened unto the voice of Jonathan ,.... Not only heard him out what he had to say, but was affected with it, and wrought upon by it, and was convicted for the present that he was wrong in seeking the life of David, and therefore would desist from it; the Lord working upon his mind by what Jonathan said, and inclined him to listen to it, and act accordingly: and Saul sware, as the Lord liveth, he shall not be slain ; this oath he added to what he said to Jonathan, for the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 19:7

And Jonathan called David ,.... Out of his lurking place in the field, after Saul was returned home: and Jonathan showed him all these things : which had passed between him and his father, and particularly the oath he had made that he should not be slain: and Jonathan brought David to Saul : introduced him at court again, and into the presence chamber of Saul; who, in appearance, received him courteously, and a reconciliation was seemingly made: and he was in his presence as in... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 19:1

That they should kill David - Nothing less than the especial interposition of God could have saved David's life, when every officer about the king's person, and every soldier, had got positive orders to despatch him. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 19:2

Take heed to thyself until the morning - Perhaps the order was given to slay him the next day; and therefore Jonathan charges him to be particularly on his guard at that time, and to hide himself. read more

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