(6) And Saul hearkened.—The moving eloquence of Jonathan touched Saul’s heart, and for a brief space something of the old noble spirit influenced the king, and he swore he would not attempt his life. read more
Religious Enthusiasm, True and False 1 Samuel 19:18-24 This is a sort of subject that needs to be thought out and discreetly treated. And yet it can never be made quite plain. It goes off into mystery on every side; for the action of the nervous system is involved in this, and the whole question of contagious emotion which not the best physiologists thoroughly understand. But without going into physiological questions, there are here things very plain which ought to be known by all intelligent... read more
CHAPTER XXVI.SAUL’S FURTHER EFFORTS AGAINST DAVID.1 Samuel 19:1-24.ANEW Stage of his wicked passion is now reached by Saul; he communes with his servants, and even with his son, with a view to their killing David. Ordinary conspirators are prone to confine their evil designs to their own breasts; or if they do have confidants, to choose for that purpose persons as vile as themselves, whom they bind to secrecy and silence. Saul must have been sadly overpowered by his passion when he urged his... read more
4. Saul’s Renewed Attempt and David’s Escape CHAPTER 19 1. Saul and Jonathan (1 Samuel 19:1-7 ) 2. Saul’s new attempt to kill David (1 Samuel 19:8-10 ) 3. David’s escape (1 Samuel 19:11-18 ) 4. Saul’s pursuit and his helplessness (1 Samuel 19:19-24 ) The lost King goes from bad to worse. First he tried to spear David; then he attempted to take his life through having him killed by the Philistines, and now he speaks openly to his own son and to all his servants that David must be... read more
19:6 And Saul hearkened unto the voice of Jonathan: and Saul {c} sware, [As] the LORD liveth, he shall not be slain.(c) Whatever he pretended outwardly, yet his heart was full of malice. read more
When Saul told Jonathan and all his servants to put David to death, no sensible servant would have approved of this. Jonathan however, positively loved David and warned him of Saul's intentions. Still, Jonathan thought He could reason with Saul and persuade him that David was not an enemy, but a true friend. He advised David to remain hidden from Saul, while Jonathan interceded for him with his father. Then Jonathan "spoke good of David to Saul his father" (v.4). How appropriate it is if we... read more
DAVID AND JONATHAN JEALOUSY AND FEAR (1 Samuel 18:0 ) Jonathan’s love for David is put to a serious test, but is found genuine. On the homeward march from the victory over the Philistines, the women of Israel, following oriental custom, met the warriors and accompanied them along the road, singing and dancing. But their joy outran their judgment, so that they praised David more than their king. A better man than Saul could scarcely have resisted the temptation to envy, sinful as it was (1... read more
(2) But Jonathan Saul's son delighted much in David: and Jonathan told David, saying, Saul my father seeketh to kill thee: now therefore, I pray thee, take heed to thyself until the morning, and abide in a secret place, and hide thyself: (3) And I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where thou art, and I will commune with my father of thee; and what I see, that I will tell thee. (4) And Jonathan spake good of David unto Saul his father, and said unto him, Let not the king sin... read more
Slain. His inconstant temper might cause him to be moved with the expostulation of his son; but he presently relapsed, if he were ever sincere. (Calmet) --- The Scripture seems to insinuate that he was. (Menochius) read more
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John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 19:1-24
Saul’s Hatred of David. David escapes to Samuel2. Until the morning] RV ’in the morning.’6. It was difficult for David to estimate correctly Saul’s feelings towards him, because the king’s repentance was real while it lasted, and because much might be ascribed to his madness.10. That night] David would probably flee at once: hence LXX may be right in joining these words to 1 Samuel 19:11, ’And it came to pass that night that Saul sent.’13. An image] RV ’the teraphim.’ ’Teraphim,’ like ’Elohim,’... read more