1 Samuel 23:17

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 23:14-18

Here is, I. David absconding. He abode in a wilderness, in a mountain (1 Sam. 23:14), in a wood, 1 Sam. 23:15. We must here, 1. Commend his eminent virtues, his humility, modesty, fidelity to his prince, and patient attendance on the providence of his God, that he did not draw up his forces against Saul, fight him in the field, or surprise him by some stratagem or other, and so avenge his own quarrel and that of the Lord's priests upon him, and put an end to his own troubles and the calamities... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 23:17

And he said unto him, fear not ,.... Distrust not the power, providence, and promises of God, nor dread the wrath of Saul, or fear falling into his hands: for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee ; to lay hold on him, seize him, and do him any hurt: and thou shalt be king over Israel ; meaning after the death of his father; which he knew either by some special revelation made to him; or rather by being informed he had been anointed by Samuel, and which he had either from... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 23:13-18

Deepening sorrows and new encouragement. The facts are— 1 . David, deeming it unsafe to remain in Keilah, goes forth with his men in uncertainty as to their destination. 2 . Saul, forbearing to march against Keilah, seeks in vain to capture David in the wilderness of Ziph. 3 . While David, fully aware of Saul's evil intent, remains in the wilderness, he is comforted by a visit from Jonathan, who expresses his confidence in David's future supremacy and renews with him a covenant... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 23:14-29

EXPOSITION SAUL 'S PURSUIT OF DAVID IN THE WILDERNESS OF ZIPH ( 1 Samuel 23:14-28 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 23:16-18

Jonathan … went to David into the wood. To Horesh, as in 1 Samuel 23:15 . This visit suggests two things: the first, that, after the scene in 1 Samuel 22:8 , Saul was estranged from his son, and treated him harshly, regarding him as a fellow conspirator with David; the second, that there was a growing conviction, not only in Jonathan's mind, but generally, that Jehovah had transferred the kingdom from Saul to David, and that consequently David's final success was inevitable. He ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 23:16-18

Jonathan … went to David into the wood. To Horesh, as in 1 Samuel 23:15 . This visit suggests two things: the first, that, after the scene in 1 Samuel 22:8 , Saul was estranged from his son, and treated him harshly, regarding him as a fellow conspirator with David; the second, that there was a growing conviction, not only in Jonathan's mind, but generally, that Jehovah had transferred the kingdom from Saul to David, and that consequently David's final success was inevitable. He ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 23:16-18

Sweet counsel in time of need. I. THE DISCOURAGEMENT OF DAVID . The citizens of Keilah, after he had with his good sword delivered them from the Philistine marauders, were so ungrateful, perhaps so much afraid of sharing the fate of the city of Nob at the hand of Saul, that they were ready to betray the son of Jesse and surrender him to the king. From this danger he no sooner escaped than the people of Ziph—though he did not compromise them by entering their town, but eneamped in a... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 23:17

1 Samuel 23:17. Thou shalt be king, and I shall be next unto thee Or, hold the second place in the kingdom; which words import thus much: I do not look to be king myself, as by my birth I might expect, but that thou shalt be king, God having so appointed, and I but in a secondary place, inferior to thee. The first part of this sentence Jonathan might well speak, as he had the promise of God for it, which must stand; but the other he spoke in human confidence, and the event showed how little... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 23:1-29

Saul’s fierce hunt (23:1-24:22)Since Abiathar had brought with him the high priest’s ephod (containing the Urim and Thummim), David was able to ask and receive God’s direct guidance. God’s first direction was to rescue the Israelite town of Keilah from the raiding Philistines (23:1-6). As soon as he had defeated the Philistines, David withdrew from Keilah. He knew that Saul’s army was larger and better equipped than his. He knew also that he could not trust the people of Keilah to stand with... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 Samuel 23:17-18

1 Samuel 23:17-18. And I shall be next unto, &c.— i.e. "The "next person to thee in thy kingdom." And they too made a covenant before the Lord; that is, solemnly renewed the covenant which they had formerly made. Jonathan's conduct in this remarkable transaction appears truly disinterested, generous, and great. He could not now be ignorant of David's destination to the throne of Israel by the will of God, and knew that nothing could prevent his succession to it, as God had appointed it. In... read more

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