1 Samuel 18:12-27

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 18:12

And Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with him ,.... Protecting and preserving him, prospering and succeeding him, giving him victory over his enemies, and favour among the people; the Targum is,"the Word of the Lord was for his help.'Procopius Gazaeus interprets it of the Holy Ghost, whose grace was vouchsafed unto him: he might be afraid in his melancholy fits, that as he had attempted to take away the life of David, that David would contrive and seek an opportunity, and take... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 18:13

Therefore Saul removed him from him ,.... From court, partly that he might be out of his sight, having such an hatred of his person that he could not bear to see him, and partly that he might be safer from any designs of his upon his life, which he might fear, because of his treatment of him: and made him his captain over a thousand ; not out of respect to him, and in honour of him, but partly to cover his malice, and please the people, and partly in hope that he might be slain by the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 18:14

And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways ,.... Both in the court and in the camp, in whatsoever service he was employed; or "prospered" F21 משכיל "prospere admodum res gerebat", Vatablus; "secundabatur", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator; so the Targum and Jarchi. , as the word also signifies; for, generally speaking, those that behave wisely succeed well; in this he was a type of Christ, Isaiah 52:13 ; the reason of it follows: and the Lord was with him ; from whom... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 18:15

Wherefore when Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely ,.... So that he could get no advantage against him, and he succeeded and was prosperous in all his enterprises, and was more and more in favour with the people: he was afraid of him ; lest the time was drawing near that the kingdom should be rent from him, and given to David. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 18:16

And all Israel and Judah loved David ,.... The verb is singular, and denotes that everyone of them loved him in all the tribes of Israel, as well as in Judah his own tribe; in such general esteem was he, and so much had he got the hearts and affections of the people: because he went out and came in before them ; the people, as in 1 Samuel 18:13 ; so the Septuagint version, in which, according to the Vatican copy, the verses 1 Samuel 18:17 are wanting. 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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 18:18

And David said unto Saul ,.... Surprised at the offer Saul made him, yet not refusing it, but expressing himself with great modesty and humility: who am I ? as to his person, parentage, and employment, mean and despicable, at least in his own eyes, a type of the lowly Jesus, Matthew 11:29 , and what is my life ? keeping sheep, for from thence was he taken and advanced; though some think his meaning is, that to hazard his life, as Saul proposed, was not equivalent to such an... read more

John Gill

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 18:20

And Michal, Saul's daughter, loved David ,.... His youngest daughter fell in love with him, because of the comeliness of his person, his gallant behaviour, his wise conduct, and the general esteem and reputation he was had in, as may be supposed: and they told Saul, and the thing pleased him ; not that his daughter loved David, or that he should be his son-in-law, but that he should have an opportunity, as he hoped, of destroying David, which he had lost by giving his elder daughter to... read more

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