1 Samuel 18:18 NIV

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 18:18

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 18:17-18

Behold my elder daughter Merab. Saul had promised that he would give his daughter in marriage to whosoever should slay the giant ( 1 Samuel 17:25 ); and not only was there in this the honour of a close alliance with the royal house, but, as it was usual to give large presents to the father in return for the daughter's hand, the gift had also a substantial value. After long delay Saul now refers to this promise, not so much with the intention of fulfilling it, as of leading David on to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 18:17-30

The plot and its lessons. The facts are— 1 . Saul, in hopes of compassing the death of David, promises him his eldest daughter to wife, on condition that he is valiant against the Philistines. 2 . David expresses his unworthiness of so great an honour. 3 . Saul, having broken this promise by giving Merab to Adriel, offers David his daughter Michal. 4 . On David intimating that, being poor, he was not able to provide a becoming dowry, Saul is content with proof of the death... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 18:18

What is my life - i. e., condition, or means of living (Proverbs 27:27 margin). read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 18:18

1 Samuel 18:18. David said, Who am I? and what is my life? How little is my life worth, that by the exposing of that to some hazard, I should purchase a king’s daughter! In these expressions David showeth not only his humility, but also his wisdom, in discovering so deep a sense of his own meanness, that Saul might see how far he was from aspiring at the kingdom. Or my father’s family in Israel? In riches, for otherwise David’s family was as noble as any in Israel. That I should be... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 18:1-30

David’s success and Saul’s jealousy (18:1-30)Once David came to live at Saul’s court, he and Jonathan became close friends. In fact, Jonathan promised loyalty to David as if bound to him by covenant. David continued to produce outstanding successes as a soldier, and Saul made him an officer. The promotion was popular with army officers and common people alike (18:1-5). David’s popularity, however, stirred up Saul’s jealousy, and Saul tried to kill him (6-11). Saul was now afraid of David, so... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Samuel 18:17-30

Saul’s indirect attempts to kill David 18:17-30Since he had been unsuccessful in murdering David himself, Saul also tried to get other people to kill him (cf. 2 Samuel 11:15). Saul had promised his daughter in marriage to Goliath’s victor (1 Samuel 17:25). In spite of this, Saul now added the condition that David also had to fight more battles for his king. David, on the other hand, did not aspire to marry the king’s daughter even though such a marriage would have advanced his career greatly (1... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 18:1-30

The Love of Jonathan for David1 Samuel 18:6-30 of this chapter seem to be connected with 1 Samuel 16:14-23 and not to be taken from the same document as 1 Samuel 17:1 to 1 Samuel 18:5. LXX omits a large part of this section and only retains 1 Samuel 18:6-8; 1 Samuel 12; 1 Samuel 13-16, 20-21; 1 Samuel 22-26; 1 Samuel 27-29 a. In this case the LXX text gives an easy and straight forward account, and many suppose that it is the original. But the character of the LXX omissions in 1 Samuel 17... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 1 Samuel 18:18

(18) What is my life?—These words in David’s modest and wise answer have been variously interpreted. (a) They have been taken to refer to David’s personal life; but surely that has been alluded to in the preceding words, “Who am I?” (b) As referring to the condition of life in which he was born and to which he was accustomed; so Keil; but it is doubtful if the Hebrew word here used ever has this significance. (c) With a reference to David’s family; so Ewald and Lange. Ewald would translate,... read more