1 Samuel 18:20-20:4 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 18:20

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

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 18:20-21

Michal … loved David. Probably there was some short lapse of time between Merab's marriage and the growth of this affection, the news of which pleased Saul. He was not an ungenerous man, and possibly may have felt ashamed at having acted so meanly by David after having exposed him to danger. And yet evil thoughts again are uppermost, and his purposes are selfish; for either way Saul will be the gainer. David will probably be slain, he thinks, in trying to get the dowry asked of him; and if... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 18:20

The thing pleased him - It partly relieved him from the charge of breaking his faith. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 18:20-21

1 Samuel 18:20-21. The thing pleased him Not out of any love to David, or desire to perform his promise; but because he hoped, by her means, to bring his ends about of destroying David. That she may be a snare to him He hoped his daughter, in obedience to him, might be persuaded to bring him into some snare that he would lay for him: or that, being exposed to great dangers, (which he was to undergo, as a condition of having her to wife,) he might perish in some of them. Thou shalt 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

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 1 Samuel 18:20

ANOTHER SCHEME BY SAUL TO GET DAVID KILLED"Now Saul's daughter Michal loved David; and they told Saul, and the thing pleased him. Saul thought, Let me give her to him, that she may be a snare for him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him." Therefore Saul said to David a second time, "You shall now be my son-in-law." And Saul commanded his servants, "Speak to David in private and say, "Behold, the king has delight in you, and all his servants love you; now then become the... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 18:20

20. Michal Saul's daughter loved David—This must have happened some time after. they told Saul, and the thing pleased him—Not from any favor to David, but he saw that it would be turned to the advancement of his malicious purposes, and the more so when, by the artful intrigues and flattery of his spies, the loyal sentiments of David were discovered. 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