1 Samuel 18:28-29

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 18:28

And Saul saw and knew that the Lord was with David ,.... This he perceived by the favour he gave him among men, by overruling all the steps Saul took to do him hurt, for his good, and in giving him success in all that he engaged in; the Targum is,"that the Word of the Lord was for the help of David:" and that Michal, Saul's daughter, loved him ; and therefore could entertain no hope of making use of her as an instrument of his ruin, but, on the contrary, would, out of her great... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 18:29

And Saul was yet the more afraid of David ,.... Because the Lord was with him, and his wife loved him; so that he feared he should never be able to accomplish his designs, and that this marriage, which he intended as the means of his ruin, would pave the way for his ascending the throne: and Saul became David's enemy continually ; was every day giving fresh evidence of his enmity against him; before it was by fits, and at certain times, there were some intervals; but now enmity was... 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 18:28-20

The failure of his evil purpose, and the knowledge that Michal loved her husband, and would protect him against his intrigues, and that the marriage had brought rank and influence to David, made Saul hate him all the more bitterly, because he could not now openly put to death one so closely connected with him. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 18:29-30

David proved and tried. I. EXEMPLARY CONDUCT UNDER TRIAL . One can hardly imagine a course of events more likely to turn a young man's head and make him giddy with elation than the rapid promotion of the youthful David. Brought at once from comparative obscurity into the full blaze of public admiration as a national hero, appointed as an officer of high rank in the army, made son-in-law to the king, and at the same time trusted and honoured by the people, the son of Jesse had much... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 18:28-29

1 Samuel 18:28-29. Saul knew that the Lord was with David He was convinced of it, by the success which he constantly had in all his undertakings. And Saul was yet the more afraid of David Having thus advanced him; and seeing no hope of bringing his designs to pass against him. And Saul became David’s enemy continually He was every day more resolved to destroy him. Such strange blindness did his anger and hatred, and such like passions, bring upon him, that he set himself against him,... 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

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Samuel 18:28

Michal Saul's daughter . Septuagint reads "all Israel", accounting for his greater fear (1 Samuel 18:29 ). read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 18:29

29. Saul was yet the more afraid of David—because Providence had visibly favored him, by not only defeating the conspiracy against his life, but through his royal alliance paving his way to the throne. read more

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