1 Samuel 18:5-16 ESV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 18:1-5

David was anointed to the crown to take it out of Saul's hand, and over Jonathan's head, and yet here we find, I. That Saul, who was now in possession of the crown, reposed a confidence in him, God so ordering it, that he might by his preferment at court be prepared for future service. Saul now took David home with him, and would not suffer him to return again to his retirement, 1 Sam. 18:2. And David having signalized himself above the men of war, in taking up the challenge which they... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 18:6-11

Now begin David's troubles, and they not only tread on the heels of his triumphs, but take rise from them, such is the vanity of that in this world which seems greatest. I. He was too much magnified by the common people. Some time after the victory Saul went a triumphant progress through the cities of Israel that lay next him, to receive the congratulations of the country. And, when he made his public entry into any place, the women were most forward to show him respect, as was usual then in... read more

Matthew Henry

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 18:5

And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him ,.... About any business whatsoever, especially about martial affairs, for which he was abundantly qualified: and behaved himself wisely ; in the management of them, using great prudence and discretion, and so failed not of success, and of recommending himself; the Targum renders it "prospering"; he was prosperous and successful in whatsoever he engaged, for the Lord was with him, and blessed him: and Saul set him over the men of war ;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 18:6

And it came to pass, as they came ,.... The armies of Israel, with their commanders at the head of them: when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine ; either from the slaughter of Goliath, with his head in his hand, going to Jerusalem, and Saul accompanying him; or rather from the slaughter of the Philistines at some other time, the singular being put for the plural; since, according to the order of the history, this seems to be done after David was brought to court, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 18:7

And the women answered one another as they played ,.... They sung vocally to their instruments, and that by turns, one rehearsing one line or verse in the song, and then the other another: and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands ; which, if to be referred to the battle in the preceding chapter, as it commonly is, must be understood thus, that though Saul, in pursuit of the Philistines, slew many thousands of them, and David but one, even Goliath; yet the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 18:8

And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him ,.... Partly because they called him plain Saul, and not King Saul; did not give him his royal title, which might serve to strengthen his suspicion, after suggested; and chiefly because they attributed a greater number of slain to David than to him, as follows: and he said, they have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they ascribed but thousands ; and so had given more honour to an inferior officer than to the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 18:9

And Saul eyed David from that day and forward. Instead of looking pleasantly, and with a smile, upon him, as a courtier and favourite, he was justly entitled to by his gallant behaviour, he looked at him with a sour, ill natured look; he looked at him with an evil, spiteful, malicious, and envious eye; or he diligently watched and observed all his motions and actions, whether they tended to disloyalty and treason, to dethrone him, and take the kingdom to himself, which he was suspicious of;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 18:10

And it came to pass on the morrow ,.... After the women had met him with their music and dancing, and when returned home: that the evil spirit from God came upon Saul ; thinking on the above things that had passed, he became melancholy: and he prophesied in the midst of the house ; either really, delivering out divine songs, as the prophets did; according to Abarbinel, he foretold that David would be king, and the kingdom would be taken from him, and given to him; or he feigned... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 18:11

And Saul cast the javelin ,.... Out of his hand at David: for he said ; in his heart, determining in his mind: I will smite David even to the wall with it ; he determined to cast it with such force and violence, that it should pierce through David, and enter into the very wall, by the side of which David was: and David avoided out of his presence twice ; to escape the javelin cast at him; either he went out at the first time of its being thrown, and then came in again, when he... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 18:1-5

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 18:6-11

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 18:12-30

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 18:5

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 18:6

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 18:7

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 18:8

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 18:9

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 18:10

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 18:11

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