1 Samuel 18:6-7 NIV

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

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 18:6

When David was returned - This verse connects well with the 54th verse of the preceding chapter; and carries on the narration without any break or interruption. See the notes on 1 Samuel 17:54 . The women came out - It was the principal business of certain women to celebrate victories, sing at funerals, etc. With instruments of music - The original word ( שלשים shalishim ) signifies instruments with three strings; and is, I think, properly translated by the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 18:7

Saul hath slain his thousands - As it cannot literally be true that Saul had slain thousands, and David ten thousands; it would be well to translate the passage thus: Saul hath smitten or fought against thousands; David against tens of thousands. "Though Saul has been victorious in all his battles; yet he has not had such great odds against him as David has had; Saul, indeed, has been opposed by thousands; David, by ten thousands." We may here remark that the Philistines had drawn... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 18:1-9

Love and jealousy. One great exploit performed in the sight of two armies took David at once and forever out of obscurity. Thenceforth he was a man much observed. The quiet pastoral life at Bethlehem was ended, and could never be resumed. Sudden success brings rapid distinction, but also brings trials and risks from which the obscure are free. David leaped at a bound into honour and fame, but for that very reason he found himself at the beginning of his troubles. Well that, before those... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 18:5-11

Some dangers of persistent sin. The facts are— 1 . David, behaving wisely in his public position, wins favour with the people, and in the welcome to him on his return from the battle the women ascribe to him, in their song, higher praise than to Saul. 2 . The fact excites Saul's envy henceforth. 3 . In a fit of envious rage Saul seeks to smite David. The victory over Goliath brought Saul and David into a proximity highly favourable to the development of their respective... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 18:6

When David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine. Or more probably, as in the margin, "of the Philistines." The allusion is not to the combat with Goliath, but to one of the expeditions referred to in 1 Samuel 18:5 , in which David had gained some decisive victory. The women would not have described the slaughter of one champion as the slaying of ten thousand, nor would there have been any contrast between this act and the military enterprises of Saul. Probably he too would... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 18:7

The women answered. I.e. they sang alternately. It was this alternate singing which led to the psalms being composed in parallel sentences, and not in metre; and we from the temple service have inherited our method of chanting antiphonally. As they played. The word is ambiguous, and to an English reader would suggest the idea of the women playing upon the musical instruments. It usually refers to merriment, and so in Zechariah 8:5 it is used of the children playing in the streets,... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 18:6

The Philistine - Rather as in the margin. The allusion is not to Goliath, but to one of the expeditions referred to in 1 Samuel 18:5.Singing and dancing - Women used to dance to the sound of the timbrel, and to sing as they danced and played.(instruments of music The word means, an instrument like the triangle, or with three cords. read more

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

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

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 18:6

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 18:7

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 18:1-9

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 18:5-11

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 18:6

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 18:7

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 18:6

Group of Brands