1 Samuel 19:8-11 ESV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 19:8-10

Here I. David continues his good services to his king and country. Though Saul had requited him evil for good, and even his usefulness was the very thing for which Saul envied him, yet he did not therefore retire in sullenness and decline public service. Those that are ill paid for doing good, yet must not be weary of well doing, remembering what a bountiful benefactor our heavenly Father is, even to the froward and unthankful. Notwithstanding the many affronts Saul had given to David, yet we... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 19:11-17

Here is, I. Saul's further design of mischief to David. When David had escaped the javelin, supposing he went straight to his own house, as indeed he did, Saul sent some of his guards after him to lay wait at the door of his house, and to assassinate him in the morning as soon as he stirred out, 1 Sam. 19:11. Josephus says the design was to seize him and to hurry him before a court of justice that was ordered to condemn him and put him to death as a traitor; but we are here told it was a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 19:8

And there was war again ,.... Between Israel and the Philistines; it does not appear that either of them sent out their whole force, only some parties or detachments, between which there were skirmishes: and David went out and fought with the Philistines ; he went out with his thousand men, over which he was made captain, 1 Samuel 18:13 ; for he had not the command of the whole army; that belonged to Abner: and slew them with a great slaughter, and they fled from him ; he killed... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 19:9

And the evil spirit from the Lord was upon Saul ,.... His melancholy and frantic disorder returned upon those victories of David, and he grew envious, jealous, spiteful, and malicious: as he sat in his house with his javelin his hand ; which either describes the posture he was in when the evil spirit came upon him; or the effects of it, he became dull and melancholy, did not care to go abroad, but kept at home, and was suspicious of everybody; and therefore kept a javelin in his hand to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 19:10

And Saul sought to smite David even to the wall with his javelin ,.... To strike it through him, and fasten him to the wall with it, as he had attempted before, 1 Samuel 18:11 , but he slipped away out of Saul's presence : he perceived his design, and being of great agility of body, moved out of his place before him very nimbly: and he smote the javelin into the wall ; he threw it with suck force that it entered into the wall, and stuck there; so great was his resolution to destroy... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 19:11

And Saul sent messengers unto David's house ,.... Supposing that he was gone thither; where this was is not said, very likely in Gibeah, where Saul lived: to watch him ; that he might not get out from thence in the night: and to slay him in the morning ; the reason why he did not order them to break into the house, and slay him at once, but wait till morning, seems to be, lest should he be alarmed by their breaking in, he might take the advantage of the night, and easily escape, or... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 19:9

And the evil spirit from the Lord - His envy and jealousy again returned, producing distraction of mind, which was exacerbated by diabolic influence. See on 1 Samuel 16:14 ; (note). read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 19:10

But he slipped away - He found he could not trust Saul; and therefore was continually on his watch. His agility of body was the means of his preservation at this time. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 19:11

To slay him in the morning - When they might be able to distinguish between him and Michal his wife; for, had they attempted his life in the night season, there would have been some danger to Michal's life. Besides, Saul wished to represent him as a traitor; and consequently an attack upon him was justifiable at any time, even in the fullest daylight. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 19:8-9

The —more correctly an— evil spirit from Jehovah. The friendly relations between Saul and David continued for some time; but when at length war broke out again, David acquitted himself with his usual ability and success, whereupon Saul's envy and jealousy returned, and fits of melancholy, deepening into insanity, once again over. clouded his reason. It is no longer called "an evil spirit from God," as in 1 Samuel 18:10 , but from Jehovah, as in 1 Samuel 16:14 , suggesting that it... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 19:8-10

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 19:11-17

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 19:8

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 19:9

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 19:10

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 19:11

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 19:9

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 19:10

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 19:11

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 19:8-9

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