Chapter 18

1
the soul of Jonathan The modesty, piety, and courage of David were so congenial to the character of the amiable Jonathan, that they attracted his most cordial esteem and affection; so that the most intimate friendship subsisted between them from that time, and they loved each other with pure hearts fervently. Their friendship could not be affected by the common vicissitudes of life; and it exemplifies by fact what the ancients have written on the subject.

Την φιλιαν ισοτητα ειναι, και μιαν ψυχην τον φιλον ετερον αυτον. "Friendship is an entire sameness, and one soul. A friend is another self." 1Sam 14:1-14, 1Sam 14:45; Gen 44:30; Judg 20:11; 1Chr 12:17; Ps 86:11; Col 2:2

loved him 1Sam 18:3, 1Sam 19:2, 1Sam 20:17; Deut 13:6; 2Sam 1:26; Prov 18:24


2
took him 1Sam 16:21-23, 1Sam 17:15


3
made a covenant 1Sam 20:8-17, 1Sam 20:42, 1Sam 23:18; 2Sam 9:1-3, 2Sam 21:7


4
stripped himself Presents of clothes or rich robes, as tokens of respect or friendship, are frequent in the East. Gen 41:42; Esth 6:8-9; Isa 61:10; Luke 15:22; 2Cor 5:21; Phil 2:7-8


5
behaved or, prospered, 1Sam 18:14-15, 1Sam 18:30; Gen 39:2-3, Gen 39:23; Ps 1:3; Acts 7:10

wisely Matt 10:16; Eph 5:17; Col 4:5

the men of war 1Sam 13:2, 1Sam 14:52


6
Philistine or, Philistines

the women Exod 15:20; Judg 11:34; Ps 68:25; Jer 31:11-13

instruments of music Heb. three stringed instruments, The original shalishim, is rendered by the Vulgate sistris. The sistrum was an ancient Egyptian instrument made of brass, with three, and sometimes more brass rods across; which, being loose in their holes, made a jingling noise when shaken.


7
answered Exod 15:21; Ps 24:7-8

Saul 1Sam 21:11, 1Sam 29:5


8
the saying Esth 3:5; Prov 13:10, Prov 27:4; Eccl 4:4; Jas 4:5

displeased him Heb. was evil in his eyes, Num 11:1, Num 22:34 *marg.

and what 1Sam 13:14, 1Sam 15:28, 1Sam 16:13, 1Sam 20:31; 1Kgs 2:22


9
eyed David Gen 4:5-6, Gen 31:2; Matt 20:15; Mark 7:22; Eph 4:27; Jas 5:9


10
the evil spirit 1Sam 16:14-15, 1Sam 19:9, 1Sam 26:19

and he prophesied Wyyithnabbai, rather, "and he pretended to prophesy; for the verb is in Hithpael, the signification of which conjugation is not only reflex action, but also affectation of the action: Jer 29:26-27. The meaning seems to be, that Saul, influenced by the evil spirit, feigned to be prophesying, the better to conceal his murderous intentions, and to render David unsuspicious. 1Sam 19:24; 1Kgs 18:29, 1Kgs 22:12, 1Kgs 22:20-23; Jer 28:2-4, Jer 28:11; Zech 13:2-5; Acts 16:16; 2Thess 2:11

played 1Sam 16:16, 1Sam 16:23

and there was Wehachanith beyad Shaool, rather, "and the javelin was in the hand of Saul;" for the javelin or spear was the emblem of regal authority; and kings had it always in their hand, as may be seen represented on ancient monuments. In ancient times, says Justin, kings used a spear instead of a sceptre.


11
cast the javelin 1Sam 19:9-10, 1Sam 20:33; Prov 27:4; Isa 54:17

And David Ps 37:32-33; Isa 54:17; Luke 4:30; John 8:59, John 10:39


12
afraid 1Sam 18:15, 1Sam 18:20, 1Sam 18:29, 1Sam 16:4; Ps 48:3-6, Ps 53:5; Mark 6:20; Luke 8:37; Acts 24:25

the Lord 1Sam 16:13, 1Sam 16:18, 1Sam 22:13; Acts 7:9

departed 1Sam 16:14, 1Sam 28:15; Ps 51:11; Hos 9:12; Matt 25:41


13
removed 1Sam 18:17, 1Sam 18:25, 1Sam 8:12, 1Sam 22:7

he went out 1Sam 18:16; Num 27:16-17; 2Sam 5:2; Ps 121:8; Saul was sensible that the Lord was departed from him; while he perceived, with evident sorrow of heart, that the Lord had given David peculiar wisdom, and that he was with him to prosper all his undertakings. This increased the disquietude of his malevolent mind, and his dread of David as a prevailing rival. He therefore removed him from his presence. This impolitic step, however, served the more to ingratiate David with the people, by affording him the opportunity of leading them forth to victory over their enemies.


14
behaved or, prospered, 1Sam 18:5

the Lord 1Sam 10:7, 1Sam 16:18; Gen 39:2-3, Gen 39:23; Josh 6:27; Matt 1:23, Matt 28:20; Acts 18:10


15
wisely Ps 112:5; Dan 6:4-5; Col 4:5; Jas 1:5, Jas 3:17


16
all Israel 1Sam 18:5; Luke 19:48, Luke 20:19

he went Num 27:17; 2Sam 5:2; 1Kgs 3:7


17
her will I give 1Sam 17:25; Ps 12:2, Ps 55:21

valiant Heb. a son of valour

the Lord's 1Sam 17:47, 1Sam 25:28; Num 32:20, Num 32:27, Num 32:29

Let not mine 1Sam 18:21, 1Sam 18:25; Deut 17:7; 2Sam 11:15, 2Sam 12:9


18
Who am I 1Sam 18:23, 1Sam 9:21; Exod 3:11; Ruth 2:10; 2Sam 7:18; Prov 15:33, Prov 18:12; Jer 1:6


19
Adriel Judg 14:20; 2Sam 21:8

Meholathite Judg 7:22


20
loved David 1Sam 18:28, Gen 29:18, Gen 29:20, Gen 34:3; Judg 16:1-31, Judg 4:1-24, Judg 15:1-20; 2Sam 13:1-39, 2Sam 1:1-27; 1Kgs 11:1-43, 1Kgs 1:1-53, 1Kgs 2:1-46; Hos 3:1-5, Hos 2:1-23

pleased him Heb. was right in his eyes


21
a snare Exod 10:7; Ps 7:14-16, Ps 38:12; Prov 26:24-26, Prov 29:5; Jer 5:26, Jer 9:8

the hand 1Sam 18:17, 1Sam 19:11-12

this day 1Sam 18:26


22
commanded Ps 36:1-3, Ps 55:21

servants 2Sam 13:28-29; Prov 29:12


23
a light 1John 3:1

a poor man 1Sam 9:21; Prov 14:20, Prov 19:6-7; Eccl 9:15-16

and lightly Ps 119:141


24
On this manner Heb. According to these words, 1Sam 18:24


25
dowry Gen 29:18, Gen 34:12; Exod 22:16-17

but an hundred That is, Thou shalt slay one hundred Philistines, and thou shalt produce their foreskins as a proof, not only that thou hast killed one hundred men, but that these are of the uncircumcised Philistines.

foreskins 1Sam 17:26, 1Sam 17:36; Gen 17:11-14; Josh 5:3

to be avenged 1Sam 14:24

thought 1Sam 18:17; 2Sam 17:8-11


26
the days 1Sam 18:21

expired Heb. fulfilled


27
his men 1Sam 18:13

slew Judg 14:19; 2Sam 3:14

two hundred men The Septuagint has only εκατον ανδπας, one hundred men; and as Saul covenanted for a hundred, as David himself says (2Sam 3:14), that he espoused Michal for a hundred, it is very probable that this is the true reading.


28
1Sam 24:20, 1Sam 26:25; Gen 30:27, Gen 37:8-11, Gen 39:3; Rev 3:9


29
yet the 1Sam 18:12, 1Sam 18:15; Ps 37:12-14; Eccl 4:4; Jas 2:19

Saul became Gen 4:4-8; John 11:53; 1John 3:12-15


30
the princes Of this war we know no more than that David, whose military skill was greater, was more successful in it, than all the other officers of Saul.

went forth 2Sam 11:1

behaved himself 1Sam 18:5; Ps 119:99; Dan 1:20; Luke 21:15; Eph 5:15

set by Heb. precious, 1Sam 2:30, 1Sam 26:21; 2Kgs 1:13; Ps 116:15; 1Pet 2:4, 1Pet 2:7


‎