1 Samuel 18
Overview
18:1 Jonathan loves David;
18:5 Saul envies his praise;
18:10 seeks to kill him in his fury;
18:12 fears him for his good success;
18:17 offers him his daughters for a snare;
18:23 David persuaded to be the king's son-in-law, gives two hundred foreskins of the Philistines for Michal's dowry;
18:28 Saul's hatred and David's glory increase. Verse 1 the soul of JonathanThe 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: afriend is another self." 1 Samuel 14:1-14, 14:45; Genesis 44:30; Judges 20:11; 1 Chronicles 12:17; Psalm 86:11; Colossians 2:2 loved him 1 Samuel 18:3, 19:2, 20:17; Deuteronomy 13:6; 2 Samuel 1:26; Proverbs 18:24 Reciprocal Genesis 34:3 - soul; Joshua 23:12 - cleave; 1 Samuel 17:31 - sent for him; 31:2 - Jonathan; 2 Samuel 1:23 - pleasant; 9:1 - show him; Psalm 132:1 - all his afflictions; Matthew 19:5 - cleave; Philippians 2:20 - likeminded; Titus 1:8 - a lover of good Verse 2 took him 1 Samuel 16:21-23, 17:15 Reciprocal 19:7 - in times past Verse 3 made a covenant 1 Samuel 20:8-17, 20:42, 23:18; 2 Samuel 9:1-3, 21:7 Reciprocal Genesis 21:27 - made; 21:32 - General; Deuteronomy 13:6 - which is; 1 Samuel 18:1 - loved him; 20:16 - made; 20:17 - for he loved; 20:41 - David exceeded; 22:8 - that my son; 2 Kings 11:4 - made a covenant; 1 Chronicles 12:17 - heart; 2 Chronicles 23:1 - covenant with him; Proverbs 17:17 - General; Philippians 2:20 - likeminded Verse 4 stripped himselfPresents of clothes or rich robes, as tokens of respect or friendship, are frequent in the East. Genesis 41:42; Esther 6:8, 6:9; Isaiah 61:10; Luke 15:22; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Philippians 2:7, 2:8 Reciprocal 2 Samuel 1:22 - the bow; Isaiah 22:21 - clothe; Ezekiel 23:15 - with girdles Verse 5 behavedor, prospered, 1 Samuel 18:14, 18:15, 18:30; Genesis 39:2, 39:3, 39:23; Psalm 1:3; Acts 7:10 wisely Matthew 10:16; Ephesians 5:17; Colossians 4:5 the men of war 1 Samuel 13:2, 14:52 Reciprocal 18:16 - all Israel; 2 Samuel 19:9 - The king; 1 Kings 2:3 - prosper; 2 Kings 18:7 - he prospered; Psalm 62:9 - Surely; 119:98 - through Verse 6 Philistineor, Philistinesthe women Exodus 15:20; Judges 11:34; Psalm 68:25; Jeremiah 31:11-13 instruments of musicHeb. 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.Reciprocal Genesis 14:17 - to; Judges 21:21 - dance; 1 Samuel 29:5 - General; 2 Samuel 1:20 - Philistines; Jeremiah 31:4 - again Verse 7 answered Exodus 15:21; Psalm 24:7, 24:8 Saul 1 Samuel 21:11, 29:5 Reciprocal Judges 11:34 - his daughter; 1 Samuel 14:49 - name of the firstborn; Psalm 62:9 - Surely; 75:3 - I bear; Proverbs 27:21 - so; Jeremiah 31:4 - again; Daniel 3:12 - certain; Matthew 27:18 - he Verse 8 the saying Esther 3:5; Proverbs 13:10, 27:4; Ecclesiastes 4:4; James 4:5 displeased himHeb. was evil in his eyes, Numbers 11:1, 22:34 *marg.and what 1 Samuel 13:14, 15:28, 16:13, 20:31; 1 Kings 2:22 Reciprocal Exodus 21:8 - please not; 1 Samuel 19:1 - And Saul; 21:11 - the king; Job 5:2 - envy; Proverbs 27:21 - so; Matthew 5:22 - That; Mark 7:22 - an evil; 15:10 - for envy; Luke 15:28 - he; 1 Peter 2:1 - envies Verse 9 eyed David Genesis 4:5, 4:6, 31:2; Matthew 20:15; Mark 7:22; Ephesians 4:27; James 5:9 Reciprocal Genesis 26:14 - envied; Judges 9:23 - God; 1 Samuel 17:31 - sent for him; 19:1 - And Saul; Job 5:2 - envy; Ecclesiastes 4:4 - every; Matthew 5:22 - That; Mark 15:10 - for envy; 1 Peter 2:1 - envies Verse 10 the evil spirit 1 Samuel 16:14, 16:15, 19:9, 26:19 and he prophesiedWyyithnabbai, 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: Jeremiah 29:26, 29:27. 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. 1 Samuel 19:24; 1 Kings 18:29, 22:12, 22:20-23; Jeremiah 28:2-4, 28:11; Zechariah 13:2-5; Acts 16:16; 2 Thessalonians 2:11 played 1 Samuel 16:16, 16:23 and there wasWehachanith 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.Reciprocal Numbers 25:7 - a javelin; 35:20 - by laying; Judges 9:23 - God; 1 Samuel 19:7 - in times past; 22:6 - spear; 2 Kings 3:15 - bring me Verse 11 cast the javelin 1 Samuel 19:9, 19:10, 20:33; Proverbs 27:4; Isaiah 54:17 And David Psalm 37:32, 37:33; Isaiah 54:17; Luke 4:30; John 8:59, 10:39 Reciprocal Numbers 25:7 - a javelin; 35:20 - by laying; 1 Samuel 16:23 - Saul; 20:27 - Wherefore; 20:32 - what hath; 2 Samuel 4:8 - sought; 12:7 - I delivered; Psalm 64:4 - suddenly Verse 12 afraid 1 Samuel 18:15, 18:20, 18:29, 16:4; Psalm 48:3-6, 53:5; Mark 6:20; Luke 8:37; Acts 24:25 the Lord 1 Samuel 16:13, 16:18, 22:13; Acts 7:9 departed 1 Samuel 16:14, 28:15; Psalm 51:11; Hosea 9:12; Matthew 25:41 Reciprocal Deuteronomy 28:10 - and they shall; Judges 16:20 - the Lord; Acts 5:17 - indignation Verse 13 removed 1 Samuel 18:17, 18:25, 8:12, 22:7 he went out 18:16; Numbers 27:16, 27:17; 2 Samuel 5:2; Psalm 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.Reciprocal 1 Samuel 18:27 - his men; 19:7 - in times past; 22:14 - goeth; 1 Chronicles 11:2 - that leddest Verse 14 behavedor, prospered, 1 Samuel 18:5 the Lord 10:7, 16:18; Genesis 39:2, 39:3, 39:23; Joshua 6:27; Matthew 1:23, 28:20; Acts 18:10 Reciprocal 1 Samuel 3:19 - the Lord; 22:7 - the son of Jesse; 2 Samuel 7:9 - And I was; 1 Kings 2:3 - prosper; 2 Kings 18:7 - And the Lord; 1 Chronicles 17:8 - I have been; Psalm 101:2 - behave; 119:98 - through; Proverbs 13:15 - Good; Ecclesiastes 4:4 - every; Daniel 6:4 - but; 1 John 3:12 - And Verse 15 wisely Psalm 112:5; Daniel 6:4, 6:5; Colossians 4:5; James 1:5, 3:17 Reciprocal 1 Samuel 18:5 - behaved; 18:12 - afraid; 18:29 - yet the; Psalm 101:2 - behave; Proverbs 27:21 - so; Ezekiel 31:9 - envied; 1 John 3:12 - And Verse 16 all Israel 1 Samuel 18:5; Luke 19:48, 20:19 he went Numbers 27:17; 2 Samuel 5:2; 1 Kings 3:7 Reciprocal 1 Samuel 18:13 - he went out; Proverbs 27:21 - so Verse 17 her will I give 1 Samuel 17:25; Psalm 12:2, 55:21 valiantHeb. a son of valourthe Lord's 1 Samuel 17:47, 25:28; Numbers 32:20, 32:27, 32:29 Let not mine 1 Samuel 18:21, 18:25; Deuteronomy 17:7; 2 Samuel 11:15, 12:9 Reciprocal Genesis 29:30 - served; 37:27 - let not; Judges 5:23 - to the help; 1 Samuel 17:31 - sent for him; 18:13 - removed; 2 Samuel 17:10 - thy father; 1 Chronicles 5:18 - valiant men; Psalm 12:8 - when; 35:8 - into; 56:5 - all; Proverbs 26:26 - Whose hatred is covered by deceit Verse 18 Who am I 1 Samuel 18:23, 9:21; Exodus 3:11; Ruth 2:10; 2 Samuel 7:18; Proverbs 15:33, 18:12; Jeremiah 1:6 Reciprocal 1 Kings 4:15 - the daughter; Psalm 12:8 - when; Proverbs 25:6 - in the presence Verse 19 Adriel Judges 14:20; 2 Samuel 21:8 Meholathite Judges 7:22
Verse 20 loved David 1 Samuel 18:28, Genesis 29:18, 29:20, 34:3
Judg. 16, 4, 15; 2Sam. 13, 1; 1Kings 11, 1, 2; Hosea 3:1-5, 2 pleased himHeb. was right in his eyesReciprocal 1 Samuel 18:12 - afraid; 25:44 - Michal; 2 Samuel 3:13 - Michal; 17:4 - the saying; 1 Chronicles 13:4 - the thing Verse 21 a snare Exodus 10:7; Psalm 7:14-16, 38:12; Proverbs 26:24-26, 29:5; Jeremiah 5:26, 9:8 the hand 1 Samuel 18:17, 19:11, 19:12 this day 18:26 Reciprocal Exodus 23:33 - it will surely; 2 Samuel 11:15 - Set ye; 12:7 - I delivered; 17:4 - the saying; Psalm 10:10 - humbleth; 11:2 - that; 36:3 - The words; 37:12 - General; 56:5 - all; 62:9 - of high; Proverbs 10:18 - that hideth; 26:26 - Whose hatred is covered by deceit; Matthew 2:7 - General Verse 22 commanded Psalm 36:1-3, 55:21 servants 2 Samuel 13:28, 13:29; Proverbs 29:12 Reciprocal 10:18 - that hideth Verse 23 a light 1 John 3:1 a poor man 1 Samuel 9:21; Proverbs 14:20, 19:6, 19:7; Ecclesiastes 9:15, 9:16 and lightly Psalm 119:141 Reciprocal Numbers 16:9 - Seemeth it but; Judges 1:12 - And Caleb; 6:15 - my family is poor; 1 Samuel 18:18 - Who am I; Psalm 131:1 - my heart Verse 24 On this mannerHeb. According to these words, 1 Samuel 18:24
Verse 25 dowry Genesis 29:18, 34:12; Exodus 22:16, 22:17 but an hundredThat 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 1 Samuel 17:26, 17:36; Genesis 17:11-14; Joshua 5:3 to be avenged 1 Samuel 14:24 thought 18:17; 2 Samuel 17:8-11 Reciprocal Numbers 35:20 - by laying; 1 Samuel 18:13 - removed; 2 Samuel 3:14 - an hundred; 11:15 - Set ye; 19:9 - The king; Hosea 3:2 - I bought Verse 26 the days 1 Samuel 18:21 expiredHeb. fulfilled
Verse 27 his men 1 Samuel 18:13 slew Judges 14:19; 2 Samuel 3:14 two hundred menThe Septuagint has only εκατον ανδπας, one hundred men; and as Saul covenanted for a hundred, as David himself says - 3:14
that he espoused Michal for a hundred, it is very probable that this is the true reading.Reciprocal 1 Samuel 22:14 - the king's; 24:11 - my father; 25:44 - Michal; 1 Chronicles 15:29 - Michal Verse 28 1 Samuel 24:20, 26:25; Genesis 30:27, 37:8-11, 39:3; Revelation 3:9 Reciprocal Genesis 39:2 - the Lord; Deuteronomy 28:10 - and they shall; 1 Samuel 18:20 - loved David; 1 Chronicles 15:29 - Michal; 17:8 - I have been; 2 Chronicles 15:9 - they saw Verse 29 yet the 1 Samuel 18:12, 18:15; Psalm 37:12-14; Ecclesiastes 4:4; James 2:19 Saul became Genesis 4:4-8; John 11:53; 1 John 3:12-15 Reciprocal Deuteronomy 28:10 - and they shall; Psalm 13:2 - enemy; 56:5 - all; Proverbs 10:18 - that hideth Verse 30 the princesOf 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 2 Samuel 11:1 behaved himself 1 Samuel 18:5; Psalm 119:99; Daniel 1:20; Luke 21:15; Ephesians 5:15 set byHeb. precious, 1 Samuel 2:30, 26:21; 2 Kings 1:13; Psalm 116:15; 1 Peter 2:4, 2:7 Reciprocal 1 Kings 2:3 - prosper; Psalm 119:98 - through; Proverbs 12:8 - commended; 27:21 - so; Ecclesiastes 4:4 - every; Habakkuk 3:1 - David