1 Samuel 18:6-9

The celebration of David's victory

6. And it came to pass, &c. The narrative has made a digression to relate the circumstances of David's permanent reception into Saul's service, the commencement of the friendship between him and Jonathan, and his ultimate promotion and success. It now goes back to relate the welcome which David received when the army returned in triumph from the successful completion of the Philistine war. Ch. 1 Samuel 18:6 is to be read (as it actually stands in the Sept.) in connexion with 1 Samuel 17:54, though some time may have elapsed, during which the army was occupied in following up its first success. The Sept. reads 1 Samuel 18:6 thus; "And the dancing women came out of all the cities of Israel to meet David, with tabrets and rejoicing and cymbals."

the women came out, &c. To escort the victors home with singing and dancing. Dancing was the usual expression of rejoicing upon occasions of national triumph like the present; cp. Exodus 15:20-21; Judges 11:34; and at religions festivals (Psalms 68:25; Psalms 149:3). These dances were as a rule confined to women David's dancing in 2 Samuel 6:14 was exceptional and probably resembled the modern Oriental dance, in which the evolutions are extemporaneous, and not confined to any fixed rule, but varied at the pleasure of the leading dancer, who is imitated by the rest of the company.

with tabrets, &c. The dance was accompanied (1) by the "tabret" or "timbrel" (Exodus 15:20; Judges 11:34): i.e. the hand-drum, an instrument still used by the Arabs, and described as "a hoop (sometimes with pieces of brass fixed in it to make a jingling) over which a piece of parchment is distended. It is beaten with the fingers:" (2) "with joy:" i.e. jubilant shouts and songs: (3) "with instruments of music;" either "triangles," or "three-stringed instruments."