While Saul was under the constraining influence of the spirit of
prophecy, David escaped from Naioth, and, probably by Samuel’s
advice, returned to Saul’s court to commune with Jonathan. Nothing
could be a better evidence of his innocence than thus putting himself
in Jonathan’s power. Perhaps someth... [ Continue Reading ]
IT IS NOT SO - Jonathan’s unwillingness to believe evil of his
father is one of the many admirable traits in his character.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND DAVID SWARE MOREOVER - Rather, “yet again.” He met
Jonathan’s denial by repeating his statement and confirming it with
an oath.... [ Continue Reading ]
The new moon, or beginning of each month, was celebrated with especial
sacrifices and blowing of trumpets (marginal references.) The feast
was kept with great solemnity as “a day of gladness,” and we may
presume that the “peace offerings” offered on the occasion
furnished the tables of those that of... [ Continue Reading ]
The general meaning is: Jonathan had a presentiment, doubtless from
God, that David would be established upon the throne. By God’s mercy
he had the comfort, which he well deserved, of knowing that his own
posterity would receive kindness at David’s hand (see the marginal
references).... [ Continue Reading ]
THE STONE EZEL - It is not mentioned elsewhere, except possibly in 1
Samuel 20:41, where see the note.... [ Continue Reading ]
HE IS NOT CLEAN - The new moon being a religious feast, and the meat
to be eaten being peace-offerings, no one could assist at the feast
who had any ceremonial uncleanness upon him (marginal references).... [ Continue Reading ]
The greatest insult and most stinging reproach that can be cast upon
an Oriental is to reproach his parents or ancestors (see Job 30:8).
Saul means to intimate that Jonathan was stubborn from his mother’s
womb.... [ Continue Reading ]
A PLACE TOWARD THE SOUTH - An unintelligible description; one expects
a repetition of the description of David’s hiding-place in 1 Samuel
20:19. The Septuagint in both places has “argab,” a word meaning a
“heap of stones.” If this be the true reading, David’s
hiding-place was either a natural cavern... [ Continue Reading ]
JONATHAN WENT INTO THE CITY - From which one may infer, what the after
history also indicates, that Jonathan’s filial duty and patriotism
prevented a complete rupture with his father. Jonathan’s conduct in
this, as in everything, was most admirable.... [ Continue Reading ]