CHAPTER XVIII _Jonathan and David commence a lasting friendship; and David_ _acts prudently with respect to Saul_, 1-5 _Saul becomes jealous of David, on account of the esteem in_ _which he is held in Israel; and, in his fury endeavours to_ _destroy him_, 6-12. _David is made captain over a th... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 18:4. _JONATHAN STRIPPED HIMSELF_] Presents of _clothes_ or _rich_ _robes_, in token of respect and friendship, are frequent in the East. And how frequently _arms_ and _clothing_ were presented by warriors to each other in token of friendship, may be seen in Homer and other ancient wr... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 18:5. _SET HIM OVER THE MEN OF WAR_] Made him _generalissimo_; or what we would call _field marshal_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 18:6. _WHEN DAVID WAS RETURNED_] This verse connects well with the 54th verse of the preceding chapter; 1 Samuel 17:54 and carries on the narration without any break or interruption. See the notes there. _THE WOMEN CAME OUT_] It was the principal business of certain women to celebrat... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 18:7. _SAUL HATH SLAIN HIS THOUSANDS_] As it cannot literally be true that Saul had slain thousands, and David ten thousands; it would be well to translate the passage thus: _Saul hath smitten_ or _fought against thousands; David against tens of thousands_. "Though Saul has been victo... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 18:10. _THE EVIL SPIRIT FROM GOD_] See on 1 Samuel 16:14, c. _HE PROPHESIED IN THE MIDST OF THE HOUSE_] He was _beside himself_ made _prayers, supplications_, and incoherent _imprecations_: "God preserve my life," "Destroy my enemies," or such like prayers, might frequently escape fr... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 18:11. _SAUL CAST THE JAVELIN_] The _javelin_ or _spear_ was the emblem of regal authority; kings always had it at hand, and in ancient monuments they are always represented with it. In ancient times, says _Justin_, kings used a _spear_ instead of a diadem: _Per ea tempora reges_ has... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 18:13. _MADE HIM HIS CAPTAIN_] This was under pretence of doing him honour, when it was in effect only to rid himself of the object of his envy.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 18:15. _HE WAS AFRAID OF HIM._] He saw that, by his prudent conduct, he was every day gaining increasing influence.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 18:17. _FIGHT THE LORD'S BATTLES._] Mr. Calmet properly remarks that the wars of the Hebrews, while conducted by the express orders of God, were truly _the wars of the Lord_; but when the spirit of worldly ambition and domination became mingled with them, they were no longer the wars... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 18:21. _THAT SHE MAY BE A SNARE TO HIM_] Saul had already determined the condition on which he would give his daughter to David; viz., that he _should slay one hundred Philistines_: this he supposed he would undertake for the love of Michal, and that he must necessarily perish in the... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 18:25. _BUT A HUNDRED FORESKINS_] 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_. A custom similar to this still prevails among the Abyssi... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 18:27. _SLEW - TWO HUNDRED MEN._] The Septuagint has only _one_ _hundred men_. Saul covenanted with David for a _hundred_; and David himself says, 2 Samuel 3:14, that he espoused Michal for a _hundred_: hence it is likely that _one hundred_ is the true reading.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 18:30. _THEN THE PRINCES OF THE PHILISTINES WENT FORTH_] Probably to avenge themselves on David and the Israelites: but of this war we know no more than that David was more skilful and successful in it than any of the other officers of Saul. His military skill was greater, and his suc... [ Continue Reading ]