CHAPTER XIX _Jonathan pleads for David before Saul, who is for the present_ _reconciled_, 1-7. _David defeats the Philistines; and Saul becomes again envious,_ _and endeavours to slay him, but he escapes_, 8-10. _Saul sends men to David's house, to lie in wait for him; but_ _Michal saves him b... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 19:2. _TAKE HEED TO THYSELF UNTIL THE MORNING_] Perhaps the order was given to slay him the _next day_; and therefore Jonathan charges him to be particularly on his guard at that time, and to hide himself.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 19:4. _JONATHAN SPAKE GOOD OF DAVID_] It is evident that Jonathan was satisfied that David was an innocent man; and that his father was most _unjustly_ incensed against him.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 19:5. _FOR HE DID PUT HIS LIFE IN HIS HAND_] The pleadings in this verse, though short, are exceedingly cogent; and the argument is such as could not be resisted.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 19:6. _HE SHALL NOT BE SLAIN._] In consequence of this _oath_, we may suppose he issued orders contrary to those which he had given the preceding day.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 19:7. _HE WAS IN HIS PRESENCE, AS IN TIMES PAST._] By Jonathan's advice he had secreted himself on that day on which he was to have been assassinated: the king having sworn that he should not be slain, David resumes his place in the palace of Saul.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 19:9. _AND THE EVIL SPIRIT FROM THE LORD_] His envy and jealousy again returned, producing distraction of mind, which was exacerbated by diabolic influence. See on 1 Samuel 16:14.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 19:10. _BUT HE SLIPPED AWAY_] He found he could not trust Saul; and therefore was continually on his watch. His agility of body was the means of his preservation at this time.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 19:11. _TO SLAY HIM IN THE MORNING_] When they might be able to _distinguish_ between him and Michal his wife; for, had they attempted his life in the night season, there would have been some danger to Michal's life. Besides, Saul wished to represent him as a _traitor_; and consequent... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 19:12. _LET DAVID DOWN THROUGH A WINDOW_] As Saul's messengers were sent to David's house to _watch him_, they would naturally guard the gate, or lie in wait in that place by which David would come out. Michal, seeing this let him down to the ground through a window probably at the _b... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 19:13. _MICHAL TOOK AN IMAGE_] את התרפים _eth hatteraphim, the_ _teraphim_. The Hebrew word appears to mean any kind of _image_, in any kind of _form_, as a representative of some _reality_. Here it must have been something in the _human form_; because it was intended to represent a m... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 19:17. _LET ME GO; WHY SHOULD I KILL THEE?_] That is, If thou do not let me go, I will kill thee. This she said to excuse herself to her father: as a _wife_ she could do not less than favour the escape of her husband, being perfectly satisfied that there was no guilt in him. It is sup... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 19:18. _DAVID FLED, AND ESCAPED - TO SAMUEL_] He, no doubt, came to this holy man to ask advice; and Samuel thought it best to retain him for the present, with himself at Naioth, where it is supposed he had a school of prophets.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 19:20. _THE COMPANY OF THE PROPHETS PROPHESYING_] Employed in religious exercises. _SAMUEL - APPOINTED OVER THEM_] Being _head_ or _president_ of the school at this place. _THE SPIRIT OF GOD WAS UPON THE MESSENGERS_] They partook of the same influence, and joined in the same exercis... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 19:23. _HE WENT ON, AND PROPHESIED_] The Divine Spirit seemed to have seized him at the well of Sechu; and he went on from that _prophesying_-praying, singing praises, c. till he came to Naioth.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 19:24. _HE STRIPPED OFF HIS CLOTHES_] Threw off his royal robes or military dress, retaining only his _tunic_; and continued so all that day and all that night, uniting with the sons of the prophets in _prayers, singing praises_, and other _religious exercises_, which were unusual to... [ Continue Reading ]