Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 Samuel 18

AND it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul .

Partly, for his excellent Vertues and Endowments, which shone forth both in his Speeches and Actions; partly, for the great and good Service which he had done to God and to his Peeple; and partly, for the similitude of their Age and Qualities.

Marginal references: Heb. bound up in. See Gen. 44. 30.

2 And Saul took him that day, and would let him go no more home to his fathers house .

By which it appears, that before-time David had not his constant residence at Court, but did return to his Fathers House, and thence again to the Court, as occasion required.

3 Then Jonathan and David made a covenant , because he loved him as his own soul.

i. e. An agreement of sincere and perpetual Friendship between them.

4 And Jonathan stript himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle .

Partly, as a pledge of his great respect and affection to him: and partly, to vindicate David from that contempt which might cleave to him for his former Pastoral habit and condition, and to put him into an habit suitable to his present Greatness and Glory.

5 ¶ And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him, and behaved himself wisely: and Saul set him over the men of war , and he was accepted in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Sauls servants.

Upon Military expeditions, of which that word is oft used.

Gave him some considerable command in his Army, though not the Supreme.

Marginal references: Or, prospered.

6 And it came to pass, as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine , that the women came out of all cities of Israel , singing, and dancing , to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of musick.

Either, First, From some eminent Victory obtained by him against the Philistines, though not particularly related, wherein also Saul might be present and concerned. Or rather, Secondly, From the slaughter of Goliah, and the other Philistines with him. Against this it is Objected, That this Song was Sung either after David was advanced and employed, as is related v. 5▪ and therefore not immediately after that great Victory; or, before he was so advanced; and then it would have raised Saul's jealousie and envy, a[illegible: 1+ letters] consequently hindered David's advancement. But it may be [illegible: 1 word], That this Song, though placed afterwards, was [illegible: 1+ letters]ung before David's advancement, related v. 5. And that this did not [illegible: 1+ letters] der David's preferment, must be ascribed, partly, to [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1+ letters] licy, who, though he had an eye upon David, and [illegible: 1 word] to crush him upon a fit occasion; yet saw it necessary [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word] own Reputation, and the encouragement of other [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1+ letters] lour, and for the satisfaction of Ionathan's passionate [illegible: 1 word] ▪ and the just and general expectation of the whole Army and People, to give him some considerable preferment for the present; and principally, to Gods Providence over-ruling Saul, against his own inclination, and his mistaken inte[illegible: 1+ letters]t.

i. e. Out of all the Neighbouring Cities, by or throu[illegible: 1+ letters] which the Victorious Army Marched.

According to the custom of those times and places; Of which [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word] ▪ [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word], Iudg. 11. 34.

Marginal references: Or, Phili [illegible: 1+ letters]ines.; Heb. three [illegible: 1+ letters]ringed instruments.

7 And the women answered [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word] as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands .

Singing by parts alternately.

So they said, [illegible: 1 word] David killed Goliah, which was the principal [illegible: 1 word] o[illegible: 1+ letters] [illegible: 1 word] the following slaughter of the Philistines.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word]. [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word] 2[illegible: 1+ letters] ▪ [illegible: 1+ letters]

8 ¶ And Saul was very wroth, and the saving displeased him, and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more, but the kingdom ?

What greater honour can they give him, but that of the Kingdom? Or thus: And moreover, this will not rest here, they will certainly give him the Kingdom: they will translate the Crown from me to him. Or thus: And moreover, the Kingdom certainly belongs to him; i. e. I now perceive that this is the favourite of God, and of the people; this is that man after Gods own heart, to whom Samuel told [illegible: 1 word] that God would transfer my Kingdom.

Marginal references: Heb. was [illegible: 1 word] in his eyes▪

9 And Saul eyed David from that day and forward.

i. e. Narrowly observed all his Counsels and Actions, that he might understand whether he had any design upon the Kingdom or no; and that he might find some colourable pretence of putting him to death.

10 ¶ And it came to pass on the morrow, that the evil spirit from God came upon Saul , and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand as at other times: and there was a javelin in Sauls hand .

Saul's envy, and jealousie, and discontent revived his Melancholick Distemper, which the Devil, according to his wont, struck in with.

Or, he feigned himself to be a Prophet, for so Hebrew Verbs in Hithpahel oft signifie; i. e. he used uncouth Gestures, and Signs, and Speeches, as the Prophets, or Sons of the Prophets used to do: for which they were by the ignorant and ungodly sort reputed mad-men, 2 King. 9. 11. And it may seem probable, that Saul did now speak of Divine things Politickly, that thereby he might [illegible: 1+ letters]ull David asleep, and kill him, before he suspected any Danger.

Which he kept there for the following purpose.

Marginal references: Chap. 16. [illegible: 1 word].

11 And Saul cast the javelin; for he said, I will smite David even to the wall with it: and David avoided out of his presence twice .

Once at this time, and another time upon a like occasion, chap. 19. 10.

12 ¶ And Saul was afraid of David , because the LORD was with him, and was departed from Saul.

Lest as he had gotten the favour of God and of all the People, he should also take away his Kingdom.

13 Therefore Saul removed him from him , and made him his captain over a thousand, and he went out, and came in before the people.

From his Presence and Court; which he did, partly, because he feared lest David should watch and find an opportunity to kill him, as he had designed to kill David; partly, because he was a great Eye-sore, and his presence now made him more sad than ever his Musick had made him chearful: and principally, that hereby he might expose him to the greatest hazards, and in some sort betray him into the hands of the Philistines.

He led his Soldiers forth to Battel, and brought them back again with safety. Compare 2 Sam. 5. 2. Or else the Phrase of coming in and going out, may be understood (as elsewhere) for conversing; or (as we use to say) going to and fro about business; as chap. 29. 6.

14 And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways, and the LORD was with him .

So he had great prudence in his Conduct, and prosperous Success following his designs: which are two principal qualifications of a General, and of a Prince. Thus God turned all Saul's Devices upon himself, and to David's advantage.

Marginal references: Or, prospered.

17 ¶ And Saul said to David, Behold, my elder daughter Merab, her will I give thee to wife : onely be thou valiant for me, and fight the LORDS battels: for Saul said, Let not mine hand be upon him, but let the hand of the Philistines be upon him .

This was no more than Saul was obliged to do by his former promise, chap. 17. 25. which here he renews and pretends to perform, though he intended nothing less, as the Sequel shews. Whereby he makes himself guilty of Ingratitude, Injustice, and breach of Trust, and withal of gross Hypocrisie.

He thought so great an offer would oblige him, who was of himself Valiant enough, to give proofs of more than common Valour, and to venture upon the most dangerous enterprizes.

Marginal references: Heb. a son of valour.

18 And David said unto Saul, Who am I? and what is my life , or my fathers family in Israel, that I should be son in law to the king?

i. e. My manner of living! How obscure is that condition in which I was born and have been bred! Or rather thus: How little is my life worth, that by the exposing of that to some hazard (which Saul required of him) I should purchase a King's Daugther! In these expressions David theweth not onely his Humility, but also his Wisdom, in discovering so deep a sense of his own meanness, that Saul might see how far he was from aspiring at the Kingdom, and might have no occasion to suspect that he was already Anointed thereto.

19 But it came to pass at the time when Merab Sauls daughter should have been given to David , that she was given unto Adriel the Meholathite to wife.

When the Marriage was even ready to be Solemnized.

The Son of Barzillai, as he is called 2 Sam. 21. 8. This was an act of great Injustice and Perfidiousness; and accordingly this Marriage was accursed by God, and the Children begotten in it, were by Gods appointment cut off, 2 Sam. 21.

20 And Michal Sauls daughter loved David : and they told Saul, and the thing pleased him .

Not for any respect he had to David; but for his own malicious and wicked ends, that he might make use of her Love to David, to ensnare and ruin him, which he thought might be done many ways, whereof one is here expressed.

Not for any respect he had to David; but for his own malicious and wicked ends, that he might make use of her Love to David, to ensnare and ruin him, which he thought might be done many ways, whereof one is here expressed.

Marginal references: Heb. was right in his eyes.

21 And Saul said, I will give him her, that she may be a snare to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him. Wherefore Saul said to David, Thou shalt this day be my Son in law, in the one of the twain .

i. e. Suddenly, within a time which probably Saul prefixed.

Whereas I have onely two Daughters, and thou wast disapointed of thy expectation in the one by an unexpected accident, thou shalt certainly have the other, which is the same thing. Heb. in the twain. Thus the Cities of Gilead is put for one of them, Iudg. 12. 7. And the sides of the Ship for one of the sides, Ionah 1. 5. Or, he saith, in the twain, or, in both, because he was in effect Betrothed to the one, and should be Married to the other, and so was his Son in law upon a double account.

Marginal references: Verse 26.

22 ¶ And Saul commanded his servants, saying, Commune with David secretly, and say, Behold, the king hath delight in thee, and all his servants love thee: now therefore be the kings son in law.

Whom having so lately and grosly deceived, he found backward to imbrace his motion, and therefore sets others on work to persuade him.

23 And Sauls servants spake those words in the ears of David: and David said, Seemeth it to you a light thing to be a kings son in law, [illegible: 1+ letters]eeng that I am a poor man, and lightly esteemed ?

And therefore neither have Estate nor Credit to give (according to the manner, Gen. 34. 12. Exod. 22. 16. 17.) a Dowry suitable to her Quality.

25 And Saul said, Thus shall ye say to David, The king desireth not any dowry, but an hundred fore-skins of the Philistines, to be avenged of the kings enemies. But Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines.

These he desires rather than their heads; partly, for the greater convenience of bringing them, and presenting them before him; partly, to cover his malice against David with a pretence of Zeal for God, and for his People, and for the Covenant of Circumcision; and partly, that the Philistines might be the more enraged against David for this reproachful and Barbarous usage of them, and might therefore watch all opportunities to destroy him.

26 And when his servants told David these words, it pleased David well to be the kings son in law : and the days were not expired.

As for other reasons, so especially because this opened the Door to the Kingdom which God had promised him.

i. e. The time allowed by Saul to David for the execution of this exploit.

Marginal references: Heb. [illegible: 1 word].

27 Wherefore David arose, he, and his men, and slew of the Philistines two hundred men, and David brought their fore-skins, and they gave them in full tale to the king , that he might be the kings son in law: and Saul gave him Michal his daughter to wife.

He doubled the number required; partly, to oblige Saul the more to the performance of his promise; and partly, to shew his great Respect and Affection to Saul's Daughter.

29 And Saul was yet the more afraid of David , and Saul became Davids enemy continually.

Because he both lost his design against David's life, and had now Paved a way for him to the Throne.

30 Then the princes of the Philistines went forth : and it came to pass after they went forth, that David behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul, so that his name was much set by.

To wit, to War against the Israelites, being provoked both by their former losses, and especially by that act of David's, related above, v. 27.

Marginal references: Heb. [illegible: 1+ letters] ous.