Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 Samuel 19:13

13 And Michal took an image , and laid it in the bed, and put a pillow of goats hair for his bolster , and covered it with a cloth .

Heb. Teraphim, which was an Image made in human shape: which she might keep secretly, either out of a superstitious regard to it, or out of meer curiosity. This stratagen[illegible: 1+ letters] she used, because knowing her Fathers unquiet, and jealous, and furious temper, she suspected he might come or send, to see whether David was there or no.

Or, put great Goats hair upon his Bolster, i. e. upon the head and face of the Image, which lay upon his Bolster, that it might have some kind of resemblance of David's head and hair, at least in a sick man's Bed, where there useth to be but a glimmering light. Goats is here put for Goats hair, as it manifestly is, Exod. 25. 4. and 26. 7. and 35. 26. It is acknowledged by Learned Writers, that in those Eastern Countries, Goats had much longer hair than ours have, and were shorn like Sheep; and that their hair was not unlike to a Mans or Womans hair; as may also be gathered from Cant. 4. 1. thy hair is as a flock of Goats, i. e. as the hair of a flock of Goats. And as there was Goats hair of several colours, (as the Wool of Sheep in divers parts is of very differing colours, as white, or black, or yellow, &c.) so it is most probable [illegible: 1+ letters]he took that colour which was likest the colour of David's hair. And she took this rather than the hair of another man, because the procuring and ordering of that would have taken up some time; whereas she had Goats hair of all sorts at hand, as being used in Spinning or Weaving, &c. Or, the sense may be this, according to our Translation, That she put a Pillow of the softest part of Goats hair under the head of the Image, as they used to put under the heads of sick Men; whereby also the head of the Image sinking into the Pillow, might be less discerned, especially when it was either wholly or in part covered with a Cloath. And all this art was used, that David being supposed, and, by some Persons who were sent to inquire, perceived, as they thought, to be in the Bed, Saul might be hindred from pursuing and overtaking him before he had got into some secure place.

Upon pretence of his being sick, and needing some such covering, but really in design to prevent the discovery of her deceit.

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