Westminster Annotations, 1 Samuel (1 Kings) · Chapter 18 – Chapter 19
CHAP. XVIII.
Vers. 1. WAs knit] To wit, in a very neer and firm bond of love and friendship.
V. 2. took him] That is, retained him in his court.
that day] That is, wherein (as some think) Saul required Jesse to let David abide with him, Chap. 16. 22. making these words a regression to that history which is there intermitted.
go no more] That is, not (as some take it) to go to and fro between the court and his fathers house, as he is said to do, Chap. 17. 15.
V. 3. made a covenant] That is, of perpetuall friendship with David, after Saul had taken him to abide in the cou…t, which was begun at Davids first coming to play before him.
V. 4. his garments] That is, his arms or military garments. Others understand it of his courtly ornaments.
V. 5. went out] To wit, to do warlike exploits.
behaved] Heb. prospered.
V. 6. they came] That is, Saul, with his servants and souldiers, to wit, from some other fight, against the Philistines.
Philistine] Or, Philistines. Indefinitely, the singular number being put for the plurall: or, Goliath the Philistine at first, and afterwards the army in generall.
singing and dancing] So Exod. 15. Judg. 5. and 11. 34.
V. 7. answered] Singing interchangably by turns songs of triumph.
Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands] Chap. 21. 11. and 29. 5. Ecclus 47. 6. q. d. Sauls valour deserveth much praise, but Davids ten times more
V. 8. displeased him] Hebr. was evil in his eyes. eyed David] That is, had a jealous and envious eye over him, v. 29.
V. 10. he prophesied] That is, being transported with rage and melancholique passion by the evill spirit, he behaved himself as one in an extasie or rapture. So 1 King. 18. 29.
played] That is, to quiet his spirit, and moderate his raging passions, as at other times, Chap. 16. 16.
V. 11. the javelin] To wit, at David.
he said] That is, he thought or intended with himself. So v. 17, 21.
V. 12. was afraid] To wit, as his corrivall, lest he should get the kingdom from him, because the souldiers and people loved him, and he prospered in all his undertakings.
V. 13. his captain] Not out of love, but hoping that he would one time or other be slain by his enemies, seeing that he was valiant and venturous. So v. 17, 25.
went out] That is, led them out into the field to fight, and brought them back, like a valiant commander.
V. 14. behaved] Or, prospered.
V. 15. afraid] See v. 12.
V. 17. said to David] Under pretence of love, seeking his ruine, because he durst not kill him himself, being so much beloved of all the people, he engageth him in desperate exploits, that he might be slain by his enemies.
valiant] Hebr. a son of valour.
Lords battells] That is, undertaken to maintain Gods glory against idolls and idolaters, and for Gods people.
Let not] That is, let me not kill him my self, but let the Philistines do it.
V. 18. Who am I] q. d. I am too mean and unworthy to be a kings son in law.
what is my life] That is, my state and condition of life.
V. 19. Adriel] The son of Barzillai the Ephraimite, who was born at Mehola, called Abel-mehola, Judg. 7. 22. and is therefore called a Meholathite, 2 Sam. 21. 8.
pleased him] Hebr. was right in his eyes.
V. 21. Saul said] See v. 11.
a snare] So v. 25.
in the one] That is, of my two daughters, by marrying her.
V. 22. secretly] As of your selves, and not by my motion.
V. 23. a poor man] And therefore unable to give a dowry befitting a kings daughter: for in those dayes they gave dowries to their wives, and not, as now, received portions, Gen. 34. 12. Exod. 22. 16. Deut. 22. 29.
V. 24. On this manner] Hebr. according to these words.
V. 26. an hundred foreskins] To wit, in lieu of a dowry, hoping that he would be slain in procuring them.
V. 26. the dayes] That is, appointed by Saul, for the bringing in of the foreskins.
expired] Hebr. fulfilled.
V. 29. more afraid] Because God prospered him in all things, both in his victories, and also the love of his wife. See vers. 12.
V. 30. went forth] That is, to warre against the Israelites.
set by] Hebr. precious.
CHAP. XIX.
Vers. 1. KIll David] Before Saul sought Davids life secretly, but now his hypocrisie bursteth forth to open cruelty.
V. 3. what I see] That is, discover and observe.
V. 4. sin against] To wit, in seeking to kill him unjustly, v. 5.
V. 5. his life in his hand] Judg. 9. 17. and 12. 3. Chap. 28. 21. Psal. 119. 109. That is, exposed himself to much danger. See Judg. 12. 3.
V. 7. in his presence] To wit, to do him service.
in times past] Hebr. yesterday third day.
him] Hebr. his face.
V. 9. the evil spirit] See Chap. 16. 14. and 18. 10, 11.
javelin] Which he usually had by him like a tyrant, continually in fear, Chap. 18. 11. 20. 23. and 26.
V. 12. a window] Because the doors were beset with Sauls servants that watched David.
V. 13. an image] Heb. Teraphim.
goats hair] As if it had been Davids hair, hereby deluding Sauls men with hope of taking him, till, by their stay, David might have more time to make his escape.
V. 15. see David] That is, whether he were indeed sick, or onelyonly feigned himself to be so; but with commission to bring him, in what state soever he was.
V. 17. Saul said] That is, when he found by his messengers how she had deluded him.
why should I] That is, I will assuredly kill thee, if thou wilt not further me in my flight. So 2 Sam. 2. 22. or, why shouldest thou do that, that will provoke me to kill thee?
V. 18. came to Samuel] Both to ask his advice in these extreme dangers; and for security, thinking that the prophets presence would protect him, and deter Saul from his bloody practices; and that the place which was a school of the prophets would be a sanctuary unto him, seeing they lived safely there, though the Philistines garison was neer unto it, Chap. 10. 5. Finally, to be comforted by him in this distresse, and to have his faith confirmed in the promise of the kingdom, which Samuel from God had made unto him; which, through these great trialls, was ready to waver, Psal 116. 11. 1 Sam. 27. 1.
to Ramah] Where was Samuels dwelling, and a school of the prophets, whereof he was over-seer, father or president, and at Naioth neer unto it.
V. 20. prophesying] That is, praising God with psalms and songs, and praying unto him, and speaking of divine matters. See Chap. 10. 5.
prophesied] Were transported like the prophets with a divine rapture, and spirit of prophesie, and so forgot their businesse for which they came, which was, To take David.
V. 21. they prophesied] To convince Saul of his sin in pursuing David, when he saw him preserved by such a miracle; and that in vain he persecuted him whom God thus protected.
Sechu] See Chap. 17. 1.
V. 24. also] As his messengers had done before his coming.
and prophesied] That is, was transported with divine rap…ures, as in an extasie, and joyned with the rest in their propheticall exercises.
lay] Hebr. fell.
naked] That is, stripped of his regall and military habilaments in which he came to take David, being for the time so distracted in his minde and senses, that, like one in a trance, he knew not what he did, Numb. 24. 4. and Isai. 20. 2. Mic. 1. 8.
Is Saul also am…ng the prophets?] Chap. 10. 11.