1 Samuel 16:1--19:17
mourn <056> [A.M. 2941. B.C. 1063. An. Ex. Is. 428. How long.]
rejected <03988> [seeing.]
horn ... olive oil <08081 07161> [horn with oil.]
Jesse <03448> [Jesse.]
<03212> [How can I go.]
Take ... heifer <03947 01241> [Take an heifer.]
For the prudent management of the affair, and to avoid suspicion, Samuel was directed to go to Bethlehem to sacrifice, as he probably did from time to time in many different places; and the answer which he was instructed to return was strictly true though he did not tell the principal design of his coming; for though no man in any circumstances should tell a lie, yet, in all circumstances, he is not bound to tell the whole truth, though he must tell nothing but the truth, and so tell that truth that the hearer shall not believe a lie by it.
<03027> [with thee. Heb. in thine hand.]
come <0935> [I am come.]
Then invite Jesse <03448 07121> [call Jesse.]
show you what <03045> [and I will shew.]
anoint <04886> [anoint.]
afraid <02729> [trembled.]
<07125> [coming. Heb. meeting. Comest.]
come ....... Consecrate .... come ......... consecrated <06942 0935> [sanctify yourselves.]
Eliab <0446> [Eliab.]
[Elihu. Surely.]
by ... appearance <05027 04758> [Look not.]
men ... People <0120> [seeth not.]
view ........ look on ........ looks at <07200> [looketh.]
appearance <05869> [outward appearance. Heb. eyes. on the heart.]
Abinadab <041> [Abinadab.]
Shammah <08048> [Shammah.]
[Shimeah.]
[Shimma.]
seven <07651> [seven.]
still <07604> [There remaineth.]
turn <05437> [down. Heb. round.]
ruddy <0132> [ruddy.]
attractive eyes <03303 05869> [of a beautiful countenance. Heb. fair of eyes.]
Lord <03068> [And the Lord.]
anoint <04886> [anoint him.]
anointed <04886> [anointed.]
Spirit <07307> [the Spirit.]
Spirit ............. spirit <07307> [the Spirit.]
Spirit ............ evil spirit <07307 07451> [evil spirit.]
The evil spirit was either sent immediately from the Lord, or permitted to come; but whether this was a diabolic possession, or a mere mental malady, is not agreed: it seems to have partaken of both. That Saul had fallen into a deep melancholy, there is little doubt; and that an evil spirit might work more effectually on such a state of mind, there can be little question. His malady appears to have been of a mixed kind, natural and diabolical: there is too much of apparent nature in it to permit us to believe it was all spiritual; and there is too much of apparently supernatural influence, to suffer us to believe it was all natural.
tormented <01204> [troubled. or, terrified.]
before .... look <06440 01245> [before thee.]
play ................ play <05059> [play.]
warrior <01368> [a mighty.]
articulate <0995> [and prudent.]
articulate <01697> [matters. or, speech. a comely.]
Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
sheep <06629> [with the sheep.]
donkey .... bread <02543 03899> [an ass laden.]
{Chamor lechem,} literally, "an ass of bread," rendered by the LXX. [gomor arton,] a {gomor} of bread; meaning, probably, not an animal, but a vessel containing a certain measure of bread.
stood before <06440 05975> [stood before him.]
liked .... great <0157 03966> [loved him.]
spirit .............................. spirit <07307> [the evil spirit.]
Saul ............... Saul <07586> [Saul.]
gathered ....... assembled <0622> [gathered.]
Socoh .......... Socoh <07755> [Shochoh.]
[Socoh.]
[Shoco.]
[Shocho. Azekah.]
Ephes Dammim <0658> [Ephes-dammim. or, the coast of Dammim.]
[Pas-dammim.]
valley <06010> [the valley.]
arranged ... battle lines <06186 04421> [set the battle in array. Heb. ranged the battle.]
Goliath <01555> [Goliath.]
Gath <01661> [of Gath.]
tall <01363> [whose height.]
seven feet <0520 08337> [six cubits.]
According to Bp. Cumberland's calculation, the height of Goliath was about eleven feet ten inches; but Parkhurst estimating the ordinary cubit at seventeen inches and a half, calculates that he was nine feet six inches high. Few instances can be produced of men who can be compared with him. Pliny says, "The tallest man that hath been seen in our days was one name Gabara, who, in the days of Claudius, the late Emperor, was brought out of Arabia: he was nine feet nine inches." Josephus mentions a Jew, named Eleazar, whom Vitellius sent to Rome, who was seven cubits, or ten feet two inches high. Becanus saw a man near ten feet, and a woman that was full ten feet. And, to mention no more, a man of the name of John Middleton, born at Hale, near Warrington, in Lancashire, in the reign of James the First, was more than nine feet high. Dr. Plott, in his history of Staffordshire, says, that "his hand, from the carpus to the end of the middle finger, was seventeen inches, his palms eight inches and a half broad, and his whole height was nine feet three inches; wanting but six inches of the height of Goliath of Gath."
wearing <03847> [armed. Heb. clothed.]
bronze ......... bronze javelin <05178 03591> [target of brass. or, gorget.]
<06086> [the staff.]
servants ... Saul <07586 05650> [servants to Saul.]
serve <05647> [and serve us.]
defy <02778> [I defy.]
Give .... man <05414 0376> [give me.]
upset <02865> [dismayed.]
David <01732> [David.]
<0376> [Ephrathite.]
son ............. eight sons <01121 08083> [eight sons.]
names <08034> [the names.]
Shammah <08048> [Shammah.]
[Shimeah.]
youngest <06996> [the youngest.]
back <07725> [returned.]
forty days <03117 0705> [forty days.]
Take ... brothers .................... brothers <03947 0251> [Take now.]
roasted grain .... ten <07039 06235> [parched corn.]
take <0935> [carry.]
cheese <02461> [cheeses. Heb. cheeses of milk.]
officer <0505> [their thousand. Heb. a thousand. look.]
valley <06010> [the valley.]
Dr. Richardson says, that in about twenty minutes, in an easterly direction, form the cave of St. John, (which is about two hours or six miles, in a westerly direction, from Jerusalem,) they came to the valley of Elah; which position seems to agree with that of Shochoh and Azekah. He describes it as "a small valley, and the place of the encampment is pointed out where it narrows into a broad, deep ravine; part of it was in crop, and part of it was under the plough, which was drawn by a couple of oxen. A small stream, which had shrunk almost under its stony bed, passes through it from east to west, from which we are informed that David chose out five smooth stones, and hasted and ran to meet the haughty champion of Gath. A well of water under the bank, with a few olive trees above, on the north side of the valley, are said to mark the spot of the shepherd's triumph over his boasting antagonist. Saul and his men probably occupied the side of the valley which is nearest to Jerusalem, on which the ground is higher and more rugged than on the other side."
entrusted ... flock <06629 05203> [left the sheep.]
camp <04570> [trench. or, place of the carriage.]
battle lines <04634> [fight. or, battle array, or place of fight.]
cargo ....... supply <03627> [his carriage. Heb. the vessels from upon him. saluted his brethren. Heb. asked his brethren of peace.]
<0428> [according.]
presence <06440> [him. Heb. his face.]
very <03966> [sore.]
king <04428> [the king.]
Israel ................. Israel ............................... exempt ...... Israel <03478 02670> [free in Israel.]
humiliation <02781> [reproach.]
uncircumcised <06189> [uncircumcised.]
defies <02778> [defy.]
done <06213> [So shall it.]
Eliab ........ he ... angry <0639 0446> [Eliab's anger.]
entrust <05203> [with.]
familiar <03045> [I know.]
question ....... same answer <01697> [manner. Heb. word.]
overheard ....... called <03947> [sent for him. Heb. took him.]
The preceding twenty verses, from the 12th to the 31st inclusive, the 41st, and from the 54th to the end of this chapter, with the five first verses and the 9th, 10th, 11th, 17th, 18th, and 19th, of ch. 18, are all wanting in the Vatican copy of the LXX.; and they are supposed by Dr. Kennicott, and others, to be an interpolation. But, as Bp. Horsley observes, it appears, from many circumstances of the story, that David's combat with Goliath was many years prior to Saul's madness, and David's introduction to him as a musician. In the first place, David was quite a youth when he engaged with Goliath, (ver. 33, 42:) when introduced to Saul he was of full age, (ch. 16:18.) Again, this combat was his first appearance in public life, and his first military exploit, (ver. 36, 38, 39:) when introduced as a musician, he was a man of established character, and a man of war (ch. 16:18.) Now the just conclusion is, that the last ten verses of ch. 16 have been misplaced; their true place being between the ninth and tenth verses of ch. 18. Let them be removed there, and the whole apparent disorder will be removed.
anyone <0120> [Let.]
servant <05650> [thy.]
able <03201> [Thou art not.]
[for thou are but.]
sheep <07716> [lamb. or, kid.]
strike ... down ... rescue .................... strike .... kill <05221 05337 04191> [smote him.]
uncircumcised <06189> [this.]
defied <02778> [seeing.]
Lord ............................ Lord <03068> [The Lord.]
<03212> [Go.]
clothed David ..... fighting attire ............ put <03847 01732 04055> [armed David with his armour. Heb. clothed David with his clothes.]
removed <05493> [put them off.]
staff <04731> [staff.]
stream <05158> [brook. or, valley. bag. Heb. vessel.]
despised <0959> [disdained.]
boy <05288> [a youth.]
dog <03611> [Am.]
cursed <07043> [cursed.]
give <03212 05414> [Come to me.]
give <05414> [I will give.]
Parallel instances of vaunting occur in some writers of a more recent date:--The conspirators against the emperor Maximinus having slain him, his son, and several of his best friends, threw out their bodies to be devoured by dogs and the fowls of the air. This custom appears to have been frequently threatened; and, however shocking to human feelings, was often carried into effect.
coming ............. coming <0935> [Thou comest.]
name <08034> [in the name.]
defied <02778> [defied.]
Lord <03068> [will the Lord.]
deliver ..... hand <05462 03027> [deliver thee. Heb. shut thee up.]
off ... head <05493 07218> [take thine.]
corpses <06297> [carcases.]
land ..... land <0776> [all the earth.]
sword ....... saves <03467 02719> [saveth not.]
battle <04421> [the battle.]
him ... David quickly <01732 04116> [David hasted.]
striking <05221> [smote.]
David prevailed .................... David <01732 02388> [So David prevailed.]
The tradition of the combat between David and Goliath, in which the latter was killed, is preserved among the Arabs; for he is mentioned in the Koran, where he is called Galut or Jalut. The Arabs also call the dynasty of the Philistine kings, who reigned in Palestine when the Hebrews came there, Galutiah, or Jalutiah. Achmed Al Fassi says, "Those kings were as well known by the name of Jalaut, as the ancient kings of Egypt by that of Pharaoh. David killed the Jalaut who reigned in his time, and entirely rooted out the Philistines, the rest of whom fled into Africa, and from them descended the Brebers or Berbers, who inhabit the coast of Barbary." It is remarkable that the Berbers themselves should acknowledge their descent from the Philistines. "The name Goliath, which they pronounce Sghi…lud, is very common among the Brebers, and the history of the champion of the Philistines is very well known to the Moors. When children quarrel, and the bigger one challenges the smaller to fight the latter answers, 'Who will fight with you? {Enta men ulid Sgi…lud.} You are of the race of Golaith.' The Jews who dwell among them, on the mountains, all call them Philistines."
sword <02719> [but there was.]
sword <02719> [his sword.]
cut off <03772> [cut off.]
ran away <05127> [fled.]
Israel <03478 0582> [the men of Israel.]
valley <01516> [valley.]
looted <08155> [they spoiled.]
took ... head <03947 07218> [took the head.]
son <01121> [whose son.]
head <07218> [the head.]
son ........... son <01121> [Whose son.]
To account for the apparent inconsistency of Saul not knowing David, see the Note at the end of ver. 31.
son ........... son <01121> [I am the son.]
Jonathan ......... friendship Jonathan ........... life <03083 05315> [the soul of Jonathan.]
The modesty, piety, and courage of David were so congenial to the character of the amiable Jonathan, that they attracted his most cordial esteem and affection; so that the most intimate friendship subsisted between them from that time, and they loved each other with pure hearts fervently. Their friendship could not be affected by the common vicissitudes of life; and it exemplifies by fact what the ancients have written on the subject; [Ten philian isoteta einai, kai mian psychen ton philon heteron auton.] "Friendship is an entire sameness, and one soul: a friend is another self."
friendship ... loved .......... life <0157 05315> [loved him.]
retained ..... day <03947 03117> [took him.]
made ... covenant <03772 01285> [made a covenant.]
took off ... robe <06584 04598> [stripped himself.]
Presents of clothes or rich robes, as tokens of respect or friendship, are frequent in the East.
achieved <07919> [behaved. or, prospered.]
achieved <07919> [wisely.]
men ... war <04421 0582> [the men of war.]
Philistine <06430> [Philistine. or, Philistines. the women.]
instruments <07991> [instruments of music. Heb. three stringed instruments.]
The original {shalishim,} is rendered by the Vulgate {sistris.} The {sistrum} was an ancient Egyptian instrument made of brass, with three, and sometimes more brass rods across; which, being loose in their holes, made a jingling noise when shaken.
sang <06030> [answered.]
Saul <07586> [Saul.]
statement <01697> [the saying.]
[displeased him. Heb. was evil in his eyes.]
kingdom <04410> [and what.]
David <05770 01732> [eyed David.]
evil spirit <07307 07451> [the evil spirit.]
prophesied <05012> [and he prophesied.]
{Wyyithnabbai,} rather, "and he pretended to prophesy; for the verb is in {Hithpa‰l,} the signification of which conjugation is not only reflex action, but also affectation of the action: Jer 29:26, 27. The meaning seems to be, that Saul, influenced by the evil spirit, feigned to be prophesying, the better to conceal his murderous intentions, and to render David unsuspicious.
playing <05059> [played.]
spear <02595> [and there was.]
{Wehachanith beyad Sh„ool,} rather, "and the javelin was in the hand of Saul;" for the javelin or spear was the emblem of regal authority; and kings had it always in their hand, as may be seen represented on ancient monuments. In ancient times, says Justin, kings used a spear instead of a sceptre.
threw ... spear <02904 02595> [cast the javelin.]
David ...... David <01732> [And David.]
feared <03372> [afraid.]
Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
departed <05493> [departed.]
removed <05493> [removed.]
out <03318> [he went out.]
Saul was sensible that the Lord was departed from him; while he perceived, with evident sorrow of heart, that the Lord had given David peculiar wisdom, and that he was with him to prosper all his undertakings. This increased the disquietude of his malevolent mind, and his dread of David as a prevailing rival: he therefore removed him from his presence. This impolitic step, however, served the more to ingratiate David with the people, by affording him the opportunity of leading them forth to victory over their enemies.
achieved <07919> [behaved. or, prospered.]
Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
successful <07919> [wisely.]
Israel <03478> [all Israel.]
leading ... out <03318> [he went.]
give <05414> [her will I give.]
brave warrior <01121> [valiant. Heb. a son of valour. the Lord's.]
hand ........ hand <03027> [Let not mine.]
<02416> [Who am I.]
Adriel <05741> [Adriel.]
Meholah <04259> [Meholathite.]
loved David <0157 01732> [loved David.]
[Ge 29:18,20 34:3 Jud 16:4,15 2Sa 13:1 1Ki 11:1,2 Ho 3:2]
[pleased him. Heb. was right in his eyes.]
snare <04170> [a snare.]
hand <03027> [the hand.]
Today <03117> [this day.]
instructed <06680> [commanded.]
servants .............. servants <05650> [servants.]
insignificant <07043> [a light.]
poor .... man <0376 07326> [a poor man.]
lightly-esteemed <07034> [and lightly.]
<01697> [On this manner. Heb. According to these words.]
price .... bride <04119> [dowry.]
hundred <03967> [but an hundred.]
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 Philistines.
foreskins <06190> [foreskins.]
avenged <05358> [to be avenged.]
thinking <02803> [thought.]
time ..... expired <03117> [the days.]
expired <04390> [expired. Heb. fulfilled.]
<0582> [his men.]
struck down <05221> [slew.]
men ........ hundred ... men <03967 0376> [two hundred men.]
The Septuagint has only [ ,] one hundred men; and as Saul covenanted for a hundred, as David himself says, (2 Sa 3:14,) that he espoused Michal for a hundred, it is very probable that this is the true reading.
more <03254> [yet the.]
Saul ....... him Saul ........ David <07586 01732> [Saul became.]
leaders <08269> [the princes.]
Of this war we know no more than that David, whose military skill was greater, was more successful in it, than all the other officers of Saul.
Then ........ march out ........ so <03318> [went forth.]
did .... achieved <07919> [behaved himself.]
esteem <03365> [set by. Heb. precious.]
Saul .............. Saul's <07586> [And Saul.]
Saul's enmity now burst forth, in the avowed purpose of putting David to death; and nothing less than the especial interposition of Providence could have saved David's life, when every officer about the king's person, and every soldier, had positive orders to dispatch him.
<02654> [delighted.]
Jonathan <03083> [Jonathan.]
When I find ... what <07200 04100> [what I see.]
spoke .... behalf .................................. beneficial <01696 02896> [spake good.]
sin .... servant ....... sinned <02398 05650> [sin against.]
actions <04639> [because his works.]
risked <05315 07760> [put his life.]
struck <05221> [slew.]
<06213> [wrought.]
sin ... innocent <05355 02398> [sin against innocent.]
reason <02600> [without a cause.]
took an oath <07650> [sware.]
[he shalt not.]
formerly <0865> [in times past. Heb. yesterday, third day.]
David <01732> [David.]
[him. Heb. his face]
tried <01245> [sought.]
nail <06362> [he slipped.]
escaped <04422> [and escaped.]
sent messengers <04397 07971> [sent messengers.]
guard ..... kill ....................... dead <08104 04191> [to watch him.]
Michal <04324> [Michal.]
lowered David <03381 01732> [let David.]
household idol <08655> [an image. Heb. teraphim.]
quilt <03523> [a pillow.]
Rather, "the net-work of goat's hair at its (the Teraphim's) pillow;" for the {kevir,} (whence the Chaldee and Syriac {kavreetho,} a honey-comb, from its net-like form), seems to have been a kind of mosquito-net, which, says Dr. Shaw, is "a close curtain of gauze, used all over the East, by people of fashion, to keep out the flies." That they had such anciently cannot be doubted. Thus when Judith had beheaded Holofernes in his bed, (ch. 13:9, 15) "she pulled down the canopy (or the mosquito net, [ ,] from [ ,] a gnat, or mosquito, whence our word canopy) wherein he did lie in his drunkenness, from the pillars."
said <0559> [she said.]
Bring ... up <05927> [Bring him.]
The eastern beds consist merely of two thick cotton quilts, one of which, folded double, serves as a mattress, the other as a covering. Such seems to have been the bed of David, which could easily have been carried, with himself in it, to the presence of Saul.
messengers <04397> [And when.]
It is highly probable that David, when supposed to be sick, was thought to be hid in the harem or chamber of Michal. "The harems," says De La Motraye, "are sanctuaries, as sacred and inviolable, for persons pursed by justice for any crime, debt, etc., as the Roman Catholic churches in Italy, Spain, Portugal, etc." Thus we find, that to effect his purpose, Saul sent messengers to Michal, but they treated her harem with too much respect to enter it at first; but being authorised by Saul, they entered even into her chamber; and during the delay occasioned by respect for the privacy of Michal, David escaped.
deceived <07411> [Why hast.]
enemy <0341> [mine enemy.]
Michal .................. Michal <04324> [And Michal.]
said ..................... replied ..... said <0559> [He said.]
kill <04191> [why should.]
