1 Samuel 18:1-27
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.
