1 Samuel 20:28-42
brother ...................... brothers <0251> [my brother.]
Saul <07586> [Saul's.]
chosen ... son <01121 0977> [Thou, etc. or, Thou perverse rebel. Heb. Son of perverse rebellion.]
disgrace ..... disgrace <01322> [and unto the.]
This reflection on the mother of Jonathan, by the passionate monarch, reflects more dishonour on himself than on his brave and noble minded son. Mungo Park gives an instance of the prevalence of the same principles in Africa; for he says, "Maternal affection is every where conspicuous among the Africans, and creates a correspondent return of tenderness in the child. 'Strike me,' said my attendant, 'but do not curse my mother.' I found the same sentiment to prevail universally in all parts of Africa." King Saul, unable to villify Jonathan to his own satisfaction by personal reproaches, outstepped the ordinary abuse of his day, and proceeded to that which was designed to produce unusual vexation, and vented the bitterness of his mind by maligning the character of his own wife and Jonathan's mother.
send <07971> [send.]
son ................................ dead <01121> [shall surely die. Heb. is the son of death.]
death <04191> [Wherefore.]
done <06213> [what hath.]
[cast.]
[whereby.]
enraged <02750> [in fierce.]
upset <06087> [he was grieved.]
meet <04150> [at the time.]
Run .............. ran <07323> [Run.]
beyond <05674> [beyond him. Heb. to pass over him.]
equipment <03627> [artillery. Heb. instruments.]
Rather weapons, as the word {kelim} also denotes; and here means the bow, quiver, and arrows. This is probably the only place in our language in which the word artillery is not applied to cannon or ordinance, but simply to weapons of war.
servant <05288> [his lad. Heb. the lad that was his.]
knelt <05307> [and fell.]
kissed <05401> [and they kissed.]
David ............................ especially David <01732 01431> [David exceeded.]
peace <03212 07965> [Go in peace.]
sworn <07650> [forasmuch as. or, the Lord be witness of that which, etc.]
got up <06965> [And he arose.]
The separation of two such faithful friends was equally grievous to them both, but David's case was the more deplorable: for when Jonathan was returning to his family and friends, David was leaving all his comforts, even those of God's sanctuary, and therefore his grief exceeded Jonathan's; or, perhaps it was because his temper was more tender and his passions stronger. They referred each other to the covenant of friendship that was between them, both of them being comforted thereby in this very mournful separation:--"We have sworn both of us in the name of the Lord, for ourselves and our heirs, that we and they will be faithful and kind to each other from generation to generation."
