mh_parser/vol_split/9 - 1Samuel/Chapter 18.xml

<div2 id="iSam.xix" n="xix" next="iSam.xx" prev="iSam.xviii" progress="33.43%" title="Chapter XVIII">
<h2 id="iSam.xix-p0.1">F I R S T   S A M U E L</h2>
<h3 id="iSam.xix-p0.2">CHAP. XVIII.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="iSam.xix-p1">In the course of the foregoing chapter we left
David in triumph; now in this chapter we have, I. The improvement
of his triumphs; he soon became, 1. Saul's constant attendant,
<scripRef id="iSam.xix-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.18.2" parsed="|1Sam|18|2|0|0" passage="1Sa 18:2">ver. 2</scripRef>. 2. Jonathan's
covenant friend, <scripRef id="iSam.xix-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.18.1 Bible:1Sam.18.3 Bible:1Sam.18.4" parsed="|1Sam|18|1|0|0;|1Sam|18|3|0|0;|1Sam|18|4|0|0" passage="1Sa 18:1,3,4">ver. 1, 3,
4</scripRef>. 3. The darling of his country, <scripRef id="iSam.xix-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.18.5 Bible:1Sam.18.7 Bible:1Sam.18.16" parsed="|1Sam|18|5|0|0;|1Sam|18|7|0|0;|1Sam|18|16|0|0" passage="1Sa 18:5,7,16">ver. 5, 7, 16</scripRef>. II. The allays of his
triumphs. This is the vanity that accompanies even a right work,
that "for it a man is envied," <scripRef id="iSam.xix-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Eccl.4.4" parsed="|Eccl|4|4|0|0" passage="Ec 4:4">Eccl. iv.
4</scripRef>. So David was by Saul. 1. He hated him, and sought to
kill him himself, <scripRef id="iSam.xix-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.18.8-1Sam.18.11" parsed="|1Sam|18|8|18|11" passage="1Sa 18:8-11">ver.
8-11</scripRef>. 2. He feared him, and contrived how he might have
some mischief done him, <scripRef id="iSam.xix-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.18.12-1Sam.18.17" parsed="|1Sam|18|12|18|17" passage="1Sa 18:12-17">ver.
12-17</scripRef>. He proposed to marry his daughter to him; but,
[1.] cheated him of the eldest to provoke him (<scripRef id="iSam.xix-p1.7" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.18.19" parsed="|1Sam|18|19|0|0" passage="1Sa 18:19">ver. 19</scripRef>), and, [2.] Gave him the younger,
upon conditions which would endanger his life, <scripRef id="iSam.xix-p1.8" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.18.20-1Sam.18.25" parsed="|1Sam|18|20|18|25" passage="1Sa 18:20-25">ver. 20-25</scripRef>. But David performed his
conditions bravely (<scripRef id="iSam.xix-p1.9" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.18.26-1Sam.18.27" parsed="|1Sam|18|26|18|27" passage="1Sa 18:26,27">ver. 26,
27</scripRef>), and grew to be more and more esteemed, <scripRef id="iSam.xix-p1.10" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.18.28-1Sam.18.30" parsed="|1Sam|18|28|18|30" passage="1Sa 18:28-30">ver. 28-30</scripRef>. Still David is
rising, but (as all that aim at the crown of life must expect) he
had a great deal of difficulty and opposition to grapple with.</p>
<scripCom id="iSam.xix-p0.1_1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.18" parsed="|1Sam|18|0|0|0" passage="1Sa 18" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="iSam.xix-p0.2_1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.18.1-1Sam.18.5" parsed="|1Sam|18|1|18|5" passage="1Sa 18:1-5" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:1Sam.18.1-1Sam.18.5">
<h4 id="iSam.xix-p1.13">Jonathan's Love to David. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.xix-p1.14">b. c.</span> 1060.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iSam.xix-p2">1 And it came to pass, when he had made an end
of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the
soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.   2 And
Saul took him that day, and would let him go no more home to his
father's house.   3 Then Jonathan and David made a covenant,
because he loved him as his own soul.   4 And Jonathan
stripped himself of the robe that <i>was</i> upon him, and gave it
to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and
to his girdle.   5 And David went out whithersoever Saul sent
him, <i>and</i> behaved himself wisely: and Saul set him over the
men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people, and
also in the sight of Saul's servants.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.xix-p3">David was anointed to the crown to take it
out of Saul's hand, and over Jonathan's head, and yet here we
find,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.xix-p4">I. That Saul, who was now in possession of
the crown, reposed a confidence in him, God so ordering it, that he
might by his preferment at court be prepared for future service.
Saul now took David home with him, and would not suffer him to
return again to his retirement, <scripRef id="iSam.xix-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.18.2" parsed="|1Sam|18|2|0|0" passage="1Sa 18:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>. And David having signalized
himself above the men of war, in taking up the challenge which they
declined, <i>Saul set him over the men of war</i> (<scripRef id="iSam.xix-p4.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.18.5" parsed="|1Sam|18|5|0|0" passage="1Sa 18:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>), not that he made him
general (Abner was in that post), but perhaps captain of the
life-guard; or, though he was youngest, he ordered him to have the
precedency, in recompence of his great services. He employed him in
the affairs of government; <i>and David went out whithersoever Saul
sent him,</i> showing himself as dutiful as he was bold and
courageous. Those that hope to rule must first learn to obey. He
had approved himself a dutiful son to Jesse his father, and now a
dutiful servant to Saul his master; those that are good in one
relation it is to be hoped will be so in another.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.xix-p5">II. That Jonathan, who was heir to the
crown, entered into covenant with him, God so ordering it, that
David's way might be the clearer when his rival was his friend. 1.
Jonathan conceived an extraordinary kindness and affection for him
(<scripRef id="iSam.xix-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.18.1" parsed="|1Sam|18|1|0|0" passage="1Sa 18:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>): <i>When he
had made an end of speaking to Saul</i> he fell perfectly in love
with him. Whether it refers to his conference with Saul before the
battle (<scripRef id="iSam.xix-p5.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.17.34 Bible:1Sam.17.37" parsed="|1Sam|17|34|0|0;|1Sam|17|37|0|0" passage="1Sa 17:34,37"><i>ch.</i> xvii. 34,
37</scripRef>), or to that after (<scripRef id="iSam.xix-p5.3" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.18.51" parsed="|1Sam|18|51|0|0" passage="1Sa 18:51"><i>v.</i> 51</scripRef>), in which it is probable much
more was said than is there set down, is uncertain. But, in both,
David expressed himself with so much prudence, modesty, and piety,
such a felicity of expression, with so much boldness and yet so
much sweetness, and all this so natural and unaffected, and the
more surprising because of the disadvantages of his education and
appearance, <i>that the soul of Jonathan was</i> immediately
<i>knit</i> unto <i>the soul of David.</i> Jonathan had formerly
set upon a Philistine army with the same faith and bravery with
which David had now attacked a Philistine giant; so that there was
between them a very near resemblance of affections, dispositions,
and counsels, which made their spirits unite so easily, so quickly,
so closely, that they seemed but as one soul in two bodies. None
had so much reason to dislike David as Jonathan had, because he was
to put him by the crown, yet none regards him more. Those that are
governed in their love by principles of wisdom and grace will not
suffer their affections to be alienated by any secular regards or
considerations: the greater thoughts will swallow up and overrule
the less. 2. He testified his love to David by a generous present
he made him, <scripRef id="iSam.xix-p5.4" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.18.4" parsed="|1Sam|18|4|0|0" passage="1Sa 18:4"><i>v.</i> 4</scripRef>.
He was uneasy at seeing so great a soul, though lodged in so fair a
body, yet disguised in the mean and despicable dress of a poor
shepherd, and therefore takes care to put him speedily into the
habit of a courtier (for he gave him a robe) and of a soldier, for
he gave him, instead of his staff and sling, a sword and bow, and,
instead of his shepherd's scrip, a girdle, either a belt or a sash;
and, which made the present much more obliging, they were the same
that he himself had worn, and (as a presage of what would follow)
he stripped himself of them to dress David in them. Saul's would
not fit him, but Jonathan's did. Their bodies were of a size, a
circumstance which well agreed with the suitableness of their
minds. When Saul put these marks of honour on David he put them off
again, because he would first earn them and then wear them; but,
now that he had given proofs of the spirit of a prince and a
soldier, he was not ashamed to wear the habits of a prince and a
soldier. David is seen in Jonathan's clothes, that all may take
notice he is a Jonathan's second self. Our Lord Jesus has thus
shown his love to us, that he stripped himself to clothe us,
emptied himself to enrich us; nay, he did more than Jonathan, he
clothed himself with our rags, whereas Jonathan did not put on
David's. 3. He endeavored to perpetuate this friendship. So
entirely satisfied were they in each other, even at the first
interview, that they made a covenant with each other, <scripRef id="iSam.xix-p5.5" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.18.3" parsed="|1Sam|18|3|0|0" passage="1Sa 18:3"><i>v.</i> 3</scripRef>. Their mutual affection
was sincere; and he that bears an honest mind startles not at
assurances. True love desires to be constant. Those who love Christ
as their own souls will be willing to join themselves to him in an
everlasting covenant.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.xix-p6">III. That both court and country agree to
bless him. It is but seldom that they agree in their favourites;
yet David was <i>accepted in the sight of all the people, and
also</i> (which was strange) <i>in the sight of Saul's
servants,</i> <scripRef id="iSam.xix-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.18.5" parsed="|1Sam|18|5|0|0" passage="1Sa 18:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>.
The former cordially loved him, the latter could not for shame but
caress and compliment him. And it was certainly a great instance of
the power of God's grace in David that he was able to bear all this
respect and honour flowing in upon him on a sudden without being
lifted up above measure. Those that climb so fast have need of good
heads and good hearts. It is more difficult to know how to abound
than how to be abased.</p>
</div><scripCom id="iSam.xix-p0.3" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.18.6-1Sam.18.11" parsed="|1Sam|18|6|18|11" passage="1Sa 18:6-11" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:1Sam.18.6-1Sam.18.11">
<h4 id="iSam.xix-p6.3">David Honoured by the People; Saul Troubled
with an Evil Spirit. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.xix-p6.4">b. c.</span> 1060.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iSam.xix-p7">6 And it came to pass as they came, when David
was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women
came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king
Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of music.  
7 And the women answered <i>one another</i> as they played, and
said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.
  8 And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him;
and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me
they have ascribed <i>but</i> thousands: and <i>what</i> can he
have more but the kingdom?   9 And Saul eyed David from that
day and forward.   10 And it came to pass on the morrow, that
the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied in the
midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as at other
times: and <i>there was</i> a javelin in Saul's hand.   11 And
Saul cast the javelin; for he said, I will smite David even to the
wall <i>with it.</i> And David avoided out of his presence
twice.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.xix-p8">Now begin David's troubles, and they not
only tread on the heels of his triumphs, but take rise from them,
such is the vanity of that in this world which seems greatest.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.xix-p9">I. He was too much magnified by the common
people. Some time after the victory Saul went a triumphant progress
through the cities of Israel that lay next him, to receive the
congratulations of the country. And, when he made his public entry
into any place, the women were most forward to show him respect, as
was usual then in public triumphs (<scripRef id="iSam.xix-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.18.6" parsed="|1Sam|18|6|0|0" passage="1Sa 18:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>), and they had got a song, it
seems, which they sang in their dances (made by some poet or other,
that was a great admirer of David's bravery, and was more just than
wise, in giving his achievements in the late action the preference
before Saul's), the burden of which was, <i>Saul had slain his
thousands, and David his ten thousands.</i> Such a difference as
this Moses made between the numbers of Ephraim and Manasseh,
<scripRef id="iSam.xix-p9.2" osisRef="Bible:Deut.33.17" parsed="|Deut|33|17|0|0" passage="De 33:17">Deut. xxxiii. 17</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.xix-p10">II. This mightily displeased Saul, and made
him envy David, <scripRef id="iSam.xix-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.18.8-1Sam.18.9" parsed="|1Sam|18|8|18|9" passage="1Sa 18:8,9"><i>v.</i> 8,
9</scripRef>. He ought to have considered that they referred only
to this late action, and intended not to diminish any of Saul's
former exploits; and that in the action now celebrated it was
undeniably true that David, in killing Goliath, did in effect slay
all the Philistines that were slain that day and defeated the whole
army; so that they did but give David his due. It may be, he that
composed the song only used a poetic liberty, and intended not any
invidious comparison between Saul and David; or, if he did, it was
below the great mind of a prince to take notice of such a
reflection upon his personal honour, when it appeared that the
glory of the public was sincerely intended. But Saul was very
wroth, and presently suspected some treasonable design at the
bottom of it: <i>What can he have more but the kingdom?</i> This
made him eye David as one he was jealous of and sought advantages
against (<scripRef id="iSam.xix-p10.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.18.9" parsed="|1Sam|18|9|0|0" passage="1Sa 18:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>): his
countenance was not towards him as it had been. Proud men cannot
endure to hear any praised but themselves, and think all their
honour lost that goes by themselves. It is a sign that the Spirit
of God has departed from men if they be peevish in their resentment
of affronts, envious and suspicious of all about them, and
ill-natured in their conduct; for the wisdom from above makes us
quite otherwise.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.xix-p11">III. In his fury he aimed to kill David,
<scripRef id="iSam.xix-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.18.10-1Sam.18.11" parsed="|1Sam|18|10|18|11" passage="1Sa 18:10,11"><i>v.</i> 10, 11</scripRef>.
<i>Jealousy is the rage of a man;</i> it made Saul outrageous
against David and impatient to get him out of the way. 1. His fits
of frenzy returned upon him. The very next day after he conceived
malice against David the evil spirit from God, that had formerly
haunted him, seized him again. Those that indulge themselves in
envy and uncharitableness <i>give place to the devil,</i> and
prepare for the re-entry of the unclean spirit, with seven others
more wicked. Where envy is there is confusion. Saul pretended a
religious ecstasy: <i>He prophesied in the midst of the house,</i>
that is, he had the gestures and motions of a prophet, and humoured
the thing well enough to decoy David into a snare, and that he
might be fearless of any danger and off his guard; and perhaps
designing, if he could but kill him, to impute it to a divine
impulse and to charge it upon the spirit of prophecy with which he
seemed to be animated: but really it was a hellish fury that
actuated him. 2. David, though advanced to a much higher post of
honour, disdained not, for his master's service, to return to his
harp: <i>He played with his hand as at other times.</i> Let not the
highest think any thing below them whereby they may do good and be
serviceable to those they are obliged to. 3. He took this
opportunity to aim at the death of David. A sword in a madman's
hand is a dangerous thing, especially such a madman as Saul was,
that was mad with malice. Yet he had a javelin or dart in his hand,
which he projected, endeavouring thereby to slay David, not in a
sudden passion, but deliberately: <i>I will smite David to the wall
with it,</i> with such a desperate force did he throw it. Justly
does David complain of his enemies that they hated him with <i>a
cruel hatred,</i> <scripRef id="iSam.xix-p11.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.25.19" parsed="|Ps|25|19|0|0" passage="Ps 25:19">Ps. xxv.
19</scripRef>. No life is thought too precious to be sacrificed to
malice. If a grateful sense of the great service David had done to
the public could not assuage Saul's fury, yet one would think he
should have allowed himself to consider the kindness David was now
doing him, in relieving him, as no one else could, against the
worst of troubles. Those are possessed with a devilish spirit
indeed that render evil for good. Compare David, with his harp in
his hand, aiming to serve Saul, and Saul, with his javelin in his
hand, aiming to slay David; and observe the meekness and usefulness
of God's persecuted people and the brutishness and barbarity of
their persecutors. <i>The bloodthirsty hate the upright, but the
just seek his soul,</i> <scripRef id="iSam.xix-p11.3" osisRef="Bible:Prov.29.10" parsed="|Prov|29|10|0|0" passage="Pr 29:10">Prov. xxix.
10</scripRef>. 4. David happily avoided the blow twice (namely,
now, and afterwards, <scripRef id="iSam.xix-p11.4" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.19.10" parsed="|1Sam|19|10|0|0" passage="1Sa 19:10"><i>ch.</i> xix.
10</scripRef>); he did not throw the javelin at Saul again, but
withdrew, not fighting but flying for his own preservation; though
he had both strength and courage enough, and colour of right, to
make resistance and revenge the injury, yet he did no more than
secure himself, by getting out of the way of it. David, no doubt,
had a watchful eye upon Saul's hand, and the javelin in it, and did
as bravely in running from it as he did lately in running upon
Goliath. Yet his safety must be ascribed to the watchful eye of
God's providence upon him, saving his servant from the hurtful
sword; and by this narrow escape it seemed he was designed for
something extraordinary.</p>
</div><scripCom id="iSam.xix-p0.4" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.18.12-1Sam.18.30" parsed="|1Sam|18|12|18|30" passage="1Sa 18:12-30" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:1Sam.18.12-1Sam.18.30">
<h4 id="iSam.xix-p11.6">David Marries Saul's Daughter; Saul's
Jealousy of David. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.xix-p11.7">b. c.</span> 1059.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iSam.xix-p12">12 And Saul was afraid of David, because the
<span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.xix-p12.1">Lord</span> was with him, and was departed
from Saul.   13 Therefore Saul removed him from him, and made
him his captain over a thousand; and he went out and came in before
the people.   14 And David behaved himself wisely in all his
ways; and the <span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.xix-p12.2">Lord</span> <i>was</i> with
him.   15 Wherefore when Saul saw that he behaved himself very
wisely, he was afraid of him.   16 But all Israel and Judah
loved David, because he went out and came in before them.   17
And Saul said to David, Behold my elder daughter Merab, her will I
give thee to wife: only be thou valiant for me, and fight the <span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.xix-p12.3">Lord</span>'s battles. For Saul said, Let not
mine hand be upon him, but let the hand of the Philistines be upon
him.   18 And David said unto Saul, Who <i>am</i> I? and what
<i>is</i> my life, <i>or</i> my father's family in Israel, that I
should be son in law to the king?   19 But it came to pass at
the time when Merab Saul's daughter should have been given to
David, that she was given unto Adriel the Meholathite to wife.
  20 And Michal Saul's daughter loved David: and they told
Saul, and the thing pleased him.   21 And Saul said, I will
give him her, that she may be a snare to him, and that the hand of
the Philistines may be against him. Wherefore Saul said to David,
Thou shalt this day be my son in law in <i>the one of</i> the
twain.   22 And Saul commanded his servants, <i>saying,</i>
Commune with David secretly, and say, Behold, the king hath delight
in thee, and all his servants love thee: now therefore be the
king's son in law.   23 And Saul's servants spake those words
in the ears of David. And David said, Seemeth it to you <i>a</i>
light <i>thing</i> to be a king's son in law, seeing that I
<i>am</i> a poor man, and lightly esteemed?   24 And the
servants of Saul told him, saying, On this manner spake David.
  25 And Saul said, Thus shall ye say to David, The king
desireth not any dowry, but a hundred foreskins of the Philistines,
to be avenged of the king's enemies. But Saul thought to make David
fall by the hand of the Philistines.   26 And when his
servants told David these words, it pleased David well to be the
king's son in law: and the days were not expired.   27
Wherefore David arose and went, he and his men, and slew of the
Philistines two hundred men; and David brought their foreskins, and
they gave them in full tale to the king, that he might be the
king's son in law. And Saul gave him Michal his daughter to wife.
  28 And Saul saw and knew that the <span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.xix-p12.4">Lord</span> <i>was</i> with David, and <i>that</i>
Michal Saul's daughter loved him.   29 And Saul was yet the
more afraid of David; and Saul became David's enemy continually.
  30 Then the princes of the Philistines went forth: and it
came to pass, after they went forth, <i>that</i> David behaved
himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul; so that his name
was much set by.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.xix-p13">Saul had now, in effect, proclaimed war
with David. He began in open hostility when he threw the javelin at
him. Now we are here told how his enmity proceeded, and how David
received the attacks of it.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.xix-p14">I. See how Saul expressed his malice
against David. 1. He was <i>afraid of him,</i> <scripRef id="iSam.xix-p14.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.18.12" parsed="|1Sam|18|12|0|0" passage="1Sa 18:12"><i>v.</i> 12</scripRef>. Perhaps he pretended to be
afraid that David would do himself mischief, to force his way to
the crown. Those that design ill against others are commonly
willing to have it thought that others design ill against them. But
David's withdrawal (<scripRef id="iSam.xix-p14.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.18.11" parsed="|1Sam|18|11|0|0" passage="1Sa 18:11"><i>v.</i>
11</scripRef>) was a plain evidence that he was far from such a
thought. However, he really stood in awe of him, as Herod feared
John, <scripRef id="iSam.xix-p14.3" osisRef="Bible:Mark.6.20" parsed="|Mark|6|20|0|0" passage="Mk 6:20">Mark vi. 20</scripRef>. Saul was
sensible that he had lost the favourable presence of God himself,
and that David had it, and for this reason he feared him. Note,
Those are truly great and to be reverenced that have God with them.
The more <i>wisely David behaved himself</i> the more <i>Saul
feared him,</i> <scripRef id="iSam.xix-p14.4" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.18.15" parsed="|1Sam|18|15|0|0" passage="1Sa 18:15"><i>v.</i>
15</scripRef>, and again <scripRef id="iSam.xix-p14.5" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.18.29" parsed="|1Sam|18|29|0|0" passage="1Sa 18:29"><i>v.</i>
29</scripRef>. Men think the way to be feared is to hector and
threaten, which makes them feared by fools only, but despised by
the wise and good; whereas the way to be both feared and loved,
feared by those to whom we would wish to be a terror and loved by
those to whom we would wish to be a delight, is to <i>behave
ourselves wisely.</i> Wisdom makes the face to shine and commands
respect. 2. He removed him from court, and gave him a regiment in
the country, <scripRef id="iSam.xix-p14.6" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.18.13" parsed="|1Sam|18|13|0|0" passage="1Sa 18:13"><i>v.</i> 13</scripRef>.
He made him captain over 1000, that he might be from under his eye,
because he hated the sight of him; and that he might not secure the
interest of the courtiers. Yet herein he did impolitely; for it
gave David an opportunity of ingratiating himself with the people,
who therefore <i>loved him</i> (<scripRef id="iSam.xix-p14.7" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.18.16" parsed="|1Sam|18|16|0|0" passage="1Sa 18:16"><i>v.</i> 16</scripRef>) because he <i>went out and
came in before them,</i> that is, he presided in the business of
his country, civil as well as military, and gave universal
satisfaction. 3. He stirred him up to take all occasions of
quarrelling with the Philistines and engaging them (<scripRef id="iSam.xix-p14.8" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.18.17" parsed="|1Sam|18|17|0|0" passage="1Sa 18:17"><i>v.</i> 17</scripRef>), insinuating to him
that hereby he would do good service to his prince (<i>be thou
valiant for me</i>), and good service to his God (<i>fight the
Lord's battles</i>), and a kindness to himself too, for hereby he
would qualify himself for the honour he designed him, which was to
marry his eldest daughter to him. This he had merited by killing
Goliath, for it was promised by proclamation to him that should do
that exploit (<scripRef id="iSam.xix-p14.9" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.17.25" parsed="|1Sam|17|25|0|0" passage="1Sa 17:25"><i>ch.</i> xvii.
25</scripRef>); but David was so modest as not to demand it, and
now, when Saul proposed it, it was with design of mischief to him,
to make him venture upon hazardous attempts, saying in his heart,
<i>Let the hand of the Philistines be upon him,</i> hoping that he
would some time or other be the death of him; yet how could he
expect this when he saw that God was with him? 4. He did what he
could to provoke him to discontent and mutiny, by breaking his
promise with him, and giving his daughter to another when the time
came that she should have been given to him, <scripRef id="iSam.xix-p14.10" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.18.19" parsed="|1Sam|18|19|0|0" passage="1Sa 18:19"><i>v.</i> 19</scripRef>. This was as great an affront
as he could possibly put upon him, and touched him both in his
honour and in his love. He therefore thought David's resentment of
it would break out in some indecency or other, in word or deed,
which might give him an advantage against him to take him off by
the course of law. Thus evil men seek mischief. 5. When he was
disappointed in his, he proffered him his other daughter (who it
seems had a secret kindness for David, <scripRef id="iSam.xix-p14.11" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.18.20" parsed="|1Sam|18|20|0|0" passage="1Sa 18:20"><i>v.</i> 20</scripRef>), but with this design, that
she might be <i>a snare to him,</i> <scripRef id="iSam.xix-p14.12" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.18.21" parsed="|1Sam|18|21|0|0" passage="1Sa 18:21"><i>v.</i> 21</scripRef>. (1.) Perhaps he hoped that she
would, even after her marriage to David, take part with her father
against her husband, and give him an opportunity of doing David an
unkindness. However, (2.) The conditions of the marriage, he hoped,
would be his destruction; for (so zealous will Saul seem against
the Philistines) the conditions of the marriage must be that he
killed 100 Philistines, and, as proofs that those he had slain were
uncircumcised, he must bring in their foreskins cut off; this would
be a just reproach upon the Philistines, who hated circumcision as
it was an ordinance of God; and perhaps David, in doing this, would
the more exasperate them against him, and make them seek to be
revenged on him, which was the thing that Saul desired and
designed, much more than to be avenged on the Philistines: <i>For
Saul thought to make David fall by the Philistines,</i> <scripRef id="iSam.xix-p14.13" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.18.25" parsed="|1Sam|18|25|0|0" passage="1Sa 18:25"><i>v.</i> 25</scripRef>. See here, [1.] What
cheats bad men put upon themselves. Saul's conscience would not
suffer him, except when the evil spirit was actually upon him, to
aim at David's life himself, for even he could not but conceive a
horror at the thought of murdering such an innocent and excellent
person; but he thought that to expose him designedly to the
Philistines had nothing bad in it (<i>Let not my hand be upon him,
but the hand of the Philistines</i>), whereas that malicious design
against him was as truly murder before God as if he had slain him
with his own hands. [2.] What cheats they put upon the world. Saul
pretended extraordinary kindness for David even when he aimed at
his ruin, and was actually plotting it: <i>Thou shalt be my
son-in-law,</i> says he (<scripRef id="iSam.xix-p14.14" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.18.21" parsed="|1Sam|18|21|0|0" passage="1Sa 18:21"><i>v.</i>
21</scripRef>), notwithstanding he hated him implacably. Perhaps
David refers to this when (<scripRef id="iSam.xix-p14.15" osisRef="Bible:Ps.55.21" parsed="|Ps|55|21|0|0" passage="Ps 55:21">Ps. lv.
21</scripRef>) he speaks of his enemy as one whose words were
<i>smoother than butter, but war was in his heart.</i> It is
probable that Saul's employing his servants to persuade David to
enter into a treaty of a match with his daughter Michal (<scripRef id="iSam.xix-p14.16" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.18.22" parsed="|1Sam|18|22|0|0" passage="1Sa 18:22"><i>v.</i> 22</scripRef>) arose from an
apprehension that either his having cheated him about his elder
daughter (<scripRef id="iSam.xix-p14.17" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.18.19" parsed="|1Sam|18|19|0|0" passage="1Sa 18:19"><i>v.</i> 19</scripRef>) or
the hardness of the terms he intended now to propose would make him
decline it.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.xix-p15">II. See how David conducted himself when
the tide of Saul's displeasure ran thus high against him.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.xix-p16">1. <i>He behaved himself wisely in all his
ways.</i> He perceived Saul's jealousy of him, which made him very
cautious and circumspect in every thing he said and did, and
careful to give no offence. He did not complain of hard measure
more make himself the head of a party, but managed all the affairs
he was entrusted with as one that made it his business to do real
service to his king and country, looking upon that to be the end of
his preferment. And then <i>the Lord was with him</i> to give him
success in all his undertakings. Though he procured Saul's ill-will
by it, yet he obtained God's favour. Compare this with <scripRef id="iSam.xix-p16.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.101.2" parsed="|Ps|101|2|0|0" passage="Ps 101:2">Ps. ci. 2</scripRef>, where it is David's
promise, <i>I will behave myself wisely;</i> and that promise he
here performed; and it is his prayer, <i>O, when wilt thou come
unto me?</i> And that prayer God here answered: <i>The Lord was
with him.</i> However blind fortune may seem to favour fools, God
will own and bless those that behave themselves wisely.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.xix-p17">2. When it was proposed to him to be
son-in-law to the king he once and again received the proposal with
all possible modesty and humility. When Saul proposed his elder
daughter to him (<scripRef id="iSam.xix-p17.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.18.18" parsed="|1Sam|18|18|0|0" passage="1Sa 18:18"><i>v.</i>
18</scripRef>) he said, <i>Who am I, and what is my life?</i> When
the courtier proposed the younger, he took no notice of the affront
Saul had put upon him in disposing of the elder from him, but
continued in the same mind (<scripRef id="iSam.xix-p17.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.18.23" parsed="|1Sam|18|23|0|0" passage="1Sa 18:23"><i>v.</i>
23</scripRef>): <i>Seemeth it a light thing to you to be a king's
son-in-law, seeing that I am a poor man and lightly esteemed?</i>
He knew Michal loved him, and yet did not offer to improve his
interest in her affections for the gaining of her without her
father's consent, but waited till it was proposed to him. And then
see, (1.) How highly he speaks of the honour offered him: <i>To be
son-in-law to the king.</i> Though his king was but an upstart, in
his original as mean as himself, in his management no better than
he should be, yet, being a crowned head, he speaks of him and the
royal family with all due respect. Note, Religion is so far from
teaching us to be rude and unmannerly that it does not allow us to
be so. We must <i>render honour to whom honour is due.</i> (2.) How
humbly he speaks of himself: <i>Who am I?</i> This did not proceed
from a mean, abject, sneaking spirit, for when there was occasion
he made it appear that he had as high a sense of honour as most
men; nor was it from his jealousy of Saul (though he had reason
enough to fear a snake under the green grass), but from him true
and deep humility: <i>Who am I, a poor man, and lightly
esteemed?</i> David had as much reason as any man to value himself.
He was of an ancient and honourable family of Judah, a comely
person, a great statesman and soldier; his achievements were great,
for he had won Goliath's head and Michal's heart. He knew himself
destined by the divine counsels to the throne of Israel, and yet,
<i>Whom am I, and what is my life?</i> Note, It well becomes us,
however God has advanced us, always to have low thoughts of
ourselves. <i>He that humbleth himself shall be exalted.</i> And,
if David thus magnified the honour of being son-in-law to the king,
how should we magnify the honour of being sons (not in law, but in
gospel) to the King of kings! <i>Behold what manner of love the
Father has bestowed upon us!</i> Who are we that we should be thus
dignified?</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.xix-p18">3. When the slaying of 100 Philistines was
made the condition of David's marrying Saul's daughter he readily
closed with it (<scripRef id="iSam.xix-p18.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.18.26" parsed="|1Sam|18|26|0|0" passage="1Sa 18:26"><i>v.</i>
26</scripRef>): <i>It pleased David well to be the king's
son-in-law</i> upon those terms; and, before the time given him for
the action had expired, he doubled the demand, and slew 200,
<scripRef id="iSam.xix-p18.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.18.27" parsed="|1Sam|18|27|0|0" passage="1Sa 18:27"><i>v.</i> 27</scripRef>. He would not
seem to suspect that Saul designed his hurt by it (though he had
reason enough), but would rather act as if Saul had meant to
consult his honour, and therefore cheerfully undertook it, as
became a brave soldier and a true lover, though we may suppose it
uneasy to Michal. David hereby discovered likewise, (1.) A great
confidence in the divine protection. He knew God was with him, and
therefore, whatever Saul hoped, David did not fear falling by the
Philistines, though he must needs expose himself much by such an
undertaking as this. (2.) A great zeal for the good of his country,
which he would not decline any occasion of doing service to, though
with the hazard of his life. (3.) A right notion of honour, which
consists not so much in being preferred as in deserving to be so.
David was then pleased with the thoughts of being the king's
son-in-law when he found the honour set at this high price, being
more solicitous how to merit it than how to obtain it; nor could he
wear it with satisfaction till he had won it.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.xix-p19">4. Even after he was married he continued
his good services to Israel. When the princes of the Philistines
began to move towards another war David was ready to oppose them,
and <i>behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of
Saul,</i> <scripRef id="iSam.xix-p19.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.18.30" parsed="|1Sam|18|30|0|0" passage="1Sa 18:30"><i>v.</i> 30</scripRef>.
The law dispensed with men from going to war the first year after
they were married (<scripRef id="iSam.xix-p19.2" osisRef="Bible:Deut.24.5" parsed="|Deut|24|5|0|0" passage="De 24:5">Deut. xxiv.
5</scripRef>), but David loved his country too well to make use of
that dispensation. Many that have shown themselves forward to serve
the public when they have been in pursuit of preferment have
declined it when they have gained their point; but David acted from
more generous principles.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.xix-p20">III. Observe how God brought good to David
out of Saul's project against him. 1. Saul gave him his daughter to
be a snare to him, but in this respect that marriage was a kindness
to him, that his being Saul's son-in-law made his succeeding him
much the less invidious, especially when so many of his sons were
slain with him, <scripRef id="iSam.xix-p20.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.31.2" parsed="|1Sam|31|2|0|0" passage="1Sa 31:2"><i>ch.</i> xxxi.
2</scripRef>. 2. Saul thought, by putting him upon dangerous
services, to have him taken off, but that very thing confirmed his
interest in the people; for the more he did against the Philistines
the better they loved him, so that <i>his name was much set by</i>
(<scripRef id="iSam.xix-p20.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.18.30" parsed="|1Sam|18|30|0|0" passage="1Sa 18:30"><i>v.</i> 30</scripRef>), which
would make his coming to the crown the more easy. Thus God makes
even the wrath of man to praise him and serves his designs of
kindness to his own people by it.</p>
</div></div2>