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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1>
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1708)
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<CENTER>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>F I R S T S A M U E L</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. XVIII.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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</CENTER>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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In the course of the foregoing chapter we left David in triumph; now in
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this chapter we have,
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I. The improvement of his triumphs; he soon became,
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1. Saul's constant attendant,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+18:2">ver. 2</A>.
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2. Jonathan's covenant friend,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+18:1,3,4">ver. 1, 3, 4</A>.
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3. The darling of his country,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+18:5,7,16">ver. 5, 7, 16</A>.
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II. The allays of his triumphs. This is the vanity that accompanies
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even a right work, that "for it a man is envied,"
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ec+4:4">Eccl. iv. 4</A>.
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So David was by Saul.
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1. He hated him, and sought to kill him himself,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+18:8-11">ver. 8-11</A>.
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2. He feared him, and contrived how he might have some mischief done
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him,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+18:12-17">ver. 12-17</A>.
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He proposed to marry his daughter to him; but,
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[1.] cheated him of the eldest to provoke him
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+18:19">ver. 19</A>),
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and,
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[2.] Gave him the younger, upon conditions which would endanger his
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life,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+18:20-25">ver. 20-25</A>.
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But David performed his conditions bravely
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+18:26,27">ver. 26, 27</A>),
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and grew to be more and more esteemed,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+18:28-30">ver. 28-30</A>.
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Still David is rising, but (as all that aim at the crown of life must
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expect) he had a great deal of difficulty and opposition to grapple
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with.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="1Sa18_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Sa18_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Sa18_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Sa18_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Sa18_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Jonathan's Love to David.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1060.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto
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Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David,
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and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.
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2 And Saul took him that day, and would let him go no more home
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to his father's house.
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3 Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him
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as his own soul.
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4 And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that <I>was</I> upon
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him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword,
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and to his bow, and to his girdle.
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5 And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him, <I>and</I> behaved
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himself wisely: and Saul set him over the men of war, and he was
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accepted in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of
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Saul's servants.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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David was anointed to the crown to take it out of Saul's hand, and over
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Jonathan's head, and yet here we find,</P>
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<P>
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I. That Saul, who was now in possession of the crown, reposed a
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confidence in him, God so ordering it, that he might by his preferment
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at court be prepared for future service. Saul now took David home with
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him, and would not suffer him to return again to his retirement,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+18:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>.
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And David having signalized himself above the men of war, in taking up
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the challenge which they declined, <I>Saul set him over the men of
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war</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+18:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>),
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not that he made him general (Abner was in that post), but perhaps
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captain of the life-guard; or, though he was youngest, he ordered him
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to have the precedency, in recompence of his great services. He
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employed him in the affairs of government; <I>and David went out
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whithersoever Saul sent him,</I> showing himself as dutiful as he was
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bold and courageous. Those that hope to rule must first learn to obey.
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He had approved himself a dutiful son to Jesse his father, and now a
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dutiful servant to Saul his master; those that are good in one relation
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it is to be hoped will be so in another.</P>
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<P>
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II. That Jonathan, who was heir to the crown, entered into covenant
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with him, God so ordering it, that David's way might be the clearer
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when his rival was his friend.
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1. Jonathan conceived an extraordinary kindness and affection for him
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+18:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>):
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<I>When he had made an end of speaking to Saul</I> he fell perfectly in
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love with him. Whether it refers to his conference with Saul before the
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battle
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+17:34,37"><I>ch.</I> xvii. 34, 37</A>),
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or to that after
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+18:51"><I>v.</I> 51</A>),
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in which it is probable much more was said than is there set down, is
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uncertain. But, in both, David expressed himself with so much prudence,
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modesty, and piety, such a felicity of expression, with so much
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boldness and yet so much sweetness, and all this so natural and
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unaffected, and the more surprising because of the disadvantages of his
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education and appearance, <I>that the soul of Jonathan was</I>
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immediately <I>knit</I> unto <I>the soul of David.</I> Jonathan had
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formerly set upon a Philistine army with the same faith and bravery
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with which David had now attacked a Philistine giant; so that there was
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between them a very near resemblance of affections, dispositions, and
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counsels, which made their spirits unite to easily, so quickly, so
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closely, that they seemed but as one soul in two bodies. None had so
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much reason to dislike David as Jonathan had, because he was to put him
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by the crown, yet none regards him more. Those that are governed in
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their love by principles of wisdom and grace will not suffer their
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affections to be alienated by any secular regards or considerations:
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the greater thoughts will swallow up and overrule the less.
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2. He testified his love to David by a generous present he made him,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+18:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>.
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He was uneasy at seeing so great a soul, though lodged in so fair a
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body, yet disguised in the mean and despicable dress of a poor
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shepherd, and therefore takes care to put him speedily into the habit
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of a courtier (for he gave him a robe) and of a soldier, for he gave
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him, instead of his staff and sling, a sword and bow, and, instead of
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his shepherd's scrip, a girdle, either a belt or a sash; and, which
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made the present much more obliging, they were the same that he himself
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had worn, and (as a presage of what would follow) he stripped himself
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of them to dress David in them. Saul's would not fit him, but
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Jonathan's did. Their bodies were of a size, a circumstance which well
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agreed with the suitableness of their minds. When Saul put these marks
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of honour on David he put them off again, because he would first earn
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them and then wear them; but, now that he had given proofs of the
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spirit of a prince and a soldier, he was not ashamed to wear the habits
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of a prince and a soldier. David is seen in Jonathan's clothes, that
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all may take notice he is a Jonathan's second self. Our Lord Jesus has
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thus shown his love to us, that he stripped himself to clothe us,
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emptied himself to enrich us; nay, he did more than Jonathan, he
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clothed himself with our rags, whereas Jonathan did not put on David's.
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3. He endeavored to perpetuate this friendship. So entirely satisfied
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were they in each other, even at the first interview, that they made a
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covenant with each other,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+18:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>.
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Their mutual affection was sincere; and he that bears an honest mind
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startles not at assurances. True love desires to be constant. Those who
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love Christ as their own souls will be willing to join themselves to
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him in an everlasting covenant.</P>
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<P>
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III. That both court and country agree to bless him. It is but seldom
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that they agree in their favourites; yet David was <I>accepted in the
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sight of all the people, and also</I> (which was strange) <I>in the
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sight of Saul's servants,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+18:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>.
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The former cordially loved him, the latter could not for shame but
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caress and compliment him. And it was certainly a great instance of the
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power of God's grace in David that he was able to bear all this respect
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and honour flowing in upon him on a sudden without being lifted up
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above measure. Those that climb so fast have need of good heads and
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good hearts. It is more difficult to know how to abound than how to be
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abased.</P>
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<A NAME="1Sa18_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Sa18_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Sa18_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Sa18_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Sa18_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Sa18_11"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>David Honoured by the People; Saul Troubled with an Evil Spirit.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1060.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>6 And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned
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from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of
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all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul,
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with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of music.
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7 And the women answered <I>one another</I> as they played, and
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said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.
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8 And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and
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he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me
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they have ascribed <I>but</I> thousands: and <I>what</I> can he have more
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but the kingdom?
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9 And Saul eyed David from that day and forward.
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10 And it came to pass on the morrow, that the evil spirit from
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God came upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house:
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and David played with his hand, as at other times: and <I>there
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was</I> a javelin in Saul's hand.
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11 And Saul cast the javelin; for he said, I will smite David
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even to the wall <I>with it.</I> And David avoided out of his presence
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twice.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Now begin David's troubles, and they not only tread on the heels of his
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triumphs, but take rise from them, such is the vanity of that in this
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world which seems greatest.</P>
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<P>
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I. He was too much magnified by the common people. Some time after the
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victory Saul went a triumphant progress through the cities of Israel
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that lay next him, to receive the congratulations of the country. And,
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when he made his public entry into any place, the women were most
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forward to show him respect, as was usual then in public triumphs
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+18:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>),
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and they had got a song, it seems, which they sang in their dances
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(made by some poet or other, that was a great admirer of David's
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bravery, and was more just than wise, in giving his achievements in the
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late action the preference before Saul's), the burden of which was,
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<I>Saul had slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.</I> Such
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a difference as this Moses made between the numbers of Ephraim and
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Manasseh,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+33:17">Deut. xxxiii. 17</A>.</P>
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<P>
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II. This mightily displeased Saul, and made him envy David,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+18:8,9"><I>v.</I> 8, 9</A>.
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He ought to have considered that they referred only to this late
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action, and intended not to diminish any of Saul's former exploits; and
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that in the action now celebrated it was undeniably true that David, in
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killing Goliath, did in effect slay all the Philistines that were slain
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that day and defeated the whole army; so that they did but give David
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his due. It may be, he that composed the song only used a poetic
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liberty, and intended not any invidious comparison between Saul and
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David; or, if he did, it was below the great mind of a prince to take
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notice of such a reflection upon his personal honour, when it appeared
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that the glory of the public was sincerely intended. But Saul was very
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wroth, and presently suspected some treasonable design at the bottom of
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it: <I>What can he have more but the kingdom?</I> This made him eye
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David as one he was jealous of and sought advantages against
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+18:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>):
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his countenance was not towards him as it had been. Proud men cannot
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endure to hear any praised but themselves, and think all their honour
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lost that goes by themselves. It is a sign that the Spirit of God has
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departed from men if they be peevish in their resentment of affronts,
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envious and suspicious of all about them, and ill-natured in their
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conduct; for the wisdom from above makes us quite otherwise.</P>
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<P>
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III. In his fury he aimed to kill David,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+18:10,11"><I>v.</I> 10, 11</A>.
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<I>Jealousy is the rage of a man;</I> it made Saul outrageous against
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David and impatient to get him out of the way.
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1. His fits of frenzy returned upon him. The very next day after he
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conceived malice against David the evil spirit from God, that had
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formerly haunted him, seized him again. Those that indulge themselves
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in envy and uncharitableness <I>give place to the devil,</I> and
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prepare for the re-entry of the unclean spirit, with seven others more
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wicked. Where envy is there is confusion. Saul pretended a religious
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ecstasy: <I>He prophesied in the midst of the house,</I> that is, he
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had the gestures and motions of a prophet, and humoured the thing well
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enough to decoy David into a snare, and that he might be fearless of
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any danger and off his guard; and perhaps designing, if he could but
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kill him, to impute it to a divine impulse and to charge it upon the
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spirit of prophecy with which he seemed to be animated: but really it
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was a hellish fury that actuated him.
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2. David, though advanced to a much higher post of honour, disdained
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not, for his master's service, to return to his harp: <I>He played with
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his hand as at other times.</I> Let not the highest think any thing
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below them whereby they may do good and be serviceable to those they
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are obliged to.
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3. He took this opportunity to aim at the death of David. A sword in a
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madman's hand is a dangerous thing, especially such a madman as Saul
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was, that was mad with malice. Yet he had a javelin or dart in his
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hand, which he projected, endeavouring thereby to slay David, not in a
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sudden passion, but deliberately: <I>I will smite David to the wall
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with it,</I> with such a desperate force did he throw it. Justly does
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David complain of his enemies that they hated him with <I>a cruel
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hatred,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+25:19">Ps. xxv. 19</A>.
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No life is thought too precious to be sacrificed to malice. If a
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grateful sense of the great service David had done to the public could
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not assuage Saul's fury, yet one would think he should have allowed
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himself to consider the kindness David was now doing him, in relieving
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him, as no one else could, against the worst of troubles. Those are
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possessed with a devilish spirit indeed that render evil for good.
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Compare David, with his harp in his hand, aiming to serve Saul, and
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Saul, with his javelin in his hand, aiming to slay David; and observe
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|
the meekness and usefulness of God's persecuted people and the
|
|
brutishness and barbarity of their persecutors. <I>The bloodthirsty
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|
hate the upright, but the just seek his soul,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+29:10">Prov. xxix. 10</A>.
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4. David happily avoided the blow twice (namely, now, and afterwards,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+19:10"><I>ch.</I> xix. 10</A>);
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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
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injury, yet he did no more than secure himself, by getting out of the
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way of it. David, no doubt, had a watchful eye upon Saul's hand, and
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the javelin in it, and did as bravely in running from it as he did
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|
lately in running upon Goliath. Yet his safety must be ascribed to the
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watchful eye of God's providence upon him, saving his servant from the
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hurtful sword; and by this narrow escape it seemed he was designed for
|
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something extraordinary.</P>
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<A NAME="1Sa18_12"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>David Marries Saul's Daughter; Saul's Jealousy of David.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1059.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>12 And Saul was afraid of David, because the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> was with him,
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and was departed from Saul.
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13 Therefore Saul removed him from him, and made him his
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|
captain over a thousand; and he went out and came in before the
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|
people.
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14 And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the
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L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> <I>was</I> with him.
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15 Wherefore when Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely,
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he was afraid of him.
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16 But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out
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and came in before them.
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17 And Saul said to David, Behold my elder daughter Merab, her
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|
will I give thee to wife: only be thou valiant for me, and fight
|
|
the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>'s battles. For Saul said, Let not mine hand be upon him,
|
|
but let the hand of the Philistines be upon him.
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18 And David said unto Saul, Who <I>am</I> I? and what <I>is</I> my life,
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<I>or</I> my father's family in Israel, that I should be son in law to
|
|
the king?
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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.
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|
20 And Michal Saul's daughter loved David: and they told Saul,
|
|
and the thing pleased him.
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|
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.
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|
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.
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23 And Saul's servants spake those words in the ears of David.
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|
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?
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|
24 And the servants of Saul told him, saying, On this manner
|
|
spake David.
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|
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.
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|
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.
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|
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 L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> <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.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
I. See how Saul expressed his malice against David.
|
|
|
|
1. He was <I>afraid of him,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+18:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>.
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+18:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>)
|
|
|
|
was a plain evidence that he was far from such a thought. However, he
|
|
really stood in awe of him, as Herod feared John,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+6:20">Mark vi. 20</A>.
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+18:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>,
|
|
|
|
and again
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+18:29"><I>v.</I> 29</A>.
|
|
|
|
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,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+18:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>.
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+18:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>)
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
have universal satisfaction.
|
|
|
|
3. He stirred him up to take all occasions of quarrelling with the
|
|
Philistines and engaging them
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+18:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>),
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+17:25"><I>ch.</I> xvii. 25</A>);
|
|
|
|
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,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+18:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>.
|
|
|
|
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,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+18:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>),
|
|
|
|
but with this design, that she might be <I>a snare to him,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+18:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>.
|
|
|
|
(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>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+18:25"><I>v.</I> 25</A>.
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+18:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>),
|
|
|
|
notwithstanding he hated him implacably. Perhaps David refers to this
|
|
when
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+55:21">Ps. lv. 21</A>)
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+18:22"><I>v.</I> 22</A>)
|
|
|
|
arose from an apprehension that either his having cheated him about his
|
|
elder daughter
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+18:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>)
|
|
|
|
or the hardness of the terms he intended now to propose would make him
|
|
decline it.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. See how David conducted himself when the tide of Saul's displeasure
|
|
ran thus high against him.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+101:2">Ps. ci. 2</A>,
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+18:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>)
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+18:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>):
|
|
|
|
<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>
|
|
|
|
3. When the slaying of 100 Philistines was made the condition of
|
|
David's marrying Saul's daughter he readily closed with it
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+18:26"><I>v.</I> 26</A>):
|
|
|
|
<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,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+18:27"><I>v.</I> 27</A>.
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+18:30"><I>v.</I> 30</A>.
|
|
|
|
The law dispensed with men from going to war the first year after they
|
|
were married
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+24:5">Deut. xxiv. 5</A>),
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
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,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+31:2"><I>ch.</I> xxxi. 2</A>.
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+18:30"><I>v.</I> 30</A>),
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which would make his coming to the crown the more easy. Thus God makes
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even the wrath of man to praise him and serves his designs of kindness
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to his own people by it.</P>
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