1 Samuel 18:1--20:42
Jonathan ......... friendship Jonathan ........... life <03083 05315> [the soul of Jonathan.]
The modesty, piety, and courage of David were so congenial to the character of the amiable Jonathan, that they attracted his most cordial esteem and affection; so that the most intimate friendship subsisted between them from that time, and they loved each other with pure hearts fervently. Their friendship could not be affected by the common vicissitudes of life; and it exemplifies by fact what the ancients have written on the subject; [Ten philian isoteta einai, kai mian psychen ton philon heteron auton.] "Friendship is an entire sameness, and one soul: a friend is another self."
friendship ... loved .......... life <0157 05315> [loved him.]
retained ..... day <03947 03117> [took him.]
made ... covenant <03772 01285> [made a covenant.]
took off ... robe <06584 04598> [stripped himself.]
Presents of clothes or rich robes, as tokens of respect or friendship, are frequent in the East.
achieved <07919> [behaved. or, prospered.]
achieved <07919> [wisely.]
men ... war <04421 0582> [the men of war.]
Philistine <06430> [Philistine. or, Philistines. the women.]
instruments <07991> [instruments of music. Heb. three stringed instruments.]
The original {shalishim,} is rendered by the Vulgate {sistris.} The {sistrum} was an ancient Egyptian instrument made of brass, with three, and sometimes more brass rods across; which, being loose in their holes, made a jingling noise when shaken.
sang <06030> [answered.]
Saul <07586> [Saul.]
statement <01697> [the saying.]
[displeased him. Heb. was evil in his eyes.]
kingdom <04410> [and what.]
David <05770 01732> [eyed David.]
evil spirit <07307 07451> [the evil spirit.]
prophesied <05012> [and he prophesied.]
{Wyyithnabbai,} rather, "and he pretended to prophesy; for the verb is in {Hithpa‰l,} the signification of which conjugation is not only reflex action, but also affectation of the action: Jer 29:26, 27. The meaning seems to be, that Saul, influenced by the evil spirit, feigned to be prophesying, the better to conceal his murderous intentions, and to render David unsuspicious.
playing <05059> [played.]
spear <02595> [and there was.]
{Wehachanith beyad Sh„ool,} rather, "and the javelin was in the hand of Saul;" for the javelin or spear was the emblem of regal authority; and kings had it always in their hand, as may be seen represented on ancient monuments. In ancient times, says Justin, kings used a spear instead of a sceptre.
threw ... spear <02904 02595> [cast the javelin.]
David ...... David <01732> [And David.]
feared <03372> [afraid.]
Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
departed <05493> [departed.]
removed <05493> [removed.]
out <03318> [he went out.]
Saul was sensible that the Lord was departed from him; while he perceived, with evident sorrow of heart, that the Lord had given David peculiar wisdom, and that he was with him to prosper all his undertakings. This increased the disquietude of his malevolent mind, and his dread of David as a prevailing rival: he therefore removed him from his presence. This impolitic step, however, served the more to ingratiate David with the people, by affording him the opportunity of leading them forth to victory over their enemies.
achieved <07919> [behaved. or, prospered.]
Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
successful <07919> [wisely.]
Israel <03478> [all Israel.]
leading ... out <03318> [he went.]
give <05414> [her will I give.]
brave warrior <01121> [valiant. Heb. a son of valour. the Lord's.]
hand ........ hand <03027> [Let not mine.]
<02416> [Who am I.]
Adriel <05741> [Adriel.]
Meholah <04259> [Meholathite.]
loved David <0157 01732> [loved David.]
[Ge 29:18,20 34:3 Jud 16:4,15 2Sa 13:1 1Ki 11:1,2 Ho 3:2]
[pleased him. Heb. was right in his eyes.]
snare <04170> [a snare.]
hand <03027> [the hand.]
Today <03117> [this day.]
instructed <06680> [commanded.]
servants .............. servants <05650> [servants.]
insignificant <07043> [a light.]
poor .... man <0376 07326> [a poor man.]
lightly-esteemed <07034> [and lightly.]
<01697> [On this manner. Heb. According to these words.]
price .... bride <04119> [dowry.]
hundred <03967> [but an hundred.]
That is, Thou shalt slay one hundred Philistines, and thou shalt produce their foreskins as a proof, not only that thou hast killed one hundred men, but that these are of the uncircumcised Philistines.
foreskins <06190> [foreskins.]
avenged <05358> [to be avenged.]
thinking <02803> [thought.]
time ..... expired <03117> [the days.]
expired <04390> [expired. Heb. fulfilled.]
<0582> [his men.]
struck down <05221> [slew.]
men ........ hundred ... men <03967 0376> [two hundred men.]
The Septuagint has only [ ,] one hundred men; and as Saul covenanted for a hundred, as David himself says, (2 Sa 3:14,) that he espoused Michal for a hundred, it is very probable that this is the true reading.
more <03254> [yet the.]
Saul ....... him Saul ........ David <07586 01732> [Saul became.]
leaders <08269> [the princes.]
Of this war we know no more than that David, whose military skill was greater, was more successful in it, than all the other officers of Saul.
Then ........ march out ........ so <03318> [went forth.]
did .... achieved <07919> [behaved himself.]
esteem <03365> [set by. Heb. precious.]
Saul .............. Saul's <07586> [And Saul.]
Saul's enmity now burst forth, in the avowed purpose of putting David to death; and nothing less than the especial interposition of Providence could have saved David's life, when every officer about the king's person, and every soldier, had positive orders to dispatch him.
<02654> [delighted.]
Jonathan <03083> [Jonathan.]
When I find ... what <07200 04100> [what I see.]
spoke .... behalf .................................. beneficial <01696 02896> [spake good.]
sin .... servant ....... sinned <02398 05650> [sin against.]
actions <04639> [because his works.]
risked <05315 07760> [put his life.]
struck <05221> [slew.]
<06213> [wrought.]
sin ... innocent <05355 02398> [sin against innocent.]
reason <02600> [without a cause.]
took an oath <07650> [sware.]
[he shalt not.]
formerly <0865> [in times past. Heb. yesterday, third day.]
David <01732> [David.]
[him. Heb. his face]
tried <01245> [sought.]
nail <06362> [he slipped.]
escaped <04422> [and escaped.]
sent messengers <04397 07971> [sent messengers.]
guard ..... kill ....................... dead <08104 04191> [to watch him.]
Michal <04324> [Michal.]
lowered David <03381 01732> [let David.]
household idol <08655> [an image. Heb. teraphim.]
quilt <03523> [a pillow.]
Rather, "the net-work of goat's hair at its (the Teraphim's) pillow;" for the {kevir,} (whence the Chaldee and Syriac {kavreetho,} a honey-comb, from its net-like form), seems to have been a kind of mosquito-net, which, says Dr. Shaw, is "a close curtain of gauze, used all over the East, by people of fashion, to keep out the flies." That they had such anciently cannot be doubted. Thus when Judith had beheaded Holofernes in his bed, (ch. 13:9, 15) "she pulled down the canopy (or the mosquito net, [ ,] from [ ,] a gnat, or mosquito, whence our word canopy) wherein he did lie in his drunkenness, from the pillars."
said <0559> [she said.]
Bring ... up <05927> [Bring him.]
The eastern beds consist merely of two thick cotton quilts, one of which, folded double, serves as a mattress, the other as a covering. Such seems to have been the bed of David, which could easily have been carried, with himself in it, to the presence of Saul.
messengers <04397> [And when.]
It is highly probable that David, when supposed to be sick, was thought to be hid in the harem or chamber of Michal. "The harems," says De La Motraye, "are sanctuaries, as sacred and inviolable, for persons pursed by justice for any crime, debt, etc., as the Roman Catholic churches in Italy, Spain, Portugal, etc." Thus we find, that to effect his purpose, Saul sent messengers to Michal, but they treated her harem with too much respect to enter it at first; but being authorised by Saul, they entered even into her chamber; and during the delay occasioned by respect for the privacy of Michal, David escaped.
deceived <07411> [Why hast.]
enemy <0341> [mine enemy.]
Michal .................. Michal <04324> [And Michal.]
said ..................... replied ..... said <0559> [He said.]
kill <04191> [why should.]
Samuel ................. Samuel <08050> [to Samuel.]
So ... sent messengers ........................... messengers <07971 04397> [sent messengers.]
saw <07200> [when they.]
sent ... messengers ........ sent messengers <04397 07971> [sent messengers.]
prophesied ............. prophesied <05012> [prophesied also.]
Spirit <07307> [the Spirit.]
came <0935> [until he came.]
stripped <06584> [stripped.]
lay <05307> [lay. Heb. fell.]
Saul <07586> [Is Saul.]
fled <01272> [fled.]
done <06213> [What have.]
By no means <02486> [God forbid.]
father ........ making ... aware ....... father <01540 01> [shew it me. Heb. uncover mine ear.]
Taking an oath <07650> [sware.]
But as surely as <0199> [but truly.]
you <05315> [as thy soul.]
step <06587> [but a step.]
I <05315> [Whatsoever, etc. or, Say what is thy mind, and I will do, etc.]
replied .... Tell <0559> [desireth. Heb. speaketh, or thinketh.]
new moon <02320> [the new moon.]
The months of the Hebrews were lunar months, and they reckoned from one new moon to another: and, as their feasts, particularly the passover, were reckoned according to this, they were very scrupulous in observing the first appearance of each new moon. On these new moons, they offered sacrifices, and feasted together: but the gathering together of all the families of a tribe on such occasions seems to have taken place only once in the year.
hide <05641> [that I may.]
Bethlehem <01035> [Beth-lehem.]
sacrifice <02077> [sacrifice. or, feast.]
<02896> [It is well.]
harm <07451> [evil.]
loyal <02617 06213> [deal kindly.]
made ..................... taking <0935> [thou hast.]
<03426> [if there be.]
made ..................... taking <0935> [why shouldest.]
tell <05046> [then would.]
answers ... harshly <06030 07186> [answer thee.]
Lord <03068> [O Lord.]
This verse is evidently deficient. The LXX. have [kyrios ho Theos Israel oiden,] "The Lord God of Israel doth know;" the Syraic and Arabic, "The Lord God of Israel is witness;" either of which makes good sense. But two of Dr. Kennicott's MSS. supply the word {chai,} "liveth;" and the text reads thus: "As the Lord God of Israel liveth, when I have sounded my father,--if there be good unto David, and I then send not unto thee," etc.; which is a still better sense.
feel out <02713> [sounded. Heb. searched.]
know <01540> [shew it thee. Heb. uncover thine ear.]
Lord do ............................. Lord <03068 06213> [The Lord do.]
father ......... Lord .............................. Lord .......... father <03068 01> [the Lord be.]
father ............................................... father <01> [he hath been with my father.]
loyalty <02617> [the kindness.]
cut off ............. cut off <03772> [thou shalt.]
<03772> [made. Heb. cut.]
<03068> [Let the Lord.]
loved ...... loved <0160 0157> [because he loved him. or, by his love toward him. for he loved.]
new moon <02320> [new moon.]
missed <06485> [and thou shalt.]
Among the forms of salutation and compliment used in Persia, one was, "according to my mode of notation in italics, {J i sh ma khali bud pish y r n,} signifying, Thy place or seat was empty among thy friends. This phrase, or the greater part of it, was frequently addressed to myself when coming into a circle of Persian acquaintances, after an absence of several days or weeks. It reminded me of a passage in the First book of Samuel, (ch. 20:18.) And thou shalt be missed, because thy seat will be empty. And again, David's place was empty." Sir W. Ouseley's Travels, vol i. preface, p.16.
missed <06485> [empty. Heb. missed.]
quickly <03966> [quickly. or, diligently. Heb. greatly. hide thyself.]
day .... started <04639 03117> [when the business. Heb. in the day of the business. Ezel. or, that sheweth the way.]
<01697> [no. Heb. not any thing. as the.]
matter <01697> [the matter.]
Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
king <04428> [the king.]
usual <06471> [as at other times.]
unclean ...... unclean <02889> [he is not clean.]
come <0935> [Wherefore.]
son ...... son <01121> [the son.]
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."
