1 Samuel 17:15

But David went, and returned from Saul,.... Or "from above Saul"; Josephus (u) says, the physicians of Saul advised to get a man to stand υπερκεφαλνς, "over his head", and sing psalms and hymns to

Now David was the son of that Ephrathite of Bethlehemjudah, whose name was Jesse; and he had eight sons: and the man went among men for an old man in the days of Saul. Compare the notes at 1 Samuel 16:14-23.

From Saul; either, 1. From Saul’ s court; where having been entertained by Saul, to relieve him in his melancholy fits, he was permitted to go to his father’ s house, to be sent for again upon occasion. Or, 2. From Saul’ s camp, whither he used to come to visit his brethren; as appears from .

1 Samuel 17:15 But David went and returned from Saul to feed his father’ s sheep at Bethlehem.Ver. 15. But David went and returned from Saul.] Who had given him a dismiss, either as having now no further use of him, or as tendering the comfort of his aged father, to whom he had sent for him at his need, and who had now furnished him with three other of his sons for soldiers. Josephus.

(15) Returned from Saul to feed his father’s sheep.—This short statement was, no doubt, introduced by the compiler of the First Book of Samuel to show that, in spite of this apparent introduction of David into the history for the first time in this chapter (see 1 Samuel 17:12 and following verses), and the inquiry of King Saul from Abner respecting the young hero’s father (see 1 Samuel 17:55-58), he, the compiler, was perfectly aware that David had already visited the court of Saul in the capacity of a musician (see 1 Samuel 16:18-23). As has been already suggested, these historical books of the Old Testament are, no doubt, made up from contemporaneous documents, stored up most probably in one or other of the prophetic schools. It is, therefore, to be expected that certain facts will be found occasionally repeated. The circumstances connected with the healing influence of the music of David in the case of the soul malady of King Saul were of course preserved with great care and detail in these “schools,” where music and poetry were so highly cultivated and esteemed. We have here many of the very words of the original narrative preserved to us. Similarly the story of the first exploit of David is incorporated in the history probably unchanged. Each of these ancient and favourite “memories” of David, as being complete in themselves, would of course contain some of the same details. The apparent ignorance of Saul and Abner respecting the young shepherd’s family will be discussed in the note on 1 Samuel 17:55-58.

15. David went and returned from Saul] From 1 Samuel 16:21-23 it might have been supposed that David was already permanently resident at Saul’s court. This verse however states that he returned home when his services were not required at court, and at the time of the Philistine war was with his father at Bethlehem. We must assume either that 1 Samuel 16:21 describes by anticipation what happened eventually after the Philistine war; or that the appointment as armour-bearer was a nominal commission, and that, as he was young and inexperienced, his attendance in camp was not yet required. Joab had ten armour-bearers (2 Samuel 18:15), and Saul probably many more.

David went ... - “Was gone,” referring to 1 Samuel 16:19-20. Had he been Saul’s armour-bearer at this time it is highly improbable that he would have left him to feed sheep.

15. David went and returned from Saul — “By this it would seem that the king’s affection towards his healer cooled as soon as the cure had been effected.