1 Samuel 18

Notes on the verses

Chap. XVIII. Ver. 1. The last four verses of the preceding chapter, with the first five of this, and also verses 9, 10, and 11, are omitted in the LXX., which has brought into suspicion their authenticity; but we are by no means disposed to give them up, especially the incident which begins this chapter, which is not only very beautiful, but also seems necessary to introduce the friendship between Jonathan and David, which we know continued while they both lived. [Their friendship could not be affected by changes and chances; and it exemplified all that the ancients have said on the subject: “Friendship is an entire sameness, and one soul: a friend is another self.”]—Bagster. Ver. 4. Jonathan stripped himself.—Tavernier relates of a Nazir, who pleased the king of Persia, “that he caused himself to be Giss ypareticd, and gave his habit to the Nazir, which is the greatest honour that a king of Persia can bestow on a subject.—Orient.

Cust. No. 827. So Mordecai, when promoted, was clothed with royal apparel, Esther vi. 8.; viii. 15. See also Harmer. By the preceding verse it should seem, that this robing of David was mainly intended to confirm a covenant between the parties here mentioned, Jonathan and David. ‘The girdle may be particularly mentioned, because in that was generally contained the purse.—See Orient. Cust. No. 829. Ver. 5. Saul set him over the men of war.—That is, made him a general; afterwards, when he became jealous of him, he degraded him to be the captain of only 1000 men. Ver. 13. hae: Ver. 6. The women came out of all the cities singing, &c.—A custom similar to this continues in the East to this day, with the difference of sex. Baron Du Tott mentions, that in his travels he received a similar honour from a party of Turcomans.—Harmer.

Ver. 7. The women answered one another as they played, &c.—So the sacred songs of the Hebrews appear to have been generally performed, as that of Moses, (Exodus 15:20-21). and that of Deborah and Barak, (Judges 5:1), &c.—With instruments of music.—Heb. Shalashim; by which our translators and others have understood “three-stringed instruments,” as in the margin. Others understand it of the triangle, a Turkish instrument, often used in our own streets. So Gesenius. The Vulgate renders it, with sistrums. The systrum was an Egyptian instrument, made of brass, with three brass rods across, which made a jingling much like the triangle. Figures of all these instruments may be seen in Dr. Burney. Ver.

10. On the morrow,—This term often refers indefinitely to time future. See (Exodus 13:14). (Joshua 4:6, 21), and note——Prophesied.—Wyyithnabbai, rather, “and he pretended to prophesy;” for the verb is in Hithpael, the signification of which conjugation is not only reflex action but also affectation of that action: compare (Jeremiah 29:26-27). The meaning seems to be, that Saul, influenced by the evil spirit, feigned to be prophesying, the better to conceal it and render David unsuspicious.—Javelin.—Wehahis myrderous intentions, and ré v r; chanith beyad shaool, 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 diadem.—B. Ver. 17. And fight the Lord’s battles.—Saul made a mistake here, which has been often made, and is, we fear, too common. He concluded, that to be valiant for him, must needs be to fight the Lord’s battles. Father Calmet remarks, that “the wars of the Hebrews, while conducted by the express orders of God, were truly the wars of the Lord: ((Numbers 21:14).) but when the spirit of worldly ambition and dominion became mingled with them, they were no longer such, but wars of lust and profanity.” ib Ver. 25. A hundred foreskins, &c.—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.

—Bagster. This was a custom peculiar to the Jews; but it is reported of a people in Carmania, that if any were desirous to marry, it was in lieu. whereby he should bring the king the head of an enemy.—Bishop Patrick Ver. 26. The days were not expired.—Hebrew, “fulfilled.” By this last expression, it should seem that Saul had limited the period within which this deed was to be achieved. Ver. 27. Slew at him a numerous two hundred men.—This was double the number required; but David was perhaps anxious to secure his prize. [The Septuagint has only one hundred men; and as Saul covenanted for a hundred, and as David himself says, ((2 Samuel 3:14).) that he espoused Michal for a hundred, it is very probable that this is the true reading.]—Bagster.

But Josephus, to make the story more palatable to the Greeks, makes the dowry six hundred heads of the Philistines.