1 Samuel 19
DOYLY1 Samuel 19:5
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— and slew the Philistine, &c.] In all the seeming simplicity of this plain and short intercession, we perceive all the strength of reasoning, and all the skill and delicacy of address, which could possibly be crowded into so few words. Jonathan had much more to say in David’s favour; but he well knew, that to enumerate David’s merits, would be to inflame his father’s enmity: and therefore, though he mentioned David’s merits in general, yet he insisted only on that single point, in which Saul himself had some merit and much complacence; and he well knew, that the bare remembrance of it would bring back to his father’s mind the greatness and generosity of the prize proposed, which excited David’s valour, and led to that happy event, in which Saul himself was so greatly a partaker. Dr. Delaney.
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— to morrow is the new moon.] A solemn sacrifice, attended by a feast, took place every new moon; and on such an occasion David, as one of the king’s family, was wont to eat with him. Bp. Patrick. The Jewish months were lunar, and never began before the new
1 Samuel 19:10
- And Saul sought to smite David &c.] How sad and shocking a scene was this! David labouring with all his skill to relieve the anguish of Saul, and Saul in the same instant meditating his destruction! sitting sullen and determined, with his javelin in his hand, watching his opportunity, and waiting perhaps till the power of musick had so far calmed his spirits as to steady his hand. On the failure of the attempt, we cannot fail to adore the providence of God, by which David
1 Samuel 19:15
- — saying, Bring him up to me] Such was his insatiable rage, that he could not stay to see the event of David’s supposed sickness; but, when he was able to make no resistance, resolved to despatch him. Bp. Patrick.
1 Samuel 19:17
- — He said unto me, Let me go; &c.] The conjugal fidelity and affection displayed by Michal on this occasion are much obscured by this falsehood, which she told, to the disgrace of her husband, to excuse herself to her father. Dr. Delaney.
1 Samuel 19:20
- — sent messengers to take David.] His implacable hatred to David had abolished all respect and reverence to Samuel, (under whose protection David now was,) and to the college of Prophets, which was a kind of sanctuary to those who fled to it. Bp. Patrick. Envy is too hard to be subdued, although it is sometimes weak enough to be diverted: Saul’s envy had only dropt its present purpose by his reconciliation with David; the passion was ready to resume its strength on another occasion of its being excited. Dr. H. Stebbing. — they also prophesied.] They no sooner arrived, and heard the Prophets singing their Divine hymns, Before CHRIST about 1063. Saul prophesieth. David consulteth Before CHRIST about 1002.
1 Samuel 19:23
- — he went on, and prophesied.] So strangely obstinate and wicked was Saul, that he not only contended with the Spirit of God in sending others, but resolved at the last to go himself, as if he could oppose the Spirit of God: on the way, however, he was inspired by God, and he sang praises, as did the Prophets. This was to convince him that he laboured in a vain pursuit after David, whom the Spirit of God powerfully defended. Bp. Patrick.
— and prophesied.] See note on Numb. xi. 25. This is a word of extensive signification, and may denote sometimes those actions, motions, and distortions, which Prophets in their inspirations were wont to exhibit. But the generality of interpreters take prophesying, in this place, to signify Saul’s singing of psalms, or hymns of thanksgiving and praise which he was compelled to do, even against his will, to teach him the vanity of his designs against David, and to shew that, in them, he fought against God. Stackhouse. It is to little purpose to inquire what was the subject of Saul’s prophesying. For what reason he and his messengers were seized with a prophetic spirit is most evident; namely, to prevent their intended violence to David. And this good effect was worthy the good Spirit of the Lord to produce. The circumstances here recorded afford a most pleasing instance, to a generous compassionate mind, of the care of Providence over persecuted virtue, and of the impotence of human malice towards those whom God is determined to preserve. Dr. Chandler. Mark the peculiar interposition of God on this occasion. He withheld Saul’s hand from villany, and employed his tongue in such acts of devotion as he least intended: so that this incident served only to advance his shame and David’s honour. Dr. H. Stebbing.
1 Samuel 19:24
- — lay down naked] In this expression, and others
of the same import, (Is. xx. 2; Mic. i. 9.) we are not to understand that the persons were entirely naked, but only that they took off some external habit, or upper garment, which they were wont to wear when they went abroad, or that they had some part of their body uncovered. The word in the original admits this meaning. Stackhouse. He had taken off his outward garment, his military habit and royal robe, and thus appeared like the rest of the Prophets, a plain, disarmed, and therefore naked, man. Dr. Chandler.
— Wherefore they say, Is Saul also &c.] This was mentioned as a proverb, by anticipation, at chap. x. 11, 12; but it is evident that the original of the proverb was this second prophesying among the prophets: because Saul was not at that time known among the people, and because the origin of the proverb is here expressly referred to his second prophesying. This proverb was used to express any thing unlooked for, and improbable. The meaning is, Is Saul, who throughout his whole reign hath so much slighted and contemned the law, and would conduct his actions by the mere rules of human policy, is he at length become studious of, and zealous for, the law of God? Bp. Warburton.
Chap. XX. ver. 2. — behold, my father will do nothing &c.] Jonathan might well say this, when he had his father’s oath to support his opinion. As many an honest man does, he judged of another’s sentiments by his own; and if he judged better of his father than he deserved, by firmly believing that he would not falsify his oath, the mistake turned to his own honour, as it shewed his own regard to such a religious obligation. Dr. H. Stebbing.