1 Samuel 16

There are some difficulties as to the chronological order of the events narrated in the central portion of this book, and they become most striking in xvii. 1-xviii. 9. David is spoken of in xvi. 18 as “a mighty valiant man, and a man of war,” and as Saul’s beloved minstrel and armour-bearer, though in xvii. 33, 42, 55, 56, he is called a “youth” and a “stripling.” He, moreover, appears to be unknown to Saul, and ignorant of the use and weight of his armour. Some critics, following the Vatican manuscript of the Septuagint version, omit xvii. 12-31, 55-58; xviii. 1-5, 9-11, 17-19, besides a few short clauses; but this omission leaves the main difficulties. Others, with rather better success as to the object in view, but without any authority, transpose xvi. 14-23, placing it after xviii. 9. It appears best to suppose that as Samuel’s narrative was now drawing to a close, only such things were mentioned by him as seemed necessary to complete it, and that the prophet who afterwards continued David’s history inserted in the latter portion of Samuel’s narrative the account of David’s great exploit against Goliath (xvii. 1-xviii. 9), together with short notices of some preceding and succeeding events, which were in part contemporaneous with occurrences recorded by Samuel in xvi. and xviii.

2 say, I am come to sacrifice. It seems likely that whilst the worship at the Tabernacle was in abeyance, Samuel, as the chief of God’s prophets, frequently offered sacrifice when he made his visits to inspect the local administration of justice, so as to keep up Divine worship. He is directed to avail himself of such a service in this case.

4 the elders of the town trembled. Probably fearing that he was come to correct some irregularities.

10. Jesse made seven, etc. Meaning seven altogether; David, the eighth, not being included, as he had not yet been introduced; see xvii. 12. As in 1 Chron. ii. 13-15, only seven sons of Jesse are named, inclusive of David, it is supposed that one died before David came to the throne.

11 he keepeth the sheep. David appears to have been but little thought of in his family, for he was left in the field, though all were invited to the sacrifice and feast. He was now probably a little less than twenty years old.

12 of a beautiful countenance. Heb., “with beautiful eyes.”

14 an evil spirit. The denunciations of Samuel produced a deep melancholy in Saul’s mind.

20. An ass [laden] with bread. The Sept. reads, “Jesse took a homer of bread,” containing ten loaves.

21. David came to Saul. Thus David was placed in circumstances in which he might learn something of war and of government, and enlarge his knowledge of human character.

23 took a (the) harp. The harp of the Hebrews was very different from the instrument which bears that name among us. It was a light, portable stringed instrument, more like a lyre.