1 Samuel 18

Verse 1. Soul. Pythagoras said, “that friendship is an equality, and one soul, and that the friend is another self.” It would be difficult to find two souls more tender and generous than those of David and Jonathan. Calmet.—Josephus speaks of their friendship on another occasion, as these five verses are omitted in the Rom. Septuagint and so forth Ken.

Verse 3. For he, Jonathan. Bible.—Soul. “Friends have one soul.” Arist. Mor. ix. 8.

Verse 4. Girdle, which perhaps was of great value. Job 12:18. He wished that David should lay aside his shepherd’s dress, and appear like himself at court, that all might know how much he loved him. Menochius.

Verse 5. Prudently, or with success. Calmet.—Especially. Hebrew “also,” which enhances his praise, as courtiers are but too apt to envy those who are taken from a low condition and set over them in the king’s favour. David must have displayed great wisdom and moderation. Bible.

Verse 6. Philistine. Some explain this of some fresh achievement against that nation, (Malvenda. Worthington.) but without reason.—Dancing. Hebrew also playing on the flute, or on some such instrument of music. Calmet.—So Mary sung after the Israelites had crossed the Red Sea. Exodus 15:20. 2 Kennicott. 1:20. Judges 11:34.

Verse 7. Sung. The chorus of their song is given. Calmet.—“The women sung, Saul slew his thousands; and the virgins answered, And David,” and so forth Josephus.—The death of Goliath was equivalent to the slaughter of thousands, as he had filled the whole army of Israel with dismay. Bible.

Verse 8. A thousand. These women were guilty of an indiscretion, through excess of zeal, as it is always displeasing for the sovereign to hear any of his subjects preferred before him. Saint John Chrysostom hom. i. de Saul.—The jealousy of Saul was the more excited, as he had been threatened with the loss of his kingdom, and perceived in David all the qualifications of a king. A malo principe tanquam successor timetur quisquis est dignior. Pliny in Traj.—But was David responsible for what was spoken in his praise? Calmet.—The Vat. Septuagint omit what follows till verse 12. “And Saul feared David, (13) and he removed,” and so forth The Alex. copy agrees with the Vulg. Bible.—Those who are proud, cannot bear the praises of others. Worthington.

Verse 9. Eye. Septuagint “and Saul suspected.” Bible.—Chal. “laid snares for David.” Calmet.

Verse 10. Prophesied. Acted the prophet in a mad manner, ( Ch). like an enthusiast, ( Calmet. 2 Kennicott. 9:11) or one possessed by the devil, as the Sybil was agitated by Apollo. Et rabie fera corda tument. Æneid vi. To alleviate his distress, David took up his harp. Bible.—Spear. With this weapon he was generally armed. Calmet. 19:10. and 26:7. “It was used as a diadem formerly, and the ancients adored spears as gods.” Justin. xliii.

Verse 13. People, as their leader. Saul gave him an honourable, but dangerous office, to procure his destruction. This is frequently the manner in which men of superior talents have been treated, ( Calmet.) as Corbulo, Germanicus, and Agricola were by three Roman emperors. Tacit. Ann. ii. and so forth

Verse 15. Began. Septuagint “he was filled with awe in his presence.” Hebrew “he was afraid of him,” as he perceived that God protected him in all perils.

Verse 17. And Saul. This an the two following verses are omitted in the Rom. Septuagint which subjoins, “and Michol, the daughter of Saul, loved David,” and so forth Bible.—Wife. He had promised her already, ( Menochius.) if the verses in the preceding chapter be genuine. But why then had he delayed so long, and why does he require other conditions? The comparison made by the women, (verse 7,) and the inconstant temper of Saul, might account for this. Bible.—The Lord defends his people. As long as the Israelites followed the orders of God, their wars might justly be attributed to him; but not when they were waged to satisfy the cravings of ambition. Calmet.

Verse 18. Life. What exploits have I performed deserving such an honour? or what offices have my relations yet enjoyed? Calmet.—David considers only his abject condition, and forgets his victories. Bible.

Verse 19. Wife. If this were the case, the character of Saul is rendered more despicable and perfidious. David never reclaims Merob, as he did Michol. Bible.—All the children of the former were gibbeted, 2 Kennicott. 21:9. The latter was given to David for his destruction, like Cleopatra (Daniel 11:17,) to Ptolemy. Tirinus.

Verse 20. Other, is not found in the Hebrew Septuagint and so forth Bible.—Some Latin copies read, “David loved Michol,” ( Calmet.) as the Douay Bible translates; the authors living before the Popes had published their authentic editions. Bible.—Both might be true. Drus.

Verse 21. Days. Hebrew “In two thou shalt,” and so forth Calmet.—Prot. “in the one of the twain,” Merob or Michol. Bible.—Saul had deceived him with respect to the first; but he promises that he shall have “the second,” ( Calmet.) or two motives induced the king to make him this offer, the victory over Goliath, and the slaughter of 100 Philistines. Menochius. Tirinus.—The Septuagint omit this sentence, and read, “And the hand of the Philistines was upon Saul, and Saul commended,” and so forth

Verse 23. Ability, or riches. Septuagint “without glory.” Bible. See verse 18.

Verse 25. Dowry. Among the Hebrews, the man had to purchase his wife.—Philistines. They were the nearest nation of those who were not circumcised; and thus Saul would prove that David had attacked them, which would greatly irritate them against him. Calmet.—Josephus specifies six hundred heads, ( Bible.) falsely, (Horn) as he frequently disguises what might give his readers offence, as being either mean or incredible. Calmet.—Hundred is not specified in the original Hebrew copies, (Capel, iii. 17,) and David gives 200, verse 27. But Saul only stipulated for 100. See 2 Kennicott. 3:14. Calmet.—Wife, “thinking it mean to be guilty of an untruth,” and so forth says Josephus; “yet his disposition was not altered. He resolved, therefore, to take away his life, and wished Jonathan and his most trusty servants to put his designs in execution.” He then mentions the friendship of these two. But he takes no notice of the proffered marriage of Merob, and he seems not to have known that she was ever promised. See verse 17 and 19 and Calmet. 17:12. Bible.

Verse 28. David. Of the subsequent verses, the Rom. Septuagint has only the following words. “And all Israel lived him; (29) and Saul still continued to be in awe of him.” The Alex. MS. agrees with the Hebrew only, instead of Michol, and so forth it reads, “all Israel.” If the contested passages were omitted, the history would be less perplexed. But we must wait for the decision of the Church in matters of this nature, and never decide to peremptorily. Bible.

Verse 30. Forth, probably to revenge the recent insult. Calmet.