Saul said to David, “Behold, my elder daughter Merab. I will give her to you as wife. Only be valiant for me, and fight the LORD’s battles.” For Saul said, “Don’t let my hand be on him, but let the hand of the Philistines be on him.”
ExplanationCommentary
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.