Bible Commentaries
1 Samuel 18

Verse 1

soul . Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 .

Jonathan . At this time he was about forty; and about fifty-three or fifty-four when he died. He would be about twenty-four years older than David, and his love was maternal in character. Ish-bosheth, Saul's second son, was forty at his father's death (2 Samuel 2:10 ).

Verse 3

made = solemnised.

Verse 4

and . Mark the Figure of speech Polysyndeton ( App-6 ) in verses: 1 Samuel 18:4-5 .

Verse 5

men . Hebrew. 'enosh. App-14 .

Verse 6

Philistine . Authorized Version and Revised Version margin "Philistines". dancing. A great celebration. Twice referred to later (1 Samuel 21:11 ; 1 Samuel 29:5 ). Compare subscription of Psalms 52:0 , which is mahalath = the great dancing".

tabrets . Hebrew. toph = drums of various sizes.

Verse 8

the = this.

Verse 10

evil . See note on 1 Samuel 16:16 .

spirit . Hebrew. ruach. App-9 .

God . Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .

Verse 11

cast the javelin . Another attempt of Satan to thwart Jehovah's purpose in Genesis 3:15 , and prevent the "seed of the woman "from coming into the world. See App-23 and App-25 , and the Structure of "V" ( 1Sa 19:9 - 1 Samuel 20:1 -), p. 394.

Verse 12

afraid . Hebrew Greek ' apprehensive. Compare 1 Samuel 18:15 .

the LORD . Hebrew. Jehovah . App-4 .

and was departed . Ch. 1 Samuel 16:14-23 comes in here, chronologically. It is placed after 1 Samuel 16:1-13 by Figure of speech Hysterologia ( App-6 ) in order to lay bare to us the secret workings underneath the history. See notes on 1 Samuel 16:14 ; 1 Samuel 17:1 .

Verse 15

afraid. Hebrew. nur = shrank from, sore afraid; stronger than 1 Samuel 18:12 .

Verse 17

Behold . Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 .

valiant . Hebrew son of valour.

Let not mine hand, &c. Compare David and Uriah. 2 Samuel 11:15 .

Verse 19

was given = had (already) been given. This is the key to 1 Samuel 20:30 .

Verse 23

man. Hebrew. 'ish. App-14 .

Verse 27

his men . Hebrew. 'enosh. App-14 .

men. Hebrew. 'ish. App-14 .

they : i.e. Saul's servants. Septuagint and Vulgate read "he".

Verse 28

Michal Saul's daughter . Septuagint reads "all Israel", accounting for his greater fear (1 Samuel 18:29 ).

Verse 30

after = whenever; or, as often as.