Commentary on 1Samuel Part 3 (No. F09iii)

Chapter 13

Saul’s Unlawful Sacrifice

Saul was . . . ^[a]years old when he began to reign; and he reigned . . . ^[b]and twoyears over Israel. ²Saul chose three thousand men of Israel; two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and the hill country of Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gib′e-ah of the people he sent home, every man to his tent. ³Jonathan defeated the garrison of the Philistines which was at Geba; and the Philistines heard of it. And Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, “Let the Hebrews hear.” ⁴And all Israel heard it said that Saul had defeated the garrison of the Philistines, and also that Israel had become odious to the Philistines. And the people were called out to join Saul at Gilgal. ⁵And the Philistines mustered to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and troops like the sand on the seashore in multitude; they came up and encamped in Michmash, to the east of Beth-a′ven. ⁶When the men of Israel saw that they were in straits (for the people were hard pressed), the people hid themselves in caves and in holes and in rocks and in tombs and in cisterns, ⁷or crossed the fords of the Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. Saul was still at Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling. ⁸He waited seven days, the time appointed by Samuel; but Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and the people were scattering from him. ⁹So Saul said, “Bring the burnt offering here to me, and the peace offerings.” And he offered the burnt offering. ¹⁰As soon as he had finished offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him and salute him. ¹¹Samuel said, “What have you done?” And Saul said, “When I saw that the people were scattering from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines had mustered at Michmash, ¹²I said, ‘Now the Philistines will come down upon me at Gilgal, and I have not entreated the favor of the Lord’; so I forced myself, and offered the burnt offering.” ¹³And Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly; you have not kept the commandment of the Lord your God, which he commanded you; for now the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. ¹⁴But now your kingdom shall not continue; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart; and the Lord has appointed him to be prince over his people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.” ¹⁵And Samuel arose, and went up from Gilgal to Gib′e-ah of Benjamin.

Preparations for Battle

And Saul numbered the people who were present with him, about six hundred men. ¹⁶Saul, and Jonathan his son, and the people who were present with them, stayed in Geba of Benjamin; but the Philistines encamped in Michmas. ¹⁷And raiders came out of the camp of the Philistines in three companies; one company turned toward Ophrah, to the land of Shu′al, ¹⁸another company turned toward Beth-hor′on, and another company turned toward the border that looks down upon the valley of Zebo′im toward the wilderness. ¹⁹Now there was no smith to be found throughout all the land of Israel; for the Philistines said, “Lest the Hebrews make themselves swords or spears”; ²⁰but every one of the Israelites went down to the Philistines to sharpen his plowshare, his mattock, his axe, or his sickle;²¹and the charge was a pim for the plowshares and for the mattocks, and a third of a shekel for sharpening the axes and for setting the goads. ²²So on the day of the battle there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people with Saul and Jonathan; but Saul and Jonathan his son had them. ²³And the garrison of the Philistines went out to the pass of Michmash.

Intent of Chapter 13

13:1 Verse 1 is not clear in the RSV as a portion of the number of Saul’s age and the length of his reign are incomplete (“the numbers in Hebrew are lacking” and have “dropped out”).

The Septuagint does not include Verse 1 and begins at Verse 2. Note also the variance of the KJV and NIV renderings below.

13:1 Saul reigned one year; and when he had reigned two years over Israel, (KJV).

13:1 Saul was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned over Israel forty-two years (NIV).

13:2 As foretold by Samuel, Israel’s army is no longer a militia, as Saul takes the sons of Israel and forms a standing army of 3000 men (see 8:11).

Note that although not as dramatic as Gideon’s reduction of force (32,000 troops down to 300 (see Jdg. 7:3-8)), Saul sends a third of the new army home to Gibeah. This may be overconfidence or intelligent strategy for having his son Jonathan and his thousand men guard his fortress at Gibeah.

Gibeah is 4.7 miles north of Jerusalem. Gibeah was the capital city of Benjamin during Saul’s reign.

Michmash is 7 miles north of Jerusalem.

13:3-4 Jonathan defeats the Philistines.

13:3 Jonathan defeated the Philistines at Geba, whether of his own initiative or orders from Saul. Yet it is Saul that blows the trumpet and exalts himself. However, this victory merely re-awakens the wrath of the Philistines.

Geba is 6 miles north and a bit east of Jerusalem.

13:4 Israel is told that King Saul (not Jonathan) has defeated their enemy. Then they were summoned to Gilgal which was well away from the Philistines.

Gilgal is 38 miles from Jerusalem.

13:5 The Philistines gather a massive army. Thirty-six thousand mounted and wheeled troops are mentioned here. Typically, there are more foot soldiers than mounted and wheeled troops. Therefore, the Israelite army is outnumbered by a minimum of 12:1, and probably at least twice that number.

13:6 Just as the Israelites were in trouble and under attack from the Midianites in earlier times (see Judges 6:2), the people show their lack of faith and hide themselves in caves and/or flee.

SHD 6887 straits = trouble.

SHD 5065 hard pressed = hard pressed by the enemy.

13:7 Even though the people were with Saul at Gilgal they were hamstrung with fear.

13:8-10 Saul makes an unsanctioned offering.

13:8 As the Israelites were unable to wait for Moses’ descent from Mt. Sinai by the appointed time (see Exodus 32:1), so also does Saul lose all patience as the people were leaving him (cf. Luke 12:44-46).

Saul fails this test of obedience and unlawfully decides to take on the role of priest and made the burnt offering himself. This disaster scenario plays out again later as King Uzziah enters the Temple and burns incense on the altar. He was immediately stricken with leprosy (See 2Chro. 26:16-21).

13:10 Samuel appears just after the appointed time in like fashion as Moses did at Mt. Sinai when he found the children of Israel frolicking and worshiping The Golden Calf (No. 222) made by Aaron. For the full account of this event read Ex. 32 in its entirety.

As Saul went to Samuel to bless him, he was overstepping his bounds as king into priesthood.

SHD 1288 salute = bless.

13:11-12 Samuel questions Saul regarding his actions and receives blame for not arriving on time, and gets excuses from Saul.

13:13-15a Samuel reprimands Saul and announces that his kingdom shall be cut off and given to another that is “after his own heart.”

13:15b-16 At Samuel’s departure, Saul “numbers” the Army of the Living God (cf. 2Sam. 24:1-17 to see the example of God’s punishment of David for the same transgression of his command).

13:15b It appears that Saul, and his son Jonathan, have combined forces at this juncture. So, instead of having three thousand men they now have only 600 (⅕ of their original force).

13:16 See Bullinger’s note on verse 16 below. The KJV uses the name Gibeah instead of Geba. A deeper look at this difference would present agreement with Bullinger. Israel is preparing for battle with the Philistines which are encamped at Michmash. Gibeah was the fortress city of Benjamin, however, it and Michmash are 2.3 miles apart. Geba, which was recently taken by Jonathan, is merely a mile apart from Michmash. At 14:4-5 we see that there was a pass (a navigable route through a mountain range) between Michmash(north) and Geba(south).

13:17-18 The retaliation of the Philistines.

The Philistines formed their men into three companies. One toward Ophrah to the north, one to Beth-horon to the northwest, and one toward the valley of Zeboim to the south.

13:19-22 The implements of war for the Israelites were grossly inferior. Israel was defenceless except for the hand of God.

13:19 The Philistines prohibited metalwork by the Israelites.

13:20-21 Even the sharpening of their farming implements was done by the Philistines for a price (pim = 7/10 of a shekel for large implements and 3.3/10 of a shekel for smaller implements).

13:22 Only Saul and Jonathan had proper weapons, the remainder of the Israelites carried farm implements as weapons.

Chapter 14

Jonathan Surprises and Routs the Philistines

One day Jonathan the son of Saul said to the young man who bore his armor, “Come, let us go over to the Philistine garrison on yonder side.” But he did not tell his father. ²Saul was staying in the outskirts of Gib′e-ah under the pomegranate tree which is at Migron; the people who were with him were about six hundred men, ³and Ahi′jah the son of Ahi′tub, Ich′abod’s brother, son of Phin′ehas, son of Eli, the priest of the Lord in Shiloh, wearing an ephod. And the people did not know that Jonathan had gone. ⁴In the pass, by which Jonathan sought to go over to the Philistine garrison, there was a rocky crag on the one side and a rocky crag on the other side; the name of the one was Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh. ⁵The one crag rose on the north in front of Michmash, and the other on the south in front of Geba. ⁶And Jonathan said to the young man who bore his armor, “Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised; it may be that the Lord will work for us; for nothing can hinder the Lord from saving by many or by few.” ⁷And his armor-bearer said to him, “Do all that your mind inclines to; behold, I am with you, as is your mind so is mine.” ⁸Then said Jonathan, “Behold, we will cross over to the men, and we will show ourselves to them. ⁹If they say to us, ‘Wait until we come to you,’ then we will stand still in our place, and we will not go up to them. ¹⁰But if they say, ‘Come up to us,’ then we will go up; for the Lord has given them into our hand. And this shall be the sign to us.” ¹¹So both of them showed themselves to the garrison of the Philistines; and the Philistines said, “Look, Hebrews are coming out of the holes where they have hid themselves.” ¹²And the men of the garrison hailed Jonathan and his armor-bearer, and said, “Come up to us, and we will show you a thing.” And Jonathan said to his armor-bearer, “Come up after me; for the Lord has given them into the hand of Israel.” ¹³Then Jonathan climbed up on his hands and feet, and his armor-bearer after him. And they fell before Jonathan, and his armor-bearer killed them after him; ¹⁴and that first slaughter, which Jonathan and his armor-bearer made, was of about twenty men within as it were half a furrow’s length in an acre of land. ¹⁵And there was a panic in the camp, in the field, and among all the people; the garrison and even the raiders trembled; the earth quaked; and it became a very great panic. ¹⁶And the watchmen of Saul in Gib′e-ah of Benjamin looked; and behold, the multitude was surging hither and thither.¹⁷Then Saul said to the people who were with him, “Number and see who has gone from us.” And when they had numbered, behold, Jonathan and his armor-bearer were not there. ¹⁸And Saul said to Ahi′jah, “Bring hither the ark of God.” For the ark of God went at that time with the people of Israel. ¹⁹And while Saul was talking to the priest, the tumult in the camp of the Philistines increased more and more; and Saul said to the priest, “Withdraw your hand.” ²⁰Then Saul and all the people who were with him rallied and went into the battle; and behold, every man’s sword was against his fellow, and there was very great confusion. ²¹Now the Hebrews who had been with the Philistines before that time and who had gone up with them into the camp, even they also turned to be with the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan. ²²Likewise, when all the men of Israel who had hid themselves in the hill country of E′phraim heard that the Philistines were fleeing, they too followed hard after them in the battle. ²³So the Lord delivered Israel that day; and the battle passed beyond Beth-a′ven.

Saul’s Rash Oath

²⁴And the men of Israel were distressed that day; for Saul laid an oath on the people, saying, “Cursed be the man who eats food until it is evening and I am avenged on my enemies.” So none of the people tasted food. ²⁵And all the people came into the forest; and there was honey on the ground. ²⁶And when the people entered the forest, behold, the honey was dropping, but no man put his hand to his mouth; for the people feared the oath. ²⁷But Jonathan had not heard his father charge the people with the oath; so he put forth the tip of the staff that was in his hand, and dipped it in the honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes became bright. ²⁸Then one of the people said, “Your father strictly charged the people with an oath, saying, ‘Cursed be the man who eats food this day.’” And the people were faint. ²⁹Then Jonathan said, “My father has troubled the land; see how my eyes have become bright, because I tasted a little of this honey. ³⁰How much better if the people had eaten freely today of the spoil of their enemies which they found; for now the slaughter among the Philistines has not been great.” ³¹They struck down the Philistines that day from Michmash to Ai′jalon. And the people were very faint; ³²the people flew upon the spoil, and took sheep and oxen and calves, and slew them on the ground; and the people ate them with the blood. ³³Then they told Saul, “Behold, the people are sinning against the Lord, by eating with the blood.” And he said, “You have dealt treacherously; roll a great stone to me here.” ³⁴And Saul said, “Disperse yourselves among the people, and say to them, ‘Let every man bring his ox or his sheep, and slay them here, and eat; and do not sin against the Lord by eating with the blood.’” So every one of the people brought his ox with him that night, and slew them there. ³⁵And Saul built an altar to the Lord; it was the first altar that he built to the Lord.

Jonathan in Danger of Death

³⁶Then Saul said, “Let us go down after the Philistines by night and despoil them until the morning light; let us not leave a man of them.” And they said, “Do whatever seems good to you.” But the priest said, “Let us draw near hither to God.” ³⁷And Saul inquired of God, “Shall I go down after the Philistines? Wilt thou give them into the hand of Israel?” But he did not answer him that day. ³⁸And Saul said, “Come hither, all you leaders of the people; and know and see how this sin has arisen today. ³⁹For as the Lord lives who saves Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die.” But there was not a man among all the people that answered him. ⁴⁰Then he said to all Israel, “You shall be on one side, and I and Jonathan my son will be on the other side.” And the people said to Saul, “Do what seems good to you.” ⁴¹Therefore Saul said, “O Lord God of Israel, why hast thou not answered thy servant this day? If this guilt is in me or in Jonathan my son, O Lord, God of Israel, give Urim; but if this guilt is in thy people Israel, give Thummim.” And Jonathan and Saul were taken, but the people escaped. ⁴²Then Saul said, “Cast the lot between me and my son Jonathan.” And Jonathan was taken. ⁴³Then Saul said to Jonathan, “Tell me what you have done.” And Jonathan told him, “I tasted a little honey with the tip of the staff that was in my hand; here I am, I will die.” ⁴⁴And Saul said, “God do so to me and more also; you shall surely die, Jonathan.” ⁴⁵Then the people said to Saul, “Shall Jonathan die, who has wrought this great victory in Israel? Far from it! As the Lord lives, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground; for he has wrought with God this day.” So the people ransomed Jonathan, that he did not die. ⁴⁶Then Saul went up from pursuing the Philistines; and the Philistines went to their own place.

Saul’s Continuing Wars

⁴⁷When Saul had taken the kingship over Israel, he fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, against the Ammonites, against Edom, against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines; wherever he turned he put them to the worse. ⁴⁸And he did valiantly, and smote the Amal′ekites, and delivered Israel out of the hands of those who plundered them. ⁴⁹Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, Ishvi, and Mal′chishu′a; and the names of his two daughters were these: the name of the first-born was Merab, and the name of the younger Michal; ⁵⁰and the name of Saul’s wife was Ahin′o-am the daughter of Ahim′a-az. And the name of the commander of his army was Abner the son of Ner, Saul’s uncle; ⁵¹Kish was the father of Saul, and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abi′el. ⁵²There was hard fighting against the Philistines all the days of Saul; and when Saul saw any strong man, or any valiant man, he attached him to himself.

Intent of Chapter 14

14:1-9 Jonathan initiates contact with the Philistines.

14:1 Jonathan intends to engage the Philistines without getting his father, the king’s, approval.

14:2 It appears that Jonathan is in Geba (near the Philistine stronghold at Michmash) while his father Saul is resting in Gibeah (further south and away from the Philistine camp).

SHD 4051 Migron = precipice - steep or overhanging place.

14:3 Note that Jonathan had Ahi’jah the priest with him. This verse makes note of Ahi’jah’s priestly lineage and he is also wearing an ephod which indicates his position as it is part of the uniform worn by a priest. The people were unaware that Jonathan was not with them.

SHD 281 Ahi’jah = brother of Jehovah. (Also was the brother of Abinidab who retained the Ark at Kirjath-jearim).

SHD 285 Ahi’tub = my brother is good.

SHD 350 Ichabod = inglorious or no glory.

SHD 6372 Phinehas = mouth of brass or mouth of a serpent.

SHD 5941 Eli = ascension.

14:4-5 See the commentary note at 13:16. Also note that Jonathan is between Bozez (white, glistening) purity and Seneh (thorns) wickedness. From the Rule of the Kings Part 1:Saul (No 282A) we see that, “The way of decision is between purity and thorns.”

SHD 3129 Jonathan = Jahovah has given.

SHD 949 Bozez = surpassing white: glistening.

SHD 5573 Seneh = thorny.

Special Note: During WWII British Major Vivian Gilbert (Under Allenby’s leadership in Palestine) utilized this scripture to find the pass between these two mountains. They were able to ascend the mountain pass as Jonathan did centuries earlier and surprised the Turks that occupied this position and sent them into flight and capture.

14:6-10 Jonathan initiates a plan to engage the Philistines again. His plan includes consulting the Lord to see if He will give the Philistines “into our hand,” and prepares for God’s sign.

From 13:22 we see that there were only two men (Jonathan and Saul) sufficiently armed in Israel’s army. Note that God chose Jonathan to defeat the Philistines at Michmash, because unlike Saul, he displayed faith in including God and the priesthood in his operation.

14:11-13 The Lord provided the sign that gave his support to Jonathan and the Israelites, as the Philistine men said, “come up to us.”

14:14 Jonathan and his armour-bearer slaughter “about twenty men.”

14:15 Jonathan’s slaughter throws the Philistines into panic as the earth quakes.

14:16-23 The Lord delivers Israel. Saul and the Israelites join Jonathan in the battle with the Philistines.

14:17 Again, Saul orders a count of the Israelite troops (see the commentary at 13:15b-16). They realize that Jonathan is not with them.

14:18 Saul corrects his prior failure to obey God when he circumvented Samuel (see the commentary at 13:13-15a), and orders the priest, Ahi’jah, to bring the Ark to him.

See the commentary note at 14:3 regarding Ahi’jah’s lineage. It would certainly be reasonable for Saul to order Ahi’jah the priest to collect the Ark which was maintained at the home of his brother Abinadab at Kirjath-jearin. Abinidab’s son Eleazar had been sanctified to keep the Ark of the Lord (1Sam. 7:1). It was retained there for twenty years (1Sam. 7:2) after being returned by the Philistines (1Sam. 6:21).

14:19 Saul again makes a decision in haste, as the battle heats up, he departs to the battle before Ahi’jah could bring the Ark of God to him.

14:20 Bolstered by Jonathan’s vanquishing of the twenty Philistines, Saul and the Israelites rally into battle, and “every man's sword was against his fellow, and there was great confusion.” (cf. Ex. 23:27, Deut. 7:23).

For additional examples of God’s hand in leading Israel’s scant army to victories see Gideon's Force and the Last Days (No. 022) in which Gideon defeats the Midianite horde with 300 men, and Advent of the Messiah: Part II (No. 210B) to see the details of Israel's Yom Kippur victory in 1973 CE.

14:23 The battle goes beyond Beth-a’ven (north and east of Jerusalem, east of Bethel).

SHD 1007 Beth-a’ven = house of vanity.

14:24-26 Saul makes an ill-fated oath.

14:24 Again, Saul makes a short-sighted decision by making an oath that no man should eat until evening AND I am avenged of my enemies. Therefore, both would be required before the oath could be fulfilled. Victory might have been days or weeks, etc. in the making. In this case even a short period left the troops faint (see 14:31).

14:25-26 As the people entered the forest they found honey in abundance, but none ate of it.

14:27 Jonathan inadvertently breaks the oath of his father and he eats from the honeycomb.

14:28-30 The people inform Jonathan of the oath of Saul and the curse to be applied to him for breaking it. Jonathan then publicly criticises his father and declares the victory over the Philistines would have been greater had they not been weakened by hunger.

14:31-32 The distance between Michmash and Ai’jalon (to the west) is about six miles.

Saul’s short-sighted oath (see the commentary at 14:24) was unnecessarily responsible for the people being faint and famished, causing them to sin by eating the meat impulsively without bleeding the animals properly.

14:33-34 Saul quickly forgets his own sins. When told of the sins of the people, Saul immediately accuses and judges them. He prepares a proper place for the animals to be slaughtered, and commands them not to “sin against the Lord by eating with the blood.”

Note that the animals of the spoils of war are typically sacrificed (cf. 13:15, 21) to the Lord (see Lev. 1 regarding legislation for Burnt Offerings). Also note that the priests were to administer the bleeding of the animals and sacrifice. No priest is mentioned here. It appears that Saul overstepped his authority again.

14:35 Saul builds his first altar to the LORD to make atonement for the people eating the flesh of the spoil without proper bleeding. This act appears to be heartfelt for the people and also a possible attempt to gain the grace of God for his own past disobedience.

14:36-37 The Philistine threat was at least temporarily over as Israel had already driven them westward. God did not command Saul to “not leave a man of them (Philistines)”. The priest fortunately directs Saul to consult with God.

14:37-39 Saul inquires of God and receives no answer. Surmising that there must have been a sin committed by Israel that had prevented God from answering him, he declares that whoever committed the sin “shall surely die.” Certainly there were those among the people that had been with Jonathan and witnessed his breaking of Saul’s oath, but they did not divulge his actions.

14:40-41 Saul decides to let the LORD determine where the guilt originated by casting lots (Urim and Thummim). As this is a binary process (Urim or Thummim) Saul divides Israel into two groups (Israel vs Saul/Jonathan). It appears by this division that he thinks the culprit resides with the people of Israel. God’s lot response (Urim) determined that the “sin” came from Saul/Jonathan.

14:41 Saul asks the Lord God of Israel to “give a perfect lot (Thumim - see Bullinger’s note on 14:41 below),” to indicate the sin be with Israel, not he and Jonathan.

14:42-43 To determine the guilt between himself and his son, Saul orders another lot to be cast. The lot result indicated Jonathan.

14:44 Several times Saul had not followed the commands of God and made excuses, but when his son unknowingly mis-steps against his short-sighted oath, he condemns him to death. Note that Jonathan displays his character by willingly agreeing to be put to death for breaking the blameworthy oath of his father.

Note the difference between the KJV and RSV translations of verse 14:44.

⁴⁴And Saul said, “God do so to me and more also; you shall surely die, Jonathan.” (RSV)

⁴⁴And Saul answered, God do so and more also: for thou shalt surely die, Jonathan. (KJV)

14:45 The people of Israel ransom Jonathan and deny Saul’s command to put him to death.

SHD 6213 Wrought = worked with.

SHD 6299 Ransomed = ransomed from violence and death.

14:46 SHD 4725 place = Philistia.

14:47-48 In spite of Saul’s shortcomings he performed valiantly against Israel’s enemies. The enemies that are listed are east and west of Israel (see also 1Chro. 5:10). Assyria and Babylon (north) are not mentioned here, they will make slaves of Israel in future generations.

14:49-51 The lineage of the family of Saul:

SHD Abi’el (Father of Ner and Kish, grandfather of Saul) = El (God) is my father.

SHD 7027 Kish (Father of Saul) = bent.

SHD 7586 Saul = desired.

SHD 290 Ahim’a-az (Father of Saul’s wife Ahin’o-am) = my brother is anger.

SHD 293 Ahin’o-am (Saul’s wife) = my brother is delight.

SHD 3129 Jonathan (Son of Saul) = Jahovah has given.

SHD 3440 Ishvi (Son of Saul) = he resembles me.

SHD 4444 Mal’chishu’a (Son of Saul) = my king is wealth.

SHD 4764 Merab (Daughter of Saul) = increase.

SHD 4324 Michal (Younger daughter of Saul, wife of David) = who is like God.

SHD 5369 Ner (Saul’s uncle, brother of Kish) = lamp.

SHD 74 Abner (Saul’s first cousin and commander of Saul’s army) = my father is a lamp.

14:52 See the commentary at 13:2.

Chapter 15

Saul Defeats the Amalekites but Spares Their King

And Samuel said to Saul, “The Lord sent me to anoint you king over his people Israel; now therefore hearken to the words of the Lord. ²Thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘I will punish what Am′alek did to Israel in opposing them on the way, when they came up out of Egypt. ³Now go and smite Am′alek, and utterly destroy all that they have; do not spare them, but kill both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.’” ⁴So Saul summoned the people, and numbered them in Tela′im, two hundred thousand men on foot, and ten thousand men of Judah. ⁵And Saul came to the city of Am′alek, and lay in wait in the valley. ⁶And Saul said to the Ken′ites, “Go, depart, go down from among the Amal′ekites, lest I destroy you with them; for you showed kindness to all the people of Israel when they came up out of Egypt.” So the Ken′ites departed from among the Amal′ekites. ⁷And Saul defeated the Amal′ekites, from Hav′ilah as far as Shur, which is east of Egypt. ⁸And he took Agag the king of the Amal′ekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword. ⁹But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep and of the oxen and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them; all that was despised and worthless they utterly destroyed.

Saul Rejected as King

¹⁰The word of the Lord came to Samuel: ¹¹“I repent that I have made Saul king; for he has turned back from following me, and has not performed my commandments.” And Samuel was angry; and he cried to the Lord all night. ¹²And Samuel rose early to meet Saul in the morning; and it was told Samuel, “Saul came to Carmel, and behold, he set up a monument for himself and turned, and passed on, and went down to Gilgal.” ¹³And Samuel came to Saul, and Saul said to him, “Blessed be you to the Lord; I have performed the commandment of the Lord.” ¹⁴And Samuel said, “What then is this bleating of the sheep in my ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?” ¹⁵Saul said, “They have brought them from the Amal′ekites; for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen, to sacrifice to the Lord your God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed.” ¹⁶Then Samuel said to Saul, “Stop! I will tell you what the Lord said to me this night.” And he said to him, “Say on.” ¹⁷And Samuel said, “Though you are little in your own eyes, are you not the head of the tribes of Israel? The Lord anointed you king over Israel. ¹⁸And the Lord sent you on a mission, and said, ‘Go, utterly destroy the sinners, the Amal′ekites, and fight against them until they are consumed.’ ¹⁹Why then did you not obey the voice of the Lord? Why did you swoop on the spoil, and do what was evil in the sight of the Lord?” ²⁰And Saul said to Samuel, “I have obeyed the voice of the Lord, I have gone on the mission on which the Lord sent me, I have brought Agag the king of Am′alek, and I have utterly destroyed the Amal′ekites. ²¹But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the best of the things devoted to destruction, to sacrifice to the Lord your God in Gilgal.” ²²And Samuel said, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. ²³For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord,he has also rejected you from being king.” ²⁴And Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned; for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice. ²⁵Now therefore, I pray, pardon my sin, and return with me, that I may worship the Lord.” ²⁶And Samuel said to Saul, “I will not return with you; for you have rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord has rejected you from being king over Israel.” ²⁷As Samuel turned to go away, Saul laid hold upon the skirt of his robe, and it tore. ²⁸And Samuel said to him, “The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you this day, and has given it to a neighbor of yours, who is better than you. ²⁹And also the Glory of Israel will not lie or repent; for he is not a man, that he should repent.” ³⁰Then he said, “I have sinned; yet honor me now before the elders of my people and before Israel, and return with me, that I may worship the Lord your God.” ³¹So Samuel turned back after Saul; and Saul worshiped the Lord. ³²Then Samuel said, “Bring here to me Agag the king of the Amal′ekites.” And Agag came to him cheerfully. Agag said, “Surely the bitterness of death is past.” ³³And Samuel said, “As your sword has made women childless, so shall your mother be childless among women.” And Samuel hewed Agag in pieces before the Lord in Gilgal. ³⁴Then Samuel went to Ramah; and Saul went up to his house in Gib′e-ah of Saul. ³⁵And Samuel did not see Saul again until the day of his death, but Samuel grieved over Saul. And the Lord repented that he had made Saul king over Israel.

Intent of Chapter 15

15:1-3 God uses Samuel as his messenger to deliver his command to Saul regarding his mission.

15:1 Samuel reminds Saul that it was God that made him king. Because God has shown Saul great favor, he expects Saul to be obedient and carry out this mission (cf. Psa. 116:12-14).

15:2 God remembers the wicked and cruel deeds of Amalek, attacking the faint, weary and lagging of Israel as they were coming out of Egypt (for the details of the treacherous Amalekite attack see Ex. 17:8-16 and Deut. 25:17-19). God has declared that, “he will have war with Am’alek from generation to generation, (Ex. 17:16)” and “I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Am’alek from under heaven (Ex.17:14).”

15:3 Saul’s mission then was to carry out God’s command to avenge Israel by utterly destroying ALL of the people of Amalek, as well as their animals. God’s command was to avenge Israel, but also to alleviate future conflicts with Amalek (cf. Ex. 17:15-16), because he knew what was in their heart (the destruction of Israel).

This text also looks forward to the last days, in which those that do not follow the commands of God will lose their opportunity for rulership under Messiah.

15:4-9 Saul leads the Israelites to victory over the Amal’ekites but fails to completely obey the command of the LORD.

15:4 Saul calls Israel to prepare for war and again makes a count of his forces, two hundred thousand foot soldiers. For whatever reason Judah’s addition to the force is singled out here, ten thousand men. Judah is one of twelve tribes, yet they only count for one twentieth of the assembled force. However, overall the numbers are staggering considering the much smaller size of the forces raised earlier against the Philistines (see the commentary at 13:15b - three thousand initially, then finally down to 600).

SHD 2923 Tela’im = lambs.

15:5 SHD 6002 Am’alek = dweller in a valley. Am’alek was a grandson of Esau.

15:6 Saul acknowledges the Ken’ites history with Israel and commits a righteous act, by warning the Ken’ites to evacuate and avoid being destroyed. Saul knew of the kindness of the Ken’ites toward Israel and Moses during Israel’s exodus from Egypt, in particular Jethro (see Ex. 18). Note that God shows favor to nations that interact with Israel justly.

SHD 7017 Ken’ites = smiths.

15:7 Saul defeats the Amal’ekites.

SHD 2341 Havi’lah = circle.

SHD 7793 Shur = wall.

15:8 Agag, King of the Amal’ekites is captured by Saul.

SHD 90 Agag = I will overtop, violent.

15:9 Agag, the best of the animals, and “all that was good,” are spared by Saul. Only the worthless are destroyed. Saul uses his own human reasoning rather than follow the command of the LORD (cf. Isa. 55:8-9).

15:10-12 God decides to reject Saul as king and he uses Samuel as his messenger.

15:11 From Rule of the Kings Part I: Saul (No. 282A) we see that, “The making of Saul as king was not an error of God. God’s own omniscience had seen the necessity of the kingship in Judah. The term here is not one of correction of error but rather the cessation from a course of action already perceived in its consequence. The sequence of the Amalekites is also seen as a continuing war to the last days. Agag was the father of the Agagites. In the book of Esther from the Babylonian captivity the enemy of Judah was a descendent of Agag, namely Haman the Agagite. The prophet Ezekiel also groups Hamon and Gog together. Gog is also rendered Agog or Agag. This aspect is discussed in the paper War of Hamon-Gog (No. 294).

Samuel pleads with God on behalf of Saul.

SHD 5162 repent = to be sorry, rue, suffer grief.

15:12 Saul builds a monument to himself at Carmel. God gave Israel the victory over the Philistines, yet Saul gives himself credit. This is consistent with Moses’ actions, as he does not follow God’s instructions and does not acknowledge Him for bringing the water from the rock (Num. 20:10-11). Note the severe penalty for Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not believe in me, to sanctify me in the eyes of the people of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them. (Num. 20:12)”

Carmel is about 30 miles south of Jerusalem.

SHD 3760 Carmel = garden land.

SHE 5437 turned = to turn, turn about or around or aside or back or towards, go about or around, surround, encircle, change direction.

SHD 1537 Gilgal = wheel rolling.

15:13-19 Samuel confronts Saul regarding his disobedient actions.

15:13 Saul boasts of his fulfillment of God’s commandment.

15:14 Samuel points to the evidence before him (sheep and oxen) as proof that he did not fully complete God’s mission.

15:15 As Saul sees that Samuel is chastising him, he switches from boasting about his deeds to using “they, the people, and we,” to divert and spread the blame.

15:16-17 Samuel abruptly stops Saul’s excuses and delivers the message from the Lord that He had given Saul authority and responsibility over Israel. And, although Saul lacked confidence in himself he should have respected and had confidence in the power of the Lord.

15:18-19 Samuel berates Saul for failure to complete his mission as commanded, and asks, “why?”

15:20-21 Saul counters with his view of the events, I obeyed the LORD and completed the mission. Again, Saul blames the people for plundering rather than destroying the spoil (see the commentary at 15:15). However, he also defended the people by saying the animals were for sacrifice to “your” God. Saul’s answer does not, however, address bringing King Agag home as a trophy.

Saul’s intentions may very well have been good and right in his own eyes. But as we see from Isaiah 55:8-9 “neither are your ways my ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts, (cf. Pro. 21:2 and Psa. 94:11). He may have intended the remaining spoil to be an offering to the LORD and keeping only one person (King Agag) alive would be inconsequential. From Deuteronomy 12:32 we see what The LORD’s intentions are, “Everything that I command you you shall be careful to do; you shall not add to it or take from it.”

15:22-23 Samuel states the expectations of the LORD (obedience) and the penalty for not obeying completely.

15:22 Samuel poses a rhetorical question, then answers it himself, “to obey is better than sacrifice.”

15:23 Samuel compares rebellion to witchcraft, iniquity and idolatry. He then delivers the LORD’s penalty to Saul; he has been rejected as king.

SHD 7081 divination = witchcraft.

15:24-25 Saul admits sin, but yet again, casts some blame to “the people.” His request to “pardon my sin” is directed at Samuel and seems to be concerned with his displeasure as much or more than the LORD's. It may be that Saul looks at Samuel as his mediator to God and intends for Samuel to negotiate on his behalf.

15:26 Samuel refuses to return with Saul and repeats (see 15:23) Saul’s rejection from kingship and why.

15:27 In desperation, Saul reaches out to prevent Samuel from leaving him and tears his robe.

This is symbolic of their relationship being torn as Samuel does not visit Saul again. It also separates Saul from the LORD as Samuel has been his conduit.

15:28-29 Samuel repeats Saul’s sentence for the third time (cf 15:23,26). It is as if he feels Saul is not hearing him. And finally, Samuel declares harshly that the kingship will be given to another that is “better than you,” that is not in need of repentance.

SHD 5331 Glory of Israel = attribute of God (eminence, perpetuity, strength, victory, enduring, everlastingness).

15:30-31 Saul again admits sin (see 15:24), but is still concerned about his image with “the people.” Secondarily, he asks for Samuel to return with him to worship “your” God. Samuel acquiesces and returns with Saul.

15:32-35a It is not transparent whether Samuel returned with Saul to “honor” him, or worship with him, or to execute God’s will by rendering justice to Agag, or all of the above. However, Samuel finishes Saul’s mission by smiting Agag. Samuel and Saul return to their respective homes, and Samuel does not visit Saul again until the day of his death.

15:35b See the commentary at 15:11.

Chapter 16

David Anointed as King

The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you grieve over Saul, seeing I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go; I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons.” ²And Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears it, he will kill me.” And the Lord said, “Take a heifer with you, and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ ³And invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do; and you shall anoint for me him whom I name to you.” ⁴Samuel did what the Lord commanded, and came to Bethlehem. The elders of the city came to meet him trembling, and said, “Do you come peaceably?” ⁵And he said, “Peaceably; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord; consecrate yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice.” And he consecrated Jesse and his sons, and invited them to the sacrifice. ⁶When they came, he looked on Eli′ab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed is before him.” ⁷But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for the Lord sees not as man sees; man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” ⁸Then Jesse called Abin′adab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” ⁹Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” ¹⁰And Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen these.” ¹¹And Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all your sons here?” And he said, “There remains yet the youngest, but behold, he is keeping the sheep.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and fetch him; for we will not sit down till he comes here.” ¹²And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and had beautiful eyes, and was handsome. And the Lord said, “Arise, anoint him; for this is he.” ¹³Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David from that day forward. And Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.

David Plays the Lyre for Saul

¹⁴Now the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented him. ¹⁵And Saul’s servants said to him, “Behold now, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you. ¹⁶Let our lord now command your servants, who are before you, to seek out a man who is skilful in playing the lyre; and when the evil spirit from God is upon you, he will play it, and you will be well.” ¹⁷So Saul said to his servants, “Provide for me a man who can play well, and bring him to me.” ¹⁸One of the young men answered, “Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skilful in playing, a man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a man of good presence; and the Lord is with him.” ¹⁹Therefore Saul sent messengers to Jesse, and said, “Send me David your son, who is with the sheep.” ²⁰And Jesse took an ass laden with bread, and a skin of wine and a kid, and sent them by David his son to Saul. ²¹And David came to Saul, and entered his service. And Saul loved him greatly, and he became his armor-bearer. ²²And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, “Let David remain in my service, for he has found favor in my sight.” ²³And whenever the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, David took the lyre and played it with his hand; so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.

Intent of Chapter 16

16:1 The LORD strongly commands Samuel to move on from Saul and focus on anointing the next King.

16:2-3 Due to Samuel’s fear of Saul’s retaliation the LORD devises a subtle vagary for Samuel to travel to Bethlehem to anoint the next king.

16:4-5 The elders came to Samuel trembling, whether it be because they feared that Samuel was there to represent the LORD for something requiring correction or to represent Saul and his potential wrath. Therefore, the elders ask if Samuel comes “peaceably.”

Notice that Samuel ensures that all (both the elders and the family of Jesse) are consecrated properly before the sacrifice, something that Saul did not do (see 13:9).

SHD2729 Trembling = to come or go trembling.

SHD1035 Bethlehem = house of bread.

SHD 7965 Peaceably = welfare, health and prosperity.

SHD6942 Consecrate = consecrate by purification.

16:6-11 Samuel looks at all (seven) the sons of Jesse that are present at the sacrifice. One by one the LORD rejects them all stating that the heart is more important than outward appearance. Samuel interrogates Jesse to see if he has any more sons. Jesse reveals his youngest son, the shepherd.

SHD446 Eli’ab = God is father.

SHD41 Abin’adab = my father is noble.

SHD8048 Shammah = astonishment.

16:12-13 The youngest son of Jesse is described as “ruddy, and had beautiful eyes, and was handsome.” The eyes are often called the window to the heart and similarly Eph. 1:18 refers to the, “eyes of the heart.”

SHD 132 Ruddy = red of hair or complexion.

The LORD commands that Samuel anoint the youngest son, “for this is he.”

Samuel anoints David in the midst of his older brothers (cf. Gen. 37:1-11 to see a similar situation with Jacob, the elder sons of Jacob, and Joseph (Jacob’s favourite). Genesis 37 clearly states that the elder sons of Jacob were jealous of Joseph and that certainly could be present here with Jesse’s progeny.

Note that the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David immediately (cf. 10:6,10 for description of Saul’s anointing and receipt of the Spirit of the LORD).

16:14-15 As the Spirit of the Lord is given to David, it departs from Saul, replaced by an evil tormenting spirit.

From this text we can again look forward to the end of days as the Messiah (and those who keep the commands of God) replaces Satan as Morning Star (cf. Rev. 2:26-29). Satan is not completing the mission that God has given him.

16:16 Saul’s servants convince him that skilfully played music from a lyre will calm and heal him.

Notice that in the absence of Samuel, Saul is now taking direction from his servants.

16:17 David’s skill on the lyre leads him to be brought into the service of Saul.

Saul authorizes the drafting of a lyre player, and his servants immediately highly recommend the son of Jesse.

16:19-20 Saul commands that Jesse send him his son, the shepherd. Jesse complies and sends food and drink gifts to Saul as well.

16:21-22 Saul is instantly enamored with David, and promotes him to armor-bearer, and decides to keep David in his service.

16:23 Saul is now reliant on David and his lyre to quell the evil spirit within him.

We know that the music of the lyre had nothing to do with subjecting the evil spirit. God had granted David his power through the Holy Spirit to control them.

Note that David is musically gifted and is the author of many of the Psalms.

Chapter 17

David and Goliath

Now the Philistines gathered their armies for battle; and they were gathered at Socoh, which belongs to Judah, and encamped between Socoh and Aze′kah, in E′phes-dam′mim. ²And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered, and encamped in the valley of Elah, and drew up in line of battle against the Philistines. ³And the Philistines stood on the mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on the mountain on the other side, with a valley between them. ⁴And there came out from the camp of the Philistines a champion named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span. ⁵He had a helmet of bronze on his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail, and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of bronze. ⁶And he had greaves of bronze upon his legs, and a javelin of bronze slung between his shoulders. ⁷And the shaft of his spear was like a weaver’s beam, and his spear’s head weighed six hundred shekels of iron; and his shield-bearer went before him. ⁸He stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why have you come out to draw up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not servants of Saul? Choose a man for yourselves, and let him come down to me. ⁹If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will be your servants; but if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall be our servants and serve us.” ¹⁰And the Philistine said, “I defy the ranks of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together.” ¹¹When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid. ¹²Now David was the son of an Eph′rathite of Bethlehem in Judah, named Jesse, who had eight sons. In the days of Saul the man was already old and advanced in years.¹³The three eldest sons of Jesse had followed Saul to the battle; and the names of his three sons who went to the battle were Eli′ab the first-born, and next to him Abin′adab, and the third Shammah. ¹⁴David was the youngest; the three eldest followed Saul, ¹⁵but David went back and forth from Saul to feed his father’s sheep at Bethlehem. ¹⁶For forty days the Philistine came forward and took his stand, morning and evening. ¹⁷And Jesse said to David his son, “Take for your brothers an ephah of this parched grain, and these ten loaves, and carry them quickly to the camp to your brothers; ¹⁸also take these ten cheeses to the commander of their thousand. See how your brothers fare, and bring some token from them.” ¹⁹Now Saul, and they, and all the men of Israel, were in the valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines. ²⁰And David rose early in the morning, and left the sheep with a keeper, and took the provisions, and went, as Jesse had commanded him; and he came to the encampment as the host was going forth to the battle line, shouting the war cry. ²¹And Israel and the Philistines drew up for battle, army against army. ²²And David left the things in charge of the keeper of the baggage, and ran to the ranks, and went and greeted his brothers. ²³As he talked with them, behold, the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, came up out of the ranks of the Philistines, and spoke the same words as before. And David heard him. ²⁴All the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him, and were much afraid. ²⁵And the men of Israel said, “Have you seen this man who has come up? Surely he has come up to defy Israel; and the man who kills him, the king will enrich with great riches, and will give him his daughter, and make his father’s house free in Israel.” ²⁶And David said to the men who stood by him, “What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine, and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?” ²⁷And the people answered him in the same way, “So shall it be done to the man who kills him.” ²⁸Now Eli′ab his eldest brother heard when he spoke to the men; and Eli′ab’s anger was kindled against David, and he said, “Why have you come down? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your presumption, and the evil of your heart; for you have come down to see the battle.” ²⁹And David said, “What have I done now? Was it not but a word?” ³⁰And he turned away from him toward another, and spoke in the same way; and the people answered him again as before. ³¹When the words which David spoke were heard, they repeated them before Saul; and he sent for him. ³²And David said to Saul, “Let no man’s heart fail because of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.” ³³And Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are but a youth, and he has been a man of war from his youth.” ³⁴But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep sheep for his father; and when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb from the flock, ³⁵I went after him and smote him and delivered it out of his mouth; and if he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him and killed him. ³⁶Your servant has killed both lions and bears; and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God.” ³⁷And David said, “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you!” ³⁸Then Saul clothed David with his armor; he put a helmet of bronze on his head, and clothed him with a coat of mail. ³⁹And David girded his sword over his armor, and he tried in vain to go, for he was not used to them. Then David said to Saul, “I cannot go with these; for I am not used to them.” And David put them off. ⁴⁰Then he took his staff in his hand, and chose five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in his shepherd’s bag or wallet; his sling was in his hand, and he drew near to the Philistine. ⁴¹And the Philistine came on and drew near to David, with his shield-bearer in front of him. ⁴²And when the Philistine looked, and saw David, he disdained him; for he was but a youth, ruddy and comely in appearance. ⁴³And the Philistine said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. ⁴⁴The Philistine said to David, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and to the beasts of the field.” ⁴⁵Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin; but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. ⁴⁶This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down, and cut off your head; and I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, ⁴⁷and that all this assembly may know that the Lord saves not with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s and he will give you into our hand.” ⁴⁸When the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine. ⁴⁹And David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone, and slung it, and struck the Philistine on his forehead; the stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the ground. ⁵⁰So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and struck the Philistine, and killed him; there was no sword in the hand of David. ⁵¹Then David ran and stood over the Philistine, and took his sword and drew it out of its sheath, and killed him, and cut off his head with it. When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled. ⁵²And the men of Israel and Judah rose with a shout and pursued the Philistines as far as Gathand the gates of Ekron, so that the wounded Philistines fell on the way from Sha-ara′im as far as Gath and Ekron. ⁵³And the Israelites came back from chasing the Philistines, and they plundered their camp. ⁵⁴And David took the head of the Philistine and brought it to Jerusalem; but he put his armor in his tent. ⁵⁵When Saul saw David go forth against the Philistine, he said to Abner, the commander of the army, “Abner, whose son is this youth?” And Abner said, “As your soul lives, O king, I cannot tell.” ⁵⁶And the king said, “Inquire whose son the stripling is.” ⁵⁷And as David returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, Abner took him, and brought him before Saul with the head of the Philistine in his hand. ⁵⁸And Saul said to him, “Whose son are you, young man?” And David answered, “I am the son of your servant Jesse the Bethlehemite.”

Intent of Chapter 17

17:1-3 The Philistines and Israelites gather their armies for battle.

SHD7755 Socoh = bushy. (approx. 2.5 miles SE of Aze’kah).

SHD5825 Aze’kah = dug over. (approx. 2.5 miles NW of Socoh).

SHD658 E’phes-dam’mim = edge of blood. (region is approx. 16 miles SW of Jerusalem).

SHD425 Elah = an oak.

17:4-7 The description of Goliath at 9 ft. 9 in. tall, laden with bronze and iron armour, evokes comparison to Daniel's vision and description of the image of King Nebuchadnezzer’s dream (cf. Dan. 2:32-33).

SHD 1555 Goliath = splendour.

SHD 1661 Gath = winepress.

SHD 520 Cubit = approx. 18in.

SHD 2239 Span = approx. 9in.

Coat of Mail (bronze) = 5,000 shekels = 126 lbs.

SHD 4697 Greaves (bronze) = leg armour.

Spear head (iron) = 600 shekels = approx. 15.1 lbs.

17:8-11 Goliath calls out to Israel and proposes the conflict between Philistia and Israel be settled by two men only, himself and a man of Israel. Goliath was very confident of the outcome and wagered slavery to the defeated. Israel, including Saul, was “greatly afraid.”

17:12-15 The three eldest sons of Jesse (Eli’ab, Abin’adab, and Shammah) followed Saul to battle the Philistines. David traveled back and forth between tending Saul and tending his father's sheep.

SHD673 Eph’rathite = fruitful.

SHD3448 Jesse = I possess.

17:16 Goliath emerges from the camp twice each day for forty days to antagonize Israel (cf. Mat. 4 for details of Jesus’ 40 days being tempted by Satan).

Ephah = ⅗ bushel.

17:19-22 Saul does not accept the challenge of Goliath (a single man as his opponent) and assembles his army to face the entirety of the Philistine army.

The Valley of Elah was between Socoh and Aze’kah (see the commentary at 17:1-3).

David partially fulfills his father’s commission and brings the provisions to the camp, but does not deliver the loaves and cheese to the commander, nor the ephah of grain to his three brothers. Instead he went directly to his brothers without the provisions.

17:23-24 Goliath emerges from the ranks and taunts the Israelites again, and they flee in fear.

17:25 David hears of Saul’s attempt to persuade a man of Israel to kill Goliath by offering a rich bounty.

17:26 Inquiring directly of the men, David asks regarding the reward and what strain of specimen was this, “uncircumcised Philistine that defies the armies of the living God.”

17:27 The people recount the details of the bounty for David as he repeats his queries.

17:28 David’s eldest brother, Eli’ab, accuses David of negligence of his shepherd duties, his presumptions based on his anointing instead of Eli’ab’s, and of having a childish whim just to come and witness the battle.

There appears to be an edge of jealousy displayed by Eli’ab (see the commentary at 16:12-13).

17:29-33 David’s strong words are delivered to Saul, but Saul has no confidence in this stripling youth.

17:34-37a David defends his fighting capability by detailing triumphant encounters with lions and bears, and claims the Philistine will fall in like manner. David’s final plea credits the LORD for delivering him from the lions and bears and will do the same with Goliath.

17:37b-39b Saul relents and agrees to let David challenge the Philistine, and shrouds him in the best physical armament available.

17:39c-40 David discards these “modern” implements and simply picks up five smooth stones instead.

The “taking his staff in his hand,” may be symbolic of David’s connection to the LORD (cf. Ex. 17:5-6 Moses striking the rock, and Ex. 7 in its entirety to see how God uses the staff of Aaron and Moses as a vehicle to perform wonders in Egypt).

17:41-44 Goliath is “disdained (considered unworthy or inferior),” by David’s youthful appearance, cursed him by the Philistine gods, and promised to slay David.

From this text we see that Goliath represents his gods, as David represents the LORD, this is the essence of the battle.

Note that Goliath sees how inadequate David’s battle implements are compared to his approximately 150 lbs of bronze and iron war accoutrements.

17:45-49 David takes Goliath’s boasts in stride, discounts the value of Goliath’s weapons, and declares that he comes in the name of the LORD of Hosts (God the Father) who will deliver Goliath into his hand.

In contrast to Saul relying on physical armour (see the commentary at 17:37b-39b), David is putting his faith in the LORD for support and protection.

With a single stone slung at the head of Goliath, David topples the giant Philistine.

17:50-53 David finishes the conquest of Goliath by beheading him. This act was accomplished with Goliath’s own sword, rather than a symbolic instrument of God such as a rod or staff. This text has latter-day implications, as Messiah will destroy the Babylonian system (see the commentary at 17:4-7) with their own weapons of destruction (see also the Chapter 17 commentary at David and Goliath (No 126).

This unimaginable victory and beheading by the ruddy youth led to a rout of the Philistines as they quickly fled toward Philistia.

Notice that the Philistines did not honor the terms of the wager (servitude) that Goliath put forth when challenging the Israelites and David.

SHD6138 Ekron = eradication.

SHD8189 Sha-ara’im = double gates.

May mean that there were double gates or doors that provided access to the city of Sha-ara’im. It is also possible in this context that it means the Philistines escaped via two corridors (roads) that went from Sha-ara’im (Israelite city) to Gath (Palestine city to the West), and another road to Ekron (Philistine city to the Northwest).

Gath is about 6 miles, and Ekron 11 miles, from Sha-ara’im.

Gath and Ekron are approximately 5 miles apart.

17:54-57 David takes Goliath’s head to Jerusalem. It is difficult to tell if “David’s tent,” where he stores Goliath’s armour, is near the battle site (approximately 20 miles from Jerusalem) or near his father’s home in Bethlehem (approximately 5.5 miles from Jerusalem). However, what is important here is that the head and armour have gone to different places. The head, symbolizing the Babylonian system (see the commentary at 17:50-53) going to Jerusalem, the future headquarters of Messiah where/when he destroys that system at his second advent. The armour will not be required for this devastation.

17:58 Saul asks, “Whose son are you, young man?” As David is symbolic of Messiah, he may well have answered, I am the son of the Living God.

How curious it is that Saul does not recognize his own lyre player and armour-bearer. Is it because the actions of David were so astonishing that he could not believe his own eyes?

Chapter 18

Jonathan’s Covenant with David

When he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. ²And Saul took him that day, and would not let him return to his father’s house. ³Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul. ⁴And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his armor, and even his sword and his bow and his girdle. ⁵And David went out and was successful wherever Saul sent him; so that Saul set him over the men of war. And this was good in the sight of all the people and also in the sight of Saul’s servants. ⁶As they were coming home, when David returned from slaying the Philistine, the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with timbrels, with songs of joy, and with instruments of music. ⁷And the women sang to one another as they made merry, “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.” ⁸And Saul was very angry, and this saying displeased him; he said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed thousands; and what more can he have but the kingdom?” ⁹And Saul eyed David from that day on.

Saul Tries to Kill David

¹⁰And on the morrow an evil spirit from God rushed upon Saul, and he raved within his house, while David was playing the lyre, as he did day by day. Saul had his spear in his hand; ¹¹and Saul cast the spear, for he thought, “I will pin David to the wall.” But David evaded him twice. ¹²Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with him but had departed from Saul. ¹³So Saul removed him from his presence, and made him a commander of a thousand; and he went out and came in before the people. ¹⁴And David had success in all his undertakings; for the Lord was with him. ¹⁵And when Saul saw that he had great success, he stood in awe of him. ¹⁶But all Israel and Judah loved David; for he went out and came in before them.

David Marries Michal

¹⁷Then Saul said to David, “Here is my elder daughter Merab; I will give her to you for a wife; only be valiant for me and fight the Lord’s battles.” For Saul thought, “Let not my hand be upon him, but let the hand of the Philistines be upon him.” ¹⁸And David said to Saul, “Who am I, and who are my kinsfolk, my father’s family in Israel, that I should be son-in-law to the king?” ¹⁹But at the time when Merab, Saul’s daughter, should have been given to David, she was given to A′driel the Meho′lathite for a wife. ²⁰Now Saul’s daughter Michal loved David; and they told Saul, and the thing pleased him. ²¹Saul thought, “Let me give her to him, that she may be a snare for him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” Therefore Saul said to David a second time, “You shall now be my son-in-law.” ²²And Saul commanded his servants, “Speak to David in private and say, ‘Behold, the king has delight in you, and all his servants love you; now then become the king’s son-in-law.’” ²³And Saul’s servants spoke those words in the ears of David. And David said, “Does it seem to you a little thing to become the king’s son-in-law, seeing that I am a poor man and of no repute?” ²⁴And the servants of Saul told him, “Thus and so did David speak.” ²⁵Then Saul said, “Thus shall you say to David, ‘The king desires no marriage present except a hundred foreskins of the Philistines, that he may be avenged of the king’s enemies.’” Now Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines. ²⁶And when his servants told David these words, it pleased David well to be the king’s son-in-law. Before the time had expired, ²⁷David arose and went, along with his men, and killed two hundred of the Philistines; and David brought their foreskins, which were given in full number to the king, that he might become the king’s son-in-law. And Saul gave him his daughter Michal for a wife. ²⁸But when Saul saw and knew that the Lord was with David, and that all Israelloved him, ²⁹Saul was still more afraid of David. So Saul was David’s enemy continually. ³⁰Then the princes of the Philistines came out to battle, and as often as they came out David had more success than all the servants of Saul; so that his name was highly esteemed.

Intent of Chapter 18

18:1 Jonathan provides us with one of the most compelling examples of The Second Great Commandment (No. 257) in the bible. “The soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.”

18:2 David is conscripted into service by Saul.

18:3-4 As the eldest son of Saul, Jonathan would be in line for the kingship of Israel. He symbolically removes his robe, armour and weapons, then voluntarily gives his birthright to David. However, this act is foreknown as seen in 13:13-14, due to Saul’s disobedience and removal of his lineage as kings of Israel.

18:5 The LORD is with David and success follows on for him in all his missions, and Saul promotes him to the head of the men of war. The people of Israel are captivated with David.

18:6-8 On their return trip home the women of Israel rallied and joyfully paraded around the army of King Saul. As the women chanted songs, Saul overheard the lyrics and was shocked and angry that David received far more credit for the victories over the Philistines than he.

18:9 Jealousy overcame Saul, and he felt enmity toward David, “from that day on.”

18:10-11 The evil spirit from God visits Saul again, this time he attempts to kill David with a spear.

18:12 In David, Saul could see the man that he would like to be, loved by the people and God. Saul’s insecurity got the better of him, and he assigned David to be a military commander away from Saul’s house.

18:17-19 Saul is averse to honor his promises of 17:25, “..... the man who kills him (Goliath, the Philistine), the king will enrich with great riches, and will give him his daughter, and make his father’s house free in Israel.”

Thinking of ways to have the self-deprecating David eliminated without “my hand upon him,” King Saul used his eldest daughter Merab (cf. Gen. 29:25-26 Jacob/Leah/Rachel, the eldest daughter is typically promised in marriage first) as a conditional enticement for David to battle and “fall by the hand of the Philistines.”

Later, David himself uses this same ruse, only successfully, with Uriah (the Hittite) to cover his illicit relationship with Uriah’s wife Bathsheeba (see the entirety of 2Sam. 11 for a more detailed look at this scenario). David is punished for this act severely, just as Saul was, reinforcing that God is not a respecter of persons (see Respect of Persons (No 221)).

David had already met the original condition (killed Goliath), yet Saul reneged on his promises of 17:25, and gave his eldest daughter in marriage to another.

18:20-26 David then falls in love with Saul’s second daughter, Michal, and asks for her hand. Saul agrees, but again makes the couple's union conditional. David must fulfill another mission (kill 100 Philistines) on top of the conditions already met (slay Goliath) to receive the reward promised at 17:25.

18:27 Not one hundred, but two hundred Philistines were killed by David. Saul finally allows the marriage of David to his second daughter, Michal, only because he thinks she can “be a snare to him, (see 18:21)” leading to his death at the hands of the Philistines.

18:28-30 Saul becomes more afraid of David, as David becomes more successful and esteemed.

Bullinger’s Notes on Chs. 13-18 (for KJV)

Chapter 13

Verse 2

men . Septuagint reads this word in text.

mount = hill country.

every man. Hebrew. 'ish. App-14 .

Verse 3

Jonathan. See note on 1 Samuel 18:1 .

Verse 4

Gilgal. In the plain of Jordan, east of Jericho, good for water, remote from Philistines, and connected with sacred memories.

Verse 5

thirty thousand . . . six , &c. Multiples of six. See App-10 .

as the sand , &c. Figure of speech Parcemia. App-6 .

Verse 6

men. Hebrew. 'ish. . App-14 .

distressed = pressed: i.e. into Saul's service. and. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton. App-6 .

Verse 7

the Hebrews went over . Figure of speech Paronomasia (Revelation 6:0; Revelation 6:0 ), `ibrim `abru.

Verse 8

had appointed. Some codices, with three early printed editions, Aramaean, and Septuagint, read "said". Some codices read "appointed".

Verse 9

offered = offered up. See App-43 .

Verse 10

behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 .

salute = bless.

Verse 12

the LORD . Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

a = the.

Verse 13

thou hast not . Some codices, with three early printed editions, and Vulgate, read "and hast". Some codices, with Septuagint and Syriac, read "because thou

hast". God . Hebrew. Elohim . App-4 .

thy kingdom . This possible only with God a sovereign.

Verse 14

man , &c. Hebrew. 'ish . App-14 . Quoted in Acts 13:22 .

own heart = his own pleasure. Compare Psalms 89:20 , Psalms 89:21 .

captain = leader, or representative.

Verse 15

Gilgal. The Septuagint preserves a Homceoteleuton here, adding after "Gilgal [and the rest of the people went up after Saul to meet the army when they arrived from] Gilgal "; the eye of the scribe going back to this last "Gilgal" instead of to the one in 1 Samuel 13:15 .

present = found.

men . Hebrew. 'ish. App-14 .

Verse 16

Gibeah . Probably the Geba of 1 Samuel 13:3 .

Verse 19

no smith . This explains why Ehud had to make his own dagger (Judges 3:16 ); why Shamgar had only an ox-goad (Judges 3:31 ); why Samson "had nothingin his hand" (Judges 14:5-6 ); and why "not a shield or spear among 40,000 in Israel" (Judges 5:9 ). In other days we read of how many "drew sword".

land. Some codices read "bounds".

Verse 20

coulter . Anglo-Saxon = a cutter; hence, a plough-share.

mattock = a kind of pickaxe, with broad instead of pointed ends.

Verse 22

with Saul = with those who were with Saul and Jonathan: a picked force.

Verse 23

garrison = post, or permanent camp.

passage = pass.

Chapter 14

Verse 1

a day : i.e. a certain day.

Verse 2

a pomegranate tree = the pomegranate tree: i.e. the well-known one.

Migron . North of Gilgal.

men. Heb, 'ish. App-14 .

Verse 3

Ahiah (= brother or friend of Jehovah). As Ahimelech (brother or friend of the king) was also the son of Ahitub, therefore Ahiah and Ahimelech were brothers, and the latter succeeded the former (1 Samuel 22:11 ). I-chabod's. Compare 1 Samuel 4:21 .

the LORD'S . Hebrew. Jehovah . App-4 .

wearing an ephod . See note on 1 Samuel 14:18 .

Verse 4

sharp rock = a crag. Hebrew. sela '. See notes on Exodus 17:6 . Psalms 18:1 , Psalms 18:2 .

and. Some codices, with two early printed editions, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, omit this "and".

Bozez = Shining.

Seneh = Sharp, or pointed. Hebrew = thorn.

Verse 5

was situate. Hebrew. mazuk, only here, and 1 Samuel 2:8 the sharp crag, or pillar of 1 Samuel 14:4 .

Michmash . Nine miles from Jerusalem.

Gibeah = - Geba.

Verse 6

the LORD (Jehovah) will work . Note the language of faith. Compare 2 Chronicles 14:11 .

Verse 7

behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 .

Verse 8

men. Hebrew. 'enosh. App-14 .

Verse 9

Tarry = keep quiet.

Verse 10

hand . Some codices, with two early printed editions, Septuagint, and Vulgate, read "hands ".

Verse 11

the Hebrews . Compare 1 Samuel 14:21 .

Verse 12

shew you a thing = tell you something.

Verse 14

acre . Hebrew = furrow, or a furrow's length. The Figure of speech Ellipsis ( App-6 ) is supplied, but the words "in a day" might be added for completeness at end of verse. This is the standard measure throughout the Turkish empire, called a deunum = 40 arshuns.

Verse 15

host = camp.

trembled = were panic-stricken. Compare 2 Samuel 5:24 . 2 Kings 7:6 ; 2 Kings 19:7 .

a very great trembling = a preternatural trembling. Hebrew a trembling from Elohim . App-4 .

Verse 16

and they went on beating down , &c. Hebrew hither and thither. A supposed Ellipsis is unnecessarily supplied. Read "melted away hither and thither", with Septuagint and Syriac.

Verse 18

the ark of God . The word rendered "bring" (nayash) inappropriate for the Ark, which was at Kirjath-jearim (Judges 20:27 , and compare 2 Samuel 11:11 ; 2 Samuel 15:24 ). The Septuagint reads "the ephod, for he bare the ephod at that time before Israel". Compare 1 Samuel 14:3 . The context shows that inquiry of the LORD by Urim and Thummim was in Saul's mind. See 1 Samuel 14:18 and note on Exodus 28:30 , and compare 1 Samuel 28:6 , 1Sa 28:9 ; 1 Samuel 30:7 , 1 Samuel 30:8 , where the same word is used for "bring".

God . Hebrew. Elohim . App-4 . Literally "the God".

children = sons.

Verse 19

talked : i.e. concerning the inquiry proposed.

Withdraw : i.e. from the ephod = Stop!

hand. Some codices, with three early printed editions, and Septuagint, read "hands".

Verse 20

assembled themselves = were assembled (by proclamation).

every man's . Hebrew. 'ish. App-14 .

Verse 21

the Hebrews . Called so in distinction from the foreigners among whom they lived; referring to language rather than nationality. Compare 1 Samuel 14:11 . turned. Septuagint and Vulgate read "turned round".

Verse 22

mount = hill country of.

Verse 23

the LORD (Jehovah) saved : according to Jonathan's faith.

unto. Some codices, with Aramaean and Vulgate, read "as far as".

Beth-aven. The Septuagint adds: "and all the people with Saul were about 10,000 men: and the battle extended itself to every city in the mount Ephraim. And Saul committed a great trespass of ignorance on that day. "

Verse 24

food. Hebrew "bread", put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Species), App-6 , for all kinds of food.

Verse 25

the ground. Hebrew "the face (i.e. surface) of the ground". Figure of speech Pleonasm. App-6 .

Verse 26

behold. Figure of speech Asterismos.

Verse 27

an honeycomb. The Hebrew ya'ar never means honeycomb, but "a wood". It is rendered "forest" thirty-eight times, "wood" nineteen times, "honey-comb" only here and Song of Solomon 5:15

Verse 28

straitly = strictly.

faint = weary.

Verse 29

land = people. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject), App-6 .

Verse 30

How. ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 .

Verse 33

sin. Hebrew. chata'. App-44 .

transgressed = dealt treacherously.

this day . Septuagint reads "here".

Verse 34

his ox with him. Septuagint reads "what was in his hand".

Verse 41

the LORD = Jehovah. Punctuate thus: "Saul said unto Jehovah: `O God of Israel' ", &c.

Give a perfect lot = Give perfections: i.e. Thummim. See Exodus 28:30 . There is evidently a Homceoteleuton ( App-6 ) here. The scribes, having written the word "Israel", went forward to the word "Israel "a line or two farther on, and omitted the words between, which are preserved in two ancient versions, older than any Hebrew manuscript extant. These omitted words are enclosed within brackets below, in the translation given of the Septuagint version:-" LORD God of Israel, [Why hast thou not answered Thy servant this day? Is the iniquity in me, or in Jonathan my son? LORD God of Israel, Give clear [manifestation, i.e. Urim]; and if [the lot] should declare this, give, I pray Thee, to Thy People Israel, give, I pray, holiness" (i.e. Thummim, a perfect lot). The Hebrew (unpointed) thamim (perfect) would thus have been Thummim.

Verse 43

lo. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 .

Verse 44

do so . Some codices, with three early printed editions, Aramaean, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, add "unto me".

Verse 45

not one hair , &c. Figure of speech Parcemia. App-6 .

rescued . Hebrew pieta = redeemed. See note on Exodus 6:6 with Exodus 13:13 . Perhaps a victim was offered in his stead.

Verse 47

and . Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton ( App-6 ) in verses: 1 Samuel 14:47-48 .

children = sons.

he vexed them = he put them to the worse. But Septuagint reads "he was victorious".

Verse 48

an host . Hebrew "power". Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6 , put for the army which manifested the power. Or, it may be rendered "he wrought mightily".

Verse 49

Ishui . Called Abinadab in 1 Samuel 31:2 .

Verse 51

Kish was the father of Saul. For the difficulties of this genealogy, see note on 1 Chronicles 8:33 .

Verse 52

man . Hebrew. 'ish. App-14 .

valiant man . Hebrew son of valour.

he took him . As Samuel had said (1 Samuel 8:11 , 1 Samuel 8:16 ).

Chapter 15

Verse 1

The LORD . Hebrew. Jehovah . App-4 .

Verse 2

the LORD of hosts . See note on 1 Samuel 1:3 .

I remember . Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6 .

how he laid wait. Compare Exodus 17:8 .

Verse 3

Now go . Some codices, with Aramaean, Septuagint, and Vulgate, read "now therefore go".

Amalek. Compare Exodus 17:16 . Numbers 24:20 .

utterly destroy = devote to destruction.

man. Hebrew. 'ish. App-14 .

Verse 4

Telaim . Probably Telem (Joshua 15:24 ).

men. Hebrew. 'ish. App-14 .

Verse 7

from . Supply Figure of speech Ellipsis ( App-6 ) thus: "[that dwell] from Havilah, "&c.

Verse 8

Kenites . Said to be the same as the Rechabites. Go, depart. Note the Figure of speech Asyndeton in 1 Samuel 15:6 .

Verse 9

and. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton ( App-6 ) in this verse.

every thing that was vile = all the stock that was worthless.

Verse 11

It repenteth Me . Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6 .

Verse 12

behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 .

place . Hebrew a hand. Either to mark his claim to the place, or a monument, as in 2 Samuel 18:18 .

on = over.

Verse 13

I have performed. See 1 Samuel 15:11 .

Verse 15

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .

Verse 18

sinners. Hebrew. chata'. App-44 .

they be consumed = they have consumed them. Some codices, with Aramaean, Septuagint, and Syriac, read "thou have consumed them".

Verse 19

obey = hearken to.

evil = the evil. Hebrew. ra`a`. App-44 .

Verse 20

obeyed = hearkened.

to obey = to hearken to.

to hearken = to give heed.

Verse 23

sin. Hebrew. chata'. App-44 .

witchcraft = divination or necromancy; i.e. dealings with spirits.

iniquity . Hebrew. 'aven. App-44 .

Verse 24

transgressed . Hebrew. `abar. App-44 .

commandment . Hebrew "mouth", put by Fig, Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for what is spoken by it.

words . Some codices, with one early printed edition, read "word".

Verse 27

he = Saul.

his = Samuel's. Compare 1 Kings 11:30 , 1 Kings 11:31 .

Verse 29

the Strength = the Eternal One. First occurrence. Hebrew. nezah. A Divine title.

repent : i.e. as God, though He is said to do so by the Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6 .

a man . Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 .

Verse 32

delicately = in fetters (Job 38:31 ). Septuagint has "trembling"; Vulgate has "sleek and trembling".

Verse 33

As = according as.

hewed : i.e. commanded him to be hewed or cut asunder after death. Verb occurs only here.

Agag. See note on Amalek (Exodus 17:16 , and Compare 1 Samuel 15:3 ).

Verse 35

no more . Compare 1 Samuel 16:1 , 1Sa 16:14 ; 1 Samuel 19:23 .

Samuel mourned : i.e. as for one dead. We do not read that Saul mourned for himself.

Chapter 16

Verse 1

the LORD . Hebrew. Jehovah . App-4 .

I have rejected . Note here Jehovah's sovereignty.

I have provided. Note Jehovah's sovereignty in this choice of' the youngest. It is this choice that makes David the "man after Jehovah's heart"; not David's personal character or conduct.

Verse 2

with thee = in thine hand.

Verse 4

Beth-lehem = house of bread.

said. Hebrew text reads verb in singular, requiring "he, or one, said". In this case it is the Figure of speech Heterosis (of Number), App-6 . But several codices, the Sevir ( App-34 ), Targum, Septuagint, Syriac, Vulgate, and the two earliest printed editions, read "they said".

Verse 5

Jesse and his sons . He had eight sons and two daughters, Zeruiah (mother of Abishai, Joab, and Asahel) and Abigail (mother of Amasa). David is the eighth here (verses: 10, 11), but called the seventh in 1 Chronicles 2:15 . One son must have died shortly after this, or been the son of a concubine, or died without issue and so not reckoned in the genealogy. Samuel is history, Chronicles is genealogy.

Verse 7

the LORD seeth. These words correctly supply the Ellipsis ( App-6 .), from the Septuagint

man = 'adam. App-14 .

seeth = looketh to.

looketh on = looketh to.

heart. Compare 1 Chronicles 28:9 . Psalms 7:8 . Jeremiah 11:20 ; Jeremiah 17:10 ; Jeremiah 20:12 .

Verse 9

Then = and.

Shammah . Probably = Shimeah. 2 Samuel 13:3 ; 2 Samuel 21:21 .

Verse 10

Again = So.

seven . See note on 1 Samuel 16:5 .

Verse 11

Are here all thy children? Hebrew "Have the young men finished [passing by)? "This correctly supplies the Figure of speech Ellipsis. App-6 . Hebrew. na ` ar =young men . youngest = least. See note on 1 Samuel 16:5 .

behold . Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 .

he keepeth . Saul lost his father's asses (1 Samuel 9:3 , 1 Samuel 9:4 , 1 Samuel 9:20 ). down round.

Verse 12

and withal of a beautiful , &c. = a stripling (1 Samuel 17:56 ), with handsome eyes.

goodly to look to = with, or of, noble mien.

Verse 13

anointed him . Three anointings of David: (1) by Samuel, here; (2) by "men of Judah" (2 Samuel 2:4 ); and (3) by "the elders of Israel "(2 Samuel 5:3 ).

the Spirit . Hebrew. = ruach. App-9 .

David = beloved.

Verse 14

But. This marks and introduces the later episode, placed here in order to bring out and connect the contrast of the Spirit's departing from Saul and coming on David. See notes on 17. and 1 Samuel 18:12 .

evil : always. Hebrew. ra'a' ( App-44 .), in this connection.

spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 .

troubled = terrified.

Verse 15

God . Hebrew. Elohim ( App-4 ). Saul's servants not in communion with Jehovah, the Covenant God. App-4 .

Verse 16

man. Hebrew. 'ish. App-14 .

cunning = skilful.

harp = kinnor. An instrument of many strings.

Verse 18

servants . Not the same word as in verses: 1 Samuel 16:15-17 , but "young men "as in 1 Samuel 14:1 . Perhaps Saul's body-guard; possibly fellow-pupils of Samuel at Naioth.

and . Note Figure of speech Polysyndeton ( App-6 ) in these verses.

matters = speech.

Verse 20

bottle = skin-bottle.

of. Genitive of contents. App-17 .

wine . Hebrew. yayin. See App-27 .

Verse 21

he = Saul.

him = David.

Chapter 17

Verse 1

Now. Ch. 1 Samuel 17:1 reads on chronologically from 1 Samuel 16:13 (see note on 1 Samuel 16:14 ). An author's right is claimed for placing the later episode here (1 Samuel 16:14 , 1 Samuel 16:23 ), in order to connect and contrast the two spirits with Saul and David. The canonical order alternates David's call and Saul's. See notes on 1 Samuel 16:14 ; 1 Samuel 18:12 .

Verse 2

men . Hebrew. 'ish. App-14 .

by = in. About sixteen miles south-west of Jerusalem.

Verse 4

champion . Hebrew. 'ish-habbenayivl = "the man between the two [hosts]", or, the duellist. This accords with the subscription of Psalms 8:0 (see note there)

Muth-labben = the death of the man between; i.e. the death of the champion (Goliath) which Psalms 8:0 celebrates. Psalms 144:0 , which has the same words, "What is man" has for its title in Septuagint. "A Psalm of David concerning Goliath"(compare1 Samuel 8:4; 1 Samuel 8:4 with Psalms 144:3 ). See 1 Samuel 17:23 .

six . Note this number "6" stamped like a "hallmark" on this "man" (as on Nebuchadnezzar, Daniel 3:0 ) Compare the six pieces of armour, verses: 1 Samuel 17:5-7 .

cubits . See App-51 .

span . See App-51 .

Verse 5

And . Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton in verses: 1 Samuel 17:5-7 . App-6 . Note the six pieces of armour thus emphasised; and see App-10 .

Verse 6

target . Hebrew. kedon, a small shield. Translated "shield "in 1 Samuel 17:45 .

Verse 7

shield . Hebrew zinnah, a shield of the largest size, covering the whole body. Same word in 1 Samuel 17:41 , not 1 Samuel 17:6 and 1 Samuel 17:45 .

Verse 8

man . Hebrew. 'ish . App-14 .

Verse 11

greatly afraid = feared exceedingly. Compare 1 Samuel 17:24 .

Verse 12

eight sons . David was now between sixteen and seventeen years old. See note on 1 Samuel 16:5 .

men. Hebrew 'enosh. App-14 .

for an old man . Septuagint and Syriac read "was old", advanced in years.

Verse 14

was = he [was].

Verse 16

forty . The number significant of probation. App-10 .

Verse 17

ephah . See App-51 .

Verse 18

their pledge : i.e. a token from them of their welfare = a message or letter, or a lock of hair. Compare Genesis 37:13 , Gen 14:32 , Gen 14:33 .

Verse 20

as = according as.

fight = place of battle.

Verse 22

carriage = baggage: i. e, goods carried.

Verse 23

behold . Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 .

armies = ranks.

Verse 24

men. Hebrew. 'ish. App-14 .

man . Hebrew. 'ish. App-14 .

were sore afraid = feared exceedingly. Compare 1 Samuel 17:11 .

Verse 25

and. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton. App-6 .

Verse 26

men . Heb, 'enosh. App-14 .

defy = reproach.

God. Hebrew. Elohim . App-4 . "Living", always in contrast with idols.

Verse 30

manner = word.

Verse 32

Let no man's heart fail. Septuagint reads "Let not the heart of my lord fail".

man's . Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 .

Verse 34

kept = was keeping. Compare 1 Samuel 16:11 .

his . Some codices, quoted in the Massorah, read "my".

and. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton ( App-6 ) in verses: 1 Samuel 17:34-36 .

Verse 35

beard = mane, or throat.

Verse 36

them . The Septuagint adds "them" and reads "[Shall I not go and smite him, and turn aside reproach to-day from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine] that he hath", &c.

defied = reproached.

living God , Both these words in plural in Hebrew Compare 1 Samuel 17:26 .

Verse 37

The LORD = Jehovah . App-4 .

paw . . . hand . Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause) for power put forth by it. App-6 .

Verse 39

assayed = tried, or, was content to start: assay French essayer.

Verse 40

staff = club, one of the three equipments of the Eastern shepherd: crook for the sheep's help, club for sheep's defence, and the bag for himself.

Verse 42

ruddy. Compare 1 Samuel 16:12 , 1 Samuel 16:13 .

dog . No stronger term of contempt. 2 Kings 8:13 .Matthew 15:26 .

gods = god, as in Judges 16:23 .

Verse 44

field. Some codices, with Aramaean, Septuagint, and Vulgate, read "earth".

Verse 45

shield. See note on "target", 1 Samuel 17:6 .

the LORD of hosts . See note on 1 Samuel 1:3 .

Verse 46

and. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton in verses: 1 Samuel 17:46-47 . give. Septuagint reads "give [thy limbs and] the carcasses", &c.

that there is a God in Israel = that Israel bath a God.

Verse 47

assembly = assembled host. Compare Numbers 22:4 , "company".

Verse 51

drew it out ; showing that Goliath had not deigned to do so.

champion . Hebrew. gibbor = mighty man. App-14 . Not the same word as in 1 Samuel 17:4 and 1 Samuel 17:23 .

Verse 52

the valley . Septuagint reads "entrance into Gath".

wounded = stricken, or slain.

Verse 53

children = sons.

tents = camps.

Verse 54

Jerusalem . Jerusalem (west of Moriah) had been taken by Judah, who dwelt there. The Jebusites were still holding Jebus, or Zion, the mount immediately south of Moriah. Compare Joshua 15:63 .Judges 1:7 , Judges 1:8 . Zion was taken later by David. See 2 Samuel 5:7 , and App-68 .

Verse 55

whose son . . . ? Though Saul had just had an interview with David, he did not know his father, whom he had promised (1 Samuel 17:25 ) to make free in Israel. Note in all these passages (verses: 55, 56, 58) Saul's inquiry is not about David, but about David's father.

thy soul = thyself (emph.) Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 .

Chapter 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.

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