The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 339

of his imagination. And so he lost all control Israel and J udab is an indication of tt,, over himself, nnd prophesied. The conju- Books of Samuel having been written at a gation employed here (Hithpahel) is never post-Solomonic date, though the distinction used of real, true prophecy (which is always was a very old one (see on eh. xi. 8). the Niphal), but of a bastard imitation of it. SAUL, UNDER PRETENCE OF A )IAI'.lllAGJ•: Really Saul was in a state of frenzy, 11.Ile.ble WITH BIS DAUGHTER, PLOTS DAVID'S DEAfll to master himself, speaking words of which (vers. 17-30). Vers. 17, 18.-Behold my he knew not the meaning, and acting like e. elder daughter lllerab. Saul bad promised man possessed. In all this there was some- that he would give his daughter in mal'l'iage thing akin to the powerful emotions which to whosoever should slay the giant (eh. xvii. agitated th!I true prophet, only it was not 25) ; and not only was there in this the R holy' influence, but one springing from honour of a close alliance with the royal violent passions and a disturbed state of the house, but, as it was usual to give large mind. In order to soothe him David played presents to the father in return for the with his hand, as at other times, but with- daughter's hand, the gift had also a sub- out the desired effect. On the contrary, Saul stantial value. After long delay Saul now brandished the javelin, which he carried as a refers to this promise, not so much with the sort of sceptre in his hand, with such violence intention of fulfilling it, as of leading David that David twice had to escape from this on to enterprises which might cost him his threat of injury by flight. It is not certain life. The marriage may have been deferred that Saul actually threw the javelin. Had he at first on account of David's youth; the done so it would be difficult to account for subject is now re..vived, but with evil in- David escaping from it twice. After such an tentions. My elder daughter is literally act of violence he would scarcely have trusted "my daughter, the great one," while Michal himself a second time in Saul's presence. In- is "the little one," a way of speaking used atead of Saul cast the javelin, the Septuagint only where there are but two daughters. lie in the Alexandrian codex and the Chaldee thou valiant, &c. This exhortation would render lifted, i. e. retaining the same conso- be natural under the circumstances ; but Saul nants, they put vowels which refer the verb hoped that David, in order to secure so great to another root. But even with the present a prize, would be encourageu to undertake vowels it may mean "made e.s though he rash adventures. For Saul said. I. e. in would cast," or aimed "the javelin." On himself; his purpose was to urge David to a later occasion Saul actually threw the perpetual fighting, that so in some rash javelin, e.ud struck the wall where David undertaking he might be slain. Thus Saul's had been sitting (eh. xix. 10). malice grows, and though not prepared as yet Vers. 12-16.-Saul was afraid of David. to put David to death himself, he would have A new feeling. To his jealousy succeeded a felt relief if he had died bv the fortune of war. Bense of powerlessness, as knowing that a David answers modestly· and discreetly that higher power was with David, while he had he is not worthy of so great an honour. Wa lost the Divine protection. This miserable a.re not to suppose that he discerned Saul's feeling grew upon the unhappy king, till treachery, which only came to light after- before the battle of Gilboa we fincl him with wards. What is my life,-i. e. my condition, all his old heroic spirit gone, a miserable -or my father's family 1 The or is not iu wreck, seeking for comfort at the hands of the Hebrew, and the meaning is, What is a woman of the most worthless kind (eh. my condition, even my father's family 1 &, • xxviii. 6, 7, 20). In this despondent state David's condition or rank in life wns settled. -0f mind he dismisses David from attendance by the rank which his father held. upon him, but in an honourable manner, Ver. 19.-lllerab . . . was given unto giving him the command of a thousand men, Adriel. .A. h1rge dower was doubtless offered at the head of whom he went out and came to Saul in return for his daughter, and, as in before the people, i. e. in a public capa- he had never wished David to have her, he city, as an officer of state. As Saul seems proved untrue to his word. For the un- entirely to have neglected the internal ad- happy death of the sons of :r.Ierab and Adriol I ministration of the kingdom, this would see 2 Sam. xx.i. S refer to military expeditions (see on vcr. 6) ; Vers. 20, 21.-lllichal . . . loved David. and in these David behaved himaelf wisely. Probably there was some short lapse of time Rather, " prudpered" (see on ver. 6). His between Mera!J's marriage and the growth great succes, only increased Saul's fears ; but of this affection, the news of which pleased both Israel and Judah loved David, now Saul. He was not an ungenerous man, and that in this higher command they bad full possibly may have felt ashamed at having opportunities for jmlging of his high qualities. acted so mranly by David after having ex- Thus ngain his removal from his place In posecl him to danger. Ail(l yet evil thoughb Saul's !Jody-gnanl only served to make him again a rn uppermost, and his purposes a rot better known. The separate mention of selfish; for ~ither way Saul will be tha  842 THE FIHST BOOK OF SAMUEL. [ell, XVIII. 1-30: