Bible Commentaries

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).

made = solemnised.

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

men. Hebrew. "enosh. App-14.

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 Psa 52, which is mahalath = the great dancing".

tabrets. Hebrew. toph = drums of various sizes.

the = this.

evil. See note on 1 Samuel 16:16.

spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9.

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4.

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" (1 Samuel 19:9 - 1 Samuel 20:1 -), p. 394.

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.

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

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.

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

man. Hebrew. "ish. App-14.

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

men. Hebrew. "ish. App-14.

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

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

after = whenever; or, as often as.