Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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1 Samuel
Book: 1 Samuel
Chapter: 18
Overview:
Jonathan's friendship for
David.
(1-5) Saul seeks to kill
David.
(6-11) Saul's fear of
David.
(12-30)
1-5 The friendship of
David and
Jonathan was the effect of
Divine
Grace, which produces in true believers one
Heart and one
soul, and causes them to
Love each other. This union of souls is
from partaking in the
Spirit of
Christ. Where
God unites hearts,
Carnal matters are too weak to separate them. Those who
Love
Christ as their own souls, will be willing to join themselves to
him in an
Everlasting Covenant. It was certainly a great proof
of the power of
God's
Grace in
David, that he was able to
Bear
all this respect and honour, without being lifted up above
Measure.
6-11 David's troubles not only immediately follow his triumphs,
but arise from them; such is the vanity of that which seems
greatest in this world. It is a sign that the
Spirit of
God is
departed from men, if, like
Saul, they are peevish, envious,
suspicious, and ill-natured. Compare
David, with his
Harp in his
Hand, aiming to serve
Saul, and
Saul, with his
Javelin in his
Hand, aiming to slay
David; and observe the sweetness and
usefulness of
God's persecuted people, and the barbarity of
their persecutors. But
David's safety must be ascribed to
God's
Providence.
12-30 For a long time
David was kept in continual apprehension
of falling
By the
Hand of
Saul, yet he persevered in meek and
respectful behaviour towards his persecutor. How uncommon is
such prudence and discretion, especially under insults and
provocations! Let us inquire if we imitate this part of the
exemplary character before us. Are we behaving wisely in all our
ways? Is there
No sinful omission,
No rashness of
Spirit,
nothing wrong in our conduct? Opposition and perverseness in
others, will not excuse wrong tempers in us, but should increase
our care, and attention to the duties of our station. Consider
Him that endured contradiction of sinners against himself, lest
ye be weary and faint in your minds, Heb 12:3. If
David
magnified the honour of being son-in-
Law to
King Saul, how
should we magnify the honour of being sons to the
King of
Kings!