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 Psa 52, 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" (1 Samuel 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.