Verse 1

Soul. Pythagoras said, "that friendship is an equality, and one soul, and that the friend is another self." It would be difficult to find two souls more tender and generous than those of David and Jonathan. (Calmet) --- Josephus speaks of their friendship on another occasion, as these five verses are omitted in the Roman Septuagint, &c. (Kennicott)

Verse 3

For he, Jonathan. (Haydock) --- Soul. "Friends have one soul." (Arist.[Aristotle?] Mor. ix. 8.)

Verse 4

Girdle, which perhaps was of great value, Job xii. 18. He wished that David should lay aside his shepherd's dress, and appear like himself at court, that all might know how much he loved him. (Menochius)

Verse 5

Prudently, or with success. (Calmet) --- Especially. Hebrew, "also," which enhances his praise, as courtiers are but too apt to envy those who are taken from a low condition and set over them in the king's favour. David must have displayed great wisdom and moderation. (Haydock)

Verse 6

Philistine. Some explain this of some fresh achievement against that nation, (Malvenda; Worthington) but without reason. --- Dancing. Hebrew also playing on the flute, or on some such instrument of music. (Calmet) --- So Mary [Miriam] sung after the Israelites had crossed the Red Sea, Exodus xv. 20., 2 Kings i. 20., and Judges xi. 34.

Verse 7

Sung. The chorus of their song is given. (Calmet) --- "The women sung, Saul slew his thousands; and the virgins answered, And David," &c. (Josephus) --- The death of Goliath was equivalent to the slaughter of thousands, as he had filled the whole army of Israel with dismay. (Haydock)

Verse 8

A thousand. These women were guilty of an indiscretion, through excess of zeal, as it is always displeasing for the sovereign to hear any of his subjects preferred before him. (St. Chrysostom, hom. i. de Saul.) --- The jealousy of Saul was the more excited, as he had been threatened with the loss of his kingdom, and perceived in David all the qualifications of a king. A malo principe tanquam successor timetur quisquis est dignior. (Pliny in Traj.) --- But was David responsible for what was spoken in his praise? (Calmet) --- The Vatican Septuagint omit what follows till ver. 12. "And Saul feared David, (13) and he removed," &c. The Alexandrian copy agrees with the Vulgate. (Haydock) --- Those who are proud, cannot bear the praises of others. (Worthington)

Verse 9

Eye. Septuagint, "and Saul suspected." (Haydock) --- Chaldean, "laid snares for David." (Calmet)

Verse 10

Prophesied. Acted the prophet in a mad manner, (Challoner) like an enthusiast, (Calmet; 2 Kings ix. 11.) or one possessed by the devil, as the Sybil was agitated by Apollo. Et rabie fera corda tument. (Virgil, Æneid vi.) To alleviate his distress, David took up his harp. (Haydock) --- Spear. With this weapon he was generally armed, chap. xix. 10., and xxvi. 7. "It was used as a diadem formerly, and the ancients adored spears as gods." (Justin. xliii.)

Verse 13

People, as their leader. Saul gave him an honourable, but dangerous office, to procure his destruction. This is frequently the manner in which men of superior talents have been treated, (Calmet) as Corbulo, Germanicus, and Agricola were by three Roman emperors. (Tacitus, Ann. ii., &c.)

Verse 15

Began. Septuagint, "he was filled with awe in his presence." Hebrew, "he was afraid of him," as he perceived that God protected him in all perils.

Verse 17

And Saul. This an the two following verses are omitted in the Roman Septuagint, which subjoins, "and Michol, the daughter of Saul, loved David," &c. (Haydock) --- Wife. He had promised her already, (Menochius) if the verses in the preceding chapter be genuine. But why then had he delayed so long, and why does he require other conditions? The comparison made by the women, (ver. 7,) and the inconstant temper of Saul, might account for this. (Haydock) --- The Lord defends his people. As long as the Israelites followed the orders of God, their wars might justly be attributed to him; but not when they were waged to satisfy the cravings of ambition. (Calmet)

Verse 18

Life. What exploits have I performed deserving such an honour? or what offices have my relations yet enjoyed? (Calmet) --- David considers only his abject condition, and forgets his victories. (Haydock)

Verse 19

Wife. If this were the case, the character of Saul is rendered more despicable and perfidious. David never reclaims Merob, as he did Michol. (Haydock) --- All the children of the former were gibbeted, 2 Kings xxi. 9. The latter was given to David for his destruction, like Cleopatra (Daniel xi. 17,) to Ptolemy. (Tirinus)

Verse 20

Other, is not found in the Hebrew, Septuagint, &c. (Haydock) --- Some Latin copies read, "David loved Michol," (Calmet) as the Douay Bible translates; the authors living before the Popes had published their authentic editions. (Haydock) --- Both might be true. (Drusius)

Verse 21

Days. Hebrew, "In two thou shalt," &c. (Calmet) --- Protestants, "in the one of the twain," Merob or Michol. (Haydock) --- Saul had deceived him with respect to the first; but he promises that he shall have "the second," (Calmet) or two motives induced the king to make him this offer, the victory over Goliath, and the slaughter of 100 Philistines. (Menochius; Tirinus) --- The Septuagint omit this sentence, and read, "And the hand of the Philistines was upon Saul, and Saul commended," &c.

Verse 23

Ability, or riches. Septuagint, "without glory." (Haydock) See ver. 18.

Verse 25

Dowry. Among the Hebrews, the man had to purchase his wife. --- Philistines. They were the nearest nation of those who were not circumcised; and thus Saul would prove that David had attacked them, which would greatly irritate them against him. (Calmet) --- Josephus specifies six hundred heads, (Haydock) falsely, (Horn) as he frequently disguises what might give his readers offence, as being either mean or incredible. (Calmet) --- Hundred is not specified in the original Hebrew copies, (Capel, iii. 17,) and David gives 200, ver. 27. But Saul only stipulated for 100. See 2 Kings iii. 14. (Calmet) --- Wife, "thinking it mean to be guilty of an untruth," &c., says Josephus; "yet his disposition was not altered. He resolved, therefore, to take away his life, and wished Jonathan and his most trusty servants to put his designs in execution." He then mentions the friendship of these two. But he takes no notice of the proffered marriage of Merob, and he seems not to have known that she was ever promised. See ver. 17., and 19., and chap. xvii. 12. (Haydock)

Verse 28

David. Of the subsequent verses, the Roman Septuagint has only the following words. "And all Israel lived him; (29) and Saul still continued to be in awe of him." The Alexandrian manuscript agrees with the Hebrew, only, instead of Michol, &c., it reads, "all Israel." If the contested passages were omitted, the history would be less perplexed. But we must wait for the decision of the Church in matters of this nature, and never decide to peremptorily. (Haydock)

Verse 30

Forth, probably to revenge the recent insult. (Calmet)

Verse 54

CHAPTER XVIII.