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1 Samuel 18:7
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5 So David went out wherever Saul sent him, and1 behaved wisely. And Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people and also in the sight of Saul’s servants.  
6 Now it had happened as they were coming home, when David was returning from the slaughter of the1 Philistine, that athe women had come out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with joy, and with musical instruments.  
7 So the women asang as they danced, and said:
b“Saul has slain his thousands,
And David his ten thousands.”  
8 Then Saul was very angry, and the saying adispleased him; and he said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed only thousands. Now what more can he have but bthe kingdom?”  
9 So Saul1 eyed David from that day forward.  
10 And it happened on the next day that athe distressing spirit from God came upon Saul, band he prophesied inside the house. So David cplayed music with his hand, as at other times; dbut there was a spear in Saul’s hand.  
11 And Saul acast the spear, for he said, “I will pin David to the wall!” But David escaped his presence twice.  
12 Now Saul was aafraid of David, because bthe Lord was with him, but had cdeparted from Saul.  
13 Therefore Saul removed him from1 his presence, and made him his captain over a thousand; and ahe went out and came in before the people.  
14 And David behaved wisely in all his ways, and athe Lord was with him.  
15 Therefore, when Saul saw that he behaved very wisely, he was afraid of him.
16 But aall Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out and came in before them.  

David Marries Michal

17 Then Saul said to David, “Here is my older daughter Merab; aI will give her to you as a wife. Only be valiant for me, and fight bthe Lord’s battles.” For Saul thought, c“Let my hand not be against him, but let the hand of the Philistines be against him.”  
18 So David said to Saul, a“Who am I, and what is my life or my father’s family in Israel, that I should be son-in-law to the king?”  
19 But it happened at the time when Merab, Saul’s daughter, should have been given to David, that she was given to aAdriel the bMeholathite as a wife.  
20 aNow Michal, Saul’s daughter, loved David. And they told Saul, and the thing pleased him.  
21 So Saul said, “I will give her to him, that she may1 be a snare to him, and that athe hand of the Philistines may be against him.” Therefore Saul said to David a second time, b“You shall be my son-in-law today.”  
22 And Saul commanded his servants, “Communicate with David secretly, and say, ‘Look, the king has delight in you, and all his servants love you. Now therefore, become the king’s son-in-law.’ ”
23 So Saul’s servants spoke those words in the hearing of David. And David said, “Does it seem to you a light thing to be a king’s son-in-law, seeing I am a poor and lightly esteemed man?”
Commentaries:
Matthew Henry
<< 1 Samuel 18:6   1 Samuel 18:8 >>


1 Samuel 18:1-30

Jonathan's friendship for David. (1-5) Saul seeks to kill David. (6-11) Saul's fear of David. (12-30)

Verses 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.

Verses 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.

Verses 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, hebrews 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!


 
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