1 Now it came about when he had finished speaking to Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as himself.
1. To whom is Saul speaking and what is the topic of conversation?
And it will be that the king will enrich the man who kills him with great riches and will give him his daughter and make his father’s house free in Israel.”1 Sam 17:25 (NASB)
and make his father’s house free in Israel;from all tributes, taxes, levies, impositions, king’s service, and duty; or,“make his father’s house freemen, nobles;”raise it to the rank of nobility.
Saul said to him, “Whose son are you, young man?” And David answered, ” I am the son of your servant Jesse the Bethlehemite.” 1 Sam 17:58 (NASB)
The reward for killing Goliath would involve David’s father and his entire family.
2. What does it mean Jonathan loved David? Is this a Brokeback Mountain situation?
26 “I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; You have been very pleasant to me. Your love to me was more wonderful than the love of women. 2 Sam 1:26 (NASB)
It’s interesting that none of the older commentaries even mention the “gay thing”,but almost all of the modern commentaries do. Weird?
Only a wicked and perverse generation could see in the words of our text an occasion to imply that the relationship between David and Jonathan is perverted. David and Jonathan are soul-mates. Jonathan loves David as himself. Is this not the way every believer should feel toward his brethren? Jonathan and David make a covenant on this day. While the details are not supplied, it is not difficult to infer what they are. On his part, Jonathan seems to recognize that David is the one God has chosen to be Israel’s next king. Jonathan is more than happy to relinquish his hopes for his father’s throne in deference to God’s choice – David. Deffinbaugh
Some homosexuals have tried to use the writer’s statements of Jonathan’s love for David as support that their lifestyle has good biblical precedent. However the Hebrew word ‘aheb, translated“love” here, nowhere else describes homosexual desire or activity. Rather, when homosexual relations are in view, the Holy Spirit used the word yada, translated “know” in the sense of “have sex with” (cf. Gen. 19:5; Judg. 19:22). CN
Jonathan loved him.Jonathan loved David with a loyalty and devotion indicative of covenantal love.MSBN
Actually there became a bond between Saul’s son Jonathan and David. They were really sort of two of a kind. They were both of them, very adventuresome. They were both of them very daring. Both of them with great confidence in God, great love for the Lord.
It was Jonathan, when they were facing the Philistines, he was the one that woke up his armourbearer and said, “Hey, I’ve been thinking this morning, it doesn’t make any difference to God if we have a whole army or just ourselves. If God wants to deliver the Philistines into the hands of Israel today, He can do it with just two of us. He doesn’t need the whole army. Let’s go over this morning, and see if God wants to deliver the Philistines into the hands of Israel.”
So he and his armourbearer took on the whole army of the Philistines. “Just find out if God wants to deliver, because God’s big enough if He wants to deliver them. He doesn’t need a whole army, He only needs two.” God delivered the Philistines into the hand of Jonathan and his armourbearer that day. So Jonathan and David were really sort of two of a kind, so they just immediately hit it off. They just, you know, that kind of a thing where a bond was formed, a deep bond was formed between these two fellows Jonathan and David.CSC
This was the same kind of boldness and confidence in the Lord that Jonathan saw in David.
Saul took him that day and did not let him return to his father’s house.
3 Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. 4 Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, with his armor, including his sword and his bow and his belt. 5 So David went out wherever Saul sent him, and prospered; and Saul set him over the men of war. And it was pleasing in the sight of all the people and also in the sight of Saul’s servants.
3. So what is up with Saul bringing David to live in his house?
Saul’s interest in keeping David in his household was more self-serving than a token of generous hospitality. Saul was aware of his promise of wife and wealth (17:25), and, no doubt, the stirrings of anxiety/fear were in his heart toward David, who appeared as a threat. Saul preferred to have him in the court to keep a watchful eye on the young upstart. MSBN
4. Here we go again, Jonathan stripping in front of David?
We have already seen that Jonathan was a man of faith and courage. Jonathan found a soul brother in David, a man who committed himself to trusting and obeying God as he did. This common purpose on the deepest level of life is what accounts for the love Jonathan and David shared for one another. Jonathan loved David as he loved himself . He loved David, as he should have, since David had committed himself to glorifying God and fulfilling His will even at the expense of his personal safety.
“This is a virtual abdication by Jonathan, the crown prince.”
The crown prince of Israel gives us one of the classic examples of self-humbling for the glory of God and the welfare of His people that we have in all of Scripture (cf.Phil. 2:5-8). …….His response to David’s anointing was appropriate, and it contrasts sharply with Saul’s response, which follows.
“. . . when Jonathan took off his robe (a symbol of the Israelite kingdom; ) and gave it to David, he was in effect transferring his own status as heir apparent to him . . .”
“The covenant of friendship referred to in verse 3 was a unilateral (binding on one party only) covenant in which Jonathan committed himself to David with complete disregard for self. The gift given by Jonathan served to ratify the covenant and honor David.”
Jonathan’s selfless action reflects his submission to Samuel’s oracle that Saul would not have a continuing dynasty. Rather than trying to perpetuate Saul’s dynasty, godly Jonathan turned over the symbols of the crown prince to David. CN
I believe this is symbolized by Jonathan’s gift of his clothing and armor to David. This seems to be so with Jonathan’s gift of his robe and his armor to David.Here is a magnificent man, with a spirit like that of John the Baptist (John 3:30) and Barnabas. Jonathan is willing to relinquish his right to the throne and to serve David as God’s choice for the next king. No such spirit is found in Saul. At best, Saul is excited about David because of what David can do for him. RD
When Saul had offered David his armor and sword, David returned them. In 1 Sam. 18:4, Jonathan handed over to David his robe, military gear, and sword. With David’s acceptance of the sword, he became who Jonathan was, the heir apparent to the throne of Israel. By his actions, Jonathan acknowledged God’s decision that David should rule, and he stepped aside. NNIBC
Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Phil 2:5-8 (NASB)
6 It happened as they were coming, when David returned from killing the Philistine, that the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with joy and with musical instruments. 7 The women sang as they played, and said, “Saul has slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands.” 8 Then Saul became very angry, for this saying displeased him; and he said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, but to me they have ascribed thousands. Now what more can he have but the kingdom?” 9 Saul looked at David with suspicion from that day on. 10 Now it came about on the next day that an evil spirit from God came mightily upon Saul, and he raved in the midst of the house, while David was playing the harp with his hand, as usual; and a spear wasin Saul’s hand. 11 Saul hurled the spear for he thought, “I will pin David to the wall.” But David escaped from his presence twice. 12 Now Saul was afraid of David, for the Lordwas with him but had departed from Saul.
5. Why did this little song cause Saul to react this way?
Saul did not like the new song that the women were singing. Saul became jealous of David because of the people’s applause and acceptance of him. As the story progresses, Saul will attempt to remove him from the limelight by actually destroying him. As David becomes the favorite of the people, he begins to see that Saul is not as friendly as he once was. JVM
These verses show how David had captured the affection of many Israelites by his victory over Goliath. Successful military heroes still do so today. Notwithstanding David’s popularity, not everyone was ready to join David’s fan club, as the text proceeds to clarify. He became a controversial figure in Israel. Apparently Saul suspected that with such popularity David might attempt to overthrow his government. However it was personal jealousy that took root in Saul’s mind and led to his downfall. The women’s song did not intend to insult Saul. It is typical Hebrew parallelism in which both heroes received honor for slaying multitudes of Israel’s enemies, albeit David received the higher commendation. While David’s actions pleased the people , they displeased the king (v. 8). The problem was Saul’s desire to be popular with the people more than with God. Contrast humble John the Baptist who wanted Jesus to receive more honor than himself (John 1:26-27; 3:30). CN
“Saul has slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands.”
The first question we should ask is, “Is this true? Does Saul kill only thousands, while David kills his ten thousands?” While probably some poetic license is involved, I am inclined to think that in essence the lyrics are true. We know from chapter 14 that Israel’s victory over the Philistines is minimized due to Saul’s foolish decree that his soldiers not eat until evening. David’s victory (the victory Israel won because of David’s defeat of Goliath) seems more decisive. It seems that anything Saul does, or has done, David does better. Do the women mean anything by what they are singing? I hardly think so. They are jubilant, rejoicing over the victory God has given them. Saul has contributed much in previous times; David has just contributed more. Saul, the man who was less than eager to become first in the land, is now greatly distressed that the people consider him second and David first. Here is a man who has been told that his kingdom will end, and he now has a very strong premonition (if the anointing of David has not become known to him somehow) that David is the one who will replace him. The women are singing and dancing, but Saul is not tapping his toe. His toes have been stepped on, and the song is not one that makes him wish to “sing along.” Everyone else is celebrating, joyful at the victory God brings about through David — except Saul. There is now a very ugly look on his face, and from this moment on, he looks upon David with a suspicious eye. RD
6. Did David get the “point’?
Oh it’s just crazy old Saul acting up again? ………….The painful descent and eventual demise of Saul was marked by the persistent vexing of this spirit. raved. This means to speak before people, not predict the future. Saul’s speeches in the midst of the house were the ravings of one troubled by an evil spirit like other false prophets. David escaped … twice. As Saul’s behavior was becoming increasingly violent, he made more than one attempt on David’s life with the javelin. It was evident that God was with David, as it would be no small feat to dodge a javelin cast by such an experienced warrior as Saul.
Saul was afraid of David.Saul, faced with the same conclusion reached by Jonathan that God was with David, reacted with fear. Saul, a man who viewed life from a human perspective rather than a divine one, could view David only as a personal threat, rather than a blessing to Israel. MSBN
13 Therefore Saul removed him from his presence and appointed him as his commander of a thousand; and he went out and came in before the people.14 David was prospering in all his ways for the Lord was with him. 15 When Saul saw that he was prospering greatly, he dreaded him. 16 But all Israel and Judah loved David, and he went out and came in before them. 17 Then Saul said to David, “Here is my older daughter Merab; I will give her to you as a wife, only be a valiant man for me and fight the Lord’Sbattles.” For Saul thought, “My hand shall not be against him, but let the hand of the Philistines be against him.” 18 But David said to Saul, “Who am I, and what is my life or my father’s family in Israel, that I should be the king’s son-in-law?” 19 So it came about at the time when Merab, Saul’s daughter, should have been given to David, that she was given to Adriel the Meholathite for a wife.
7. Is this the old “bait and switch” trick like Jacob went through with Rachel?
“What is this you have done to me? Did I not serve with you for Rachel? Why then have you deceived me?” 26 Laban said, “It is not so done in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn. 27 Complete the week of this one, and we will give you the other also in return for serving me another seven years.”Gen 29:25-27 (ESV)
Determined to force David into wrongdoing, Saul offered to give his eldest daughter to David for a wife, and then deceived David by giving her to someone else. But David remained guiltless. BBC
While Saul had previously promised to give his daughter to the man who killed Goliath, here he linked the marriage to future conquests, hoping that David would be killed by the Philistines.
Though bound to this already,“and will give him his daughter” [1Sa 17:25], he had found it convenient to forget his former promise. He now holds it out as a new offer, which would tempt David to give additional proofs of his valor. But the fickle and perfidious monarch broke his pledge at the time when the marriage was on the eve of being celebrated, and bestowed Merab on another man; an indignity as well as a wrong, which was calculated deeply to wound the feelings and provoke the resentment of David. Perhaps it was intended to do so, that advantage might be taken of his indiscretion. But David was preserved from this snare. JFB
So Saul said, Here David is Merab, my oldest daughter [And of course, "I promised my daughter to anyone who would kill the Philistine."] so he said, She can be your wife: but be valiant for me, and fight the Lord’s battles. For Saul said, Let the Philistines kill him and I won’t have to lay my hand on him. [He figured if he'd send him out against the Philistines they'd kill him, and he wouldn't have to kill him himself.] But David to Saul said, [Hey] who am I, what is my life? what is my father’s family in Israel, that I should be a son in law to the king? And it came to pass when the time was supposed to be that Merab was suppose to be given to David as a wife, [Sauls switcherooed and gave her to somebody else, pulled a dirty one on David, and gave her to someone else.] Now Saul had another daughter Michal actually loved David very much: and when they told Saul, ["Hey Michal is really in love with David."] Saul said, [That's all right,] I will give him her, that she may be a snare to him. CSC
20 Now Michal, Saul’s daughter, loved David. When they told Saul, the thing was agreeable to him. 21 Saul thought, “I will give her to him that she may become a snare to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” Therefore Saul said to David, “For a second time you may be my son-in-law today.” 22 Then Saul commanded his servants, “Speak to David secretly, saying, ‘Behold, the king delights in you, and all his servants love you; now therefore, become the king’s son-in-law.’” 23 So Saul’s servants spoke these words to David. But David said, “Is it trivial in your sight to become the king’s son-in-law, since I am a poor man and lightly esteemed?” 24 The servants of Saul reported to him according to these words which David spoke. 25 Saul then said, “Thus you shall say to David, ‘The king does not desire any dowry except a hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to take vengeance on the king’s enemies.’” Now Saul planned to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines. 26 When his servants told David these words, it pleased David to become the king’s son-in-law. Before the days had expired 27 David rose up and went, he and his men, and struck down two hundred men among the Philistines. Then David brought their foreskins, and they gave them in full number to the king, that he might become the king’s son-in-law. So Saul gave him Michal his daughter for a wife. 28 When Saul saw and knew that the Lordwas with David, andthat Michal, Saul’s daughter, loved him, 29 then Saul was even more afraid of David. Thus Saul was David’s enemy continually. 30 Then the commanders of the Philistines went out to battle, and it happened as often as they went out, that David behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul. So his name was highly esteemed.
8. Only a hundred foreskins? Such a deal?
So Saul said to David, You’re gonna be my son in law today. [And David said, Who am I? I'm a poor man, my family's—I don't have any dowry to give. So Saul's servants spake the words in the ears of David, and they said, Saul wants you to be his son-in-law, he wants you to marry his daughter Michal.] And David said, [Hey, you guys] think it’s just a light thing to be a king’s son in law, I’m a poor man, and lightly esteemed? So they came back and they told Saul, [He doesn't want to do it. He doesn't feel that he should, he doesn't have a dowry or anything else.] So Saul said, Go back and tell him that I really don’t want any dowry of money.
He set up a dowry regarding the Philistines. David went out and gave him double dowry. So Saul then of course was sort of shocked and surprised. He figured David would get wiped out in going out against the Philistines.
But he gave then his daughter Michal to David as a wife.CSC
Saul hoped that offering Michal in marriage would lead to David’s death. I am a poor … man: David did not have the resources to bring a wedding dowry fit for a king .
In many cultures of the ancient Middle East, a dowry was paid by the bridegroom to the father of the bride as economic compensation for the loss of a daughter who helped around the home.one hundred foreskins: The foreskins would be proof that David had killed that many Philistines. the days had not expired: Apparently there was a time limit during which David had to fulfill the conditions of the dowry. two hundred men: David provided twice the number that Saul required. David’s success in such dangerous exploits led Saul to believe that the Lord was with David. Significantly, the text adds that Saul’ daughter loved David. With the marriage now in force, Saul had unwittingly placed a part of his family “in the enemy’s hand.”This brought a new element to Saul; he was now afraid of David. NNIBC
· ACC …. Adam Clarke’s Commentary
· BBC………..Bridgeway Bible Commentary
· BDB………….. Barclay’s Daily Study Bible (NT)
· BKC……….Bible Knowledge Commentary, the
· BN …..Barnes Notes
· CMM………….Commentary on Matthew and Mark
· CN …… Constables Notes
· CSC…….Chuck Smith Commentary
· Darby………..John Darby’s Synopsis of the OT and NT
· ESVN………….ESV Study Bible Notes
· Gill………..John Gill Exposition of the Bible
· IC……….Ironside Commentary
· JFB…………..Jamieson Fausset Brown Commentary
· Johnson………Johnson’s Notes on the New Testament.
· JVM ….J Vernon McGee,
· MH………..Matthew Henry Commentary
· MSBN…….MacArthur NASB Study Notes
· NET………Net Bible Study Notes.
· NIVSN…..NIV Study Notes
· NTCMM……..The New Testament Commentary Matthew and Mark.
· RD………….Robert Deffinbaugh bible.org
· VWS……………..Vincent Word Studies
“Fair Use “ Notice – Title 17 U.S.C. section 107The above post may contain copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. It is being made available in an effort to advance the understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, social justice, for the purpose of historical debate, and to advance the understanding of Christian conservative issues. It is believed that this constitutes a ”fair use” of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the Copyright Law. In accordance with the title 17 U.S. C. section 107, the material in this post is shown without profit to those who have expressed an interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Please feel free to make civil comment. Divergent views encouraged,