1 Samuel 18:29

Of the fatted calf, and unleavened bread, which she set upon a table before them, in the best manner she could: then they rose up, and went away that night; that it might not be seen in what house they had been, and that they might get to the camp without being discovered by the Philistines, or known by the Israelites that they had been out.   John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible. 1 Samuel 29:1 INTRODUCTION TO FIRST SAMUEL 29 This chapter gives an account of David's going forth with the armies of the Philistines, 1 Samuel 29:1; of his being objected to by the princes of the Philistines, who insisted upon his being sent back, 1 Samuel 29:3; of the report Achish made of it to David, and the discourse that passed between them upon it, 1 Samuel 29:6; whereby David had a way unexpectedly opened for him to be freed from this service, which he gladly embraced, 1 Samuel 29:11. Ver. 1. Now the Philistines gathered together all their armies to Aphek,.... Not the city in the tribe of Judah of that name, Joshua 15:53; where the Philistines had a camp in the time of Samuel, 1 Samuel 4:1; but rather that in the tribe of Asher, Joshua 19:30; unless there was one of this name in the tribe of Issachar, not mentioned, since it seems to have been near Jezreel and Shunem, which were both in that tribe, Joshua 19:18; and the Israelites pitched by a fountain which is in Jezreel; in the valley of Jezreel; of which See Gill on "Joshua 19:18" and See Gill on "Hosea 1:5". 1 Samuel 29:2 Ver. 2.

18:12-30 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!

And Saul was yet the more afraid of David,.... Because the Lord was with him, and his wife loved him; so that he feared he should never be able to accomplish his designs, and that this marriage, which he intended as the means of his ruin, would pave the way for his ascending the throne: and Saul became David's enemy continually; was every day giving fresh evidence of his enmity against him; before it was by fits, and at certain times, there were some intervals; but now enmity was rooted and habituated, and was constant and continually showing itself.

The knowledge of the fact that David had carried out all his enterprises with success had already filled the melancholy king with fear. But when the failure of this new plan for devoting David to certain death had forced the conviction upon him that Jehovah was with David, and that he was miraculously protected by Him; and when, in addition to this, there was the love of his daughter Michal to David; his fear of David grew into a lifelong enmity. Thus his evil spirit urged him ever forward to greater and greater hardness of heart.

29 . did unto Amnon , &c.] Though the princes were attended by a numerous retinue ( 2 Samuel 13:34 ), the blow was struck so suddenly and unexpectedly, that no resistance was possible, and Absalom escaped without difficulty. upon his mule ] Mules were generally used for riding at this time by persons of distinction, as Absalom (ch. 2 Samuel 18:9 ), David, and Solomon ( 1 Kings 1:33 ; 1 Kings 1:38 ). 2 Samuel 13:29

## 1 Samuel 18:26 It pleased David; as for other reasons, so especially because this opened the door to the kingdom which God had promised him. The days, i.e. the time allowed by Saul to David for the execution of this exploit. 1 Samuel 18:27 He doubled the number required; partly to oblige Saul the more to the performance of his promise; and partly to show his great respect and affection to Saul’s daughter. 1 Samuel 18:28 No text from Poole on this verse. 1 Samuel 18:29 Because he both lost his design against David’s life, and had now paved a way for him to the throne. ## 1 Samuel 18:30 Went forth, to wit, to war against the Israelites, being provoked both by their former losses, and especially by that act of David’s, related above, 1Sa_18:27. ## 1 Samuel 19:1 1 SAMUEL CHAPTER 19 Saul purposeth to kill David; Jonathan discloseth it; speaketh in his behalf to Saul, who sweareth not to kill him; he returneth to court, 1Sa_19:1-7. By reason of his success in a new war, Saul again seeketh to kill him; Michal acquainteth him with it; he flieth; she deceiveth her father, 1Sa_19:8-17. David cometh to Samuel at Ramah; Saul sendeth messengers twice to apprehend him; they both prophesy, 1Sa_19:18-21. He goeth himself thither, and prophesieth likewise, 1Sa_19:22-24.

Verses 28, 29. - The failure of his evil purpose, and the knowledge that Michal loved her husband, and would protect him against his intrigues, and that the marriage had brought rank and influence to David, made Saul hate him all the more bitterly, because he could not now openly put to death one so closely connected with him. 1 Samuel 18:28