Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Samuel 17:15

But David went and returned from Saul to feed his father’s sheep at Bethlehem.

15. David went and returned from Saul ] From 1Sa 16:21-23 it might have been supposed that David was already permanently resident at Saul’s court. This verse however states that he returned home when his services were not required at court, and at the time of the Philistine war was with his father at Bethlehem. We must assume either that 1Sa 16:21 describes by anticipation what happened eventually after the Philistine war; or that the appointment as armour-bearer was a nominal commission, and that, as he was young and inexperienced, his attendance in camp was not yet required. Joab had ten armour-bearers (2Sa 18:15), and Saul probably many more.

Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

David went … – Was gone, referring to 1Sa 16:19-20. Had he been Sauls armour-bearer at this time it is highly improbable that he would have left him to feed sheep.

Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible

From Saul; either,

1. From Sauls court; where having been entertained by Saul, to relieve him in his melancholy fits, he was permitted to go to his fathers house, to be sent for again upon occasion. Or,

2. From Sauls camp, whither he used to come to visit his brethren; as appears from 1Sa 17:17.

Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole

But David went, and returned from Saul,…. Or “from above Saul”; Josephus u says, the physicians of Saul advised to get a man to stand , “over his head”, and sing psalms and hymns to him; and Saul being recovered from his frenzy and melancholy, by means of David’s music, he was dismissed from him, or had leave to go home, or he returned upon Saul’s taking the field; though one would think, if he was now his armourbearer, he would have gone with him, see 1Sa 16:21. It seems that when he was called to the court of Saul, that he did not continue there, but was going and coming, was there at certain times when Saul wanted him; and so when in the camp he might go and return as there was occasion for it:

to feed his father’s sheep at Bethlehem; for though he was anointed king, and was called to court, yet such was his humility, that he condescended to attend this employment of keeping sheep; and though Jesse knew all this, yet he kept him at home to this business, when it might be more reasonably thought he would have lain in the way of preferment, had he followed Saul to the camp, and appeared in the army; but he chose to leave things to the providence of God to work the way for him, and by which he was directed to take the following step, though perhaps without any design to his son’s future promotion.

u Antiqu. l. 6. c. 8. sect. 2.

Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

(15) Returned from Saul to feed his fathers sheep.This short statement was, no doubt, introduced by the compiler of the First Book of Samuel to show that, in spite of this apparent introduction of David into the history for the first time in this chapter (see 1Sa. 17:12 and following verses), and the inquiry of King Saul from Abner respecting the young heros father (see 1Sa. 17:55-58), he, the compiler, was perfectly aware that David had already visited the court of Saul in the capacity of a musician (see 1Sa. 16:18-23). As has been already suggested, these historical books of the Old Testament are, no doubt, made up from contemporaneous documents, stored up most probably in one or other of the prophetic schools. It is, therefore, to be expected that certain facts will be found occasionally repeated. The circumstances connected with the healing influence of the music of David in the case of the soul malady of King Saul were of course preserved with great care and detail in these schools, where music and poetry were so highly cultivated and esteemed. We have here many of the very words of the original narrative preserved to us. Similarly the story of the first exploit of David is incorporated in the history probably unchanged. Each of these ancient and favourite memories of David, as being complete in themselves, would of course contain some of the same details.

The apparent ignorance of Saul and Abner respecting the young shepherds family will be discussed in the note on 1Sa. 17:55-58.

Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)

15. David went and returned from Saul “By this it would seem that the king’s affection towards his healer cooled as soon as the cure had been effected. The probability of this most physicians can vouch from their own experience. Besides, it is likely that, from the peculiar nature of his complaint, Saul cared not to be continually reminded, by the presence of his healer, of the sufferings he had gone through, and of paroxysms which it humbled his proud mind to think had made him an object of compassion in the eyes of his subjects. He therefore made no opposition to the application for his son’s return home, which Jesse probably made when he found that David’s services were no longer necessary.” Kitto.

Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments