Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Samuel 18:30
Then the princes of the Philistines went forth: and it came to pass, after they went forth, [that] David behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul; so that his name was much set by.
30. Then the princes, &c.] “ And the princes, &c., and it came to pass as often as they went forth, &c.” This notice of David’s continual success and growing popularity gives the ground of Saul’s increasing enmity, and prepares the way for the narrative of the next chapter.
set by ] i.e. esteemed. Cp. Psa 15:4 in the P. B. V. “He that setteth not by himself.”
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 30. Then the princes of the Philistines went forth] Probably to avenge themselves on David and the Israelites: but of this war we know no more than that David was more skilful and successful in it than any of the other officers of Saul. His military skill was greater, and his success was proportionate to his skill and courage; hence it is said, he behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Went forth, to wit, to war against the Israelites, being provoked both by their former losses, and especially by that act of Davids, related above, 1Sa 18:27.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
Then the princes of the Philistines went forth,…. Out of their cities in troops, to revenge and spoil the land of Israel, being enraged at their defeat when Goliath their champion was slain, and at the injury and dishonour done them by David very lately in slaying two hundred of them, and taking off their foreskins; and, as the Jews say b, having heard of the marriage of David, and understanding the Israelites had a law, that a newly married man might not go to the war the first year, took this opportunity of invading and spoiling them; whereas David understood that law better than they, and knew it referred not to a voluntary war, but to that which was the command of God against the seven nations; and even in that case, as some think, it did not oblige such persons to remain at home, but left it to their choice to do as they pleased:
and it came to pass after they went forth; and were met and opposed by the Israelites, by the troops of Saul, under different commanders:
[that] David behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul; showed himself to be more expert in the art of war, and formed designs with great wisdom and prudence, and which he as wisely executed, as well as with great courage and valour, to the annoyance and defeat of the enemy, and to the advantage, defence, and safety of the people of Israel; or he was more “prosperous” than they, as the Targum, and so others interpret it; he was more successful in his attacks on the Philistines, and in his skirmishes with them:
so that his name was much set by; he was in high esteem with the people; his name was “precious” c to them, as the word signifies; they made mention of it, as, Ben Gersom interprets it, with great honour and glory; so that Saul failed much, and was greatly disappointed in the scheme he had formed against him,
b Midrash Schemuel apud Abarbinel. in loc. c “et in pretio esset [vel] erat”, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(30) Went forth.Probably to avenge the last raid of David (recounted in 1Sa. 18:27). Wordsworth, quoting from the Rabbis, suggests that they were emboldened to make this attack, supposing that their successful foe would, according to the Hebrew Law, claim exemption from warfare for a year after marriage (Deu. 24:5).
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
30. The Philistines went forth To battle against the armies of Israel.
David behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul Showed more prudence, skill, and prowess in all the tactics of war.
Much set by Exceedingly honoured.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
REFLECTIONS
I would call upon the Reader, while calling upon my own soul, in the contemplation of this chapter, to pass by all other considerations, to pause over the view of the love of Jonathan to David; to remark its wonderful properties, to stand amazed at the extensiveness of creature love in this man; and then to ask my heart, whether there is not cause to blush in the view of it, when I compare his love to David to my love to Him, who is David’s Lord? Was Jonathan’s soul so instantly captivated, so strongly rivetted, and so engaged by covenant to David, as to love him as his own soul; to strip himself of his garments and of his princely robe, in order to cloath David; while I who have so long known the Lord Jesus; have been so often fed, so constantly cloathed, so ever lastingly protected, so graciously loved by him, feel such coldness, such deadness, and such little drawings of my heart towards him!
Oh! precious Jesus! thy love indeed is better than wine, thy favour than life itself. Thou hast shown it by ways infinitely surpassing the love of Jonathan to David. Thou hast not only cloathed the souls of thy people, with thy robe and garment of salvation, but thou hast made over thine whole soul to their welfare. All the blessings of grace flow from thy boundless, matchless love. And the various ways by which thou hast made the rich discoveries of thy love, all show its wonderful properties. The covenant thou didst make for them in the everlasting counsel of peace, makes known thy love, for thou art thyself the whole of the Covenant. Yes! clearest Lord! thou hast proved it by all thy suretyship engagements; by all thy gracious undertakings; by all thy great accomplishments; by all thou hast done, and art doing, and wilt do for thy people. Oh! dearest, blessed Jesus! add this one mercy to all thou hast wrought, as great a miracle as any; melt my cold icy heart into a love for thee, who hast so loved me, and knit my whole soul unto thee, that I may fear and love thy name. Then will my song correspond with that of David, and I shall say as he did; I will love thee, O Lord my strength. The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my Deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, the horn also of my salvation, and my high tower.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
1Sa 18:30 Then the princes of the Philistines went forth: and it came to pass, after they went forth, [that] David behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul; so that his name was much set by.
Ver. 30. So that his name was much set by. ] Heb., Was precious. Glory fled from Saul who followed it; but followed David who fled from it.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
after = whenever; or, as often as.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
the princes: Of this war we know no more than that David, whose military skill was greater, was more successful in it, than all the other officers of Saul.
went forth: 2Sa 11:1
behaved himself: 1Sa 18:5, Psa 119:99, Dan 1:20, Luk 21:15, Eph 5:15
set by: Heb. precious, 1Sa 2:30, 1Sa 26:21, 2Ki 1:13, Psa 116:15, 1Pe 2:4, 1Pe 2:7
Reciprocal: 1Ki 2:3 – prosper Psa 119:98 – through Pro 12:8 – commended Pro 27:21 – so Ecc 4:4 – every Heb 11:32 – David
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1Sa 18:30. The princes of the Philistines went forth To fight with the Israelites: who had highly incensed them by Davids late action, as well as by former losses. David behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul, &c. By discovering, it is likely, the designs of the Philistines, and preventing them. For we do not read that they came to a battle.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
18:30 Then the princes of the Philistines went forth: and it came to pass, after they went forth, [that] {o} David behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul; so that his name was much set by.
(o) That is, David had better success against the Philistines than Saul’s men.