One day Saul said to David, “I am ready to give you my older daughter, Merab, as your wife. But first you must prove yourself to be a real warrior by fighting the Lord’s battles.” For Saul thought, “I’ll send him out against the Philistines and let them kill him rather than doing it myself.”

Commentaries

4

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes

AlbertBarnes

18th Century
Presbyterian
18th Century

Saul had not until now fulfilled the promise of which David had heard; nor was it unnatural that Saul should delay doing so, until the shepherd’s b…

Charles Ellicott

Charles Ellicott

CharlesEllicott

19th Century
Anglican
19th Century

Behold my elder daughter Merab, her will I give you to wife. —This was only the fulfillment of a much earlier promise. Th…

John Gill

John Gill

JohnGill

17th Century
Reformed Baptist
17th Century

And Saul said to David
Not in friendship and good will to him, but designing to lay a snare for him:

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry

MatthewHenry

17th Century
Presbyterian
17th Century

For a long time David was kept in continual apprehension of falling by the hand of Saul, yet he persevered in meek and respectful behavior towards …