Hebrew-English Text
I. Summary
Saul becomes jealous of David’s military victories. After failing to kill David with his own spear, Saul relegates David to the army’s front line. David succeeds in battle, marries Saul’s daughter Michal, and becomes more popular than the king.
II. Photo
David’s popularity supersedes Saul’s: “The women sang as they danced, and they chanted: ‘Saul has slain his thousands; David, his tens of thousands!’” (v. 7)
III. Important Verses
1: When [David] finished speaking with Saul, Jonathan’s soul became bound up with the soul of David; Jonathan loved David as himself.
4: Jonathan took off the cloak and tunic he was wearing and gave them to David, together with his sword, bow, and belt.
6-7: When the [troops] came home [and] David returned from killing the Philistine, the women of all the towns of Israel came out singing and dancing to greet King Saul with timbrels, shouting, and sistrums. The women sang as they danced, and they chanted: Saul has slain his thousands; David, his tens of thousands!
10-11: The next day an evil spirit of God gripped Saul and he began to rave in the house, while David was playing [the lyre], as he did daily. Saul had a spear in his hand, and Saul threw the spear, thinking to pin David to the wall. But David eluded him twice.
25-27: And Saul said, “Say this to David: ‘The king desires no other bride-price than the foreskins of a hundred Philistines, as vengeance on the king’s enemies.’” — Saul intended to bring about David’s death at the hands of the Philistines. — When his courtiers told this to David, David was pleased with the idea of becoming the king’s son-in-law. Before the time had expired, David went out with his men and killed two hundred Philistines; David brought their foreskins and they were counted out for the king, that he might become the king’s son-in-law. Saul then gave him his daughter Michal in marriage.
IV. Outline
1-4. Jonathan loves David; David is enlisted by Saul
5-7. David is succesful in battle and outshines Saul
8-9. Saul envies David
10-12. Saul’s murder attempts fail
13-16. David is a success marching at the head of the army
17-19. Saul offers his daughter Merab to David but she marries another
20-27. David kills two-hundred Philistines and is given Saul’s daughter Michal
28-29. Saul becomes more jealous
30. David’s reputation as a warrior grows
V. Comment
No comment today. Stay tuned.
VI. Works Used
(see “Commentaries” page)
Collins, John J. “Introduction to the Hebrew Bible,” (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2004).
Klein, Ralph W. “1 Samuel” Word Biblical Commentary vol. 10 (Waco, Texas: Word Books, 1983).
McCarter, P. Kyle, Jr. “1 Samuel,” Anchor Bible vol. 8 (New York: Doubleday, 1980).
Photo taken from http://images.oprah.com/images/spirit/200909/woman-dancing-290×218.jpg
