1 Samuël 16:18

18 Toen antwoordde een van de jongelingen, en zeide: Zie, ik heb gezien een zoon van Isai, den Bethlehemiet, die spelen kan, en hij is een dapper held, en een krijgsman, en verstandig in zaken, en een schoon man, en de HEERE is met hem.

1 Samuël 16:18 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 16:18

Then answered one of the servants
Which the Jews say ^F13 was Doeg the Edomite, who out of envy and ill will to David spake of him, that Saul might have an opportunity of slaying him; but this is not at all likely; rather it was one of David's friends and acquaintance, that was desirous of promoting him at court, and no doubt was directed to that motion by the overruling providence of God:

and said, behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite;
he does not mention the name of his son, but so describes him, that he might be easily known by those who knew anything of the family of Jesse; besides it was sufficient that he was one of Jesse's sons, to find him out:

[that is] cunning in playing;
that is, on the harp; has good skill in music, and is expert in it:

and a mighty valiant man;
as appeared by his encountering with and slaying the lion and the bear; an event now past, as very probable:

and a man of war
some think this character of him was given after the affair of his fighting with Goliath and killing him, but here put by a prolepsis or anticipation; and indeed if David had been taken into Saul's court before that affair, it is difficult to account for Saul's ignorance of him, since he must be so near him, and so often with him, as his musician and armourbearer; though that difficulty may be removed, as may be observed in its proper place:

and prudent in matters;
in his talk and conversation, and conduct and behaviour; knew how to carry himself, even in a prince's court: and a comely person; which always recommended to the courts of the eastern nations; (See Gill on Daniel 1:4).

and the Lord is with him;
prospering and succeeding him in whatsoever he is engaged; and seeing the Lord was with him, it might be expected the evil spirit would depart from Saul, when this person, with whom the Lord was, was in his presence. The Targum is,

``the Word of the Lord is for his help;''

all that is said of him showed that he was fit to be in the palace of a king, and a proper person to be with Saul in his present circumstances.

---

FOOTNOTES:

F13 T. Bab. Sanhedrin, fol. 93. 2. So in Hieron. Trad. Heb in lib. Reg. fol. 76. C.

1 Samuël 16:18 In-Context

16 Onze heer zegge toch tot uw knechten, die voor uw aangezicht staan, dat zij een man zoeken, die op de harp spelen kan; en het zal geschieden, als de boze geest Gods op u is, dat hij met zijn hand spele, dat het beter met u worde.

17 Toen zeide Saul tot zijn knechten: Ziet mij toch naar een man uit, die wel spelen kan, en brengt hem tot mij.

18 Toen antwoordde een van de jongelingen, en zeide: Zie, ik heb gezien een zoon van Isai, den Bethlehemiet, die spelen kan, en hij is een dapper held, en een krijgsman, en verstandig in zaken, en een schoon man, en de HEERE is met hem.

19 Saul nu zond boden tot Isai, en zeide: Zend uw zoon David tot mij, die bij de schapen is.

20 Toen nam Isai een ezel met brood, en een lederen zak met wijn, en een geitenbokje; en hij zond ze door de hand van zijn zoon David aan Saul.