Chapter commentary
1 Samuel Chapter 18
서론
Untitled
日本語
English original
In the course of the foregoing chapter we left David in triumph; now in this chapter we have, I. The improvement of his triumphs; he soon became, 1. Saul's constant attendant, 1Sa 18:2. 2. Jonathan's covenant friend, 1Sa 18:1,3,4. 3. The darling of his country, 1Sa 18:5,7,16. II. The allays of his triumphs. This is the vanity that accompanies even a right work, that "for it a man is envied," Ec 4:4. So David was by Saul. 1. He hated him, and sought to kill him himself, 1Sa 18:8-11. 2. He feared him, and contrived how he might have some mischief done him, 1Sa 18:12-17. He proposed to marry his daughter to him; but, [1.] cheated him of the eldest to provoke him (1Sa 18:19), and, [2.] Gave him the younger, upon conditions which would endanger his life, 1Sa 18:20-25. But David performed his conditions bravely (1Sa 18:26,27), and grew to be more and more esteemed, 1Sa 18:28-30. Still David is rising, but (as all that aim at the crown of life must expect) he had a great deal of difficulty and opposition to grapple with.
1-5
Jonathan's Love to David (1060 BC)
日本語
ヨナタンのダビデへの愛（紀元前1060年）
¹ 彼がサウルに語り終えたとき、ヨナタンのたましいはダビデのたましいと結ばれ、ヨナタンは彼を自分のたましいのように愛した。 ² サウルはその日彼を引き取り、もはや父の家に帰らせなかった。 ³ そしてヨナタンとダビデは契約を結んだ。彼が彼を自分のたましいのように愛したからである。 ⁴ ヨナタンは自分が着ていた上着を脱いでダビデに与え、その服、剣、弓、帯に至るまで与えた。 ⁵ ダビデはサウルが送る所どこへでも行き、賢く振る舞った。サウルは彼を戦士たちの上に立てた。すべての民の目にも、サウルのしもべたちの目にも、彼は恵まれた。
ダビデはサウルの手から、そしてヨナタンの頭上から王冠を取るために油注がれた。しかしここに私たちは見る、
I. 現在王冠を所有しているサウルが彼に信頼を置いたことを。神がそのように配慮して、宮廷での昇進によって将来の奉仕に備えさせた。サウルは今ダビデを家に連れて帰り、もはや彼を隠遁に帰らせなかった（1Sa 18:2）。そしてダビデは、彼らが辞退した挑戦を受けることによって戦士たちの上に自分の優れていることを示したので、サウルは彼を戦士たちの上に立てた（1Sa 18:5）。彼を将軍にしたのではない（アブネルがその地位にあった）が、おそらく親衛隊の隊長とした。あるいは、彼が最も若かったが、その大いなる奉仕の報いとして優先権を持つよう命じた。彼を政府の事柄に用いた。*ダビデはサウルが送る所どこへでも行き、*大胆で勇敢であると同様に忠実な自分を示した。治めることを望む者はまず従うことを学ばなければならない。彼は父エッサイに忠実な子として自分を認めさせ、今は主人サウルに忠実なしもべとして認めさせた。一つの関係で良い者は、他の関係でもそうなることが期待される。
II. 王冠の相続人であるヨナタンが彼と契約を結んだことを。神がそのように配慮して、ライバルが友人であったとき、ダビデの道がいっそう明らかになるように。1. ヨナタンは彼に対して並外れた親切と愛情を抱いた（1Sa 18:1）。*彼がサウルに語り終えたとき、彼は完全に彼を愛するようになった。これが戦いの前のサウルとの対話（1Sa 17:34,37）を指すのか、それともその後の対話（1Sa 18:51）で、そこでは記されているよりもはるかに多くが語られたと推測されるものを指すのかは不確かである。しかしいずれにおいても、ダビデは非常に慎重、謙遜、敬虔に、表現の適切さをもって、大胆さと同様に甘さをもって、すべて自然で飾らずに、そしてその教育と外見の不利のゆえにいっさら驚くべきものとして自分を表現した。ヨナタンのたましいはただちにダビデのたましいと結ばれた。*ヨナタンは以前、ダビデが今ペリシテ人の巨人を攻撃したのと同じ信仰と勇気をもってペリシテ人の軍勢を攻撃した。それゆえに彼らの間には感情、性質、考えの非常に近い類似があり、それが彼らの霊をこれほど容易に、速く、密接に一つにし、二人のからだに一つのたましいがあるかのように見せた。ダビデを嫌う理由をこれほど持つ者はいなかった。彼が王冠を自分から奪うことになるからである。しかしだれも彼をこれほど重んじない。知恵と恵みの原則によってその愛を治められる者は、世間的な配慮や考察によってその愛情が疎外されることを許さない。より大きな思いがより小さな思いを飲み込み、支配するであろう。2. 彼は寛大な贈り物によってダビデへの愛を証しした（1Sa 18:4）。彼はこれほど大いなるたましいが、これほど美しいからだに宿っていながら、貧しい羊飼いの卑しく軽蔑すべき服装に変装しているのを見て居心地が悪かった。それゆえに素早く宮廷人（彼は上着を与えたから）と兵士の服装（彼は杖と投石縄の代わりに剣と弓を、羊飼いの袋の代わりに帯、すなわちベルトか飾り帯を与えたから）に着替えさせた。そして贈り物をいっそう嬉しくしたのは、それらが彼自身が着ていたものと同じであったことであった。そして（後に続くことの前兆として）彼はダビデにそれらを着せるために自分からそれらを脱いだ。サウルのものは彼に合わなかったが、ヨナタンのものは合った。彼らのからだは同じ大きさであり、その心の適合性とよく合う事情であった。サウルがこれらの誉れのしるしをダビデに着せたとき、彼はまずそれを得てから着るので再び脱いだ。しかし今や彼は王子と兵士の霊の証拠を示したので、王子と兵士の服を着ることを恥としなかった。ダビデはヨナタンの衣服のうちに見られる。すべての者が彼がヨナタンの第二の自己であることに気づくように。私たちの主イエスはこのようにして私たちへの愛を示された。すなわち、私たちに着せるためにご自身を脱がれ、私たちを富ませるためにご自身を空にされた。いや、彼はヨナタンがした以上のことをされた。すなわち、彼は私たちのぼろを着られた。ヨナタンはダビデのぼろを着なかったのに。3. 彼はこの友情を永続させようと努めた。最初の面会でさえ彼らは互いに完全に満足し、互いに契約を結んだ（1Sa 18:3）。彼らの相互の愛情は真実であった。そして正直な心を持つ者は保証に驚かない。真の愛は常に変わらないことを願う。キリストを自分のたましいのように愛する者は、永遠の契約において彼と結ばれることを喜ぶであろう。
III. 宮廷も国も彼を祝福することに同意した。彼らのお気に入りについて同意することはまれである。しかしダビデはすべての民の目に、また（奇妙なことに）サウルのしもべたちの目にも恵まれた（1Sa 18:5）。前者は心から彼を愛し、後者は恥じて彼を愛撫し、褒め称えないではいられなかった。そしてダビデが、突然彼に流れ込むこれらすべての尊敬と誉れを、高ぶることなく耐えることができたのは、確かにダビデのうちにある神の恵みの力の大いなる実例であった。これほど速く登る者には良い頭と良い心が必要である。豊かにされる方法を知ることは、卑しくされる方法を知ることよりも難しい。
English original
Jonathan's Love to David (1060 BC)
¹ And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.
² And Saul took him that day, and would let him go no more home to his father's house.
³ Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.
⁴ And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle.
⁵ And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him, and behaved himself wisely: and Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul's servants.
David was anointed to the crown to take it out of Saul's hand, and over Jonathan's head, and yet here we find,
I. That Saul, who was now in possession of the crown, reposed a confidence in him, God so ordering it, that he might by his preferment at court be prepared for future service. Saul now took David home with him, and would not suffer him to return again to his retirement, 1Sa 18:2. And David having signalized himself above the men of war, in taking up the challenge which they declined, Saul set him over the men of war (1Sa 18:5), not that he made him general (Abner was in that post), but perhaps captain of the life-guard; or, though he was youngest, he ordered him to have the precedency, in recompence of his great services. He employed him in the affairs of government; and David went out whithersoever Saul sent him, showing himself as dutiful as he was bold and courageous. Those that hope to rule must first learn to obey. He had approved himself a dutiful son to Jesse his father, and now a dutiful servant to Saul his master; those that are good in one relation it is to be hoped will be so in another.
II. That Jonathan, who was heir to the crown, entered into covenant with him, God so ordering it, that David's way might be the clearer when his rival was his friend. 1. Jonathan conceived an extraordinary kindness and affection for him (1Sa 18:1): When he had made an end of speaking to Saul he fell perfectly in love with him. Whether it refers to his conference with Saul before the battle (1Sa 17:34,37), or to that after (1Sa 18:51), in which it is probable much more was said than is there set down, is uncertain. But, in both, David expressed himself with so much prudence, modesty, and piety, such a felicity of expression, with so much boldness and yet so much sweetness, and all this so natural and unaffected, and the more surprising because of the disadvantages of his education and appearance, that the soul of Jonathan was immediately knit unto the soul of David. Jonathan had formerly set upon a Philistine army with the same faith and bravery with which David had now attacked a Philistine giant; so that there was between them a very near resemblance of affections, dispositions, and counsels, which made their spirits unite so easily, so quickly, so closely, that they seemed but as one soul in two bodies. None had so much reason to dislike David as Jonathan had, because he was to put him by the crown, yet none regards him more. Those that are governed in their love by principles of wisdom and grace will not suffer their affections to be alienated by any secular regards or considerations: the greater thoughts will swallow up and overrule the less. 2. He testified his love to David by a generous present he made him, 1Sa 18:4. He was uneasy at seeing so great a soul, though lodged in so fair a body, yet disguised in the mean and despicable dress of a poor shepherd, and therefore takes care to put him speedily into the habit of a courtier (for he gave him a robe) and of a soldier, for he gave him, instead of his staff and sling, a sword and bow, and, instead of his shepherd's scrip, a girdle, either a belt or a sash; and, which made the present much more obliging, they were the same that he himself had worn, and (as a presage of what would follow) he stripped himself of them to dress David in them. Saul's would not fit him, but Jonathan's did. Their bodies were of a size, a circumstance which well agreed with the suitableness of their minds. When Saul put these marks of honour on David he put them off again, because he would first earn them and then wear them; but, now that he had given proofs of the spirit of a prince and a soldier, he was not ashamed to wear the habits of a prince and a soldier. David is seen in Jonathan's clothes, that all may take notice he is a Jonathan's second self. Our Lord Jesus has thus shown his love to us, that he stripped himself to clothe us, emptied himself to enrich us; nay, he did more than Jonathan, he clothed himself with our rags, whereas Jonathan did not put on David's. 3. He endeavored to perpetuate this friendship. So entirely satisfied were they in each other, even at the first interview, that they made a covenant with each other, 1Sa 18:3. Their mutual affection was sincere; and he that bears an honest mind startles not at assurances. True love desires to be constant. Those who love Christ as their own souls will be willing to join themselves to him in an everlasting covenant.
III. That both court and country agree to bless him. It is but seldom that they agree in their favourites; yet David was accepted in the sight of all the people, and also (which was strange) in the sight of Saul's servants, 1Sa 18:5. The former cordially loved him, the latter could not for shame but caress and compliment him. And it was certainly a great instance of the power of God's grace in David that he was able to bear all this respect and honour flowing in upon him on a sudden without being lifted up above measure. Those that climb so fast have need of good heads and good hearts. It is more difficult to know how to abound than how to be abased.
6-11
David Honoured by the People; Saul Troubled with an Evil Spirit (1060 BC)
日本語
民に誉れられるダビデ；悪霊に悩まされるサウル（紀元前1060年）
⁶ 彼らが帰って来たとき、ダビデがペリシテ人を打って帰って来ると、女たちがイスラエルのすべての町から出て来て、歌い、踊り、タンバリンと喜びと楽器をもってサウル王を迎えた。
⁷ 女たちは互いに答えながら歌って言った。「サウルは千人を打ち、ダビデは万人を打った。」
⁸ サウルはひどく怒り、そのことばは彼を不快にさせた。彼は言った。「彼らはダビデに万人を帰し、私にはただ千人を帰した。彼は王国のほかに何を得ることができようか。」
⁹ サウルはその日からダビデを疑いの目で見た。
¹⁰ 翌日、神から来た悪霊がサウルに臨んだ。彼は家の中で預言した。ダビデはいつものように手で奏でた。サウルの手には槍があった。
¹¹ サウルは槍を投げた。「私がダビデを壁にそれで打ちつけよう。」と言ったからである。ダビデはサウルの前から身を避けた。二度もそうした。
ここにダビデの苦難が始まる。それらは彼の勝利のすぐ後に来るだけでなく、そこから起こる。この世で最も偉大に見えるものの空しさとはそのようなものである。
I. 彼は一般の人々によってあまりにも大きくもてはやされた。勝利の後しばらくして、サウルは彼に近いイスラエルの町々を勝利の行進として巡り、地方からの祝意を受けた。そしてどこかへ公に入場するとき、女たちが最も進んで彼に敬意を示した。当時の公の凱旋では普通であったように（1Sa 18:6）。そして彼女たちは歌を得たようである。踊りの中で歌った（ある詩人によって作られ、ダビデの勇気を大いに称賛し、最近の戦いにおける彼の業績をサウルのものより優先するという点で正しかったが賢くなかった）。その burden は「サウルは千人を打ち、ダビデは万人を打った」であった。モーセがエフライムとマナセの数の間にこのような違いを作ったように（De 33:17）。
II. これはサウルを大いに不快にし、ダビデをねたませた（1Sa 18:8,9）。彼は、彼女たちがただこの最近の戦いを指しており、サウルの以前の武勲を少しも減らす意図がないことを考慮すべきであった。そして今祝われる戦いにおいて、ダビデがゴリアテを殺すことで、実質的にその日殺されたすべてのペリシテ人を殺し、全軍を敗走させたことは否定できず真実であった。それゆえ彼女たちはダビデに当然のものを与えたにすぎない。おそらく歌を作った者は単に詩的自由を用い、サウルとダビデの間の意地悪な比較を意図しなかった。あるいは意図したとしても、公の栄光が誠実に意図されていることが明らかなとき、個人の誉れに対するそのような反射に注意を払うのは王子の大きな心にふさわしくなかった。しかしサウルはひどく怒り、すぐにその底に何か反逆的な企みがあるのではないかと疑った。「彼は王国のほかに何を得ることができようか。」これが彼に、疑い、機会を探る者としてダビデを見るようにさせた（1Sa 18:9）。彼の顔つきはもはや以前のようではなかった。高慢な者は自分以外の者が誉められるのを耐えられず、自分を通らないすべての誉れを失ったと思う。もし人が侮辱への恨みにおいて癇癪持ちで、周囲のすべての者をねたみ疑い、行いにおいて意地悪であるなら、神の霊が離れたしるしである。上からの知恵は私たちを全く別の者にするから。
III. 彼の激怒の中で彼はダビデを殺そうと狙った（1Sa 18:10,11）。ねたみは人の激怒である。それはサウルをダビデに対して凶暴にし、彼を取り除くことに焦燥させた。(1.) 彼の狂気の発作が戻った。彼がダビデに悪意を抱いた翌日、以前彼を悩ませていた神から来た悪霊が再び彼を捕らえた。ねたみと無慈悲にふける者は悪魔に場所を与え、七つのさらに悪い霊と共に汚れた霊の再入を準備する。ねたみのあるところには混乱がある。サウルは宗教的恍惚を pretend した。「家の中で預言した」。すなわち預言者の身振りと動きを持ち、うまくそれを演じてダビデを罠に引き込み、いかなる危険も恐れず、警戒を解くために。おそらくもし彼を殺せれば、それを神の衝動に帰し、自分を animating しているように見える預言の霊に負わせようと考えた。しかし実際にはそれは彼を動かした地獄の激怒であった。(2.) ダビデははるかに高い誉れの地位に昇格したが、主人の奉仕のために竪琴に戻るのを惜しまなかった。「いつものように手で奏でた。」最も高い者も、善を行い、義務ある者に奉仕することによって何も取るに足らないと思ってはならない。(3.) 彼はこの機会を利用してダビデの死を狙った。狂人の手にある剣は危険なものである。特にサウルのように悪意で狂った狂人の場合。彼の手には槍があり、それを投射し、ダビデを殺そうとした。突然の激情でではなく、故意に。「私がダビデを壁にそれで打ちつけよう。」そのように絶望的な力でそれを投げた。ダビデが敵たちを「残酷な憎しみで私を憎んだ」と訴えるのは正当である（Ps 25:19）。悪意に犠牲にされるにはいかなるいのちも貴重すぎない。ダビデが公に対して行った大いなる奉仕への感謝の念がサウルの激怒を和らげられないなら、少なくともダビデが今、他の誰もできなかったように、最悪の苦悩に対する救いとして彼にしている親切を考慮する余地を残すべきであったと思われる。善に悪を返す者は、確かに悪魔のような霊に取り憑かれている。竪琴を手にしてサウルに奉仕しようとするダビデと、槍を手にしてダビデを殺そうとするサウルを比較し、神に persecuted された民の柔和と有用さ、その迫害者の野蛮と残虐を観察せよ。血を流す者は正しい者を憎む。しかし正しい者はそのいのちを求める（Pr 29:10）。(4.) ダビデは二度（すなわち今回と後の1Sa 19:10）幸いにも打撃を避けた。彼はサウルに槍を投げ返さず、退いた。戦うのではなく、自分の保存のために逃げた。彼には抵抗し、傷に報復する力と勇気と、正当な権利の色があったのに、自分を危険から遠ざける以上のことはしなかった。ダビデは間違いなくサウルの手とその中の槍を注意深く見つめ、最近ゴリアテに向かって走ったように勇敢に、それから逃げた。しかし彼の安全は、しもべを傷つく剣から救う神の摂理の注意深い目に帰せられるべきである。この間一髪の逃脱によって、彼は何か並外れたもののために design されているように思われた。
English original
David Honoured by the People; Saul Troubled with an Evil Spirit (1060 BC)
⁶ And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of music.
⁷ And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.
⁸ And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom?
⁹ And Saul eyed David from that day and forward.
¹⁰ And it came to pass on the morrow, that the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as at other times: and there was a javelin in Saul's hand.
¹¹ And Saul cast the javelin; for he said, I will smite David even to the wall with it. And David avoided out of his presence twice.
Now begin David's troubles, and they not only tread on the heels of his triumphs, but take rise from them, such is the vanity of that in this world which seems greatest.
I. He was too much magnified by the common people. Some time after the victory Saul went a triumphant progress through the cities of Israel that lay next him, to receive the congratulations of the country. And, when he made his public entry into any place, the women were most forward to show him respect, as was usual then in public triumphs (1Sa 18:6), and they had got a song, it seems, which they sang in their dances (made by some poet or other, that was a great admirer of David's bravery, and was more just than wise, in giving his achievements in the late action the preference before Saul's), the burden of which was, Saul had slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands. Such a difference as this Moses made between the numbers of Ephraim and Manasseh, De 33:17.
II. This mightily displeased Saul, and made him envy David, 1Sa 18:8,9. He ought to have considered that they referred only to this late action, and intended not to diminish any of Saul's former exploits; and that in the action now celebrated it was undeniably true that David, in killing Goliath, did in effect slay all the Philistines that were slain that day and defeated the whole army; so that they did but give David his due. It may be, he that composed the song only used a poetic liberty, and intended not any invidious comparison between Saul and David; or, if he did, it was below the great mind of a prince to take notice of such a reflection upon his personal honour, when it appeared that the glory of the public was sincerely intended. But Saul was very wroth, and presently suspected some treasonable design at the bottom of it: What can he have more but the kingdom? This made him eye David as one he was jealous of and sought advantages against (1Sa 18:9): his countenance was not towards him as it had been. Proud men cannot endure to hear any praised but themselves, and think all their honour lost that goes by themselves. It is a sign that the Spirit of God has departed from men if they be peevish in their resentment of affronts, envious and suspicious of all about them, and ill-natured in their conduct; for the wisdom from above makes us quite otherwise.
III. In his fury he aimed to kill David, 1Sa 18:10,11. Jealousy is the rage of a man; it made Saul outrageous against David and impatient to get him out of the way. 1. His fits of frenzy returned upon him. The very next day after he conceived malice against David the evil spirit from God, that had formerly haunted him, seized him again. Those that indulge themselves in envy and uncharitableness give place to the devil, and prepare for the re-entry of the unclean spirit, with seven others more wicked. Where envy is there is confusion. Saul pretended a religious ecstasy: He prophesied in the midst of the house, that is, he had the gestures and motions of a prophet, and humoured the thing well enough to decoy David into a snare, and that he might be fearless of any danger and off his guard; and perhaps designing, if he could but kill him, to impute it to a divine impulse and to charge it upon the spirit of prophecy with which he seemed to be animated: but really it was a hellish fury that actuated him. 2. David, though advanced to a much higher post of honour, disdained not, for his master's service, to return to his harp: He played with his hand as at other times. Let not the highest think any thing below them whereby they may do good and be serviceable to those they are obliged to. 3. He took this opportunity to aim at the death of David. A sword in a madman's hand is a dangerous thing, especially such a madman as Saul was, that was mad with malice. Yet he had a javelin or dart in his hand, which he projected, endeavouring thereby to slay David, not in a sudden passion, but deliberately: I will smite David to the wall with it, with such a desperate force did he throw it. Justly does David complain of his enemies that they hated him with a cruel hatred, Ps 25:19. No life is thought too precious to be sacrificed to malice. If a grateful sense of the great service David had done to the public could not assuage Saul's fury, yet one would think he should have allowed himself to consider the kindness David was now doing him, in relieving him, as no one else could, against the worst of troubles. Those are possessed with a devilish spirit indeed that render evil for good. Compare David, with his harp in his hand, aiming to serve Saul, and Saul, with his javelin in his hand, aiming to slay David; and observe the meekness and usefulness of God's persecuted people and the brutishness and barbarity of their persecutors. The bloodthirsty hate the upright, but the just seek his soul, Pr 29:10. 4. David happily avoided the blow twice (namely, now, and afterwards, 1Sa 19:10); he did not throw the javelin at Saul again, but withdrew, not fighting but flying for his own preservation; though he had both strength and courage enough, and colour of right, to make resistance and revenge the injury, yet he did no more than secure himself, by getting out of the way of it. David, no doubt, had a watchful eye upon Saul's hand, and the javelin in it, and did as bravely in running from it as he did lately in running upon Goliath. Yet his safety must be ascribed to the watchful eye of God's providence upon him, saving his servant from the hurtful sword; and by this narrow escape it seemed he was designed for something extraordinary.
12-30
David Marries Saul's Daughter; Saul's Jealousy of David (1059 BC)
日本語
ダビデがサウルの娘と結婚する；ダビデに対するサウルのねたみ（紀元前1059年）
¹² サウルはダビデを恐れた。主が彼と共におられ、サウルから離れたからである。
¹³ それゆえサウルは彼を自分から遠ざけ、千人隊の長とした。彼は民の前に出て入った。
¹⁴ ダビデはすべての道において賢く行動した。主が彼と共におられた。
¹⁵ サウルは彼が非常に賢く行動するのを見て、彼を恐れた。
¹⁶ しかし全イスラエルとユダはダビデを愛した。彼が彼らの前に出て入ったからである。
¹⁷ サウルはダビデに言った。「ご覧なさい。私の上の娘メラブを、あなたに妻として与えよう。ただし、私のために勇ましくあり、主の戦いを戦ってください。」サウルは心の中で言った。「私の手が彼に下らず、ペリシテ人の手が彼に下るように。」
¹⁸ ダビデはサウルに言った。「私は何者であり、私のいのち、あるいはイスラエルにおける私の父の家族が何であるために、私は王の婿となるのでしょうか。」
¹⁹ しかしサウルの娘メラブがダビデに与えられるべき時になったとき、彼女はメホラ人アドリエルに妻として与えられた。
²⁰ さてサウルの娘ミカルはダビデを愛した。これがサウルに告げられると、彼はそれを喜んだ。
²¹ サウルは言った。「私が彼女を与えよう。彼女が彼のわなとなり、ペリシテ人の手が彼に向かうために。」それゆえサウルはダビデに言った。「あなたは今日、二人のうちの一人の婿となりなさい。」
²² サウルは家来たちに命じて言った。「ダビデにひそかに語りかけなさい。『ご覧ください。王はあなたを喜び、家来たちもみなあなたを愛しています。それゆえ今、王の婿になりなさい。』」
²³ サウルの家来たちはこれらのことばをダビデの耳に語った。ダビデは言った。「私が貧しく、軽んじられているのに、王の婿となることはあなたがたには軽いことと見えますか。」
²⁴ サウルの家来たちは彼に告げて言った。「ダビデはこのように答えました。」
²⁵ サウルは言った。「あなたがたはダビデにこのように言いなさい。『王は花嫁の代価を何も求めない。ただし王の敵に復讐するため、ペリシテ人の前の皮百を求められる。』」しかしサウルはペリシテ人の手によってダビデを倒そうと企んだ。
²⁶ 家来たちがこれらのことばをダビデに告げると、王の婿となることはダビデの心にかなった。期間はまだ終わっていなかった。
²⁷ それでダビデは立ち上がり、その部下と共に出て行き、ペリシテ人二百人を打ち殺した。ダビデは彼らの前の皮を持って来て、王の婿となるためにそれらを完全に数えて王に渡した。サウルは娘ミカルを彼に妻として与えた。
²⁸ サウルは見て、主がダビデと共におられること、サウルの娘ミカルが彼を愛していることを知った。
²⁹ サウルはますますダビデを恐れた。サウルは絶えずダビデの敵となった。
³⁰ こうしてペリシテ人の首長たちが出て来た。彼らが出て来た後、*ダビデはサウルのすべての家来たちよりも賢く行動した。こうして彼の名は高められた。
サウルは事実上、ダビデに戦争を宣言した。彼に槍を投げつけたとき、公の敵意を始めた。ここで彼の敵意がどのように進行し、ダビデがその攻撃をどのように受けたかが告げられる。
I. サウルがダビデに対する悪意をどのように表現したかを見よ。1. 彼は彼を恐れた（1Sa 18:12）。おそらくダビデが王冠への道を強いるため自らに危害を加えるのではないかと恐れるふりをした。他者に対して悪を企む者は、一般に他者が自分に対して悪を企んでいると思いたがる。しかしダビデの退避（1Sa 18:11）は、彼がそのような考えから遠いことの明らかな証拠であった。とはいえ、ヘロデがヨハネを恐れたように（マルコ 6:20）、彼は本当に彼に畏怖していた。サウルは自分が神の恵みの臨在を失い、ダビデがそれを持っていることを悟り、このゆえに彼を恐れた。注意せよ。神と共にいる者たちは真に偉大であり、畏敬されるべきである。ダビデがますます賢く行動するほど、サウルは彼を恐れた（1Sa 18:15、また 1Sa 18:29）。人々は、恐れられる道は威嚇し脅すことだと考える。それは愚かな者だけに恐れられ、賢く善良な者には軽蔑される。しかし、恐れられると同時に愛される道—恐怖となりたい者には恐れられ、喜びとなりたい者には愛される道—は、賢く行動することである。知恵は顔を輝かせ、尊敬を命じる。2. 彼は彼を宮廷から遠ざけ、地方に連隊を与えた（1Sa 18:13）。彼を千人隊の長として、自分の目の届かない所に置いた。彼を見るのを憎んだから。また宮廷の人々の支持を確保できないように。しかしこれは政治的ではなかった。ダビデが民に取り入る機会を与えたからである。それゆえ民は彼を愛した（1Sa 18:16）。彼が彼らの前に出て入ったから、すなわち、国の事柄—文民にも軍事にも—を司り、普遍的な満足を与えた。3. 彼はペリシテ人と争い、交戦するあらゆる機会をとるよう彼を扇動した（1Sa 18:17）。これによって王子に良い奉仕をし（私のために勇ましくあれ）、神にも良い奉仕をし（主の戦いを戦え）、自分にも親切をする—彼が彼に与えようと計画した、上の娘を妻とする誉れに自分をふさわしくする—とほのめかした。これは彼がゴリアテを殺すことで得る資格のあるものであった。そのわざをなす者に宣言によって約束されていたから（1Sa 17:25）。しかしダビデは謙遜で、それを要求しなかった。今サウルが提案したとき、それは彼に危害を加える意図で—危険な企てに向かわせて—であり、心の中で言った。「ペリシテ人の手が彼に下るように」と。彼がいつか彼を殺すことになると期待した。しかし、神が彼と共におられるのを見て、これをどうして期待できたか。4. 彼は約束を破り、娘が彼に与えられるべき時になって他の者に与えることで（1Sa 18:19）、彼を不満や反乱に駆り立てるようあらゆることをした。これは彼が彼に与えうる最大の侮辱であり、彼の名誉と愛の両方を傷つけた。それゆえダビデの憤りが、何らかの不品行—言葉や行為—に爆発し、法律の経路によって彼を排除する機会を与えると考えた。このように悪人は禍を求める。5. 彼がこれで失望したとき、もう一人の娘（ダビデにひそかな好意を持っていたらしい、1Sa 18:20）を申し出た。しかしこの計画—彼女が彼のわなとなるよう—with intent。1. おそらく彼女がダビデと結婚した後も、夫に逆らって父に味方し、ダビデに不親切をする機会を与えることを期待した。(2) 結婚の条件が彼の破滅となることを期待した。（サウルはペリシテ人に対して熱心であるように見せた）結婚の条件は、彼がペリシテ人百人を殺すことであった。殺した者が割礼を受けていないことの証拠として、その前の皮を切り取って持って来なければならなかった。これは、割礼を神の定めとして憎むペリシテ人にとって当然の恥辱。そしておそらくダビデがこれによって彼らをいっそう激怒させ、復讐を求めさせるであろう。それがサウルが望み、企んだことであり、ペリシテ人に復讐すること以上であった。「サウルはペリシテ人の手によってダビデを倒そうと考えた」（1Sa 18:25）。ここを見よ。[1.] 悪人が自分に仕掛ける欺き。サウルの良心は、悪霊が実際に彼の上にあるとき以外は、ダビデの命を自ら狙うことを許さなかった。彼もまた、それほど潔白で優れた者を殺すという考えに恐怖を抱かずにはいられなかった。しかし、彼を意図的にペリシテ人にさらすことは悪くないと考えた（私の手が彼に下らず、ペリシテ人の手が下るように）。しかし、その悪意ある企ては、自らの手で彼を殺したのと同様、神の前では真の殺人であった。[2.] 彼らが世に仕掛ける欺き。サウルは彼を滅ぼすことを狙い、実際にそれを計画しているときでさえ、ダビデに対して並外れた親切を装った。*「あなたは私の婿となる」*と言い（1Sa 18:21）、容赦なく彼を憎んでいたのに。おそらくダビデは（詩篇 55:21）ことばはバターより滑らかだが心には戦がある、と敵について語るとき、これを言及したのであろう。サウルが家来たちを用いて、娘ミカルとの縁談に入るようダビデを説得させたのは（1Sa 18:22）、おそらく上の娘について騙したこと（1Sa 18:19）や、これから提案しようとする厳しい条件が彼にそれを辞退させるのではないかという懸念からであった。
II. サウルの不快感の波がこれほど高く押し寄せたとき、ダビデがどう振る舞ったかを見よ。
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彼はすべての道において賢く行動した。彼はサウルのねたみを感じ取り、それが彼を非常に慎重で用心深くした。語ることにも行うことにも、怒りを買わないよう注意深く。不平を言ったり、党派の長になったりせず、預かったすべての事柄を、王と国に真の奉仕をすることが自分の昇進の目的であると見なして処理した。そして主が彼と共におられて、すべての企てにおいて成功を与えられた。サウルの悪意を買ったが、神の恵みを得た。これを詩篇 101:2と比較せよ。そこでダビデは約束する。*「私は賢く行動します」と。そしてその約束をここで果たした。そしてそれは彼の祈りである。「ああ、いつあなたは私のところに来られるのですか」*と。そしてその祈りに神はここで答えられた。*主が彼と共におられた。*盲目の運命がいかに愚かな者を恵むように見えようとも、神は賢く行動する者を認め、祝福される。
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王の婿となるよう提案されたとき、彼は何度もあらゆる謙遜と慎みをもって提案を受けた。サウルが上の娘を提案したとき（1Sa 18:18）彼は言った。「私は何者であり、私のいのちは何でしょうか」と。家来が下の娘を提案したとき、彼はサウルが上の娘を他の者に与えて彼に与えた侮辱を気に留めず、同じ心であり続けた（1Sa 18:23）。「私が貧しく、軽んじられているのに、王の婿となることはあなたがたには軽いことと見えますか」と。彼はミカルが自分を愛していることを知っていたが、父の同意なしに彼女を得るために彼女の愛情への関心を利用しようとはせず、提案されるのを待った。そして見よ。(1) 彼は与えられた誉れをいかに高く語るか。王の婿となること。彼の王は新興にすぎず、出自は彼自身と同じく卑しく、経営は良くはなかった。しかし、冠をかぶった者として、彼と王室を正当な敬意をもって語る。注意せよ。宗教は私たちに無礼で不作法にするよう教えるどころか、そうすることを許さない。私たちは栄誉に値する者に栄誉を帰さなければならない。(2) 彼は自分についていかに謙遜に語るか。「私は何者でしょうか」。これは卑しく、卑屈で、卑しい精神から出たのではない。機会があれば、ほとんどの者と同じほど高い名誉観を持つことを示したからである。サウルへの恐怖（緑の草の下に蛇を恐れる十分な理由があったが）からでもない。真の深い謙遜からであった。「貧しく、軽んじられている私が何者でしょうか」。ダビデはほかのだれをも自負するほどの理由があった。彼はユダの古く由緒ある家の出であり、姿の良い者、偉大な政治家であり軍人であった。その業績は偉大で、ゴリアテの首とミカルの心を勝ち得た。彼は自分が神の計らいによってイスラエルの王座につく運命にあることを知っていた。それでも*「私は何者であり、私のいのちは何でしょうか」*。注意せよ。神が私たちを高めてくださったとしても、常に自分について低い考えを持つことがふさわしい。自分を低くする者は高くされる。また、もしダビデがこれほど王の婿となる誉れを高くしたなら、万王の王の子（律法によるのではなく、福音による）となる誉れを、私たちはどう高くすべきであろうか。「見よ、父が私たちにどれほどの愛を与えられたか」。私たちがこれほど尊ばれるのは、いったい私たちは何者なのか。
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ペリシテ人百人を殺すことがダビデがサウルの娘と結婚する条件とされたとき、彼は快くそれに応じた（1Sa 18:26）。*その条件で王の婿となることはダビデの心にかなった。*行動のために与えられた期間が終わる前に、彼は要求を倍にし、二百人を殺した（1Sa 18:27）。サウルがそれで彼に危害を加えようとしているとは疑っているようには見えなかった（十分な理由があったのに）。むしろサウルが彼の名誉を図ろうとしているかのように振る舞い、勇敢な兵士であり真の恋人として快く引き受けた。ミカルにとっては不快であったかもしれないが。ダビデはこれによって次を示した。(1) 神の保護に対する大いなる確信。神が自分と共におられることを知った。それゆえサウルが何を期待しようとも、ダビデはペリシテ人に倒されることを恐れなかった。このような企てによって自分をかなりさらすことになったにもかかわらず。(2) 国の益に対する大いなる熱心。命の危険があっても奉仕の機会を辞さなかった。(3) 誉れに関する正しい観念。それは優遇されることよりも、それに値することにある。ダビデは、誉れがこの高い代価に設定されているのを見たとき、王の婿となることを喜んだ。それを得る方法よりも、それに値する方法に関心を持ち、それを勝ち取るまでは満足して身につけることができなかった。
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結婚した後も、彼はイスラエルへの良い奉仕を続けた。ペリシテ人の首長たちが別の戦争に向けて動き始めたとき、ダビデは彼らに対抗する用意があり、サウルのすべての家使たちよりも賢く行動した（1Sa 18:30）。律法は結婚後最初の一年は戦争に行くことを免除したが（申命記 24:5）、ダビデは国を愛してその免除を利用しなかった。昇進を追求するときには公衆に奉仕する意欲を示した多くの者が、目的を達したときにはそれを辞退した。しかしダビデはより寛大な原則に従って行動した。
III. サウルの彼に対する計画を通じて、神がいかにダビデに善をもたらされたかを観察せよ。1. サウルはわなとなるよう娘を与えたが、その結婚は彼に親切であった。サウルの婿であることが、彼がサウルに代わることをはるかに嫌なものにしなかった。特にサウルの多くの息子たちが彼と共に殺されたとき（1Sa 31:2）。2. サウルは危険な奉仕によって彼を排除しようと考えたが、そのまさにそのことが彼の民における支持を確認した。ペリシテ人に対して行うことが多ければ多いほど、民は彼を愛した。それゆえ彼の名は大いに高められた（1Sa 18:30）。それは彼が王冠につくのをいっそう容易にするであろう。このように神は人の怒りでさえ神を賛美させ、それによってご自身の民への慈愛のご計画を果たされる。
English original
David Marries Saul's Daughter; Saul's Jealousy of David (1059 BC)
¹² And Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him, and was departed from Saul.
¹³ Therefore Saul removed him from him, and made him his captain over a thousand; and he went out and came in before the people.
¹⁴ And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the LORD was with him.
¹⁵ Wherefore when Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely, he was afraid of him.
¹⁶ But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out and came in before them.
¹⁷ And Saul said to David, Behold my elder daughter Merab, her will I give thee to wife: only be thou valiant for me, and fight the LORD's battles. For Saul said, Let not mine hand be upon him, but let the hand of the Philistines be upon him.
¹⁸ And David said unto Saul, Who am I? and what is my life, or my father's family in Israel, that I should be son in law to the king?
¹⁹ But it came to pass at the time when Merab Saul's daughter should have been given to David, that she was given unto Adriel the Meholathite to wife.
²⁰ And Michal Saul's daughter loved David: and they told Saul, and the thing pleased him.
²¹ And Saul said, I will give him her, that she may be a snare to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him. Wherefore Saul said to David, Thou shalt this day be my son in law in the one of the twain.
²² And Saul commanded his servants, saying, Commune with David secretly, and say, Behold, the king hath delight in thee, and all his servants love thee: now therefore be the king's son in law.
²³ And Saul's servants spake those words in the ears of David. And David said, Seemeth it to you a light thing to be a king's son in law, seeing that I am a poor man, and lightly esteemed?
²⁴ And the servants of Saul told him, saying, On this manner spake David.
²⁵ And Saul said, Thus shall ye say to David, The king desireth not any dowry, but a hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to be avenged of the king's enemies. But Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines.
²⁶ And when his servants told David these words, it pleased David well to be the king's son in law: and the days were not expired.
²⁷ Wherefore David arose and went, he and his men, and slew of the Philistines two hundred men; and David brought their foreskins, and they gave them in full tale to the king, that he might be the king's son in law. And Saul gave him Michal his daughter to wife.
²⁸ And Saul saw and knew that the LORD was with David, and that Michal Saul's daughter loved him.
²⁹ And Saul was yet the more afraid of David; and Saul became David's enemy continually.
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.
Saul had now, in effect, proclaimed war with David. He began in open hostility when he threw the javelin at him. Now we are here told how his enmity proceeded, and how David received the attacks of it.
I. See how Saul expressed his malice against David. 1. He was afraid of him, 1Sa 18:12. Perhaps he pretended to be afraid that David would do himself mischief, to force his way to the crown. Those that design ill against others are commonly willing to have it thought that others design ill against them. But David's withdrawal (1Sa 18:11) was a plain evidence that he was far from such a thought. However, he really stood in awe of him, as Herod feared John, Mk 6:20. Saul was sensible that he had lost the favourable presence of God himself, and that David had it, and for this reason he feared him. Note, Those are truly great and to be reverenced that have God with them. The more wisely David behaved himself the more Saul feared him, 1Sa 18:15, and again 1Sa 18:29. Men think the way to be feared is to hector and threaten, which makes them feared by fools only, but despised by the wise and good; whereas the way to be both feared and loved, feared by those to whom we would wish to be a terror and loved by those to whom we would wish to be a delight, is to behave ourselves wisely. Wisdom makes the face to shine and commands respect. 2. He removed him from court, and gave him a regiment in the country, 1Sa 18:13. He made him captain over 1000, that he might be from under his eye, because he hated the sight of him; and that he might not secure the interest of the courtiers. Yet herein he did impolitely; for it gave David an opportunity of ingratiating himself with the people, who therefore loved him (1Sa 18:16) because he went out and came in before them, that is, he presided in the business of his country, civil as well as military, and gave universal satisfaction. 3. He stirred him up to take all occasions of quarrelling with the Philistines and engaging them (1Sa 18:17), insinuating to him that hereby he would do good service to his prince (be thou valiant for me), and good service to his God (fight the Lord's battles), and a kindness to himself too, for hereby he would qualify himself for the honour he designed him, which was to marry his eldest daughter to him. This he had merited by killing Goliath, for it was promised by proclamation to him that should do that exploit (1Sa 17:25); but David was so modest as not to demand it, and now, when Saul proposed it, it was with design of mischief to him, to make him venture upon hazardous attempts, saying in his heart, Let the hand of the Philistines be upon him, hoping that he would some time or other be the death of him; yet how could he expect this when he saw that God was with him? 4. He did what he could to provoke him to discontent and mutiny, by breaking his promise with him, and giving his daughter to another when the time came that she should have been given to him, 1Sa 18:19. This was as great an affront as he could possibly put upon him, and touched him both in his honour and in his love. He therefore thought David's resentment of it would break out in some indecency or other, in word or deed, which might give him an advantage against him to take him off by the course of law. Thus evil men seek mischief. 5. When he was disappointed in his, he proffered him his other daughter (who it seems had a secret kindness for David, 1Sa 18:20), but with this design, that she might be a snare to him, 1Sa 18:21. (1.) Perhaps he hoped that she would, even after her marriage to David, take part with her father against her husband, and give him an opportunity of doing David an unkindness. However, (2.) The conditions of the marriage, he hoped, would be his destruction; for (so zealous will Saul seem against the Philistines) the conditions of the marriage must be that he killed 100 Philistines, and, as proofs that those he had slain were uncircumcised, he must bring in their foreskins cut off; this would be a just reproach upon the Philistines, who hated circumcision as it was an ordinance of God; and perhaps David, in doing this, would the more exasperate them against him, and make them seek to be revenged on him, which was the thing that Saul desired and designed, much more than to be avenged on the Philistines: For Saul thought to make David fall by the Philistines, 1Sa 18:25. See here, [1.] What cheats bad men put upon themselves. Saul's conscience would not suffer him, except when the evil spirit was actually upon him, to aim at David's life himself, for even he could not but conceive a horror at the thought of murdering such an innocent and excellent person; but he thought that to expose him designedly to the Philistines had nothing bad in it (Let not my hand be upon him, but the hand of the Philistines), whereas that malicious design against him was as truly murder before God as if he had slain him with his own hands. [2.] What cheats they put upon the world. Saul pretended extraordinary kindness for David even when he aimed at his ruin, and was actually plotting it: Thou shalt be my son-in-law, says he (1Sa 18:21), notwithstanding he hated him implacably. Perhaps David refers to this when (Ps 55:21) he speaks of his enemy as one whose words were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart. It is probable that Saul's employing his servants to persuade David to enter into a treaty of a match with his daughter Michal (1Sa 18:22) arose from an apprehension that either his having cheated him about his elder daughter (1Sa 18:19) or the hardness of the terms he intended now to propose would make him decline it.
II. See how David conducted himself when the tide of Saul's displeasure ran thus high against him.
1. He behaved himself wisely in all his ways. He perceived Saul's jealousy of him, which made him very cautious and circumspect in every thing he said and did, and careful to give no offence. He did not complain of hard measure more make himself the head of a party, but managed all the affairs he was entrusted with as one that made it his business to do real service to his king and country, looking upon that to be the end of his preferment. And then the Lord was with him to give him success in all his undertakings. Though he procured Saul's ill-will by it, yet he obtained God's favour. Compare this with Ps 101:2, where it is David's promise, I will behave myself wisely; and that promise he here performed; and it is his prayer, O, when wilt thou come unto me? And that prayer God here answered: The Lord was with him. However blind fortune may seem to favour fools, God will own and bless those that behave themselves wisely.
2. When it was proposed to him to be son-in-law to the king he once and again received the proposal with all possible modesty and humility. When Saul proposed his elder daughter to him (1Sa 18:18) he said, Who am I, and what is my life? When the courtier proposed the younger, he took no notice of the affront Saul had put upon him in disposing of the elder from him, but continued in the same mind (1Sa 18:23): Seemeth it a light thing to you to be a king's son-in-law, seeing that I am a poor man and lightly esteemed? He knew Michal loved him, and yet did not offer to improve his interest in her affections for the gaining of her without her father's consent, but waited till it was proposed to him. And then see, (1.) How highly he speaks of the honour offered him: To be son-in-law to the king. Though his king was but an upstart, in his original as mean as himself, in his management no better than he should be, yet, being a crowned head, he speaks of him and the royal family with all due respect. Note, Religion is so far from teaching us to be rude and unmannerly that it does not allow us to be so. We must render honour to whom honour is due. (2.) How humbly he speaks of himself: Who am I? This did not proceed from a mean, abject, sneaking spirit, for when there was occasion he made it appear that he had as high a sense of honour as most men; nor was it from his jealousy of Saul (though he had reason enough to fear a snake under the green grass), but from him true and deep humility: Who am I, a poor man, and lightly esteemed? David had as much reason as any man to value himself. He was of an ancient and honourable family of Judah, a comely person, a great statesman and soldier; his achievements were great, for he had won Goliath's head and Michal's heart. He knew himself destined by the divine counsels to the throne of Israel, and yet, Whom am I, and what is my life? Note, It well becomes us, however God has advanced us, always to have low thoughts of ourselves. He that humbleth himself shall be exalted. And, if David thus magnified the honour of being son-in-law to the king, how should we magnify the honour of being sons (not in law, but in gospel) to the King of kings! Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us! Who are we that we should be thus dignified?
3. When the slaying of 100 Philistines was made the condition of David's marrying Saul's daughter he readily closed with it (1Sa 18:26): It pleased David well to be the king's son-in-law upon those terms; and, before the time given him for the action had expired, he doubled the demand, and slew 200, 1Sa 18:27. He would not seem to suspect that Saul designed his hurt by it (though he had reason enough), but would rather act as if Saul had meant to consult his honour, and therefore cheerfully undertook it, as became a brave soldier and a true lover, though we may suppose it uneasy to Michal. David hereby discovered likewise, (1.) A great confidence in the divine protection. He knew God was with him, and therefore, whatever Saul hoped, David did not fear falling by the Philistines, though he must needs expose himself much by such an undertaking as this. (2.) A great zeal for the good of his country, which he would not decline any occasion of doing service to, though with the hazard of his life. (3.) A right notion of honour, which consists not so much in being preferred as in deserving to be so. David was then pleased with the thoughts of being the king's son-in-law when he found the honour set at this high price, being more solicitous how to merit it than how to obtain it; nor could he wear it with satisfaction till he had won it.
4. Even after he was married he continued his good services to Israel. When the princes of the Philistines began to move towards another war David was ready to oppose them, and behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul, 1Sa 18:30. The law dispensed with men from going to war the first year after they were married (De 24:5), but David loved his country too well to make use of that dispensation. Many that have shown themselves forward to serve the public when they have been in pursuit of preferment have declined it when they have gained their point; but David acted from more generous principles.
III. Observe how God brought good to David out of Saul's project against him. 1. Saul gave him his daughter to be a snare to him, but in this respect that marriage was a kindness to him, that his being Saul's son-in-law made his succeeding him much the less invidious, especially when so many of his sons were slain with him, 1Sa 31:2. 2. Saul thought, by putting him upon dangerous services, to have him taken off, but that very thing confirmed his interest in the people; for the more he did against the Philistines the better they loved him, so that his name was much set by (1Sa 18:30), which would make his coming to the crown the more easy. Thus God makes even the wrath of man to praise him and serves his designs of kindness to his own people by it.
前の章の過程で、私たちはダビデが勝利のうちにあるのを残した。さてこの章で次のことを見る。
一、彼の勝利がもたらした結果。彼はまもなく、
二、彼の勝利に伴う衰え。これは正しい業にさえ伴う空しさである。「そのために人は人にねたまれる」（伝道の書4章4節）。ダビデはサウルによってそうされた。
ダビデは依然として上昇しているが、（命の冠を目指すすべての者が予期すべきように）彼は多くの困難と反対と格闘しなければならなかった。