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英文原文
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)
約拿單對大衛的愛（主前1060年）
¹ 大衛對掃羅說完了話，約拿單的心與大衛的心深相契合。約拿單愛大衛，如同愛自己的性命。 ² 那日掃羅留住他，不容他再回父家。 ³ 約拿單愛大衛如同愛自己的性命，就與他結盟。 ⁴ 約拿單從身上脫下外袍，給了大衛，又將戰衣、刀、弓、腰帶都給了他。 ⁵ 掃羅無論差遣大衛往何處去，他都前去；做事精明。掃羅就立他作戰士長。他在百姓眼前和掃羅的臣僕眼前，蒙了喜悅。
大衛既受膏要從掃羅手中取去王冠，且是越過約拿單的頭；然而此處我們看見：
一、如今擁有王冠的掃羅，竟對他寄以信任——這是神的安排，為要使他在朝廷中得著提拔，預備將來的事奉。掃羅如今把大衛帶回家，不容他再回到隱居之處（撒上十八2）。大衛既在戰士中脫穎而出——承擔了他們所不敢迎的挑戰——「掃羅就立他作戰士長」（撒上十八5），這並非立他為元帥（押尼珥居此職位），或許是立他為護衛長；或雖然他最年幼，卻命令他居首位，作為他豐功偉業的報答。掃羅派他在政府事務中任職；「掃羅無論差遣大衛往何處去，他都前去」，表現得與他一樣勇敢剛強的同樣盡責。那盼望掌權的，必須先學會順服。他對父親耶西是個盡責的兒子，如今對主人掃羅也是個盡責的僕人；在一種關係上良善的人，可盼望在另一種關係上也是如此。
二、身為王儲的約拿單與他立約——這也是神的安排，為要使大衛的路在他與競爭者成為朋友之時更為通達。1. 約拿單對他生了格外的恩情和喜愛（撒上十八1）：「大衛對掃羅說完了話」，他便完全愛上了他。這是指戰前他與掃羅的對話（撒上十七34、37），還是戰後的對話（撒上十七51），其中所說的可能遠超過那裡所記的，則不得而知。但無論何者，大衛說話都極有智慧、謙遜和敬虔，言辭恰當，又勇敢又溫和，且全是出於自然毫無矯飾——因他教育和外表的不利更顯奇特——「約拿單的心」便立刻「與大衛的心深相契合」。約拿單從前曾以同樣的信心和勇敢攻擊非利士人的軍隊，如同大衛如今攻擊非利士的巨人一樣；所以二人之間在情感、性情和謀略上極為相近，這使他們的靈很快、很容易、很緊密地聯合，幾乎是兩個身體同一個靈魂。沒有人比約拿單更有理由不喜歡大衛，因為大衛要使他失去王冠；卻沒有人比他更看重他。那些在愛中受智慧和恩典原則管轄的人，不會容讓任何屬世的顧慮使自己的感情疏遠：更大的思想必吞沒並支配較小的。2. 他以慷慨的禮物證明自己對大衛的愛（撒上十八4）。他看見如此偉大的心靈——雖藏於如此俊美的身體——卻仍披著貧窮牧羊人卑劣寒酸的衣著，心中不安；因此急忙使他穿上朝臣的服裝（因為他給了他外袍）和軍人的服裝，因為他以刀和弓代替了他的杖和甩石機弦，又以腰帶代替了牧羊人的口袋——或許是皮帶或絲帶；更使這禮物倍覺可親的，是這些都是他自己穿戴過的，並且（作為日後必將發生之事的預表）他脫下這些來給大衛穿上。掃羅的衣袍不合他身，約拿單的卻合適。他們二人的身裁相若，這情形與他們心意的相合十分相稱。掃羅把這些尊榮的記號加在大衛身上時，他先脫下才穿戴，因為他要先賺得才穿戴；如今他既已證明自己有君王和軍人之靈，便不以穿戴君王和軍人的衣服為恥。大衛穿著約拿單的衣服被人看見，使人人都可以注意到他是約拿單的另一個自己。我們的主耶穌也是如此向我們顯明了他的愛：他脫去自己的衣服為我們穿上，他虛己為使我們富足；不，他所作的比約拿單更多，他穿上了我們的破衣，而約拿單卻沒有穿上大衛的。3. 他努力使這友誼長存。他們在初次相見之時便彼此完全滿意，便彼此立約（撒上十八3）。他們彼此的感情是真誠的；心地誠實的人對於立約保證並不畏縮。真愛渴望長久。那些愛基督如同愛自己性命的人，必樂意與他立永遠的約。
三、朝廷與民間都一致稱頌他。這二者少有在同一寵兒上同意的時候；然而大衛「在百姓眼前蒙了喜悅」，也（這是奇妙的）「在掃羅的臣僕眼前」蒙了喜悅（撒上十八5）。前者由衷地愛他，後者至少羞於不奉承他。大衛能在這一切忽然臨到的尊敬和尊榮湧來之時不自高自大，實在是神恩典在他身上的大能明證。爬得如此快的人，需要好的頭腦和好的心靈。知道怎樣處豐富，比知道怎樣處卑賤更難。
英文原文
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)
大衛被百姓尊崇；掃羅被惡魔擾亂（公元前1060年）
⁶ 大衛打死了那非利士人，同眾人回來的時候，婦女們從以色列各城裏出來，歡歡喜喜，打鼓擊磬，歌唱跳舞，迎接掃羅王。
⁷ 眾婦女舞蹈唱和，說：掃羅殺死千千，大衛殺死萬萬。
⁸ 掃羅甚發怒，不喜悅這話，就說：將萬萬歸大衛，千千歸我，只剩下王位沒有給他了。
⁹ 從這日起，掃羅就怒視大衛。
¹⁰ 次日，從神那裏來的惡魔降在掃羅身上，他就在家中胡言亂語。大衛照常彈琴，掃羅手裏拿著槍。
¹¹ 掃羅把槍一掄，心裏說：我要將大衛刺透，釘在牆上。大衛躲避他兩次。
大衛的苦難如今開始了；這些苦難不但緊跟著他的勝利，更是由勝利引發——這世界看來最偉大的事物，其虛空正是如此。
I. 他被平民百姓過分抬舉了。得勝之後不久，掃羅在以色列鄰近的各城中巡行，以接受全國的祝賀。每逢他公開進入某城，婦女們總是最踴躍地向他表示敬意，正如當時公眾凱旋遊行中常見的那樣（1Sa 18:6）。她們似乎有了一首歌，在跳舞時唱著（是某位詩人作的——他極其仰慕大衛的勇武，在評價大衛在最近的行動中的功績時，把大衛置於掃羅之上，這雖然公道，卻不夠聰明），其副歌是：*掃羅殺死千千，大衛殺死萬萬。*摩西從前在以法蓮和瑪拿西的人數之間，也作過類似的區分（申33:17）。
II. 這大大激怒了掃羅，使他嫉妒大衛（1Sa 18:8-9）。他本當想到，她們所指的不過是這一次最近的行動，並非要貶低掃羅從前的任何功績；而且在這次所慶祝的行動中，大衛擊殺歌利亞，實際上等於殺了那一天被殺的一切非利士人，又擊潰了全軍，這是無可否認的事實，所以她們不過是把大衛所當得的歸給他。也許作這歌的人只是運用了詩歌的自由，並非有意在掃羅和大衛之間作任何令人難堪的比較；即使他確有此意，當顯然是真心為公眾的榮耀著想時，因這樣涉及個人榮譽的暗示而在意，也是一個王偉大心胸所不當為的。但掃羅甚為發怒，立刻疑心其中藏著謀反的圖謀：*只剩下王位沒有給他了。*這使他怒視大衛，視之為他所嫉妒、要找機會對付的人（1Sa 18:9）：他的臉色再也不像從前那樣對待大衛了。驕傲的人不能忍受聽見別人受稱讚，只願聽見自己受稱讚；他們以為凡不歸與自己的榮譽都是自己所失去的。人若在受辱時易怒、對周圍一切嫉妒猜疑、行事為人刻薄惡毒，那就是神的靈已經離開他們的記號；因為從上頭來的智慧使我們完全不是這樣。
III. 他在狂怒中企圖殺害大衛（1Sa 18:10-11）。忿怒為殘忍，怒氣為狂瀾（箴27:4）；嫉妒使掃羅對大衛暴跳如雷，急不可待地要除掉他。1. 他的狂亂之疾又復發了。就在他對大衛起了惡念的第二天，從前屢屢困擾他的、從神那裏來的惡靈，又抓住了他。那些放縱自己嫉妒和不仁之念的人，就是給魔鬼留地步，為那污鬼的再度入侵——並帶著七個比牠更惡的鬼——預備了道路。哪裏有嫉妒，哪裏就有擾亂。掃羓裝作宗教的狂喜：他在家中胡言亂語，就是說，他作出先知的姿態和動作，裝得很像，足以把大衛誘入圈套，使他毫無戒心、不防危險；也許他還打算，只要能殺了大衛，就把這事歸咎於神的感動，推到那似乎激動他的預言之靈身上：但其實激動他的是地獄般的狂怒。2. 大衛雖已升到遠為尊榮的職位，卻不恥於為服事主人而回到他的琴旁：他照常彈琴。身處最高位的人，不可輕看任何能行善、能對自己有義務之人有用的服事。3. 掃羅利用這機會要取大衛的性命。瘋子手中的劍是危險之物，尤其是掃羅這種因嫉妒而瘋狂的人。他手中拿著的是槍或標槍，他把它投擲出去，想要藉此刺死大衛——不是出於一時衝動，而是蓄意的：我要將大衛刺透，釘在牆上——他投擲時用盡了絕望的力氣。大衛抱怨仇敵以殘忍的恨恨他，實在公道（詩25:19）。在嫉妒眼中，再寶貴的性命也不算太貴重，不能為之犧牲。即使對大衛為公眾所立大功的感恩之心不能平息掃羅的狂怒，人也要想，他該顧念大衛如今正在替他作的善事——在別人都無能為力時，為他解除了最大的苦楚。以惡報善的人，實在是被魔鬼的靈附著了。請把兩幅圖畫加以對比：大衛手裏拿著琴，意在服事掃羅；掃羅手裏拿著槍，意在刺死大衛。請觀察神受逼迫之百姓的溫柔和有用，以及逼迫者的野蠻和殘暴。好流人血的，恨惡完全人；正直人卻顧惜他的性命（箴29:10）。4. 大衛兩次僥倖躲過了那一擊（即此次及後來的1Sa 19:10）；他沒有把槍擲回掃羅，而是退避了——他不是爭戰，而是逃避，以保全自己；雖然他既有足夠的力量和膽量，也有正當的理由，可以抵抗並報復這傷害，他卻沒有多作甚麼，只不過躲開，使自己脫離險境。大衛無疑一直警覺地注視著掃羅的手和手中的槍；他躲避槍時的勇敢，不亞於他不久前向歌利亞衝去時的勇敢。然而他的安全當歸功於神護理之工的警覺注視——神的護理救了他的僕人免受刀劍的傷害；從這死裏逃生看來，他似乎是為著非凡的事而被保留的。
英文原文
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)
大衛娶掃羅的女兒；掃羅嫉妒大衛（主前1059年）
¹² 掃羅懼怕大衛，因為耶和華離開自己，與大衛同在。
¹³ 掃羅便使大衛離開自己，立他為千夫長，他就領兵出入。
¹⁴ 大衛做事無不精明，耶和華也與他同在。
¹⁵ 掃羅見大衛做事精明，就甚怕他。
¹⁶ 但以色列和猶大眾人都愛大衛，因為他領他們出入。
¹⁷ 掃羅對大衛說：「我將大女兒米拉給你為妻，只要你為我奮勇，為耶和華爭戰。」掃羅心裏說：「我的手不可害他，非利士人的手才可以害他。」
¹⁸ 大衛對掃羅說：「我是誰？我是甚麼出身？我父家在以色列中算甚麼，竟作王的女婿呢？」
¹⁹ 掃羅的女兒米拉到了當給大衛的時候，掃羅卻給了米何拉人亞得列為妻。
²⁰ 掃羅的女兒米甲愛大衛。有人告訴掃羅，掃羅甚喜悅。
²¹ 掃羅心裏說：「我將這女兒給大衛，作他的網羅，好使非利士人下手害他。」所以掃羅對大衛說：「你今日可以作我的女婿。」
²² 掃羅吩咐臣僕說：「你們暗中對大衛說：『王喜悅你，他的臣僕也都愛你，所以你當作王的女婿。』」
²³ 掃羅的臣僕就將這話說給大衛聽。大衛說：「你們以為作王的女婿是小事嗎？我是貧窮卑微的人。」
²⁴ 掃羅的臣僕將大衛的話回奏掃羅。
²⁵ 掃羅說：「你們要這樣對大衛說：『王不要甚麼聘禮，只要一百非利士人的陽皮，好在王的仇敵身上報仇。』」掃羅的意思要使大衛喪在非利士人的手裏。
²⁶ 掃羅的臣僕將這話告訴大衛，大衛就喜悅作王的女婿。日期還沒有到。
²⁷ 大衛和跟隨他的人起身前往，殺了二百非利士人，將陽皮足數交給王，為要作王的女婿。掃羅便將女兒米甲給大衛為妻。
²⁸ 掃羅看見耶和華與大衛同在，又知道女兒米甲愛大衛，
²⁹ 就更怕大衛，常常與大衛為敵。
³⁰ 非利士人的首領常常出來。他們每次出來，大衛行事都比掃羅的臣僕精明，因此他的名被人尊重。
掃羅如今實際上已向大衛宣戰了。他擲槍刺他之時便開始了公開的敵意。此處我們看到他的仇恨如何升級，以及大衛如何應對他的攻擊。
I. 請看掃羅如何向大衛發洩他的惡意。1. 他怕他（1Sa 18:12）。也許他假裝害怕大衛會為自己謀利、強行奪取王位。那些圖謀害人的人通常樂意使人以為別人也在圖謀害己。但大衛的退避（1Sa 18:11）清楚地證明他遠非如此想法。不過他確實懼怕他，正如希律懼怕約翰（Mk 6:20）。掃羅意識到自己已失去了神的同在，而大衛卻擁有它——正因如此，他才懼怕他。須知，那些有神同在的人才是真正偉大、值得敬畏的。大衛做事越是精明，掃羅就越怕他（1Sa 18:15，又見1Sa 18:29）。人以為要使人懼怕，方法就是威嚇恐嚇——這只能使愚昧人怕他們，卻使智慧和善良的人藐視他們；而要同時被人懼怕又被人愛——被那些我們希望他們畏懼的人懼怕，被那些我們希望使他們喜樂的人愛——的方法是：自己行事精明。智慧使人的臉發光，又贏得尊重。2. 他將他調離朝廷，在鄉間給了他一個軍職（1Sa 18:13）。他立他為千夫長，使他離開自己的視線之外，因為他恨惡看見他；又要防止他在朝臣中鞏固勢力。然而此舉在策略上卻是不智的；因為這給了大衛一個與百姓建立關係的機會，百姓因此愛他（1Sa 18:16），因為他領他們出入——即他主持民政和軍務，使各方都滿意。3. 他慫恿他抓住一切機會與非利士人爭戰、交鋒（1Sa 18:17），暗示他如此行便是為君王效力（為我奮勇）、為神效力（為耶和華爭戰），也是給自己一個人情——因為如此行他便有資格領受掃羅為他預備的尊榮，即將長女嫁給他。這是他殺歌利亞所應得的，因為王曾公開宣告，凡行此事之人必得此賞賜（1Sa 17:25）；但大衛謙遜，不主動索求，而如今掃羅提出時，卻心懷惡意——要使大衛冒險從事危險的嘗試，心中說：非利士人的手才可以害他，盼望他遲早會死在其中；但他既看見神與大衛同在，又怎能指望如此呢？4. 他盡力要激怒大衛，使他心生不滿、滋生叛亂——方法是對他失信，到了當把女兒給他之時，卻將女兒給了別人（1Sa 18:19）。這是他所能加諸大衛的極大侮辱，同時觸及他的尊榮和他的感情。他以為大衛對此的怨恨必會以言語或行動的失當爆發出來，給他一個把柄，使他能藉法律途徑除掉他。惡人就是這樣尋找機會作惡。5. 當他在這方面失算之後，他又提議將另一個女兒給他（這女兒看來暗暗愛慕大衛，1Sa 18:20），卻心懷如此計謀：要使她作他的網羅（1Sa 18:21）。(1.) 也許他希望她即使嫁了大衛之後，仍會站在父親一邊反對丈夫，給他機會對大衛行不善之事。無論如何，(2) 他希望這婚姻的條件會成為他的毀滅；因為（掃羅要表現得對非利士人如此熱心）婚姻的條件必須是他殺一百非利士人，並為證明所殺之人是未受割禮的，必須帶回他們割下的陽皮——這將是對非利士人的正當羞辱，因為他們視割禮為神的律例而恨惡它；也許大衛如此行更會激怒他們，使他們尋求報復——這正是掃羅所期望和設計的，遠過於為自己向非利士人報仇：因為掃羅的意思要使大衛喪在非利士人的手裏（1Sa 18:25）。請看：[1.] 惡人如何自欺。掃羅的良心不容他（除非惡靈正臨到他身上）親手取大衛的性命，因為即使他也不能不在謀害如此無辜、如此卓越之人時心生恐懼；但他以為，故意將他暴露於非利士人面前便無甚不妥（我的手不可害他，非利士人的手才可以害他），而那惡意謀害他在神看來與他親手殺他同樣是謀殺。[2.] 他們如何欺世。掃羅假裝對大衛格外恩待，其實正圖謀他的毀滅，而且正在實行：他說你今日可以作我的女婿（1Sa 18:21），其實對他恨之入骨。也許大衛所指的正是這事——當他（Ps 55:21）提到他的仇敵嘴如奶油光滑，心中卻懷著爭戰之時。掃羅之所以差遣臣僕去勸說大衛與他女兒米甲聯姻（1Sa 18:22），大概是出於一種顧慮：他在長女一事上欺騙了大衛（1Sa 18:19），加上他如今打算提出的苛刻條件，恐怕大衛會拒絕這門親事。
II. 請看當掃羅的怒潮如此高漲之時，大衛如何自處。
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他做事無不精明。他察覺了掃羅對他的嫉妒，這使他在一言一行上都極其謹慎小心，注意不給人任何冒犯的把柄。他沒有抱怨受了虧待，也沒有自立一黨，而是以一個以為君王和國家作真實服務為己任之人的態度，辦理一切受託的事務。於是耶和華與他同在，使他所行的一切盡都順利。他雖因此招致掃羅的惡感，卻得了神的恩寵。請對照Ps 101:2——那裏是大衛的應許：我要用智慧行完全的道；這應許他在此履行了；那裏又是他的禱告：*耶和華啊，你何時到我這裏來呢？*而這禱告神在此應允了：*耶和華與他同在。*無論盲目的運氣如何偏袒愚昧人，神必承認並賜福那些行事精明的人。
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當有人提議他作王的女婿之時，他一而再地以一切可能的謙遜和謙卑接受這一提議。當掃羅向他提議長女之時（1Sa 18:18），他說：*我是誰？我是甚麼出身？*當朝臣提議次女之時，他沒有提及掃羅在長女一事上對他的侮辱，卻保持同樣的心態（1Sa 18:23）：你們以為作王的女婿是小事嗎？我是貧窮卑微的人。他知道米甲愛他，卻不企圖利用自己在她心中的地位在沒有她父親同意的情況下得到她，而是等候提議臨到。然後請看：(1.) 他如何高度評價所賜的尊榮：作王的女婿。雖然他的王不過是個暴發戶，出身與他同樣卑微，行事為人也與他的身分不符，但他既是受膏的君王，大衛便以一切應有的尊重論到他和王室。須知，敬虔決不教人粗魯無禮，反倒不容我們如此。我們當恭敬當恭敬的人。(2.) 他如何謙卑地論到自己：*我是誰？*這不是出於卑鄙、屈從、諂媚的靈，因為在需要的場合，他表現出與任何人一樣高的榮譽感；這也不是出於對掃羅的戒心（雖然他大有理由懼怕草中藏蛇），而是出於他真實而深刻的謙卑：*我是誰？我是貧窮卑微的人。*大衛比任何人都有更多理由自重。他出自猶大古老而尊榮的家族，容貌俊美，是偉大的政治家和軍事家；他的成就非凡，因他已贏得了歌利亞的頭顱和米甲的心。他知道自己在神的旨意中被定為以色列王位之人，卻說：*我是誰？我是甚麼出身？*須知，無論神如何高舉我們，總當以謙卑的眼光看自己。*凡自高的必降為卑。*若大衛如此看重作王女婿的尊榮，我們又當如何看待作萬王之王（不是因律法，而是因福音）的兒女這一尊榮呢！*你看父賜給我們是何等的慈愛！*我們是誰，竟配得如此尊榮呢？
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當殺一百非利士人被定為大衛娶掃羅女兒的條件之時，他欣然答應了（1Sa 18:26）：大衛喜悅在這些條件下作王的女婿；在所給的期限未滿之前，他加倍完成了要求，殺了二百人（1Sa 18:27）。他不願顯出懷疑掃羅藉此謀害他的樣子（雖然他大有理由如此懷疑），而情願像掃羅有意顧全他顏面那樣行事，因此以勇敢的軍人和真正的愛人身分欣然承擔了這使命——儘管我們可以想像米甲為此心中不安。大衛藉此也表現出：(1.) 對神保護的極大信心。他知道神與他同在，因此無論掃羅有何指望，大衛並不怕喪在非利士人手裏，儘管這樣的使命必定使他大大暴露於危險之中。(2.) 對國家福祉的極大熱心。他決不放過任何為國效力的機會，即使要冒生命危險也在所不辭。(3.) 對榮譽的正確觀念——榮譽不在於被抬舉，而在於配得被抬舉。大衛在發現這尊榮被定了如此高的代價之時，才喜悅作王女婿的念頭——他更關心的是如何配得這尊榮，而非如何得到它；在贏得它之前，他也不能心安理得地佩戴它。
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即使結婚之後，他仍繼續為以色列盡忠效勞。當非利士人的首領開始策動另一場戰爭之時，大衛隨時準備抵擋他們，做事比掃羅的眾臣僕更精明（1Sa 18:30）。律法豁免新婚之人頭一年不必出征（De 24:5），但大衛太愛自己的國家，不肯利用這項豁免。許多人在追求高升之時踴躍為公眾服務，一旦達到目的便退縮了；但大衛行事憑的是更高尚的原則。
III. 請觀察神如何從掃羅謀害大衛的計劃中為大衛帶來益處。1. 掃羅將女兒給他作網羅，但這婚姻在這方面對他卻是一項恩待：作了掃羅的女婿，使他繼位時不那麼遭人反感——尤其是掃羅的眾子也與他一同陣亡之後（1Sa 31:2）。2. 掃羅以為藉著派他執行危險任務可以除掉他，但正是那些任務鞏固了他在百姓中的威望；因為他對非利士人作的越多，百姓便越愛他，使他的名被人尊重（1Sa 18:30），這將使他登上王位時更加順利。如此，神使人的忿怒也讚美祂，並藉著它來成就祂對自己百姓施恩的旨意。
英文原文
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.
在上一章末了我們看見大衛大獲全勝；本章則記述：I. 他勝利的擴展。他很快成為：1. 掃羅常侍左右的隨從（1Sa 18:2）。2. 約拿單結盟之友（1Sa 18:1,3,4）。3. 全國的寵兒（1Sa 18:5,7,16）。II. 他勝利中的抑制。這正是伴隨義工的虛空——"人既為嫉妒所困"（Ec 4:4）。大衛便被掃羅如此對待。1. 掃羅恨他，親自尋索他的性命（1Sa 18:8-11）。2. 掃羅懼怕他，又圖謀設法害他（1Sa 18:12-17）。他提議把女兒嫁給他；但[1] 卻扣下長女以激怒他（1Sa 18:19），又[2] 把次女給他，條件足以使他喪命（1Sa 18:20-25）。然而大衛英勇地履行了條件（1Sa 18:26,27），名望日增（1Sa 18:28-30）。大衛仍步步高升；但（正如凡羨慕生命冠冕的人所當預料的）他仍有許多艱難與反對要應付。