SEV Biblia, Chapter 16:20
Y tomó Isaí un asno cargado de pan, y un cántaro de vino y un cabrito, y lo envió a Saúl por mano de David su hijo.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 16:20
Verse 20. Took an ass laden with bread] He must send a present to Saul to introduce his son, and this was probably the best he had. Dr. Warburton pleads still farther on the propriety of his rectification of the chronology in this place. David had at this time vanquished the Philistine, was become a favourite with the people, had excited Saul's jealousy, and retired to shun its effects. In the interim Saul was seized with the disorder in question, and is recommended by his servants to try the effects of music. They were acquainted with David's skill on the harp, and likewise with Saul's bad disposition towards him; the point was delicate, it required to be managed with address, and therefore they recommend David in this artful manner: "As you must have one constantly in attendance, both in court and on your military expeditions; to be always at hand on occasion, the son of Jesse will become both stations well; he will strengthen your camp and adorn your court, for he is a tried soldier and of a graceful presence. You have nothing to fear from his ambition, for you saw with what prudence he went into voluntary banishment when his popularity had incurred your displeasure." Accordingly Saul is prevailed on, David is sent for, and succeeds with his music; this dissipates all former umbrage, and, as one who is ever to be in attendance, he is made Saul's armour-bearer. This sunshine still continued till his great successes awakened Saul's jealousy afresh, and then the lifted javelin was to strike off all obligations. Thus we see what light is thrown upon the whole history by the supposition of an anticipation in the latter part of this chapter; an anticipation the most natural, proper, and necessary, for the purpose of the historian. Thus reasons Bishop Warburton, and with very considerable plausibility, though the intelligent reader may still have his doubts.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 20. And Jesse took an ass [laden] with bread , etc.] Laden with a load of bread, as the Targum; with as much as it could carry, or was used to carry; the Septuagint version is, an omer of bread, which was as much as a man could eat in one day; and, according to Kimchi and Ben Melech, it may be interpreted an heap of bread, agreeably to the use of the word in ( Judges 15:16), and a bottle of wine; or a skin of wine, a leather bag or sack, which held more than our bottles; the Targum is, a flagon of wine: and a kid ; of the goats, as the same Targum: and sent [them] by David his son unto Saul ; some think that Jesse suspected that Saul had known the secret of David’s being anointed, and was fearful that he had a design upon his life, and therefore sent this present by his son to pacify him, and ingratiate him unto him; but rather he sent it as a token of respect and subjection to his sovereign, and according to the custom of those times, when men used to carry presents when they waited upon princes, and indeed in their common visits; and do in the eastern countries to this day; (see Gill on “ 1 Samuel 9:7”).
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 14-23 - Saul is made a terror to himself. The Spirit of the Lord departed from him. If God and his grace do not rule us, sin and Satan will have possession of us. The devil, by the Divine permission, troubled an terrified Saul, by the corrupt humours of his body, and passions of his mind. He grew fretful, peevish, and discontented, and at times madman. It is a pity that music, which may be serviceable to the goo temper of the mind, should ever be abused, to support vanity an luxury, and made an occasion of drawing the heart from God and seriou things. That is driving away the good Spirit, not the evil spirit Music, diversions, company, or business, have for a time often bee employed to quiet the wounded conscience; but nothing can effect a rea cure but the blood of Christ, applied in faith, and the sanctifyin Spirit sealing the pardon, by his holy comforts. All other plans to dispel religious melancholy are sure to add to distress, either in thi world or the next __________________________________________________________________
Original Hebrew
ויקח 3947 ישׁי 3448 חמור 2543 לחם 3899 ונאד 4997 יין 3196 וגדי 1423 עזים 5795 אחד 259 וישׁלח 7971 ביד 3027 דוד 1732 בנו 1121 אל 413 שׁאול׃ 7586
