SEV Biblia, Chapter 18:10
Otro día aconteció que el espíritu malo de parte de Dios tomó a Saúl, y profetizaba dentro de su casa; y David tañía con su mano como los otros días, y estaba una lanza a mano de Saúl.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 18:10
Verse 10. The evil spirit from God] See on chap. xvi. 14, &c. He prophesied in the midst of the house] He was beside himself; made prayers, supplications, and incoherent imprecations: "God preserve my life,"Destroy my enemies," or such like prayers, might frequently escape from him in his agitated state. The Arabic intimates that he was actually possessed by an evil spirit, and that through it he uttered a sort of demoniacal predictions.
But let us examine the original more closely: it is said that Saul prophesied in the midst of his house, that is, he prayed in his family, while David was playing on the harp; and then suddenly threw his javelin, intending to have killed David. Let it be observed that the word abntyw vaiyithnabbe is the third person singular of the future hithpael; the sign of which is not only to do an action on or for one's self, but also to feign or pretend to do it. The meaning seems to be, SAUL pretended to be praying in his family, the better to conceal his murderous intentions, and render David unsuspicious; who was, probably, at this time performing the musical part of the family worship. This view of the subject makes the whole case natural and plain.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 10. And it came to pass on the morrow , etc.] After the women had met him with their music and dancing, and when returned home: that the evil spirit from God came upon Saul ; thinking on the above things that had passed, he became melancholy: and he prophesied in the midst of the house ; either really, delivering out divine songs, as the prophets did; according to Abarbinel, he foretold that David would be king, and the kingdom would be taken from him, and given to him; or he feigned himself a prophet, mimicking their motions and gestures; or, as the Targum, acted like a mad man, or a fool, uttering foolish words, and using ridiculous gestures, which seems most agreeable to the evil spirit in him: and David played with his hand as at other times ; upon his harp, to remove the evil spirit, or melancholy disposition from Saul; for though he was now advanced at court, and an officer in the army, and high in the affections and applause of the people: yet he did not think it below him to act as a musician, to do service to his prince; of such an humble, kind, and ingenuous disposition was he: and [there was] a javelin in Saul’s hand ; a kind of spear, or half pike, which he had taken into his hand on purpose to kill David while playing; for persons in such circumstances as his, as they are very mischievous, so very subtle at contriving.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 6-11 - David's troubles not only immediately follow his triumphs, but aris from them; such is the vanity of that which seems greatest in thi world. It is a sign that the Spirit of God is departed from men, if like Saul, they are peevish, envious, suspicious, and ill-natured Compare David, with his harp in his hand, aiming to serve Saul, an Saul, with his javelin in his hand, aiming to slay David; and observ the sweetness and usefulness of God's persecuted people, and the barbarity of their persecutors. But David's safety must be ascribed to God's providence.
Original Hebrew
ויהי 1961 ממחרת 4283 ותצלח 6743 רוח 7307 אלהים 430 רעה 7451 אל 413 שׁאול 7586 ויתנבא 5012 בתוך 8432 הבית 1004 ודוד 1732 מנגן 5059 בידו 3027 כיום 3117 ביום 3117 והחנית 2595 ביד 3027 שׁאול׃ 7586
