Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible

The days were not expired - David was so rapid in his attack upon the Philistines that he was able to bring the required dowry within the time, and to receive his wife (Michal), before the time had expired within which he was to receive Merab.

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible

DAVID BECOMES SAUL'S SON-IN-LAW

"And when his servants told David these words, it pleased David well to be the king's son-in-law. Before the time had expired, David arose and went, along with his men, and killed two hundred of the Philistines; and David brought their foreskins, which were given in full number to the king, that he might become the king's son-in-law. And Saul gave him his daughter for a wife. But when Saul saw and knew that the Lord was with David, and that all Israel loved him, Saul was still more afraid of David. So Saul was David's enemy continually."

"Before the time expired" (1 Samuel 18:26). This indicates that Saul, at the last minute, had changed the proposition by placing a deadline upon it, requiring that it be done in a specified length of time, thus increasing the danger to David, and increasing the possibility that David might be tempted into doing something rash.

David ... killed two hundred Philistines ... and brought their foreskins ... in full number to the king" (1 Samuel 18:27). One cannot help wondering what emotion must have swept over Saul when he received the filthy garbage which was, in a sense, his sale price for the precious Michal.

L. P. Smith, in Interpreter's Bible, contradicted what is stated here, declaring that, "The killing of two hundred Philistines is an unnecessary and unoriginal exaggeration. David paid the "full number" to Saul. viz., one hundred; and this is borne out by a later reference to the event in 2 Samuel 3:14." This writer must confess that one of the most incredible discoveries of a whole lifetime of Bible study is the unjustifiable and even dishonest allegations of critical scholars against the Word of God. The two passages cited here harmonize perfectly. 2 Samuel 3:14 does not deny that David killed two hundred Philistines. It only designates "the price" of the betrothal, which had been set by Saul and which was exactly what is related in this chapter.

"Thus this final scheme served only to increase David's fame and to bring him into the royal family. These events proved, as even Saul recognized, that `the Lord was with David' (1 Samuel 18:28)."[7]

The significance of this marriage to Saul's daughter lies in the fact that, "As Saul's son-in-law, David was in an advantageous position to receive the throne at Saul's death, or at some later time."[8]

"It is impossible to know the chronological relationship of the events recorded in 1 Samuel 18:17-30."[9]

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

And when his servants told David these words,.... That the king desired no other dowry than an hundred foreskins of the Philistines:

it pleased David well to be the king's son in law; on such conditions; partly because of the honour of it, and partly because of his love to Michal; and chiefly because it would give him an opportunity of destroying the enemies of God, and of his people, as well as such a match would lead the way, and be a step in Providence to ascend the throne designed for him in due time:

and the days were not expired; neither for the bringing in of the foreskins, nor for the consummation of the marriage.

Geneva Study Bible

(l) Because he thought himself able to compass the king's request.

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

the days were not expired — The period within which this exploit was to be achieved was not exhausted.

Wesley's Explanatory Notes

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.

The days — That is, the time allowed by Saul to David for the execution of this exploit.

John Trapp Complete Commentary

1 Samuel 18:26 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.

Ver. 26. It pleased David well.] Saul’s envy serveth but to enhance David’s zeal, and valour, and glory. Difficulty doth but whet on heroic spirits. When Alexander understood of any desperate adventure, he would rejoice and say, Iam periculum par animo Alexandri. Oh, this is brave! Conditionem implevit David, idque mature et ample.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

It pleased David; as for other reasons, so especially because this opened the door to the kingdom which God had promised him. The days, i.e. the time allowed by Saul to David for the execution of this exploit.

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

26.The days were not expired — The days required by custom or designated by the king (1 Samuel 18:21) for the consummation of the marriage.

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Unabridged

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.

The days were not expired - the period within which this exploit was to be achieved was not exhausted.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(26) It pleased David well.—The king’s design succeeded well, and the prospect of the alliance with Saul spurred on this brave soldier to more daring achievements, and yet wilder feats of arms. The savage, half-barbarous state of the age, however, comes prominently into view when we reflect upon the ferocious cruelty of such an offer being made and accepted, and carried out with even more than the required number of victims.

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

the days

expired

Heb. fulfilled.