1 Samuel 16:21

“And David came to Saul, and stood before him, etc.] As a servant, and ministered to him in the way, and for the purpose for which he was sent: and he loved him greatly; being a comely person, and a well behaved youth, and especially as he was serviceable to him with his music, in driving away melancholy from him: and he became his armourbearer; that is, he appointed him to this office, though we never read that he exercised it; nor did he go with Saul in this capacity to the battle related in the following chapter: it may be literally rendered: “and he was to him a bearer of vessels”, or “instruments” f334; and Abarbinel thinks this is to be understood not of instruments of war, but of…”

“David came to Saul--Providence thus prepared David for his destiny, by placing him in a way to become acquainted with the manners of the court, the business of government, and the general state of the kingdom. became his armour-bearer--This choice, as being an expression of the king's partiality, shows how honorable the office was held to be.”

“The difficulty of reconciling this verse with 1 Samuel 17:55-58, is met thus: The words here are the ultimate sequence of David’s first visit to Saul, and of his skill in music, and are therefore placed here; but they did not really come to pass until after David’s victory over Goliath (see 1 Samuel 18:2). It is quite conceivable that if David had only played once or twice to Saul, and then returned to his father’s house for some months, Saul might not recognize him. return to 'Top of Page' Footnotes: Copyright Statement These files are public domain. Bibliographical Information Barnes, Albert. "Commentary on 1 Samuel 16". "Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible".…”

“Stood before him - That is, waited upon him. And he loved him greatly - So there was something good in Saul still: he had not lost all, tho' he had lost the kingdom. Armour - bearer - He had that place conferred upon him, though we do not read that he ever exercised it; for it seems he was gone back to his father upon some occasion not related; and had abode with him some considerable time before the war described, 1Sa. 17:1-53, happened. 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 16:23”

“16:21 Although at first Saul loved David very much, this love soon turned to intense jealousy and hatred (see 18:8-14). • An armor bearer in ancient Israel served as the personal attendant of a warrior chieftain (see 14:1-15; 31:4-6; Judg 9:54; 2 Sam 18:15).”

“stood before him: Gen 41:46; Deu 1:38, Deu 10:8; Kg1 10:8; Pro 22:29 loved him: Psa 62:9, Psa 118:9, Psa 146:3 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 16:23”