1 Sam 18:10

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the evil spirit.

1Sam 16:14; 1Sam 16:15; 1Sam 19:9; 1Sam 26:19

and he prophesied.

{Wyyithnabbai,} rather, "and he pretended to prophesy; for the verb is in {Hithpa�,} the signification of which conjugation is not only reflex action, but also affectation of the action: Jer 29:26, 27.

The meaning seems to be, that Saul, influenced by the evil spirit, feigned to be prophesying, the better to conceal his murderous intentions, and to render David unsuspicious.

1Sam 19:24; 1Kgs 18:29; 1Kgs 22:12; 1Kgs 22:20-23; Jer 28:2-4; Jer 28:11; Zech 13:2-5; Acts 16:16 2Th 2:11

played.

1Sam 16:16; 1Sam 16:23

and there was.

{Wehachanith beyad Sh�ol,} rather, "and the javelin was in the hand of Saul;" for the javelin or spear was the emblem of regal authority; and kings had it always in their hand, as may be seen represented on ancient monuments. In ancient times, says Justin, kings used a spear instead of a sceptre.