| Geneva Study Bible And David came to Saul, and stood before him: and he loved him greatly; and he became his armourbearer. Wesley's Notes 16:21 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, chap.17:1 - 53, happened. Scofield Reference Notes [1] And David Cf. 1Sam 17:55,56. The order of events is: (1) David, whose skill on the harp, and valour in the combat with the lion and bear 1Sam 17:34,36 were known to "one of the servants" of Saul, was brought to play before the king 1Sam 16:17,18. (2) David returns to Bethlehem 1Sam 17:15. (3) David is sent to Saul's camp 1Sam 17:17,18 and performs his great exploit. (4) Saul's question 1Sam 17:55,56 implies only that he had forgotten the name of David's father --not remarkable certainly in an oriental king. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary 21. 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. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary 16:14-23 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 and terrified Saul, by the corrupt humours of his body, and passions of his mind. He grew fretful, peevish, and discontented, and at times a madman. It is a pity that music, which may be serviceable to the good temper of the mind, should ever be abused, to support vanity and luxury, and made an occasion of drawing the heart from God and serious things. That is driving away the good Spirit, not the evil spirit. Music, diversions, company, or business, have for a time often been employed to quiet the wounded conscience; but nothing can effect a real cure but the blood of Christ, applied in faith, and the sanctifying Spirit sealing the pardon, by his holy comforts. All other plans to dispel religious melancholy are sure to add to distress, either in this world or the next. | 
