Subject: Why Saul did not recognize David? |
Bible Note: Hi Azure, Here is more information that I found on the question that you asked. ------- Matthew Henry Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible "The notice that was taken of David. Though he had been at court formerly, yet, having been for some time absent (v. 15), Saul had forgotten him, being melancholy and mindless, and little thinking that his musician would have spirit enough to be his champion; and therefore, as if he had never seen him before, he asked whose son he was. Abner was a stranger to him, but brought him to Saul (v. 57), and he gave a modest account of himself, v. 58. And now he was introduced to the court with much greater advantages than before, in which he owned God’s hand performing all things for him." -------- Also, here is the complete paragraph from, Jamieson, Fausset, Brown, that may help explain why saul asked; whose son is this youth? and did not say; who are you? ---------- Jamieson, Fausset, Brown Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible 55-58." Saul . . . said unto Abner . . . whose son is this youth?--[A young man is more spoken of in many Eastern countries by his father's name than his own.] The growth of the beard, and other changes on a now full-grown youth, prevented the king from recognizing his former favorite minstrel " --------------- Thank you for your question, looking into this has given me a better understanding as well. :-) God bless. John |