John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 7. And the women answered [one another] as they played , etc.] They sung vocally to their instruments, and that by turns, one rehearsing one line or verse in the song, and then the other another: and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands ; which, if to be referred to the battle in the preceding chapter, as it commonly is, must be understood thus, that though Saul, in pursuit of the Philistines, slew many thousands of them, and David but one, even Goliath; yet the slaying of him was the occasion of slaying ten thousands, and therefore it is ascribed to him: but it seems rather that in some after battles David had been more prosperous and victorious than Saul, and therefore superior commendations are given him by the author of the song the women sung; which, however just it might be to give them, was not wise, since it served to irritate their king, as follows.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 6-11 - David's troubles not only immediately follow his triumphs, but aris from them; such is the vanity of that which seems greatest in thi world. It is a sign that the Spirit of God is departed from men, if like Saul, they are peevish, envious, suspicious, and ill-natured Compare David, with his harp in his hand, aiming to serve Saul, an Saul, with his javelin in his hand, aiming to slay David; and observ the sweetness and usefulness of God's persecuted people, and the barbarity of their persecutors. But David's safety must be ascribed to God's providence.
Original Hebrew ותענינה6030 הנשׁים802 המשׂחקות7832 ותאמרן559 הכה5221 שׁאול7586 באלפו505 ודוד1732 ברבבתיו׃7233
