And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed [but] thousands: and [what] can he have more but the kingdom?
Ver. 8. And Saul was very wroth.] But without cause: for, as Chrysostom observeth, a the women ascribed to Saul more than he deserved, - for he suffered the Philistine to vaunt himself forty days together, and yet cowardly sat still, - and to David less than was his due: but that they ascribed anything to him, was not his doing, or desire; as Saul might very well gather by his modest behaving himself all along.
And the saying displeased him.] He gave way to that devilish vice of envy, which was henceforth as a fire in his bosom, as a worm continually gnawing upon his entrails.
“ Invidia Siculi non invenere tyranni
Maius tormentum. ” - Horat.
Caligula, Nero, and Valentinian, the emperors, are infamous in history b for their envy; the property whereof is virtutem eminentem odisse, et odio melioris favere deteriori. Tiberius, that tiger, laid hold with his teeth on all the excellent spirits of his times, that he alone might seem to excel.
And what can he have more but the kingdom?] He now begins to suspect, belike, that David was the man that should be king in his room. Now kings love not co-rivals.
a Chrysost., Hom. de Saul et David.
b Sueton. Marcellin.