Harmony Upon 1 Samuel, Chapter 13
CHAP. XIII.
1. Quest. v. 1. How Saul is saide to hauehave beene one yeere in his kingdome.
1. WHereas the words in the originall are, Saul the sonne of a yeare in his raigne: some doe read thus, Saul was the sonne of a yeare, when he began to raigne: Lat. that is, innocent as a child of a yeare old, as the Chald. Pellican. but this interpretation seemeth to be coact and forced: because mention is made of two yeares, that he raigned in the next words: he should be there expounded also, to hauehave beene as one of two yeere old: neither is it true, that Saul was or could be so innocent, as a child of a yeere old. 2. Wherefore others doe referre it vntounto the time from his vnction and inauguration, that a yeare was expired. Vatab. Genevens. Osiand. but that can not be: for as yet the seuen daies were not expired, which Samuel set vntounto Saul to stay for him in Gilgal. v. 8. 3. Some finding this doubt to be very difficult, doe thinke, that in this place it was expressed, how old Saul was when he began to raigne,Reconcil. and how long he raigned, but that in continuance of time the place was corrupted, and changed: but giuegive this libertie, thus to answer proposed doubts, by imagining the text to be corrupt, and it will greatly empaire the credit and authoritie of the Canonicall and authenticall Scriptures. 4. Therefore the best solution is: that Saul was now in his first yeare, while these things were done, mentioned in the two former chapters, and in this. Chimchi. Iun. and though in the originall, it is said, onelyonly the sonne of a yeare, neither one nor first is added: yet by the correspondencie of the number of two yeares, afterward expressed, here, that word, one or first may be well supplied.
2. Quest. v. 1. How Saul is said to hauehave raigned two yeares ouer Israel.
1. Some vnderstand it, that he raigned but two yeares in all ouer Israel: Osiand. but the many warres which Saul had with the Philistims, and other enemies, c. 14.47. and the long persecution of Dauid, and the time of Dauids abode in Ziklag, which was a yeare and foure moneths, c. 27.7. doe make euident proofe, that Saul was king aboue two yeares. Iosephus also writeth that Saul raigned, while Samuel liued 18. yeares, and after his death 20. yeares. c. 15. lib. 6. de antiqu. And S. Paul giueth to Saul and Samuel together 40. yeares, Act. 13.21. All this sheweth, that Saul raigned more then two yeares. 2. Some other expound it thus: that Saul raigned two yeares before he tooke vponupon him the state of a king, Genevens. but raigned without any pompe, as the Romane Dictatours, not yet hauing any garrison or guard of souldiers: Pellican. but this can not hang together, seeing it is said before, he had beene a yeare king, or was in the first yeare of his kingdome; as he raigned the first yeare, so he raigned the second: if he tooke not vponupon him the state of a king for two yeares, how it is said, he had beene king one yeare: beside, this busines expressed in this and the next chapter, in the choosing of three thousand men, and encountring with the Philistims, sheweth that he tooke vponupon him to be king: as likewise in the 11. chap. when he sent a peremptorie message ouer all Israel, that they should come forth after Saul & Samuel. 3. Therefore the meaning is, that he raigned two yeares, that is, lawfully, before the Lord reiected him, which was vponupon his returne from Amalek, when he had disobeied the commandement of God, c. 15. and immediatly after the Lord commanded Samuel to anoint Dauid king, and then the spirit of God departed from Saul: so in right he raigned but two yeares: then he vsurped the kingdome afterward. Vatab. Borr. as it is said, c. 14.47. he held the kingdome ouer Israel, that is, by violence and tyrannie.
3. Quest. v. 2. Of Sauls age, when he began to raigne.
Although it be no where expressely set downe how olde Saul was, when he began to raigne: yet it may be coniectured that he was of good yeares, seeing in the first yeare of his raigne he had a sonne, namely Ionathan, that was able to take vponupon him a charge of souldiers: as this verse sheweth, that a thousand of the garrison, which Saul had chosen out, were with Ionathan in Gibeah: and in the next chapter, Ionathan with his armor bearer slew twentie men of the Philistims: this sheweth, that Ionathan could not be much lesse then twentie yeare old, and Saul his father, fourtie or thereabout. Pellican.
4. Quest. v. 3. Of the place where Ionathan smote the garrison of the Philistims.
1. Some read: Ionathan smote the garrison of the Philistims, which was in the hill, namely at Kiriathiearim, where the Arke was. Vatab. Genevens. Some thinke it was an hill in the confines and borders of Israel, where the Philistims had a garrison. Osiand. 2. But it is rather taken here for a proper name, Ghebah, which is the same, v. 2. called Gibeah: sometime it is named Gibeah of Beniamin, v. 15. sometime Gebah of Beniamin, v. 16. sic Ar. Pag. Chal. Pellican. Iun. Iosephus also saith, that this garrison of the Philistims held a castle neare vntounto Gabah, where Ionathan did discomfite them. See before, c. 10. quest. 5.
5. Quest. v. 5. Of the number of the Philistims that gathered them to battell against Saul.
1. Beside the number expressed in the text, that the Philistims gathered together 30. thousand charets, and 6. thousand horsemen: Iosephus saith, there were beside, 300. thousand footemen: but though the number was very great, for it is said the number of the people was like the sand of the sea in multitude: yet it is too much boldnes, to coniecture at the certen number, where the Scripture hath not set it downe. Here also let it be obserued, that Iosephus doth vsually take vntounto himselfe great libertie, to alter and change the numbers specified in Scripture: as for thirtie men, whome Samuel had inuited, he nameth seuentie: c. 5. lib. 6. and whereas the Hebrew text speaketh but of 300. thousand of Israel, and 30. thousand of Iudah, which gathered vntounto Saul against the Ammonites, c. 11. he reckeneth 700. thousand of Israel, and 70. thousand of Iudah. c. 6. The like he doth in many places beside.
6. Quest. v. 5. Of Bethaven.
1. Some doe take this to be all one with Bethel, which the Prophets called Bethaven, the house of iniquitie, because of the Idolatrie there committed: Vat. Pell. Genev. but this ignominious name of Bethel, was not yet taken vp, till afterward. 2. Therefore this Bethaven was the name of a towne and desert so called, not far frō Bethel, Iosh. 18.12. Iun. *Masius in Iosh.which was a distinct place by it selfe: but afterward, as it was neere in place to Bethel, so in stead of the house of God, Bethel, became an house of Idols, the name of Bethaven, by allusion to the signification of it, was also translated vntounto Bethel.
7. Quest. v. 8. How the seuen daies are to be accounted, which Saul taried for Samuel in Gilgal.
1. Samuel had giuen Saul a charge before to goe downe before him to Gilgal, c. 10.8. and to stay for him there seuen daies: which time must not take beginning from that instant when Samuel gaue that charge: for all that came betweene, as the election of Saul in Mizpeh: the gathering together of 300. thousand out of all Israel; the renuing of Sauls kingdome in Gilgal, c. 11. the Apologie of Saul, and the calling for thunder and raine, c. 12. all these things could not be done in the compasse of seauen daies. 2. Therefore these seuen daies must be counted from the time that Saul went downe to Gilgal, that there he should stay for Samuel seuen daies, after he was come thither: as here v. 4. it is said that the people gathered together after Saul to Gilgal: and that Saul was yet at Gilgal, that is, staied there, v. 7. and so fulfilled the number of 7. daies expecting Samuels comming, v. 8. 3. It must be considered, that before this Samuel and Saul went to Gilgal, where the kingdome was renued, c. 11. and where Samuel made his apologie c. 12. but Samuel did not meane that going to Gilgal: for he saith, thou shalt goe downe before me to Gilgal,Reconcil. c. 10.8. but then Samuel was the first, that made the motion to goe to Gilgal, c. 11.14. and as yet Saul was not fully established in his kingdome: he meaneth therefore, that after he was confirmed king, he should goe downe to Gilgal, Samuel beeing not then present with him: and so beeing in Gilgal, he should stay for the Prophet seuen daies, to receiue further direction from him.
8. Quest. Of Sauls excuse, v. 12. after I had refrained my selfe, &c.
1. Some read, I was bold, V. B. G. that is, whereas I had a purpose to stay for thee, yet I strained my selfe, seeing the present necessitie, to offer sacrifice before thy comming. 2. Other read, necessitate compulsus, beeing forced by necessitie, Lat. or I forced my selfe, P. or roboravi me, confirmed my selfe. Chal. Pag. 3. But the word aphak signifieth to refraine or containe: as it is said of Ioseph, c. 45.1. he could no longer refraine, or containe himselfe: so Isa. 42.14. I held my peace a long time, and refrained my selfe: so here Saul saith, when I had contained my selfe, that is, with much adoe had expected thee sixe daies, I then was bold to offer sacrifice the seauenth. sic Iun.
9. Quest. v. 13. VponUpon Samuels words, thou hast done foolishly, and wherein Saul offended, in not staying for him.
1. Some thinke, that Sauls sinne at this time was his diffidence and distrust in Gods helpe and assistance, because the people fell away from him, as though the Lord could not saue as well with few, as with many: for the like fault Moses was not suffered to goe into the land of Canaan, because he doubted of Gods power, and beleeued him not, when he smote the rocke. Pellican. but there was an other speciall sinne beside, which Samuel chargeth him with, because he had brokē the cōmandement of God. 2. Again, it may be thought, that Saul had an euill opinion of Samuel, that he failed in his promise, and forgot the time which he had appointed: wheras he might hauehave remēbred, how faithfull Samuel had shewed himselfe hitherto, that all which he had said came accordingly to passe: Pellican. but this was not all the cause, vponupon the former reason, Saul had transgressed against some speciall commandement of God. 3. Some thinke, that Saul brake Samuels charge, in that he staied not for him full seuen daies, but in the beginning of the seauenth day offered sacrifice: for as soone as he had made an ende of sacrificing, Samuel came: Borr. But it seemeth, that this was not the greatest matter: for whereas Saul excuseth himselfe, that Samuel came not at the daies set, Samuel to that answereth nothing, but onelyonly chargeth him with the breach of Gods commandement. 4. Wherefore whereas there were two parts of Samuels charges: that he should tarrie for Samuel seauen daies, the other that he should attempt nothing before his comming: tarrie for me seuen daies, til I come, and shew thee what thou shalt doe: Saul offended more in the second, then in the first: that he presumed of himselfe, without direction of the Prophet, to command sacrifice to be offered: thinking that God would be pleased, with the externall act of sacrificing, neither offered vp in faith, nor obedience, as hypocrites please themselues in externall ceremonies. Borr.
10. Quest. v. 13. Of these words: for now the Lord had established thy kingdome vponupon Israel for euer.
Seeing according to Iaakobs prophesie, the kingdome was to remaine in Iudah vntill Shiloh came: howe then did the Lord purpose to establish the kingdome in Saul: to answer this doubt: 1. Some answer, that by euer is vnderstood a long time, that if Saul had beene obedient vntounto Gods commandement, the Lord would hauehave setled the kingdome in his house for a long season: sic Ben Gerson, Vatab. Osiand. which might afterward hauehave come to Dauid: but this can not be said in respect of Gods purpose and decree: for as he had determined that Iudah should hauehave the gouernment, so the Lord also had set downe the time, and decreed what person, who, and when should be first king of Iudah. 2. Therefore some by euer, vnderstand, during all Sauls life, all his daies, as Hannah saith, that Samuel should abide before the Lord for euer, c. 1.22. Iun. But this is not the meaning: for both Saul continued king all his daies, though with much trouble and vexation: and Dauid though anointed, yet confesseth Saul, while he liued, to be the Lords anointed: as also euen in this sense, if it be referred to the externall purpose of God, there should follow an alteration in God, in making Dauid king sooner then he had purposed. 3. Therefore the best exposition is, that God speaketh here to the capacitie, and according to the sight and iudgement of man, that Sauls kingdom had beene likely to continue, if he had not disobeied God: that then is here propounded as an effect of Sauls disobedience the losse of the kingdome, which indeede was according to the euerlasting decree of God: so as Pellican well saith, loquitur humano more, & vt videri poterat stabiliri regnum: he speaketh after an humane manner, and as his kingdome might hauehave seemed to vsus likely to hauehave beene established. The like speech we had before, c. 2.30. I had said, that thine house, and the house of thy father, should walke before me for euer, but now the Lord saith it shall not be so. As there though God had foreseene and decreed the reiecting of Eli his house from the Priesthood, who was of Ithamar, and the restitution of Eleazars posteritie in Zadock, yet the Lord so propoundeth it, as though this alteration had beene procured by the sinne of Eli his house: the very like is here to be saide of the innouation and change of the kingdome. Gods purpose then is to be considered, as decreed in his counsell, which is alwaies certaine and vnchangeable, and as it is propounded to vsus: absolute and definite in it selfe, but yet offered vntounto vsus with condition: to God there is nothing contingent or hapning by chance: to man, whose will is not compelled, but worketh freely, many things seeme to be contingent, which God notwithstanding did foresee should so fall out, and they could not otherwise. 4. Further it is to be considered, that there were two causes of the casting off and reiecting of Saul, the one the immediate and the next cause, which was the sinne and disobedience of Saul; the other, the first cause and furthest off, the will and decree of God: this will and foreknowledge of God, did impose no necessitie vponupon Saul, neither was he forced, but sinned voluntarily: for Gods prescience laieth no necessitie simply vponupon mens actions, but by consequent, because whatsoeuer God foreseeth shall come to passe: his prescience can not be deceiued and frustrate.
Now then seeing the sinne of Saul was the cause of his reiection, which he was not forced by any necessitie to commit, and if he had not sinned, his kingdome might hauehave continued: Therefore this is not spoken in respect of Gods immutable decree, but in regard of the outward possibilitie and likelihood, which Saul had to hold the kingdome. So it is said, Apoc. 2.15. Hold that thou hast, least an other take thy crowne: where wee are not to vnderstand the euerlasting crowne decreed of God, which none can be depriued of to whome it is assigned: but that crowne, which in respect of their outward profession and good beginning, they might seeme to be appointed vntounto: the like occasion there is of Sauls kingdome here. Mart.
11. Quest. v. 14. How Dauid is said to be a man after Gods owne heart.
1. Dauid was a man that fell into tentation, and offence before God, as in the matter of Vriah: for it is saide, that the thing which Dauid had done, displeased the Lord, c. 11.27. This therefore is to be vnderstood, first comparatiuely in respect of Saul:Reconcil. as Samuel saith, c. 15.28. The Lord hath giuen it to thy neighbour, that is better then thou: as also, because Saul was an hypocrite, he had not a sound and faithfull heart vntounto God, but all his obedience was in outward pretense and shew, but Dauids heart and desire was set to please God, howsoeuer he failed in some outward acts: therefore this saying must be expounded according to that rule of the Apostle: if first there be a willing minde, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not. Dauid then had a willing and desirous heart to please God: as he saith, My heart is fixed, my heart is fixed, Psal. 57.7. and therefore God accepted of his obedience, though imperfect, according to the desire and meaning of his heart. 2. But herein Dauid was a type of Christ, who was indeed absolutely according to Gods heart, in whome the Lord is well pleased. Borr. 3. And in that Dauid of Iudah of deformed Leah, not of beautifull Rachel, was chosen to be king, and the Messiah was to come of Dauid of Leah: this shewed the mysterie of Christs deformitie as it were in his sufferings, and specially in his passion vponupon the Crosse: as the Prophet Isai saith, He had neither forme nor beautie, when we shall see him, there shall be no forme, that we should desire him. Isa. 53.2. Bor.
12. Quest. v. 15. Of Samuels departing from Gilgal from Saul.
1. Some read, that Samuel went from Gilgal in Gibeah of Beniamin, and went to Ramah: Genevens. but Gilgal is improperly said to be in Gibeah of Beniamin, for they were two distinct places, and a good way asunder. 2. Iosephus saith that Samuel went to his owne house, and Saul with Ionathan returned to Gibeah: but he leaueth out somewhat in the text: that Samuel went from Gilgal to Gibeah: neither is it like that Samuel though he went away in some anger from Saul, that he would altogether leaue him in such great daunger: seeing that Saul, notwithstanding the Prophets hard message, yet giueth not ouer at this brunt, but doth the dutie of a king in defending his people. Pellican. 3. Wherefore the better reading is, that Samuel went from Gilgal, not in Gibeah, but to Gibeah of Benjamin. Chal. Iun. So Samuel and Saul went to the same place, not together, as Vatab. but Samuel went before, Saul and Ionathan with their men follow after. Pellic.
13. Quest. v. 19. Of these words, there was no smith found in Israel.
1. Iosephus thinketh that the Philistims barred the Israelites from all vse of yron: but the text sheweth, that they permitted vntounto them the vse of yron instruments for their tillage and husbandry, as shares, mattocks, pitchforks, v. 21. they onelyonly suffered them to hauehave no warrelike weapons, nor yron smithes to make them any. 2. And further they allowed them not otherwise then with a file to sharpen their instruments of husbandrie: Pellican so vnderstandeth, that onelyonly among the Philistims it was lawfull for thē to file their tooles: but that had not bin possible for them, from all parts of Israel, and vponupon eueryevery occasion to goe downe to the Philistims, to set an edge vponupon their instruments: therefore when they would new sharpen or point their shares, or mattocks, or other instruments, which could not be done without new forging of them, they went to the Philistims, for they had no smiths of their owne: and they bought of the Philistims all their yron implements for husbandrie, but a file to make a shift to sharpen them, they were allowed. 3. Thus we see into what seruitude Israel was brought, altogether destitute of outward weapons, that the glorie of the victorie should onelyonly redound vntounto God. Genevens. 4. Like vntounto these Philistims, was Iulian the Apostata, that denied to the Christians the helpes of the liberall artes, that they might be kept in ignorance: and Antichrist, who tooke from the people the word of God: Borr. and Satan goeth about, vt pij Ecclesiae ministri è medio tollantur: that the godly ministers of the Church should be taken out of the way, which should reach out the word of God vntounto the people, that is, put spirituall weapons into their hands, whereby they should resist his tentations. Osiand.
14. Quest. v. 22. How it was true that neither sword nor speare was found among the people.
The doubt here is, because not long before, c. 11. they obtained a great victorie against the Ammonites, how the people could be without weapons here. 1. Chimchi thinketh, that they had their old weapons, but they made them new. 2. Other of the Rabbines thinke, that onelyonly they were forbidden the vse of weapons on the hither-side of Iorden toward the Philistims, but not on the other side, where Iabesh was: but where then did Saul get weapons for the 300. thousand? they could not finde sufficient in Iabesh. 3. Ben Gerson thinketh that there was no yron in Israel, and therefore they could hauehave no weapons: but this is contrarie to that blessing which Moses gaue to Asher, that his shoulders should be yron and brasse, Deut. 33.25. 5. Therefore it is like in the battell against Ammon, they vsed slings, and such other weapons: with the which they besieged afterward a citie of Moab, and in Deborahs time there was neither sheild nor speare found among fourtie thousand of them. Iud. 5.5. Mar.