Harmony Upon 1 Samuel, Chapter 22
CHAP. XXII.
1. Quest. v. 1. Of Dauids sauing himselfe in the cave of Adullam.
1. THis caue was situate in the tribe of Iudah, Iosh. 15.35. whereof mention also is made, 2. Sam. 23.13. thither Dauid came, thinking to find releefe and comfort in his owne tribe. Mar. 2. But yet Dauid herein shewed his weakenes, in trusting to defend himselfe by rockes and caues, and such other places, as he is reprooued afterward by the Prophet Gad, v. 5. Iun. 3. Some thinke that at this time Dauid made these two Psalmes, 57. and 142. as the title sheweth: Osiand. But these Psalmes seeme rather to hauehave beene indited, when he was in the caue or hold of Engedi, 1. Sam. 24.1. Iun. Mar. for the title of the 57. Psalme sheweth, that Dauid, when he was in that caue fled from Saul: but at this time he did not directly flee from Saul, but came from the Philistims countrey. 4. Iosephus saith, that Dauid sent from this place to his father & brethren, shewing where he was: which might very well be, because they came vntounto him: for otherwise they could not hauehave found him out: Saul for hatred vntounto Dauid beganne to deale hardly with his kinred: and therefore in disdaine, he called him the sonne of Ishai: herein Dauid sheweth his dutifull affection vntounto his parents, that he was carefull to prouide for them in the middes of his affliction. Mar.
2. Quest. v. 2. Whether Dauid did well in receiuing those vntounto him, which fledde away for debt.
1. It may well be, that all those, which came flocking to Dauid, to the number of 4. hundreth, came not all with a sincere minde, as acknowledging Dauid to be the Lords anointed: for Dauid himselfe suspected them: as he saith vntounto them, 1. Chron. 12.17. that if they came peaceably vntounto him, his heart should be knit vntounto them; but if they came to betray him to his aduersaries, God would behold and rebuke it: Iosephus also saith, that some came, rerum nouarum cupidi, beeing desirous of chaunge and nouelties. But if any such came vntounto Dauid vponupon any sinister pretense, it made not Dauids cause the worse: our Sauiour had one Iudas among his Apostles, and some followed him onelyonly to see his miracles, and now many hypocrites seeme to professe the Gospel: yet is not the cause and profession it selfe thereby disgraced. Martyr. 2. But howsoeuer some of them might come rather to seeke their owne, then Dauids wealth, yet their cause was good in generall: they were not such a band of ruffians and rakehels, as wicked Ahimelech hired to kill his seuentie brethren, Iud. 9. but such as were oppressed and wronged, and perplexed in minde, and vnderunder the extortioners hand: the most read, cui erat creditor, he that had a creditor, and was endebted: which some excuse thus, that these indebted could not obtaine their right, and so fell into other mens daunger: or beeing in debt, if they had possessions and lands, those might satisfie their creditors: if they had nothing, their owne tenuitie and poore estate might excuse them. Mar. But the word nosheh of nasha, signifieth also an oppressour, extortionour: and such persons endebted are vnderstood, which were vnderunder the extortioner and vsurers hand: Iun. that were cruelly handled and extorted vponupon for their debts. 3. Herein Dauid was a type of Christ, who called vntounto him all those which were heauie laden with the burden of their sinnes, promising to ease them. Borr. Osiand.
3. Quest. v. 3. Of Mizpeh in Moab, whether Dauid went, and where he left his parents.
1. Beside this Mizpeh in Moab, there were fowre places beside of that name, as is shewed before, qu. 7. in chap. 7. it was also called Malle, that is, a fort, 1. Macchab. 5.26. as Iunius readeth there, following Iosephus. 2. Dauid commended his father and mother to the king of Moab: some thinke, because he was allied by the mothers side by Ruth to the Moabites: but that kinred was somewhat too auncient: others thinke, that Moab became Sauls enemie since the ouerthrow at Iabesh Gilead by Saul: but that was the king of the Ammonites, not of the Moabites: some Hebrewes thinke, that this king of Moab did put Dauids parents to death: ex Pellic. but that is not like: for it is saide, they dwelt with the king of Moab, that is, was honourably entertained, as Iosephus saith: the reason why this king fauoured Dauid was, for that Saul was his enemie, as appeareth, c. 14.48. which was the cause also that Dauid afterward found entertainment likewise among the Philistims, chap. 27. Iun.
4. Quest. v. 5. Of the Prophet Gads comming to Dauid.
1. This Gad was the same Prophet, that came to Dauid after he had numbred the people, and offered him three choices: 2. Sam. 23. of him mention is made also, 1. Chron. 21. and 2. Chron. 29. it seemeth that Dauid vsed to consult with this Prophet, to be directed by him, and to be informed of the Lords wil: Mar. wherein the Lords merciemercy appeareth to Dauid, that leaueth him not in the middes of his affliction destitute of the word of God: Osiand. whereas Saul yet flourishing in authoritie and wealth, was forsaken of God. Mar. 2. Some thinke that this hold, which Gad aduiseth Dauid to leaue, was not farre from the caue in Adullam: Osiand. but the text sheweth it to be otherwise: for the caue of Adullam was in the tribe of Iudah, and now Dauid was not in Iudah, but in Moab, in the hold of Mizpeh. 3. After Dauids returne into the land of Iudah, Saul began more eagerly to persecute Dauid, and to be incensed against the Priests: and this fell out after the counsell of the Prophet: but Gods word was not the cause of that cruel murder: but it was an occasion, whereby Sauls malice and hypocrisie was discouered. Mart.
5. Quest. Of the vse and necessitie of Prophets in times past.
God saw it needfull vnderunder the law to sustaine his Church with Prophesies, and continually to send them Prophets for their instruction and strengthening vntill the Messiah came: which calling of the Prophets the Lord seeth not to be necessarie now as then: for these reasons. 1. The Church of God was to be nourished in the hope and expectation of the Messiah, by the reuiuing of prophesies: but now Messiah is exhibited to his Church. 2. The visible Church of God then was limited vntounto one nation, vntounto whome Prophets might be sent, whereas now the Church is dispersed ouer the world. 3. The people of Israel, beeing then the visible Church, and so hated and enuied of the whole world, in that respect had neede of Prophets to be encouraged by them. 4. Beside the Iewes were curious, and inquisitiue of things to come, and therefore to stay them from running to Soothsayers, and wizzards, the Lord sent them Prophets to resolue them. 5. They had then onelyonly the fiue bookes of Moses first, and afterward the Prophets: and till the Scriptures were full, a supplie was to be made by Prophets: for after the books of the Prophets were written, and added to Moses, after Malachies time, they had no more Prophets: much lesse now, the new Testament beeing ioyned to the old, to make the Scriptures complete, hath the Church of God the like neede of Prophets. Mart.
6. Quest. v. 6. Of the place where Saul called his seruants together.
1. Some read thus, Saul remained in Gibeah vnderunder a tree in Ramah: making both of them proper names, Gibeah and Ramah: so read the most: but Gibeah and Ramah were farre a sunder: for Saul dwelt in Gibeah of Benjamin, called also Gibeah of Saul: and Samuel dwelt at Ramah, 1. Sam. 15.34. therefore Iunius readeth better, in the high place at Gibeah: and so Vatablus retaining the proper name in his translation, yet in his annotations taketh it for an high place in Gibeah. 2. Some doe take Gibeah not for a proper name, but translate, in the hill, Sept. but it is euident that Gibeah was the place where Sauls house was. 3. Therefore the best reading is, to take the first for a proper name, Gibeah, the other appellatiuely for the high place in Gibeah. 4. And the word translated a tree, properly signifieth a wood or groue, eeshel: as Gen. 21.33. Abraham planted a groue rather then a tree: so readeth also the Latine translatour, sub nemore, vnderunder a groue or wood. Iun.
7. Quest. v. 7. Of Sauls oration to his seruants.
1. Sauls speech vntounto his seruants is full of dissimulation and hypocrisie: for therein he sheweth first his crueltie, that chargeth his seruants with negligence and vnfaithfulnes toward him, because they were no more eager in pursuing of Dauid: who were indeede too much estranged from Dauid, and addicted to Saul: but thus the wicked mislike all those, that runne not together with them steppe by steppe: as S. Peter saith, They thinke it straunge, that ye runne not with them to the same excesse of riot, therefore speake they euill of you, 1. Pet. 4.3. Secondly, his flatterie appeareth: he telleth them of the fields and vineyards and offices which Dauid had not to bestow vponupon them, but he had: as Samuel had foretold before, that their King should take from the people their vineyards and oliue grounds, and giuegive them to his seruants. So Tyrants counterfeiting the liberalitie and bountie of good Princes, vse by liberall rewards and gifts, to tie men vntounto thē: as Cesar, when he had ouercome Pompey, gaue so much to the souldiers, as that he was faine to emptie the common Treasurie. Mar. Thirdly, he telleth many vntruths, as that Dauid did lay waite for him: whereas he did seeke Dauids life: that Ionathan his sonne conspired with Dauid, whereas he was onelyonly his faithfull friend in lawfull things. Mar. 2. Here in Saul we hauehave an image of the Antichrist of Rome: who calleth his counsells and Synods,Contr. The Antichrist of Rome wherein like vntounto Saul. as Saul did to suppresse Dauids, that is, the faithfull seruants of God, and saith in a manner, as Saul did: that he hath Cardinalships, Abbeies, Prouincialships, and other such dignities to bestow vponupon his, whereas among the Protestants they expect no such thing. Mart.
8. Quest. v. 9. Of Doegs malitious accusation.
1. It is better read, Doeg, who stood among the seruants of Saul, I.V.L. then appointed by the seruants of Saul: B. or set ouer the seruants of Saul. G.A.P.C. or set ouer the asses of Saul. S. for the word natzab is taken in this sense, & with the same cōstruction, v. 7. Saul said to his seruants that stood about him: yet it appeareth, c. 21.7. that Doeg was set ouer Sauls sheepheards or heardmen. 2. This Doeg beeing an Edomite, is an enemie to Dauid a true Israelite, as Esau before was to Israel: wherein he doth shew himselfe to be a right Edomite or Esauite. 3. Doeg in this his tale, sheweth his malice: in that he taketh all that Dauid did in the worst part: concealing that which might make for Dauid and Ahimelech, and vrging that which was against him: he maketh mention how Ahimelech consulted with God for Dauid: but sheweth not wherein, as how by Gods direction he gaue him the shewbread, and the sword: Iun. beside, he is a manifest lyer, and false accuser, as Dauid chargeth him: thou doest louelove euill more then good, and lies more then to speake the truth, Psal. 52.3. And herein he was a lyer, accusing Ahimelech and Dauid as conspirers against the king, as Saul vponupon his information chargeth the Priest, v. 11. Mar. Further, he sheweth himselfe a flatterer: calling Dauid the sonne of Ishai in disdaine, as Saul vsed to call him: therein conforming himselfe vntounto Sauls humour. 4. So this Doeg entended nothing, but to make himselfe great, and grow in honour and wealth and credit with Saul, though it were with the ouerthrow of others: as Dauid chargeth him, that he trusted in the multitude of his riches: Psal. 52. but Dauid prophesieth of his ende, God shall destroy thee for euer, he shall take and plucke thee out of thy tabernacle, and roote thee out of the land of the liuing. Psal. 52.6. Let all such Doegs, that incense Princes against the Ministers and seruants of God, and falsly accuse them vnderunder the shew and pretext of obedience, take heede by this example: least the Lord cut them off, as he did Doeg. Mar.
9. Quest. v. 13. Of Sauls speech to Ahimelech.
1. Saul against all right is both the accuser of the Priest, and his Iudge: Mar. yet he sendeth for him vnderunder colour of iustice, not intending to spare him, what iust defense so euer he made. Osiand. 2. Saul obiecteth two things vntounto Ahimelech, condēning him for that, wherein he did wel, both shewing his louelove & charitie in releeuing Dauid in time of necessitie and distresse, & his pietie in consulting with God for him: for Saul, that cared more for the answers of Soothsayers and witches, then for the oracles of God, misliked that the Priest should hauehave recourse vntounto God. Bor. 3. Though Saul herein was a meane to execute the sentence of God against the house of Eli, yet his sinne and crueltie was no way thereby excused, seeing in him it proceeded onelyonly from malice. Borr. 4. Though the Priest in this thing was innocent, yet there might be other causes why the Lord suffered this iudgement to fall vponupon him: as often it falleth out, that he which is innocent in that, for the which he is condemned, is iudged in the secret iustice of God, for other some precedent sinne. Mar. 5. Who it is, that now is incensed against the Ministers of God, for consulting with the Lords oracles in his word, it is euident: euen that Antichrist of Rome, which obiecteth heresie and rebellion vntounto those, which depend vponupon the answeares and oracles of Iesus Christ the high Priest, and cheife sheepheard of our soules. Borr.
10. Quest. v. 14. Of Ahimelechs defense against the accusation of Saul.
1. Ahimelech confesseth these things to be done, which were obiected, but he denieth that they were done to any such ende, to conspire against the king, as he was charged: and of his fact he alledgeth three reasons: first, from the faithfull seruice which Dauid had performed to the king, & therefore he knowing nothing to the contrarie, had no reason but to helpe him: secondly, because he was the kings sonne in law: thirdly, because according to his dutie, he had oftentimes asked counsell for him, saying, hauehave I this day first begunne to aske counsell of God for him? for the wordes are to be read with an interrogation, as appeareth by the article ha, prefixed: not without an interrogatiō, as D. Kimhi thinketh, as though he neuer had asked counsell for him before, but that time was the first. 2. But it may seeme strange that Ahimelech made no mention of the excuse that Dauid made, that he came about the kings busines, which had beene a materiall point to cleare the Priest: Iosephus thinketh that Ahimelech did expresse so much: some thinke, that all which Ahimelech spake, is not set downe: some, that Ahimelech suppressed it of purpose, least afterward, if Dauid should hauehave beene reconciled to Saul, he might hauehave fared the worse at Dauids hand. Mar. But it is more likely that Ahimelech made some couert mention of it: in saying, he goeth at thy commandement: which words might be so taken, that euen then he knew none other, but that Dauid was employed by the king. 3. Ahimelech in this his Apologie, partly sheweth his weaknes, excusing himselfe by his ignorance, that he knew not that Saul held Dauid his enemie, and confessing in a manner, that if he had knowne him to be in the kings displeasure, he would not hauehave releeued him: wherein Ahimelech should hauehave offended, in refusing to helpe an innocent man, beeing vniustly persecuted by Saul: partly he bewraieth his simplicitie, that falleth into such great commendation of Dauid, giuing him the titles of faithfull, and honourable: whereas Saul beeing so much incensed against Dauid, a prudent man would hauehave forborne so to hauehave extolled him. Mart.
11. Quest. Of Sauls cruell sentence pronounced against Ahimelech.
1. Though Saul had lawfull authoritie to conuent the Priests before him, as also where he saw cause to censure them: as all Princes euer had that power euen ouer Ecclesiasticall persons and causes:Contr. The authority of Princes ouer persons Ecclesiasticall. as the Christian Bishops did accuse one an other before Constantine the Emperour: and Iustinian the Emperour deposed Sylverius and Vigilius Bishops of Rome: contrarie to the doctrine and practise of the Romanists, who will hauehave their Cleargie exempt from the Ciuill authoritie: yet Saul abuseth this power in this vniust and cruell sentence. Mar. 2. And he further offendeth in the rash execution thereof: taking no pause or deliberation, but presently commaunding them to be put to death: when Theodosius the Emperour in his rage had put diuers thousands in Thessalonica to the sword, after beeing touched with griefe and sorrow for that bloodie fact, at the instance of Ambrose made a law, that there should be the space of thirtie daies, betweene sentence giuing, and the execution thereof: which constitution is inserted into the Code, among other Imperiall ordinances: but Saul as he was hastie in his sentence, so he doth precipitate the execution thereof. Mar. 3. His rage was such, that he cōmandeth the innocent Priests to be slaine, beeing vnarmed, and consecrate to the ministerie and seruice of God, who vse to be spared euen in battell amiddes their enemies: yea, he spareth neither women nor children, and as Iosephus addeth further, he rased the citie, and burned it, and left the Tabernacle of God, as much as lay in him, without Priests to minister. Thus this hypocrite, which before against the Amalekites offended in too much clemencie, hauing the word of God to the contrarie: now hauing no word of God, sinneth in crueltie and tyrannie: Mar. wherein his fault was so much the greater, that then he seemed to be touched with some remorse, but here his heart is hardened. Mart. 4. Iosephus maketh this morall application, that in Saul we see the condition of such, who while they are in lowe and meane estate, seeme to be good and vpright men, because then they hauehave no opportunitie to shew their nature: who, when they are aduanced to honour, and attaine vntounto wealth and power, then hauing chaunged their apparell, as players their habit on a stage, they make no conscience either of diuine, or humane lawes. sic fere Ioseph. lib. 6. cap. 14.
12. Quest. v. 17. Whether Sauls seruants did well in disobeying the Kings commandement.
1. R. Selamo thinketh, that these ministers and sergeants of Saul, whome the Rabbins held to hauehave beene Abner and Amasa, refused to obey so bloodie an edict, remembring that answer of the people to Ioshuah: that they would obay Ioshuah, as they had obeied Moses. Iosh. 1.17. But whether it were this, or any other place out of the law of God, that mooued them, they did well to choose rather to obey God then man, which was the Apostles resolution. Act. 5. Osiand. 2. Some thinke they refused, because Sauls proceeding was against the law, which will hauehave none condemned without two or three witnesses. Borr. But it seemeth, that the horrour of such a detestable and cruell fact, rather kept them from doing it, then the fayling in the circumstance and manner. 3. Here further a question ariseth, whether the Iudge is bound against his conscience to condemne or put any to death, whome he knoweth innocent: for the deciding of which doubt,Whether a Iudge be alwaies in giuing of sentence, bound to follow the euidence. it must be considered whether he be a superiour or inferiour Iudge, before whome such innocent person is condemned: if the superiour, the law is in his hand, and so he can not be forced to doe against his conscience: if the inferiour, he is to referre the matter to the superiour iudge, & there to plead for the innocent, or els, if he be not heard, to giuegive ouer his place of iudgement, rather then to consent to the condemnation of the righteous. So by no meanes is he to commit any act against his conscience. Mar. If by oath he be bound to giuegive sentence according to the euidence brought in, whether it be true or false, in this case, such an oath beeing not in truth, righteousnes, nor iudgement, doth not bind him.
13. Quest. v. 18. In what sense the Priests, that were slaine, are said to weare a linnen Ephod.
1. Osiander thinketh, that at that time they had their linnen Ephods vponupon their backes, when they were slaine: but that is not like: for the Ephod was a sacred vesture vsed onelyonly in the time of their seruice in the Tabernacle: they are said to weare a linnen Ephod, because they were of that age, to be admitted to the seruice of the Tabernacle: Vatab. they were actuall ministers and seruitours in the priestly function. Mar. Iun. 2. It is called a linnen Ephod, to make a distinction betweene the Ephod with the brestplate and pectoral, which was peculiar to the high Priest, and the common linnen Ephod, which all the Priests vsed: Mart. which is called a linnen coate or tunicle, Exod. 28.40. 3. The principall Priests, which were slaine, were 85. there were more beside slaine in the citie: Iosephus, according to his vse in altering the numbers expressed in the Scripture, saith that there were 385. slaine, beside those which were put to the sword in the citie: some thinke that all the inhabitants of Nob were not put to the sword, but onelyonly the Priests. Mart. But it seemeth by the text, that the whole citie of Nob, beeing a citie of Priests were smitten, and that onelyonly Abiathar one of the sonnes of Ahimelech escaped.
14. Quest. v. 19. How it stood with the iustice of God, that the innocent Priests with the infants were slaine.
1. The sentence which God had pronounced against the house of Eli, the Lord had suspended vntounto this time: and now as that sentence was iust, so is the execution thereof: the children are punished, not so much for their fathers sinnes, as for their owne: beeing found to continue in their fathers stepps: so that although in this thing, whereof they are accused, they did nothing worthie of death, yet otherwise they were not innocent. 2. And concerning infants, they are not voide of originall sinne, which though it be not imputed vntounto them in Christ vntounto eternall death, yet it maketh them subiect to temporall death: seeing then, that infants are once to die: then their death may be disposed of God in the prouidence of God, when it maketh for Gods glorie, and the iust condemnation of the wicked. Mart. 3. Herein Dauid was a type and figure of Christ, at whose fleeing into Egypt the infants were slaine by Herod: as here these infants are put to the sword for Dauids cause. Osiand.