Of the Head Cornerstone, Chapter 12
CHAP. 12.
1 THis beeing his first entrance into his Kingdome, wee hauehave now set downe vntounto vsus, what his gouernment afterward was: partly, while yet the good Spirit of God was with him; but most of all, when it was taken from him. Wee doe not reade, that the good Spirite of God, which vppon his annointing was giuen him, was taken from Ibid. 10: 9, 10.him till God had prouided himselfe of another: but then wee reade, that the Spirite of the Lord departed from him, and an euill spirit sent of the Lorde, Ibid. 16. 14.did vex him. In which meane time, some things he did as it were of himselfe: and some-thing againe by the expresse Commaundement of GOD. Those thinges that hee did as it were of himselfe, were some of them (as it were) by a speciall occasion suddainely offered: and some of them againe at further laisure, and more aduisement. Those that he did by speciall occasion suddenly offered, were all appertaining to one peece of seruice that immediatly followed against the Philistims: in which wee are to see, how the same was on the suddaine occasioned; then, how it was thereon performed. It was occasioned, first, and after a sort, by himselfe: but then, much more by Ionathan soone after. In that which was doone by himselfe there is to bee noted, not onelyonly what it was: but also, how vnprouided they were to such purpose. The thing it selfe was, that hee gathered certaine forces together: Ibid. 1… …2. Ibid. 3.and stirred vp the people to armes likewise. In their want of prouision to such purpose, we are not onelyonly to marke, howe it was at that time with them: but then, to come to our selues likewise, and to see if we hauehave not beene in like case also. How it was at that time with them, is plaine enough in it selfe: namely, that the Philistims had so prouided, that the people of Israell neyther had any Weapons meete for the Ibid. 19: 22.Warre among them, as Swordes or Speares; neyther any Artificers to make them any. Insomuch that they were faine to goe downe to the Philistims, to beate out or mend euen their Instruments of Husbandry that were of Iron, as their Mattockes, Coulters, and Shares: and were themselues allowed but a File at home, to mend or sharpen any of them. And this they did with so speciall regard, that about this time when Saul numbred the people that drew vntounto him, euen then, as it seemeth, appeared this want, that none of all the company had either Sword or Speare, but onelyonly the King himselfe and Ionathan his eldest Sonne: and yet the whole company was then as it seemeth but poore sixe hundred. That our selues hauehave beene in the like Ibid. 15. 14▪ 2.case also, vnderunder our late Philistims of Rome, is altogether as plaine as was the other. For they also had so prouided, that they had left no word of God among vsus that we might be able to vnderstand, neither the Old-Testament, nor the New, neither the Articles of our Faith, nor the Ten-Commaundements, nor the Lordes-Prayer: and had so clean taken away men of skil from among vsus, that we were of necessity driuen to goe down to their Forges, euen to Dunse and Dorbell, for whatsoeuer such things we needed; the Clergy they left vsus, being so weake to any such purpose, that scantlie might they be for those matters so much as in stead of a File vntounto vsus, and that but a very meane one too. Rare men also they were, and those but few, that in spirituall Weapons were any better prouided among vsus. They hauehave told vsus since, that they did it but onelyonly for our good, that the Scriptures are hard and dangerous, and for that onelyonly cause they tooke them away, that we should take no hurt by them. But if the question be set vponupon those other Philistims, what the cause was why they did so carefully keep the Children of Israell from such Weapons, whether that the Israelites might take no hurt by them, or that themselues might more easily keepe them vnderunder the yoake of their bondage still: euen that onelyonly I thinke would bee sufficient, to assure vsus of the inward purpose and meaning of these our Philistims also. By Ionathan was occasioned, partly their comming in: but especially, that the Israelites so pursued on them, as soone after they did. Their comming in was partly occasioned by him, for that his Father hauing giuen him the charge of a thousand men, his fingers Ibid. 3.were itching, he could not be quiet, till hee had a little pulled the Feathers of one of the Philistims Garrisons among them. That soone after the Israelites had the heart & stomack to pursue the Philictims so as they did, was likewise occasioned by him: being by some speciall and extraordinary motion resolued himselfe and his Seruant to begin the fray vppon the Philistims; and God so seconding him therein, that the Ibid. 14: 1, 4-15.maine Army of the Philistims, and those three bands, were all discouraged and fled, and so gaue occasion vntounto the Israelites to come foorth and to follow. To finde out how it was heere on performed, heere it shall bee good, to part the maine businesse, from certaine particular accidents that came in withall. The maine businesse was, how they shifted with the Philistims now, wherein that God may hauehave his due, who onelyonly it was that brought thinges so well about on behalfe of the Israelites, it shall bee good to note, in what tearmes the Children of Israell at that praesent stood, before they saw how they were occasioned to plucke vp their hearts and to follow after: and then, when they saw what occasion was giuen, how they did follow indeede. In what tearmes at that praesent they stood, we hauehave declared, first of all the people generally: then, of Saul the King, and such as now followed him. Of all the people generally it is saide, that the Philistims comming in so strongly and so many a… they Ibid. 13: 5▪7did (beeing thirty thousand Charrets, sixe thousand Horse, and Foote-men innumerable) and sending forth out of their maine Army th… seuerally …ands, three seueral waies to spoyle the Countrey, they were so affrighted there-with, that most of … fled and hid themselues where they could. Of Saul and his company it is said, that the people resorted vntounto him to Gilgal, and for feare of the Philistims kept close vntounto Ibid. 4. 7. I…d. 14: 2▪ 3.him: that Saule and his company made their aboad in the bo…ers of Gibeah; Abiah, the Lords Priest, and about sixe hundred men a…ding him. But nowe when they saw what occasion was giuen them to raise vp themselues to some better hope by the tumult and noise that was noted in the enemies Camp, vponupon the sl…ug… of Ibid. 16-32those few that Ionathan and his man made first among them, first Saule and his company followed vponupon them, and many of those that had hid themselues before; then also, wheras there were many of the Israelites who hitherto were with the Philistims, they also now turne against them: and so, what by the amazednesse, terror, and feare that the Lord cast among them (insomuch that they turned their weapons one against another) and what by the hot pursute of the Israelites vponupon them when they saw how they were broken, the Philistims then had a great ouerthrow. Those particular accidents that came in withall, were some of them appertaining to this praesent seruice now in hand: others, to another soone after intended. VntoUnto this praesent seruice now in hand it apertained, that Saule for the better accomplishing of it, did so straitly charge on paine of death, that no body should take any victuals till night, that so they might first hauehave dispatched the pursute of their enemies: and the businesse that thereby (it seemeth) he made to himselfe, about the peoples so greedy falling to their victuals when they came at them. That he gaue so st…ight a charge to the people, Ibid. 24.it was no more than the nature of the case d… require, and in such case is woont to be done; and it is a good token in him, that … was carefull to hauehave doone▪ that seruice thoroughly; and wise to praeuent that which might hauehave defeated it cleane. The people fell to their victuals so greedily when they came at them, that by some of Ibid. 32, 33.the company they were reported to hauehave eaten the blood withall, plainly forbidden by the Lawe of God: and himselfe was like enough to hauehave beene the chiefe cause of making himselfe that businesse, by so strickt forbidding vntounto them to take any victuals before. And yet because hee was so very loath that they shoulde therein Ibid. 33, 34.offend, it may not iustly bee denied vntounto him, but that therein hee was very carefull to hauehave the Lawe of GOD duly obserued: which also did otherwise partly appeare in that there hee builded an Altar vntounto the Lorde. At which time also the Ibid. 35.people gaue a very good testimony of their obedience to the kings commandement, in that they did so truely obey, being as it were offered vntounto them as they went by: Ibid. 25-27. Ibid. 28-30.and none but Ionathas (who heard not of it) did meddle with it; nor hee but little, though he was of opinion, that it was some hinderance vntounto the seruice that his Father had so praclaimed. In those that belonged to another peece of seruice soone after intended, wee are first to consider what was that seruice: and then, what accidents they were that fell out thereupon. The seruice intended was to follow vponupon the Enemy that night, and to make an hand vppon them the best that they coulde. Which when Saule had propounded, they all were willing, sauing that the Ibid. 36, 37.Priest wished the King first to enquire of the Lord: which when hee did, it pleased not the Lorde to giuegive any answere thereto. The accidents that fell out thereuppon, were diuers: one, what the King himselfe conceiued thereon; others, what course hae tooke to doe such iustice, as he thought in that case was meet to be done. The King himselfe conceiued, that there was some speciall fault by some of them committed, because the Lord gaue no answere then vntounto him: whereas notwithstanding there might be other reasons conceiued, why the Lord gaue no answere now: For it may be the Lord did not like of any farther prosecuting of them, as yet: and then; in reason ought that to content him and the rest, that they did not finde the Lord to approue it; the law already hauing set downe generally, that wee ought to Deut. 4: 2. 12: 32.doe nothing but onelyonly that which the Lord hath commanded. Againe, when first he heard there was some tumult and businesse in the enemies campe, though at the 1. Sam. 14: 16-19.first he was then in hand to inquire of the Lord about that matter: yet perceiuing the tumult to waxe greater, and belike thinking it no time then to tarry, hee bad the Priest stay, and did not tarry to make inquirye. It may be therefore that he that would Exod. 13: 1, 2. Mal. 1: 8, 13, 14.euer be serued with the first and best of all that wee hauehave (and meete that he should) would hauehave nothing to do with the end of this action now, seeing he was not sought vntounto in the beginning. A matter not much vnlike herevnto we afterward hauehave, that hath the like answere in effect: that whereas the people in the captiuitie had taken Zac. 7: 1-6.vp two fasting dayes of themselues, but after made conscience to breake them when the Temple was builded and the Land inhabited againe, vnlesse the Lord should first approue it, he told them in effect, that seeing it was but their owne doing at the first, he would hauehave no dealing with it now. Neuerthelesse it was not farre amisse, that so he conceiued (being as it is so cleare a matter, that euer it may be iustly doubted, being all so full of sinne as we are); and his errour therein, was no more but this, that although it were not vnlikely so to bee, yet had hee no warrant, that so it was. But 1. …. 14▪ 38-40.himselfe being so perswaded, he is fully resolued to doe such iustice, as he thought in that case was meete to be done: and so, both to make inquiry, who it was that had offended; and to hauehave him put to death, whosoeuer it should fall out to be, yea thogh it were his Son Ionathan. First therefore he setteth in hand with inquiry: and then, was as ready to hauehave done execution accordingly. As touching his inquiry, first, it was to find out the offender: then the offence which was committed. In searching to find out the offender, first he resolueth to vse the Lot: but then hee ioyneth prayer withall. In that he so vseth the Lot, therein againe we hauehave a commendable readines and indifferency in him, making his choice so to do it, and exempting neither his Son nor himselfe from the tryall thereof. But the Lot was no ordinary tryall, nor at any time sufficient but when the Lord himselfe did appoint it: and the Law that before was giuen them, made that reckoning of the life of man, that it alloweth not any one Num. 35: 30. Deut. 17: 6. 19▪ 15. 1. Sam. 10: 19-21. Bibl. Angl. in ver. 20. Iosua 14: 2, 2. Ios. 7: 16-26. Vulg. ed… v. 14. Num. 33: 54. 34: 13. Ios. 7: 13-15. 1. Sam. 10: 18. Prou. 16: 33.witnesse whatsoeuer, to be sufficient, on the credit whereof to take away any mans life. It seemeth indeed, that himselfe was chosen by Lot: but so would the Lord confitme vntounto him the annointing he had of the Prophet before. Most likely also that he knew the Land to bee diuided by Lot before: as also it may bee hee had read or heard, that when Achan had secretly sinned, he was in such sort found out and punished. But the Lord himselfe had so appointed for the diuision of the Land: and what course soeuer was held; both for the finding out of Achan, and for his owne election (both which may seeme to be by Lot also) certaine it is, by the plaine Text, it was of the Lord, or his appointment. And so oft as it is his owne appointment there is no doubt, but that himselfe will order the same accordingly: as also wee are afterward plainely told that so he doth. Againe, in this tryall, he did disaduantage himselfe and his Sonne together very much in plaine sight, in that hee did not take such course as in that case was vsed, first beginning with the Tribes which were eleuen to one, and then to come first to the families of that Tribe that should be taken, and after to the seuerall persons that were of that family, both which are vncertaine what oddes they would yeeld: and so if needes he would put it to that kinde of tryall, yet by that order might he hauehave had many on whom the Lot might hauehave fallen in eueryevery of those degrees aforesaide; whereas in this course he neuer left but two parts only, all the people and them two at the first, then but himselfe and his Sonne at the second in which case needs must it fall, either on the one or on the other. His Prayer was, that God would direct the Lots aright: which whether God were disposed to do or 1. Sam. 24: 41not, (or which seemeth the more likely of the two) whether God espying inconsiderate dealing in him, were disposed to punish that, wee hauehave it not in plaine termes set downe; but onelyonly thus much, that Ionathan was taken (as of necessity one of them Ibid. 42.must hauehave beene, there was no remedy). Ionathan being now detected for the offender as he did take it, he commeth to the other part of his inquiry, namely, what was the offence he had committed: and charging Ionathan to tell him the truth what he had done, thereby he found that he had in his hunger tasted a little wilde Honny as Ibid. 43.he went by, in pursuit of the enemy. In which confession or acknowledging of his fault, there be two principall poynts: one, that he plainely confesseth the matter; the other, implying, at least as it seemeth, more than he speaketh. In confessing the matter so plainely as he doth, it is somewhat strange, but that it seemeth the reuerence he had to his Father and to the Proclamation he made, doth make him yeeld that as a sinne, which otherwise was none. For it is no sinne, orderly to take meate when we are hungry; and it is noted before, that both he and the people fainted for want Ibi. 24, 27▪30of susteynance: and himselfe did not but orderly take it, because at the time when he tooke it, he knew not of any commaundement to the contrary; though being afterward aduertised of it, he now confesseth what he had done. That part of his answere that seemeth to imply more than he speaketh, is, when he addeth thereunto, that therefore he must dye: not in plaine termes contradicting his fathers mind therin; but yet in modest manner giuing him occasion to thinke better of it. And the thinges he may seeme to imply thereby the Text it selfe doth helpe vsus to finde: one, that in his iudgement his father had not done so well, as the case was then, to giuegive Ibid. 29. 30. Ibid. 27.any such inhibition vntounto them; the other, that himselfe, till afterward, did not know of it. An example so much more worthy the marking, as we are afterward to see, that the lesse Ionathan defended himselfe against his father: the better, it seemeth did God prouide for him by all the people. In his readinesse to doe such execution on his sonne as he had before protested, for whosoeuer it was that was the offender, wee hauehave one thing very commēdable: but some others, that seeme to argue some want in him then. That which was commendable in him, was that he had so speciall regard to warlike discipline, that he would not spare his sonne therein. Those that seeme to argue some want in him then, were, that he seemed not to hauehave due regard, eyther Ibid. 44to the needlesnesse and inconueniency of his owne Prohibition: or, on Ionathans part, to his innocency in the cause it selfe; or by the blessing that by him God gaue vntounto them in that peece of seruice. But as God would hauehave it (who is woont to remember the innocent, and not alwayes to suffer men to runne so far as otherwise they would, in their owne vnaduised wayes) the people stood so fast with him, that Ibid. 45, 46.Ionathan tooke no hurt therby; especially for that it had pleased God to make him so speciall an instrument of that their diliuerance: and so Saul quietly returned, by all good likelyhood not long offended, that the people had so stayed him from precipitating that his iudgement on his Sonne, in that his displeasure.
2 This peece of seruice being done on the suddain, and as occasion then was offered, we are now to see, in what thinges he imployed himselfe at farther leysure, and more aduisement: and so may we finde, that some thinges he did, as it were of himselfe; and some other, by the speciall appointment of God. Such as he did, as it were, of himselfe, wee hauehave not set down but very briefly: and some of them, som-what doubtfully too. In those that are set downe but brieflie, something we hauehave about the conflicts that he praesently made: and something againe, about a kind of prouision he made for such other conflicts as might after ensue. As touching those that he presently made, some there are that hauehave the like report going on all: others, that doe something vary. Those that hauehave the like report, are all of forraine Enemies; but some of them somewhat farther off from them, as the Ammonites, and the King of Zobah, others neerer home, as the Edomites: and the like report that goeth of these, is, that Saule fought against them, and handled them like bad men, belike as Ibid. 47.noysome and grieuous enemies were to be handled. Those that hauehave their report somthing Ibid. Ibid. 52.varrying from the other, are those conflictes hee had with the Philistims, of whom it is not onelyonly said as before of those others: but also, it is farther added, that Ibid.against them there was warre all his dayes. The prouision hee made for other conflictes ensuing, was, that he made much of such men, as at any time hee found meete for the warres. Those that are somewhat doubtfull, are the conflicts he had with the Ammonites and Amalekites: and the doubtfulnesse is, whether these bee no other Ibid 47. 48. Ibid. 11: 11.seruices but such as are other-wise noted; one of them before, the other, the next that immediatly after doth follow. For of those we may conceiue some doubt, especially, of the latter of them, because others hauehave so conceiued: and then I see no Trem. Iun.reason to the contrary, but that the selfe-same doubt may be as wel conceiued of the former too; because there is such a speciall discourse of such a peece of seruice before against the Ammonites, as immediately after against the Amalekites. And I doe see nothing to the contrary, but that all these that are so briefly named, may well bee Ibid. 47.others, than that of the Ammonites remembred before; and this of the Amalekites following after: especially, seeing it is plainely saide, that he warred against all his enemies on eueryevery side. So it seemeth to mee, that both those be taken as peculier conflicts that of himselfe he had with them as occasion serued, as he had with those others: and that they were besides those that otherwise are more specially described; the one before, the other after. For both of them had deserued ill of the Israelites, Ammonites. Iud. 10: 6. 1. Sam. 11: 1, 2 Am…lakites Exod. 17. 8. Iud. 6: 3. Exod. 17: 14. Annot. 2. in. 1. Sam. 13: 1. accounting him at this time. viz Ibid 14: 48. Regnum tyrannice occupasse. Lyr. Pellic. Fr. Vatab. Ibid. 48.both before and lately also: and the latter of them were by the Lord himselfe specially willed to be remembred. Wherevpon it is not vnlikely but that Saul of himselfe might well be doing with these (as hauing in his mind to fight against all his enemies, of which sort these were none of the vnworthyest to bee remembred) before that God did specially send him against them, vtterly to destroy them. In which place, those also before named doe thinke very hardly of him too, when they are not able to charge him with ill, in any of the thinges that are heere rehearsed; as when after he imployed himselfe so much as he did in persecuting Dauid: a preiudice, in my minde, so much the more both vnaduised and vncharitable, as this place saith nothing of him but well; & others there were before, who gathered much better of him then so, euen on the same place also, especially the middlemost of these, whose iudgements was, that all this time he did maruellous wel, & afterward also, in some respect. By the speciall commandement of God was this expedition that next ensueth against the Amalekites: in which hee so offendeth the Lord againe, that now againe the losse of his kingdome is denounced vntounto him, and much more grieuously then before. So are we in this to see, first what it was wherein he offended: then, what was denounced vntounto him for the same. To finde out his offense, we are first to consider of the charge that was giuen him: then, how farre hee did discharge himselfe therein. In the charge that was giuen him we are first occasioned to consider of the person by whom the message was brought vntounto him: then, to come to the message it selfe. The person by whom the message was brought him, was but a man no 1. Sam, 15: 1more then himselfe: but yet knowne to be the seruant of God; and sent before to annoynt him King. As he therefore doth first require obedience of him, euen so are we to gather, that how meane soeuer the messenger be: yet if wee finde hee doth require but as the word of God doth direct him, we are to take heede, that we slip no part of the charge to vsus committed. In the message it selfe, least the execution hee was to doe, might seeme vntounto him to be somewhat too bloody, he first doth tell him the reason of it: then, what must be the execution. The reason of it was, that the Elders of the Amalekites (more than foure hundred yeeres before) had molested the Ibid. 2.Israelites the people of God, when being come out of Egypt, they were newly entered into the wildernesse. So grieuous a thing is it with God, if his people be by him molested; and though he beare with it long yet is it one time or other remembred: this example insinuating besides, that, as it is with vsus, the higher we lift our hand to strike, the longer it is before it giueth the stroke it selfe, but striketh more surely when once it commeth; euen so, for the most part it is with God too, that the longer it is before that hee doe shew his displeasure against our sinne, the greater it is when once it falleth. The execution must be, to goe and destroy all that whole people, man, woman, and child, together with their Cattle great and small: and to hauehave Ibid. 3▪no compassion on them. A wonderfull sentence to proceede from so mercifull and gracious a God: but thereby seruing so much the better, to shew that hee is seuere likewise; and that he vseth his great seuerity against those that are greeuous vntounto his people. How far K. Saul did now discharge himselfe therin, to the end that we may more certainly find, we must first make no question of it, but that he was defectiue in it: but then we are to marke withal, how neere he came to his dutie therin. He was defectiue in it because hee and the people spared Agag the King, and the likelyest Ibid. 8, 9and best of their Cattle, and of other things also as it seemeth. Neuerthelesse, hee may be accounted to come somewhat neere, first for that he dealt so well with the Kenites who dwelt among them: then also, for that he did to the Amalekites. The Kenites he gently willed first to depart, because they and their elders had bin Ibid. 6.friendly vntounto the Israelites; whereas otherwise it might easily be, that some of thē might fall by the sword among the rest: this also being the manner of God, neuer so to poure forth his wrath on the wicked, but that stil first he setteth those in safety, whom of his fauour he meaneth to saue. That which he did to the Amalekites Ibid. 4, 5, 7, 9.themselues, was, that he gathered conuenient forces, went against them, and destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword, euen all the Countrey ouer as it seemeth: and all their Cattle and stuffe besides, that was of the meanest. For, Ibid. 30. 1.that shortly after we read of Amalekites yet remaining, in the spoyle of Ziglag, that may we rather take of those that by likely-hood fled out of the Country when the Israelites so farre preuailed, that they saw no hope to stande against them (as it is the manner of men in such case to do) than, as some doo take it, that Saule stroke Trem. Iun.but one battell with them, and that those they were, which were then gathered together, that he so slew: especially seeing the Text it selfe saith, that hee slew all the people, and by the description of the place, seemeth to take in the whole Region of them (for Sur was the vtmost from the land of Israel, and so by likelyhood 1. Sam. 15: 7. Chr▪ Adrich…. Ibid. 14.he began with the neerest;) and when after he is reproued, there is no mention in that his reproofe of sparing, but onelyonly of other thingt, and not of men. VntoUnto that which was denounced vntounto him for the same, there be some other factes appertaining: so that first wee are to consider of that which is to him denounced; then, of those facts that belong vntounto it. In that which is to him denounced, because it came from the Lord, therefore are we first to see what ground-worke it is that the Lord thereof hath laide: then, how the Prophet frameth his dealing accordingly. 1. Sam. 15: 10. 11.The ground-worke that thereof the Lord laid, is that he giueth Samuel to vnderstand, that it repented him he had made Saul King (signifying thereby, that now he had greeuously offended, and that his determinate purpose was now to remoue him:) and the reason to be, for that heereby he had turned from him, and had not performed his commandements. The Prophet in framing his dealing accordingly, first bemoaneth the matter to God: then doth he goe and carry his heauie tydings to Saul. He bemoaneth the matter to God all that night, crying vntounto the Ibid.Lord about it. A notable token, that if Samuel were a good man himselfe, Saule was not so il as many of vsus take him, for that in such case Samuel would neuer hauehave lamented so much as he did, that God did so reiect him; and that his slippes were but such as God might finde in the best of vsus all, if hee were disposed so to deale 1. Sam. 10: 22. Ibid. 11▪ 13. Ibid. 11: 7. 14: 47. Ibid. 14: 44. Ibid. 14: 52.with vsus: as also, his modesty in shunning the kingdom, his facility to forgiue those that were against him, his readinesse to make head against all their enemies, his speciall good regard that he had to military discipline, and to make much of such as were meete for seruice, were such things in him, as sildome were sound in other Princes. Comming towards Saul with his heauy tidinges, hee is for a while by Saul preuented, and held-off from doing his message: but by and by after, he doth readily discharge himselfe of it. He was held-off for a while, for that King Saule (hearing belike of the Prophets comming) came foorth a little to meete him: and Ibid 25 12-15.saluting him first when he came towards him, in very kinde and courteous manner, told him withal, that hee had rhoroughly done as the Lorde had bad him. But when Samuel then asked, whence that bleating of Sheepe, and lowing of Oxen was, that he then heard, he readly answered, that they were of the goodes of the Amalekites, but that the company thought good to reserue of the best of their cattle, to offer in Sacrifice vntounto the Lord, whom there he tearmed his God, meaning Ibid. 16.the Prophets (so insinuating that those were they that then they brought with them:) and added withall, that all the rest they had destroyed. This being said, the Prophet then being to discharge himselfe of his message, desireth leaue of the King to tel him, what the Lord that night had said vntounto him concerning that matter; and that being obtained, he did set in hand to it: first but deliuering the message it selfe; but then winning the King to grant himselfe guilty. While he doth but delieur the message it selfe vntounto the him, first hee putteth him in minde how God Ibid. 17, 19.out of his meane estate before, had now aduanced him to the height; and hauing called him thereunto, had nowe sent him on that late voyage: then hee asketh him, how it came to passe, that he did not obey the voyce of the Lord, but turned to the prey, and did wickedly in the fight of the Lord. He wan the King to graunt himselfe guilty by the communication that went betwixt them in those matters: and so are wee to see, first, what communication passed betwixt them for those matters; then, how the King did thereupon yeelde himselfe guilty, or that hee had indeede offended. The communication that passed betwixt them for those matters, was some part of it the Kinges: and some the Prophets. The King sheweth, whereon he standeth, that in his iudgement he doth not deserue any such reproofe. First, for Ibid. 20.that himselfe had gone the way that the Lorde had sent him, and in token thereof, both had brought away the King himselfe, and had destroyed the rest of the people, and so, in his minde he had obeyed the voyce of the Lorde: then, for that it was but the people (not he) that tooke of the chiefe of those thinges that should hauehave been Ibid. 21.destroyed; and yet not they neyther, but to make Oblations thereof vntounto the Lord, whom there againe hee tearmeth Samuels God. The Prophet sheweth him; first, how to finde his sinne: then also, his iudgement for it. His sinne hee sheweth him by comparison, giuing him to vnderstand, that praecisely to hauehave done as the Lorde Ibid. 22.had praescribed vntounto him, had pleased the Lorde a great deale better, than all the sacrifices they could offer vntounto him: and, on the other side, to doe otherwise than God had enioyned (though themselues had no other meaning in it, than as they alleaged) Ibid. 23.was as bad before him, as was eyther Witch-craft, or Idolatry. His iudgement therefore (euen for sparing those that they spared, and though but to that ende neyther) to be no lesse, than, because he thereby had cast away the word of the Lorde, Ibid.therefore the Lord did now cast away him also, from beeing King. Whereuppon Saul finding his sinne, dooth now plainely acknowledge the same, and sheweth that Ibid. 24.hee did it for feare of the people, rather obeying them than God: and withall desireth Samuell, both to obtaine him pardon for it, and to come on forward with him Ibid. 25.to Gilgal where he was in hand now to worship. The actes that belonged heereunto, were some of them for this praesent: one, for a longer time ensuing. Those that were for this praesent, were some of them heere in the way as Samuell was comming to Gilgal to the King, but that the King came foorth to meete him: others, at Gilgal it selfe. Such as were heere by the way, were betwixt Samuell and Saul: Samuell Ibid. 26-31.turning aside to leaue him, and giuing him some reason why so hee did: and Saul being so loath to part with him, that he tooke such hold on his Garment to stay him, that thereby he rent his garment, and so obtaining in the end, that the Prophet attended him to Gilgall, in the sight of the Elders and all the people. At Gilgal it selfe, one was done by Saul the King; another by Samuell the Prophet: both of them such, as might seeme rather to be wrong sorted. For one of them was the worshipping of God; and that had beene a seemely action for the Prophet: the other, the execution of Agag, which might hauehave becommed the King as well. But at this time it was the King, who worshipped: and the Prophet, who did the execution. In that the King worshipped, notwithstanding that he was so reprooued for that which Ibid. 31.he did, and had that sentence denounced against him, it is a very good token in him: whereas Kaine, on such occasion, turned a-side from the praesence of God; and Gen. 4: 16.fewe of the best of …▪ but in such case would hauehave beene so cleane ouer-whelmed with perturbatio… for a time the worshipping of God would hauehave been but little regarded. I… the Prophet did the execution, and with that seuerity that he did, hewing King Agag so in peeces before the Lorde, it is not onelyonly a warning to 1. Sam. 15: 32, 33.Princes to doe their Office, or else that God will hauehave others that shall (and the same, none of the likeliest to such a purpose;) and to Tyrantes, to take heede, howe they deale ill with the people of God, when as not onelyonly they stand in danger one time or other to find iust reuenge at the hands of Martiall or mercilesse men, but euen at the hands likewise of the simplest, mildest, and (all manner of waies) the vnlikeliest thar are (wherein this King was farre deceiued: but may insinuate another matter also, as I do take it, and worth the nothing, that seeing God had willed the Prophet to bring the tidings to Saul of his reiection, therupon it may be, that Samuell did will them to bring Agag to him, as fearin… vse Saul as Gods Iusticer now, & charging himselfe rather to doe it, seeing it was …ing to be done. Otherwise, it had beene the likeliest for Samuell not to hauehave medled with it himselfe: to hauehave set Saul vntounto it, so to hauehave amended something now, wherein he had so far offended before. And then had we neede also to take heede (so farre as to vsus appertaineth) how wee vse any such Officers as we may see to be reiected of GOD: yea, or to put them in place at the first, till we see they are chosen of God. That one that was for a longer time ensuing, was, that Samuell now gaue vp all attending of Saul (now that the Ibid. 34, 35.Lord had reiected him) going home, and comming vntounto him no more so long as he liued: but yet notwithstanding still mourned for him (a token stil, that he tooke him not to be so bad a man, as many of vsus sticke not to file him) though God neuerthelesse still aboad resolute in his reiection.
3 When the good spirit of God was taken from him, and an euill spirit was sent to vexe him, it was a pittifull course indeed, that thence-forward he held, euen to the end, closing vp his life also therin. So are we first to see, when that good spirit of God was taken from him, and an euill sent to vex him: and then, what was his waies after. The time we find to hauehave beene, after that Dauid was appointed to succeed: wherein 1. Sam. 16: 14.God first vsed the Ministery of the Prophet; but then wrought by himselfe, by & by after. That which was done by the Ministery of the Prophet, was, that God first gaue order that so it should bee; then, that Samuell accordingly performed it vntounto him. When God gaue order for that matter, he first reprooued Samuell for mourning so long for Saul, seeing he had cast him from regning ouer Israell: then he directeth him what to do for another. In that hee doth reproue him not simply for mourning Ibid. 1.for him, but that he mourned for him so long, and when he hath reiected him, it may wel teach vsus, first that in such case we are allowed to mourne or sorrow: but then we are plainly taught withal, that finding it once to be the lords doing, that ought to stay our affections therein; at least in some reasonable time. The direction that hee gaue him for the other, was of two principal parts: first, for the substance of it; then for the manner of it. For the substance of it, he was to take an horne of oyle with him, and at Ibid.Bethlehem to annoint him one of the Sons of Ishay to succeed in the Kingdome. For the manner of it, there was no quaestion but for one point in it, which was for his safety in such an action: whereat when Samuell made some quaestion, God doth then direct Ibid. 2, 3.him to make another arrant withall, vnderunder which that other businesse also may bee done without suspicion. In the performance of it some little difficulties went before: and then was the matter soone effected. Those difficulties were but onelyonly the doubt of the Inhabitants conceiued of Samuels comming among them: & that Ishay being to bring all his Sonnes before the Prophet, hee brought but the likeliest in his mind, vntill he was farther vrged vntounto it. The doubt of his comming was soone cleered, Ibid. 4, 5.after that he told them he was come to sacrifice there: but therein may we note, that euen the sight of such as are of speciall note among vsus, the neerer they drawe in such sort towardes vsus, as if they were to hauehave some dealing with vsus, vponupon the sense of our owne guiltinesse, the more doe wee begin to startle. In that Ishay so rested on Ibid. 6-12.the likeliest, so did the Prophet himselfe likewise, till God kept him in suspense yet for another: and that is the manner of vsus all, so to aesteeme of the likeliest in our minde, that oft-times wee cleane set by such as God himselfe hath chosen or most aesteemeth. These difficulties beeing past, the party that should bee, was at length Ibid. 12, 13.brought in, and then God telling Samuell that that was he, he did then annoint him accordingly: and so returned homeward againe. The worke that was done by God Ibid. 13, 14.himselfe by and by after, was, that the good Spirit of God that departed from Saule, now came vponupon Dauid, and from that day forward continued with him. What the waye, of Saul from this time were, for the most part we finde in the time of his life: but partly also euen in his death. Dealing but with the time of his life, the Story sheweth vsus, that for a time he imploied himselfe reasonable wel in such thinges as to him appertained: but after, that he took a worse course, and held on that euen to his end. He imployed himselfe resonable well, both about his owne infirmity: and on behalfe of the people also. In that which he did for his owne infirmity, we may see, that God had another purpose also: & so it shal… good to consider on it, first, but as the king had no farther regard but to ease hi…e thereby; then, as God had therein another meaning. As the King had no farther regard but to ease himselfe thereby, it was no more but this, that his seruants espying him now to be diuers times wrong, or out of Ibid. 15-23.tune by passionate fits, as they did perswade him, so did he readily yeeld to take Dauid vntounto him, as one that was skilfull to handle an Instrument, so to ease him in those his passions: leauing behind them a much better course, both himselfe in not seeking to hauehave vsed it first, and his Seruantes that they did not mooue him first of all to hauehave sought vntounto God, and to hauehave humbled himselfe vntounto him; and then to hauehave vsed such ordinary meanes as God had ordained, eyther this, or any other whatsoeuer. As God had therein another meaning, it seemeth to bee, to make this a meane to bring Dauid to farther knowledge among them, and to make the king himselfe beholding vntounto him. In that which he did on behalfe of the people, wee are likewise to consider of it, first as but that thing was intended by him: but then, as God had a farther meaning in it. As but that thing was intended by him, according as the Philistims Ibid. 17: 1-3.praesumed to come into the Land in hostile manner: so he went downe with his forces too, to make reststance, and to stop their passage. As God had a further meaning in it, it was to bring Dauid (who hauing attended Saule for a time, was nowe gone home, and there againe kept his Fathers Sheepe) both to the knowledge of the Ibid. 15.whole Land, and to make them all beholding vntounto him: that as hee had already ordained him to such a purpose, so now would he (but as it were by degrees) bring him forth towards it, or to bee in a readinesse for it. But this Story would bee a little more specially considered, both for the matter that now we are in: and for another hereunto appertaining. For the matter that now we are in, that wee may the better see howe farre it pleased God to aduance Dauids credite thereby, it is needfull more specially to marke what was the distresse that the King and the people at that time were in: then what was the helpe, that it pleased God by Dauid to giuegive them. Their distresse was, not so much the Army or maine force of the Philistims at this time: as the feare that they were in, and the reproach they were put vntounto, by the defiance and challenge of Goliah their Champion, none of them daring to vndertake him, he was in reason so great an ouer-match for any of them. For with their Army Ibid. 1.they made but little entrance into the Land: and, as it seemeth, had no other meaning (to speake of) but to man out that Champion of theirs, or to maintaine that his challenge against the Israelites. For he was of Gath, one of the Citties of the Philistims: Ibid. 4. Ibid. 1. Adrichom. Ibid 4-11, 24. Ibid. 33.and the place where they pitched their Army, was neere vntounto it. But their Champion, being a man of out-growne stature, and of strength (as by his furniture it appeareth) correspondent thereunto, & envred to the wars, euen from his youth, did so offer the challenge vntounto them, with so great brags, and with wordes of despight, that both the King himselfe, and the stoutest Captaines and Souldiers of all his Army besides, were afraid of him, and were so farre from vndertaking to cumbate with him, that they durst not abide the sight of him: and yet had the King (as it seemeth, by report of diuers of the Army) made offer before, of grear rewards, and his Daughter Ibid. 25. 27, 30in marriage, to him that should kill him; and to make that whole Family of his, free in Israell, from such tribute or impositions as were layde vponupon others. In the help that it pleased God by Dauid to giuegive them, it shall bee good to consider of it, first generally: then, of some particulars besides. Generally, it was, that Dauid being Ibid. 17-54.sent to see his Bretheren, who were there in the Army vnderunder Saule, his Spirite so rose against the Champion of the Philistims, to heare his proude and despightfull speeches, that he could not abide them; without any Warre-like Weapon encountered with him; cleane beyonde the expectation of all, praeuailed against him: and got the whole Army a faire day against all the rest of the Philistims. The particulars were, some before the Cumbate: and some, after. Before the Cumbate, Dauid coulde no sooner talke of vndertaking it, in the hearing of his elder Brother Ibid. 26-28.Eliab, but that Eliab did rate him for it, & condemned him of insolent pride therein: as none of vsus also can at any time set in hand with any speciall seruice of God, that any way transcendeth the course of the Worlde, but that wee are like to be in such sort censured, euen by our elder Bretheren also. When Saule saw the readinesse of Dauid, first hee discouraged him, at al… meddle with that interprize: but then, when he saw him resolute in it, hee endeuo…ed to set him foorth, or helpe him forward accordingly. When hee did discourage him to meddle with it in respect of the oddes that was betwixt them in ordinary account, Dauid then calling to minde Ibid. 33-37.that the Lord had already wrought extraordinarily by him twice, once against a Lyon, another time against a Beare, hee gathered thereby, that so the Lorde will assist him now also against that out-growne Champion of theirs: and so should we of former fauours, in diuers cases raise vp our selues to conceiue good hope (in the way of our calling) of Gods ready help, though otherwise it be some difficult seruice. When he endeauored to set him foorth, or to helpe him forward accordingly, it was with his Armor; but when Dauid assayed how he could go therwith, he found it too cumbersome Ibid. 37-40.for him, and therefore put it off againe, and betooke himselfe to his sling: and so may wee see that it is not oft-times the power of Princes whereby the Gospell is most aduanced; but euen that weaker instrument of the word, God working there-with by his mighty power. After the cumbat, we find that Saule had cleane forgotten him: but Ionathan was otherwise affected towardes him. In that Saul had so cleane forgotten him, hauing beene in his seruice before, so neere about his person, and to his good liking then, it may well bee a token of the brittlenesse of the fauour of the greater sort towardes the meaner. But some heereuppon hauehave Tremel. Iun.thought, that this cumbayting with Goliah, was before his attendaunce on the King with his Instrument: not considering, as it seemeth, that after this, hee was not suffered to returne againe, but imployed in seruice against the Enemy; nor, that Ibid. 18. 215.it had been much absurder that Dauid should hauehave beene forgotten after this publike seruice in the field, than in that his private seruice to the King in his Chamber, or that after this, he euer returned to keepe his Fathers sheepe againe. The affection of Ionathan Ibid. 16: 19. 17: 15. Ibid. 18: 1, 3, 4.towards him was such, that he loued him as himselfe, became a sworne Brother vntounto him, and by and by put off his own best raiment and furniture, and bestowed the same on Dauid: God giuing him now a faithfull friende euen in the House of Saule himselfe, whence ere long much affliction was to arise vntounto him. That other matter heereunto appertaining, is that this Story may be (for diuers thinges in it) a Figure of Christ; namely, that as it was with the Israelites, that they had not one Man in all the Army, able to encounter Goliah, that by him they might bee all acquited, till God to that purpose did send in Dauid: euen so was it with vsus also, that albeit God himselfe were willing, that if wee had any one among vsus, that could aunswere the Iustice of God for vsus, then should we by him bee discharged, yet had wee none, neyther could wee make one among vsus all, till himselfe sent in his onelyonly begotten Sonne among vsus, for vsus to satisfie his aeternall Iustice, and so to worke redemption for vsus.
4 The worse course that after hee tooke, and held on the same, euen to the end, was, that now he bent himselfe against Dauid, and did his endeuour to ouer-lay him the best that he could. Concerning which, we are first to see, what may seeme to be the occasion of it: then, in what manner it was performed. The occasion thereof may seeme to be the praesent disposition of King Saul: and, some outward thinges besides. The praesent disposition of King Saul, ill enough in it selfe by the common corruption of all, was now so much the worse, by that ill Spirite sent of the Lorde, Ibid. 16: 14. 18: 12.that so often vexed him now. Those outward thinges besides, were, that it pleased GOD, especiallie to preserue and prosper Dauid in all his wayes; and, that the people thereuppon had him in such reckoning as they had: as namely, in the vanquishing of Goliah, that as it pleased GOD to vouchsafe him that fauour; so the people thereuppon ascribed more a great deale to Dauid, than they did Ibi 17: 49-51. Ibid. 18: 6-9, 16, 29, 30.vntounto Saule, whereat the King euen at that praesent shewed himselfe to bee much offended, and to hauehave an especiall Eye to him so much the more afterward also. The manner wherein he did performe it, was first more secret: but then, more open. At such time as it was more secret, he would first hauehave slaine him by his owne hands Ibid. 10, 11.twice: then, by the enemy, and therefore gaue him charge of a thousand men; and Michal his yonger daughter in marriage, for an hundred foreskins of the Philistims. Ibid. 12-16. Ibid. 17-30When such close dealing would not serue, then he fell to doe it openly, and so eagerly withal, that he chased him out of the Land thrice: in the two former of which Dauid returned soone into the Land againe; but not the last of them, tel Saul was slaine. In the former therefore of the first two of them we are to consider, first of that which Saul did against him, then, how Dauid for a time went out of the Land to saue himselfe. That which Saul did against him, was, that he bare himselfe very hard, not only against him: but against one other also of speciall reckoning for his sake. Hee bare himselfe so very hard against him, that first hee set on others to kill him: then, when that fayled, he would afterward himselfe hauehave done it. Those others that hee Ibid. 19: 1-7sent to kill him were his sonne, and all his seruants: but Ionathan, first admonishing Dauid of it, and willing him to take good heede to himselfe, then so dealt with his father on Dauids behalfe, that Saul was then pacified, forethought himselfe of his bad meaning towards him, by plaine oath put his sonne out of iealousie that he would not doe it, and for a certaine time after did accordingly vse himselfe towards him. He would afteward himselfe hauehave done it twice: once, vponupon good successe that Dauid had against the enemies; an other time, by opportunity of a feast. The good successe▪ that Dauid had against the enemies, was, that he gaue the Philistims a very Ibid. S. Ibid 9. 10.great ouerthrow: whereupon Saul (the euill spirit then being vponupon him) was on a time secretly minded to slay Dauid, as hee was handling his Instrument before him, but that he warily auoyded the same, presently gat home, and went thense likewise vntounto some place of better safety; and when hee saw that Dauid had so escaped, hee sent presently after, had good hope for a time to hauehave sped, but by the helpe of Michal Ibid. 11-17.his daughter Dauids wife, was againe defeated, both at Dauids house, and at Ramah to when himselfe went thither. The opportunity he conceiued he might hauehave Ibid. 18. 24.at a feast, soone after ensuing, was, when by course, Dauid was to fit with the King at the table: but Dauid foreseeing that likewise, by the meanes and helpe of Ionathan escaped that also. That one other of speciall reckoning against whom he bare himselfe Ibid. 20: 1-29so hard for his sake, was Ionathan his son: with whom he was so far offended, only for excusing Dauids absence, that presently hee did reuile him sharpely for it; and Ibid. 30-33.tolde him that hee should neuer hauehave the kingdome in quietnesse, so long as Dauid liued; but then, when Ionathan did farther plead the innocency of Dauid, he tooke it so impaciently that he should so doe, that he cast his speare at him, and so it seemeth, in that his perturbation, he would hauehave slaine him. But Dauid hauing escaped the danger so narrowly as he had, thought not good now to abiet in the Land, and so departed: in which part of his Story, there is one thing so mistaken by some, that it had neede to bee more specially considered on: and so are wee f…st to consider of the maine Story, therein; then, of that particular that is so mistaken by others. The maine Story for this matter is no more but this, that Dauid to auoyde the handes of Saul did flee vntounto Achish one of the Kings of the Philistims: yet not to himselfe as it seemeth by the Story, because the King had him first brought vntounto him by his seruants, 1. Sam. 21: …0-15. 22: 1.but hoping belike by some meanes that hee had, to liue vnespyed there. But when he perceiued that certaine of them knew him, then he fained to be as a man distracted, or out of his wits, and so escaping that danger, returned into Iurie againe. The particular that was heerein mistaken, is therefore the rather to be considered, for that certaine of the enemies of the Gospell since hauehave thence taken one of their arguments for that late deuise of theirs of Transubstantiation. For whereas Augustine red, Augustine.that Dauid at this time was carryed in his owne hands towards the King, he inferreth thereon, that that could not be true in Dauid himselfe: but that, whereas Dauid was a figure of Christ, in him it was fulfilled at his last Supper, himselfe giuing his body and blood to his Desciples, and so then made with his owne handes deliuery of himselfe vntounto them. But now the truth is, both that the Father was deceaued in the Text it selfe (as also the vulgar Translation is, that hee sunke downe or fell in their handes); and himselfe dooth shortly after qualifie the hardnesse of his speech that it was (not simply) but after a sort, that Christ did so diliuer himselfe vntounto his disciples. In the latter likewise, we are first to consider of his Story in the Land, being now returned: then, of his departure againe. His Story in the Land at this time is but small, being no more but this, that being now returned, and for his strength betaking himselfe to a Caue at Adullam, there repayred diuers vntounto him, to the number Ibid. 22: 1, 2.of foure hundred in all: part, of his kindred and fathers house; the residue, such as were in trouble or debt, or some way or other discontented. A right patterne of the Congregation or militant Church of Christ heere: neuer being any other, but eyther such as are of his of-spring by regeneration, or that high Linage from aboue: or such as are in danger of Law, or ouerwhelmed with debt, or some way or other distressed heere. But as now at the first Dauid had but these fewe, and those of such quality, as in good respect he myght well be ashamed of many of them, to hauehave any such in his retinue; yet after he came to enioy the whole Kingdom, & to be attended by al the greatest & most honorable personages: so hauehave we partly seene, and are to wayt for a farther accōplishment of it, in Christ himselfe, that though his retinue consisted but of mean thinges at the first, yet since hauehave many of greatest reckoning submitted both themselues and theirs vntounto his Scepter, and is likewise to hauehave al powers in heauen and earth subiect vntounto him. When now he fled out of the Land againe, we hauehave not set downe by what occasion it was in particular: but the whole Story doth lead vsus to gather, that it was for his safety; and at this time it was to the Land of Moab, whereunto he for his safety repayred. Where also we hauehave no more but this, that Ibid. 3-….for a time he betooke himselfe to a strong hold there, and obtayned of the King, that his father and mother might be in those parts also (to auoyde the danger of Saul) till he might see what the Lord would doe for him: but then being warned by the Prophet Gad, not to abyde there, but to returne into Iurie againe, though this were but a matter of pollicy, he readyly obeyed the Prophet, and came home to his own country.
5 When after he left his Countrey agayne, and neuer returned so long as Saule liued, wee are in like manner as afore to see, first what was his Story in the Lande: then, in what sort hee left it agayne. His Story in the Lande at this time was much: partly while Saul vnderstanding he was now in the Land, neuerthelesse could not yet tell where he might hauehave him; but most of all so oft as hee could get more speciall intelligence where hee was to bee had. When Saul did now vnderstand that hee was in the Land, but yet knew not where to hauehave him, one Story wee hauehave that sheweth how eagarly Saul was bent against him: another, how Dauid notwithstanding did not keepe himselfe so close, but that he was ready ynough to come forth to the ayde of such as were distressed. That which sheweth how eagerly Saul was bent agaynst hym, is partly in wordes: but cheifly in deedes. In wordes hee made a set complaynt to all his attendants about him, that hys Sonne Ionathan had made a couenant with Dauid, and had stirred hym vp agaynst him: and that none of Ibid. 6-8.them were sorry for him, but kept their counsell, as if they looked for speciall preserment at the handes of Dauid, and so in effect conspyred agaynst him. His deedes that followed, proceeded of a speciall information then made vntounto him; so first of that speciall information; then of those his needes ensuing. That information was made by Doeg an Edomite, against Ahimelek the High Priest, and it was no more Ibid. 9. 10.but truth as it seemeth: but yet so framed as might seeme to import very treasonable meaning in him. His deedes that followed heereupon, were so very tart and bitter, that they giuegive vsus iust occasion to looke farther into that matter, than this praesent Story deliuereth vntounto vsus: so that first we are to consider of it, so far as this Story doth lead vsus; and then to see, what we are farther to think of this matter. Going but so far as this Story doth leade vsus, we finde the occasion was but small: but his displeasure very great. The occasion was, that Dauid comming to Ahimelek in some want, hee not knowing, that now he was in the displeasure, did something supply the wants that he had. The occasion of Dauids comming vntounto him now, was, that Ionathan according Ibid. 34-43.to his promise and couenant before, made true and faithfull relation to Dauid, how deepely his father was offended with him, so that indeede hee meant to slay him: and so shewing himselfe desirous, that the couenant they had made betwixt them might euer stand he dismissed him now, and wished him to shift for himselfe so well as he could. So the want that Dauid was in, when he came to Ahimilek, was, that Ibid. 21: 3, 8.by the reason of this his sodaine departure, he and his smal company came without victuals, and himselfe without weapon also. In Ahimeleks supplying these wants of Dauid, we are first to consider, what it was that so he did: and then, of another matter implyed therein. That which so he did, was most of it about the releeuing of him in his hunger: but part of it also, in that he did furnish him with a Weapon. To releeue his hunger when Dauid desired some sustenance for him and his, the Priest hauing nothing else at that praesent, gaue them of the Shewe-Bread which was not lawfull for any to eate, but onelyonly for the Priestes. Whereuppon, when by occasion Mat. 12: 4.Christ doth afterward alleage this Fact of Dauid, though most men take it (so farre as yet I hauehave founde) as in defence of his Disciples, by that Facte of Dauid Lyr. in 1. Sam. 21. in lit. Fet k. Co…. Pel. Ibid. Fr. Vatab. Ibidbefore, as making no quaestion but that that Fact of Dauid was lawfull, and so his Disciples then not to bee reprooueable neyther: yet euen the Text it selfe seemeth to me, to point vsus rather to another meaning, namely, that hee did it but to stop the mouthes of those wrangling Iewes, not as approouing that fact of Dauid (for himselfe saith, it was not lawful) but shewing vntounto them, of how bad a temper they were towardes him and his, who could so readily iustify Dauid in that his doing, and yet be so carping at his Disciples in that matter then, a great deale more iustifyable than Dauids before. That other that is but implyed therein, is, that there was in those dayes but small regard vntounto the Ministery, when as this Ahimelek the High-Priest, and so in chiefe place of all the Ministery, was so little prouided for, that nowe hee Cūman. Flinch▪ pa. geneal. 6. pag. 38.was not able to giuegive Dauid and his small company, some reasonable entertainment for one meale: none of the least blemishes in that his gouernment, that vnderunder him the Ministery was so much neglected; and a right good token indeed, that the good Spirite of God was taken from him, and an euill spirite sent vntounto him. To furnrsh him with a Weapon, he let him hauehave the Sword of Goliah being laide vp there, the 1. Sa. 21: 8, 9.Priest himselfe hauing none other, and Dauid making speciall reckoning of it, so soone as he heard that there he might hauehave it. Which fact of theirs may be (and is) diuersly taken. For by the place whence this Sword was taken, it may seeme, that it was dedicated to the Lord before: and so doe some take it. But because Ahimelek Pet. Mar. Co…r. Pel. Leu. 27: 28, 26. Lyr. in 1. Sam. 21. in. lit. g.was so ready to yeeld it, and Dauid to take it, which by the Law they might not doe, therefore is it thought by others, that it was not consecrated or dedicated vntounto the Lord, but onelyonly laide vp there for memory: as indeed, seeing Dauid made no conscience to take it vntounto prophane vse againe, and accounted none other so fit for his purpose as that (belike to nourish his hope towards God in that his distresse then, by the deliuerance that God had vouchsafed vntounto him before) there is that likelyhood, that it was not. For meaner than Dauid hauehave beene loath in their necessity to meddle with that, which they vnderstand to be consecrated before: and it is reported of Caesar, that on a time finding in one of their Temple in France a certain sword hung vp and dedicated, as in the fielde won from himselfe (which himselfe did …t Plutark.acknowledge to bee so indeede) when some of his company would hauehave gone and taken it away, as hanging there to his dishonor and falsly too, he neuerthelesse would not suffer them, euen onelyonly for that it was thus consecrated there, howsoeuer. But if we marke what followed very soone after, vntounto Ahimelek and all his company of Priestes there, and to the whole Cittie besides, wee may very well doubt, that it was 1. Sam. 22: 9-19.a greater matter with God than themselues did take it, or others since hauehave thought it to bee, that Ahimelek was so ready to impart the Shewe-Bread to Dauid and his company, and now to yeelde this Sword vntounto him, though in this place the Text doe not so charge them: especially, seeing that first vnderunder the Law such thinges were so strictly forbidden, and one of the kindes so seuerely punished in Achan; then, vnderunder the Gospell Christ himselfe saith, for the former of them, that it was not lawfull for them so to hauehave do one. In the displeasure that Saule conceiued against Ahimelek Exod. 29: 33. Lev. 24▪ 5-9. Ios 7 1, 10-26. Mat. 12: 4.and others for this, wee are to note; first, how easily hee did conceiue it: then, howe sore and grieuous it was. Hee conceiued it by Doeg, one of his owne Seruaunts, and therefore likely enough to bee partiall on his Maisters behalfe; and the same 1. Sam. 21: 7. 22: 9. Ibi. 22: 14, 15.an Edomite, and therefore in that respect as likely to doe it of some stomacke, they beeing auncient Enemies to the Israelites: and, but for releeuing and helping of one, who was but a little before in speciall fauour with the King, and in great imploiments by his appointment; and, by all likelihood, not knowne as yet to be any thing at all in the Kinges displeasure, but still to bee in his wonted sauour. Both which notwithstanding, the King tooke this so maruellous ill at the hands of Ahimelek the Ibid. 16-20.High-Priest, that he did not onelyonly put him to death, but for his sake fourescore and foure Priestes moe, together with the residue (one onelyonly excepted that made an escape) of all their Family, Man, Woman, and Childe, with all their Cattle great and small: his rage being so great therein, that euen his owne Seruants would not be executioners thereof, though he had giuen it in charge vntounto them; sauing that Doeg the Accuser himselfe, did as barbarously performe the execution, as the King had in the depth of rigour giuen it in charge. That which wee hauehave farther to thinke of this matter, is partly a farther charge laid to Ahimelek than yet we read of: but most of it as touching the seueritie of this his heauy iudgement against him and the rest of his Family. That farther charge that was laid to Ahimelek, was, that hee asked counsell of the Lord for Dauid: a thing that Doeg laid to his charge, and Ahimelek himselfe Ibid. 10. Ibid. 15.did not deny. A good token (if it were so indeed) first, on Dauids part, both that in his trouble he sought to the Lorde, and that hee had no ill heart to the King, when he was but of such intention as wherein hee sought to hauehave his direction from God: then, on Saules, that eyther he needed not to be offended with Dauid for this, or else that now himselfe had no good heart towards God, when he could not take it well, that his aduise should be taken therein. As touching the seuerity of this heauy iudgement against him and the rest of his Family, it shall bee good for vsus to note two things therin: one, that such things were before denounced; the other, whereupon it was that God did take occasion so to deale. In that they were before denounced, 1. Sam. 2: 27-36 3: 11-14. Ibi. 22: 16-19.and now since (as we see) in such sort accomplished, it teacheth vsus to take heede of all such things, as it pleaseth God at any time to warne vsus of: otherwise to make no quaestion, but that such thinges are like indeede to befall vsus. Whereupon it was that God tooke occasion so to deale, is likewise before set downe, namely, for that Elie the High-Priest an Ancester of theirs before, great Grand-Father to Ahimelek Ibid▪ 2▪ …9. 3: 13. Cūman. Flinch pa. Gen. 6. pag. 38.that now we speake of, did not more seuerely restraine the loosenesse of his two sons, being so offensiue as they were to they people of God: & it doth in like sort teach vsus, that heauy iudgementes are due in the iustice of God to all those of speciall place, who suffer such as are vnderunder their charge, so to followe their owne vnbridled wayes, that thereby they occasion the people to take any loathing with the worship and seruice of God; as among vsus there not a few, that, in ouer great measure, so hauehave done. How Dauid notwithstanding did not keep himselfe so close, but that hee was ready enough to come forth to the ayde of such as were distressed, the Storie of of Keilah is witnesse sufficient. But therein we hauehave not onelyonly that Story it selfe: but another accident withall to that place belonging. In that Story it selfe, wee hauehave, not onelie how ready Dauid was to help them: but withall, how little help he might look for at their hands. He was so ready to help thē, that so soon as he heard they were distressed 1. Sam. 23:-5.(which was, for that the Philistims did besiedge them, and had them, it seemeth, at the aduantage, because God himselfe doth tearm that his helping of thē to be the sauing of that Citty) he but inquired of the Lord (first for his own resolution, & then again Ibid. 2.for the better resolution of his company, because some of them made some doubt of it) & then went against them, made a great slaughter of them, & brought away much Cattle with them. In that he might look for little help at their hands againe, it shall be good for vsus to consider, not only how the same appeareth: but also whereupon it may seeme to be grounded. It plainely appeareth in that when Saule heard he was Ibid. 7-12.there, and being a glad man of it, that hee had him (as hee tooke it) inclosed vp in a Citty to his best aduantage, came to surprise him, and Dauid inquiring of the Lorde, whether Saul would indeede come downe against him, and if hee did, whether the Gouernors of the Citty would deliuer him into his hands. The Lord did plainely answe…, that Saul would come downe against him, and that the Gouernors would deliuer him into his hands. So the Seruants of God must be content to do good vntounto others, though there be no meaning in those others againe to requite it. That they would not stand to him against their King, it may very well be without any vnthankfulnes in them, both for that in duty they might not, and in power they were not able to stand against him: & so, if they had made that attempt, they could not but hauehave wrapped themselues and Dauid withall into ineuitable destruction, and the same very iustly deserued. A place so much the meeter to bee noted, for that it is the manner of most men, when they hauehave made others beholding vntounto them, then to looke that for it they should stand with them, farther than in duty they ought, or on behalfe of them and theirs it were meete that they should: or otherwise to thinke very hardly of them, and to account them very vnthankfull; as there be that thought Pet Martyr in 1. Sam. 13: 13.these to be, and Dauid himselfe to be so perswaded also. At this time Saule began to vnderstand where Dauid was to bee had, and so did hee diuers times after: but wherea…s now he was almost intrapped in a walled Citty, we doe not afterward find, but that euer he kept more at large, in the Deserts or open Countrey, in the Woods, Rockes and Caues thereof. First, therefore at this time hearing that hee was now Ibid. 7, 8.at Keilah, hee gathered his forces together, and hastned thither-ward, vppon great hope to surprize him there: but Dauid inquiring of the Lord, vnderstood what danger Ibid. 9-13.was towardes him, and so by flight in time escaped (his company being then encreased two hundred mo, and so now six hundred in all) of whose flight from thence when Saul was aduertised, he also then gaue ouer that iourney. Where Dauid was after, and how busily Saul imployed himselfe to get him; we hauehave first set downe generally: and more specially after. Generally, it is saide that Dauid thence-forward shifted for himselfe and his company, now in one place, now in another, so wel Ibid. 13, 14.as he could; and that Saul did seeke him eueryevery day: but that God did not deliuer him into his handes. More specially wee finde, that Dauid was three seuerall times discouered to Saul, in those by-places of woodes and Wasts wherein he walked and hid himselfe; and that Saul, euer as he got intelligence of him, tooke the aduantage of it so well as he could, and endeauoured to get him: yet that successe or issue of his desires was no better than this, for the first time hee did but faile of his purpose, but did not bring himselfe in daunger withall; the other two he brought his owne person into speciall danger thereby. In the first of those when himselfe as yet came in no danger, Dauid first had one speciall comfort: and then was exercised with harde and bad dealing. The speciall comfort that first he had, was that Ionathan Saules Ibid 16-18.eldest Son did yet abide so fast vntounto Dauid, notwithstanding his father was so grieuous vntounto him, that he came secretly where Dauid was, bad him bee of good comfort, and renewed the couenant with him. The hard and bad dealing wherewithall he was exercised immediately after, was first the vnkindnesse of the Ziphims, who who also were of the Tribe of Iudah, and so of one and the selfe-same Tribe with Ibid. 19, 20, 24.Dauid, and yet notwithstanding not onelyonly tolde him where he was, but offered also to deliuer him into his hands (a reasonable good patterne how vntrusty the best that are may sometimes finde their owne Kindred to be:) then, that hot pursute of Saule thereupon against him, hauing but the edge of an hill betwixt them, and so eagerly following vponupon him, that in the meane season he suffered the Philistims to breake in Ibid. 21-23. 25-28.vponupon them, by whom notwithstanding he was soone after withdrawne (full sore belike against his will) when hee had almost compassed Dauid and his men cleane about, & so shut them vp in the iawes of death. In those other two, wherin he brought his owne person in danger, we hauehave some other story enterlaced, appertaining as it seemeth vntounto the meane time betwixt them; & yet are so noted by the circumstance of the time, that they seeme rather to hang as appendants vntounto the former, than to hauehave any relation at all to the latter: and so are wee first to consider, of the former of these; then, of those Storyes that ensue there-vppon. The former Ibid. 24: 1. Chr: Adricho.of these, was at Engeddie, in the East side of Iudah, neere vntounto the Dead sea, at which time when Saule perceiued how daungerously hee had falne into the hands of Dauid, and that Dauid neuerthelesse had spared him, he was inwardly so touched with it, that he condemned himself therein, and sought to hauehave a league of Dauid. So are we first to consider of that his pursuite in hostile manner: Ibid. 2, 3.then, of that his relenting after. His pursuite in hostile manner we … was such, that so soone as he heard where he was, hee got three thousand chosen men out of all his people, and went with those to seeke out Dauid: and so busily employed himselfe therein, that he spared not the …rd rockes; where the wild Goats did vse. A patterne plaine enough in it selfe (considering how after ward. Dauid dealt with him) how eagerly the children of the world do… very often pursue after those that meane no hurt at all vntounto them. VntoUnto his relenting after it doth appertaine, first to see how Dauid dealt with him: then, ho… he relented thereon. To find in what sort Dauid dealt with him, we are likewise first to see, how he fell into Dauids curtesie: and then, when Dauid had him within his danger, how he demeaned himselfe towards him. Dauid and his men to escape the eye of Saul, had entered into a great Caue, and were in the inmost parts of it: at which time Saule comming that way, and turned into the mouth of that Caue to doo his easement: Ibid. 4.and so fell into the hands of Dauid, hee and his men espying him there. In the demeanor of Dauid towards him, wee are first to consider what it was: then how he acquainted Saule himselfe with it. His demeanor towards him was at the first indeede somewhat doubtfull: but afterward very good. When it was but doubtfull, because it was by the solicitation or aduise of others, therefore are wee first to see what aduise it was that others did giuegive him: then, how farre-forth Dauid did Ibid. 5.put it in practise. The aduice that others did him, was in effect, that the Lorde had now brought him within his daunger: and therefore that hee was to take the aduantage of it. So diuers account, that the Lord oft-times doth bring thinges to their hands for them to take the opportunity of them, when as indeede it is but onelyonly for their tryall. How farre Dauid did put it in practise, wee cannot certainly Ibid.tell, because we know not with what minde hee went vntounto him. But sure it is, that thereupon he drew towards him, though in the end he did no more but onelyonly cut off the lap of his garment that belike he had laide by, and quickely repented Ibid. 6.him of that also: as indeede it was not to bee iustified, whensoeuer it should bee rightly examined. And so the children of God carry that reuerence and true allegiance to their Superiors, that though by infirmity sometime they slip: yet otherwise do they make more conscience at a lap of their garment, than manie of those that God hath placed in great authority, euen at the heart-bloud of those their Ibid. 7, ….faithful and loyal subiectes; especially in the cause of Religion. That part of it which was very good, was, that when he returned to his men againe, both he was himselfe very resolute, that in no wise he might lay his hands on the Lords annointed: Ibid. 9-14.and disswaded them also for attempting any such matter against him. To acquaint Saule with it also, he went forth of the Caue immediately after Saul, called vponupon him, did his obeysance, and then opened his minde vntounto him: the effect of which was, that now he might hauehave good testimony, that he was not so ill minded towards him as others bare him in hand that hee was, when as hauing him in Ibid. 15, 16the Caue he laid no hands in him, but onelyonly cut off the lap of his garment, to be a witnesse, what he might hauehave done to him then, if he had beene so disposed; and withall, to shew him the vnseemelinesse of that his pursute, that the King of Israel in that great power of his, should bend himselfe against him in that weakenes that then he was in. In that relenting of Saule after his minde was so changed now (a good experiment, what dutifull and gentle dealing may do, euen with those, that Ibid. 17-23.most of all others are out of temper) that yeelding himselfe faulty, hee iustified Dauid, and sought to hauehave a league of him (which also he had) as making no doubt by this good dealing, but that he should come to the kingdome indeede: al which notwithstanding, when Saule departed, Dauid yet still stood on his guard. The Stories ensuing are of two sorts; one, concerning all the whole people generally; the others, concerning Dauid more specially. That which concerneth all the Ibi. 25. 1. 28: 3whole people generally, is, that now it pleased God to take away from them by naturall death the Prophet Samuell: for whom all Israell assembled together and mourned, and then buried him in his owne possession in Ramah; but Dauid thereuppon withdrew himselfe farther out of the way; to the Wildernesse of Paran, on the South end of …. Those that concerne Dauid more specially, are, one of them about his releefe: others, about his Wedlocke. In that same which was for his releefe it so fell out, that his dealing was with one Nabal, one of the same Tribe, and of the …age of Caleb, but a Man of so peruerse or crooked Nature, that thereby he had welny wrought the destruction of him and his▪ So are we first to see, how he brought himselfe in danger: then, how he escaped the perill of it. He brought himselfe in danger by giuing so churlish an answere vntounto Dauids Messengers as hee did: and so are we first to see, in what sort Dauid sent vntounto him; then, what was the answere he gaue them. Dauid beeing in those parts not farre off from him, and vnderstanding Idid. 2-6, 8.that then he had a Sheepe-shearing, and conceiuing thereon, that as hee was a great wealthy man, so he would hauehave good store of prouision against that time (as it seemeth the manner was) sent vntounto him in very good and curteous manner, to spare Ibid. 7, 11. 2, Sam. 13: 23.vntounto him and his company some part of his prouision, such as himselfe should thinke good to bestow vponupon them: putting him in minde withall, how little he was endammaged Ibid. 7, 8.by any of his company, when they lay where his goods were; as hoping, that their good dealing with him then, would be so much better requited now. In the answer that was giuen, wee are to consider, what the aunswere it selfe was: and, in what sort Dauid did take it. The answere it selfe that Nabal gaue, was very bad: both contemptuous to the person of Dauid; and vtterly denying him to hauehave any Ibid. 9-11.thing thence. Dauid also tooke it so very ill, that praesently hee armed foure hundred of his men, and was fully purposed, that night vtterly to destroy both him & his: Ibid. 12, 13, 21, 22.a speciall example, both that a churlish vnthankfulnesse woundeth sore; and that Dauid was a man much subiect vntounto his infirmity, who would hauehave beene so grieuously auenged on so priuate an iniury as that. In that Nabal escaped the perrill of it, it was but with men, as it seemeth: and not so with God. A thing to bee noted of vsus also, that we may oft-times escape the handes of men: and yet may not therefore hope to be freede from the iudgements of God. With men he escaped it, in that praesently after there was such course taken, as whereby Dauid was pacified: and so are we to see what course it was that now was taken; then, how Dauid was pacified with it. The course that nowe was taken to that purpose, was by Abigail, Nabals Wife, vppon the intelligence that shee had by one of her Seruants. For one of the Seruants tolde her, not onelyonly howe vncurtuously Nabal his Maister had vsed Dauids Ibid. 14-17.Messengers; & how good cause there was to hauehave them vsed otherwise: but also aduised her to bethink herselfe how to help it, as making no quaestion, but that otherwise it would bee auenged; and their Mayster was so vntractable, that there was no dealing with him. Heereupon Abigail, beeing a rare Woman, both for other ornaments Ibid. 3.of Nature, and for wisedome too, made hast to make vp that default of her Husbands the best that she could: both by sending a liberall praesent before her, and Ibid. 18-20. Ibid. 23-31.then, following herselfe immediatly after, by her own demeanour towards Dauid, & by the wise course of her speech, that she had with him. Wherein one thing especially is worthy the marking, how wisely she cōmendeth vntounto him, the keeping of his conscience cleane frō sin now, against the time that afterward he should sit on the Thron Ibid. 30, 31.of his Kingdome. In which likewise she vseth one speciall phrase not to be omitted: namely, that it wil be no grief to him afterward to remember, that he did not preserue Ibid.himself, or as Dauid by & by after vseth the like, that his own hand did not saue him: a phrase, or a kind of speech that affordeth much good matter, to al those, that so litle Ibid. 33.rest on the prouidence of God, that in all such matters they euer chuse rather to be theyr owne Caruers. Dauid also was so pacified therewith, that he praysed God, & Ibid. 32-35.thanked hir that had mollified his minde in that matter: and now altogether remitted vntounto her, the rigour of that his intended purpose. That hee did not escape it with God, may partly appeare the next morning: but especially a few dayes after. The next morning it did partly appeare, for that he was strucken with so great a feare so Ibid. 36, 37.soone as he vnderstood by his Wife, in what danger he was the night before, both he and all his to hauehave beene slaughtered: though yet at that praesent hee were passing merry. The feare of which danger the lesse that now hee was able to beare, the more may it bee a good document to vsus, that whereas there is an hard heart voide of compassion towards those that neede, or but so vnthankfull towards those that hauehave deserued well, there is no little sound comfort towards God, that it is lesse maruell if such things do strike them with so speciall a feare. Those few daies after were but ten, at which time the Lord so stroke him, that then he died: a smaller time to enioy Ibid. 38.those things, whereof he was so loath to part with any portion to Dauid, than he was aware of; but yet a meete pattern of that skantling of time that God in his iustice now and then apportioneth to those that are so vnseasonably so very straight laced. Concerning his wedlocke, whereas heere in this place we hauehave mention of diuers Wiues of his at once, we are first to consider of them all generally: then of the Story of eueryevery one more specially. Of them all generally no more but this, that Dauid was not Ibid. 42-44.so well aduised of the institution or ordinance of Wedlocke, neither yet of his duty therein, but that fowly he steined himselfe with that one point of corruption of those daies: so dangerous is any kind of corruption (whereunto we incline by course of nature) when once it hath taken roote in many. More specially the Story goeth, first of such as he enioyed: then, of one that was taken from him. Those that he enioyed, were two: this Abigaell that now wee speake of; and Ahinoam. As touching Ibid. 39. 40Abigaill, we hauehave something to note on Dauids part: and something on hers. On Dauids part, that hauing seene her person before, and hauing had experience of her wisedome then, hee reioyceth now that his hand was not against her husband, and withall doth take her to be his wife: on her part, that though she were very wise, and did much abase her selfe vntounto him, yet she yeelded to bee a wife vntounto him, whom belike Ibid. 41, 42.she knew to hauehave another before. Of Ahinoam we hauehave no more in effect, but that Abigail and shee together were Wiues vntounto Dauid. She that was taken from Ibid. 43.him was Micol the Daughter of Saul, whom Saul, in this his displeasure against Dauid, Ibid. 44.tooke away from him, and bestowed on another, one Phalty. In which case, though Saul be not of that reckoning with vsus (especially after the good Spirit of God was taken from him, and an ill spirit sent to vex him) that any will thinke his example warrantable: yet it may be that some may conceiue so of Dauids, that as when his Wife was giuen to another, he tooke a supplie, so might they thinke it lawfull for them to do; which notwithstanding they can neuer find to be of any vndoubted warrant vntounto them. The latter of them was in the Wildernesse of Ziph, where againe he was so ouertaken, that againe hee iustifieth Dauid, and condemneth himselfe to hauehave done maruelous ill: protesting withall, that thenceforward he would neuer doe so againe. So that in this also we are to see, first how hee pursued vponupon him in hostile manner: then how he came to a better mind after. That now he pursued him againe in hostile manner, we hauehave first set downe, who set him on: then, in what sort he did it. Those that set him on were the Ziphims his old friendes, of the same Tribe as I said, but false vntounto him, once before, and now againe: these came vntounto Saul, and 1. Sam. 26: 1.let him vnderstand were Dauid was. Whereupon Saul, notwithstanding that hee Ibid. 2, 3.seemed to hauehave reconciled himselfe to Dauid before: yet now hoping to hauehave the aduantage against him, hee maketh towardes him apace with his three thousand choyce men, to see if yet he may surprise him. Hee came to a better mind notwithstanding Ibid. 4-16, 17, 18-20, 22-24.when he saw that againe he was at vnwares fallen into the hands of Dauid: and that he neuerthelesse againe had spared him. He fell into his handes againe in his owne Camp, himselfe and his company being so fast a sleepe, that Dauid, and one other with him came in among them, euen to the place where the King himselfe lay: and though they might easily hauehave slaine him, and the other would hauehave done it, yet Dauid would in no wise suffer it, but onelyonly tooke such tokens with them as might sufficiently witnesse they had beene there, and then, both reproued his chiefe Captaine for keeping his watch so ill as he did, and acquainted the King himselfe with the danger hee had beene in, himselfe crauing no better at the hands of God, than heerein Saul had found at his. Saul therefore perceiuing this to be so indeede, againe acknowledged Ibid. 17, 21 25.his owne bad dealing against him, and that Dauid should vndoubtedly prosper, and so departed.
6 But now the time being come that Dauid left the land againe, & neuer returned so long as Saul liued, we are first to see, by what occasion he left the land now: and then, what was his story vntill the time hee returned againe. The occasion of his departing now, was his owne doubtfulnesse, that some time or other he should fall into the hands of Saul; and therefore that it was best for him to depart: as indeede 1. Sam. 27: 1.in all reason it was, seeing he was better disposed than to take the aduantage of him when it was in his hands to do it; & it seemeth, by that which after followed, that God had another purpose therein also. So he departeth, he & his 600. men with him: and they went vntounto Achis k. of Gath, one of the Princes of the Philistims. Ibid. 2. 3.As touching his Story vntill the time hee returned againe, because his returne was not, till (after the death of Saul) he did returne vntounto the kingdome, at which time the maine Story must go on him as King, whereas yet it goeth onelyonly on Saule, and so must do vntill his death; we are now to consider, but of so much of the Storie of Dauid, as commeth within the life of Saule, being all that time among the Philistims, and vnderunder Achis aforesaid, first, for a while, he and his company being in the selfe-same Citty where the King himselfe resided; but shortly after, in another which the King bestowed vponupon him. While he was in the Citty where the King himselfe resided, we hauehave little other story of him, but only in what sort they were there: and how he obtained another place for him and his company, so to auoid the immoderate pestering of the Citty where the King himselfe remained. They were there, eueryevery man himselfe and his family; and so, Dauid himselfe, he and his Ibid. 3.two wiues with him. In the obtaining of that other place for him and his, first we hauehave his motion for that matter: then, how the same was graunted vntounto him. His motion was, that so he and his might be lesse troublesome to the King in that principall Ibid. 5.Citty of his: but by that which followeth it is not vnlikely, but that it was some part of his meaning to hauehave some farther liberty also, than so neere to the King, he might safely vse. That which he obtained thereby, was Ziklag, a Citty in the heart of the Tribe of Simeon, Gath being in the vttermost corner from it of Ibid. …. Chr. Adrice.the Tribe of Dan, and so indeede so farre distant from it, that by the distance it shoulde rather seeme to belong to some other Citties of the Philistims that were much neeter, than vntounto it. When he had this bestowed vponupon him, then hauehave we likewise more story of him: and first one thing that belongeth to the whole time of his being among the Philistims; then, diuers others appertaining to the time of his being at Ziklag. That which belongeth to the whole time of his beeing among the Philistims, is no more but onelyonly the account of the time of his beeing there, Ibid. 7.which was foure months, and certaine dayes: the consideration whereof is noted to be (among others) a good helpe to vnderstand, how those two yeares of the raigne of Saul are to be taken, that are spoken of before. Those others that appertaine to the time of his being at Ziklag, are of such nature, that it seemeth to mee, Tremel. I…n. in. 1. Sam. 13: 1.that first God left him much to himselfe: but afterward, that hee would hauehave the gouernment of him, He seemeth to be left much to himselfe, for that he yeilded himselfe so seruiceable to Achis as he did, first in seeming or making a show, that he went against the Israelites: then in yeelding to do it indeed. He seemed to do it, in going against those other peoples thereby, spoyling and destroying them so Ibid. 8, 9.as he did to bring in the booty to Achis: and to the end that Achis might bee so Ibid. 20-12.perswaded of him, both he left none (so neere as he could) to tell Tales of him, a very odious thing in it selfe; and himselfe beeing demaunded by the king whence he had gotten all that spoile, he brought the King in minde, it was from the Israelites, and so abused his credit also with him. He did yeeld to do it indeed, when he was content to go with the Philistims to the battell against the Israelites, and assured Ibid. 28: 1, 2.the King that he would do his best endeuour against them. Both which doo shew, what the best of al are, when God doth leaue vsus vntounto our selues. It seemeth likewise, that God would now hauehave the gouernment of him, in all the rest: first, to keepe him from a foule reproachfull sinne, whereunto himselfe had yeelded; and then to giuegive him (as it seemeth) chastisement also, for that he was so ready vntounto it. That foule and reproachfull sinne, whereunto Dauid had yeelded, but that God kept him from it was (as wee heard) to ioyne with the Enemy against his owne Countrey and Soueraigne Lorde▪ and, that the other Princes of the Phili… refused Ibi…. 29▪ 3-11.to hauehave him in their company, when Achis made that reckoning of him; that was a speciall fauour of GOD towardes him, that would not suffer him so to be stained. The chasticement that it seemeth God would giuegive him for that his readinesse, was not such, but that hee mingled fauour withall: and so are we more specially to marke▪ wherein it may seeme, that hee was chasticed: and, where in againe there was fauour vsed. Chasticed hee seemeth to bee, first, in the Hoast: then, in Ziklag. In the Heast, for that hee was se…t away in dishonour: as, likely to be false vntounto them, though neuer so much hee praetended other-wise then. In Ibid. 4, 5. Ibid. 30: 1-6.Ziklag, his owne Citty nowe, that it was spoyled and burnt; and all taken quite away (theyr Wiues, Children, Goods and all) at the selfe-same time when hee was gone thence, to hauehave gone against his Countrey and Prince: and that his company were so grieued thereat, that they were of purpose to stone him for it. That fauour was mingled with this chasticement, deoth plainely enough appeare; first, in the Hoast: then, heere at home also. In the Hoast, that seeing Israell was then Ibid. 28: 19.to be put to the worse, and both the King and his Sonnes were to bee slaine (among whom his deare friend Ionathan was one) hee should not bee that day in the fielde Ibid. 31: 2against them. Heere at home, first, that GOD gaue him an heart, in that his distresse to seeke vntounto him: then, that he gaue him so speciall comfort, as then hee did. In that hee gaue him an heart to seeke vntounto him, as then hee did by Abiathar the Ibid. 30: 7, 8.Priest, it was a great fauour in it selfe, and a token of more ensuing. The comfort that then hee gaue him besides, was first but in hope onelyonly, by the assurance that then was giuen him: but shortly after, in the fruition of the thing it selfe. The comfort that was giuen him in hope, was, that by the Lord hee was allowed to Ibid. 8.follow on them, that had doone him this displeasure: and was assured withall, that he should ouer-take them, and recouer all againe. In that that Dauid was to come to the fruition of the thing it selfe, there be other things concurring withall: so that first wee are to consider of the thing it selfe, or that which respecteth the substance of it; and then to come to those other thinges that concurre there-with. The thing it selfe, or that which respecteth the substance of it, is, that whereas the Ammalekites, in that absence of Dauid, had inuaded and burnt the Citty, and had taken away all with them: he soone recouered all againe, so that nothing at all was wanting to any Ibid. 9-20.of them. Of those other things that concurre there-with, one of them is of the selfesame time with the main businesse it selfe: but the others varry. That which is of the selfe-same time with the maine busines it selfe, is, that whereas the Ammalekites had spoyled many other places besides Ziklag, and had gotten a great booty together, Dauid now did not only recouer all his owne and his mens, but withall, whatsoeuer Ibid. 16-20.they had gotten from all other places besides, and brought it away with them (together with their owne) vnderunder the name of Dauids prey. Of those that varry, one goeth before: others follow. That which goeth before, is, that although Dauid had a fayre promise of God for the matter, yet was he so far from neglecting the ordinary meanes that might lead or help thereunto, that finding by the way a young man that was but Ibid. 11-16.seruant to one of the Amalekites, whom his Maister left sick behind, now almost aff… mished also, and hoping to learne something by him, hee did so well vse him, that by his meanes he was readily brought vntounto them. Those which follow are two: one, as touching certain of Dauids company, that by occasion taried behind; the other, the opportunity of Dauids booty. Those of his company that by occasion tarried behind, Ibi. 10, 11, 24.were a third part of the whole: and they staied because they were so weary, that they were not able to go any farther; and so by that occasion, the residne left there al such things as they might spare, and those to keep thē til they returned. Concerning whom when certain ill-minded-men of those four hundred who went thorough with Dauid, Ibid. 12-25.would hauehave denied those two hundred, that for wearines tarried behind, to hauehave any part of the prey, but onelyonly eueryevery of them his own: he thereupon took order, both for that praesent, & for the time to come, that such as did abide by the stuffe, should hauehave as good part of the prey, as those that went downe to the battle. The Ministery indeede it no… so meet, either for the Bench or for the fielde, the greatest imployments that … we hauehave of the higher sort: but is altogether to as good vse as the tarying of these behind to keep the st…e▪ in any State whatsoeuer; and that i… so cleere, that in no wise it can be denied. But where hauehave we that aequity of D…id, that alloweth them altogether as good part for their labour, … any of the other whatsoeuer? In the opportunity of Dauids bo…y wee are to note, not onelyonly how fitly it came; but how fitly also it was imployed: yet both these, vnwitting to him. For now was he soone to come to the kingdom, and whereas he had diu…r… secret friends before, who some way or other were helping vntounto him in his aduersity, and while he wandred among them within the land, & should need them now also when he was to come to the Crowne, both God brought it in fitly against that time, and withall gaue him an hart so to imploy it, as in likelihood might make very well to that purpose. For hee forthwith sent praesents thereof in very kind and thankfull manner, among those that Ibid. 26-31.were his friends, at least to thirteene seuerall places by name, and to diuers others besides. Now whether the case were such, or not, that restitution to the former owners had beene more honourable to Dauid, and more agreeable to the rule of aequity, I cannot determine: but in my mind, whereas the Text doth plainely say, that the prey Ibid. 16.was taken out of the Land of the Philistims, and out of the Land of Iudah, what by his new duty that he ought to the Philistims now, for his entertainment among them, and what by his old duty that hee ought to his Countrey people the Inhabitantes of Iudah, for his byrth and bringing vp there, it may seeme, it had been more honorable to hauehave possessed those of their own again so far as he could, for his part at least; especially when as yet he did not know, that otherwise he had so special vse of it as soone after he had. But whether it had bin more honourable or not, we finde no such thing heere to be done: and this hauehave I noted, that whereas fiue of those places that heere Ex text…. Adric Tremel … I…are named, doe indeede appertaine to Iudah (and those submitted themselues soone vntounto Dauid, so soone as euer he began his Kingdome (and three of them are neither 2. Sam. 2: 4. Ibid. 8, 9.of them both, at least vncertaine; sixe of them belong to Israell, and so had they the most; but yet did they all refuse him and set vp another. So that although hee had a thankfull remembrance of many of them, yet was it lost to this purpose, and to that end had no blessing at all of God vppon it: some peece of coniecture, such as it is, that their partes were not so well to such purpose bestowed on them, as they might hauehave bin restored to those, from whom they were but a little before so vniustly taken.
7 Hitherto of the life of Saul: now come we to the Story of his death; yet not to begin at that very instant, but some conuenient space before. Which I thinke we best may take, from the time that Dauid now this last time had left the land, and made his aboad among the Philistims: after which time we hauehave in effect no Story of him, but that still he drew neerer and neerer, ineuitably vntounto his death. Which compasse if we take, therein it shall be good to note, how the iudgementes of God began to light on him: and how they proceeded euen to the end. They began to light on him, as it hath been often in many: that when men hauehave gone so farre as they can in sinning, then doth God begin to punish. For so was it with Saul. He had persecuted Dauid, a long time, with all the skill and force that hee had: but hearing now, that hee was in Gath among the Philistims, he lest of seeking, and so did follow no more vponupon 1. Sam. 27: 4.him. Hee hauing done, and yet not otherwise (wofull man that hee is) but because he can goe no farther, now God beginneth to let goe his hand, and to cut him downe by the roote. They proceeded against him euen to the end, in that he was so deepely distressed in the meane season: and soone after came to a pittifull ende. Deepely distressed he was, first by the Enemy: but then specially, for that, when hee sought it, he could obtaine no help of God. The distresse that he was in by the Enemy, was no more yet but feare, and an harty astonishment that nowe they so brake Ibid. 28: 4, 5.in vppon him with so great forces as then they had, and euen into the heart of the Countrey. For they came first to Sh…nem, in the South-side of the Tribe of Issachar. And yet was not Saul so fearefull of them, but that hee and his forces came Ibid. 4.to the Mountaines of …albe…, ouer against them, and there lay to stop their passage▪ and when the Army of the Philistims retyr…d to Ap…k, a little backeward (by what Ibid. 29: 1.occasion, or to what purpose, I finde not noted) hee also dr…e neerer vntounto them, and camped ne…r… the Fountaine of Izre…l, as neere vntounto them as conueniently hee might. But then, at their first entrance, asking counsell of the Lorde, and hee no Ibid. 28: 6.way giuing him aunswere, that want so neere vntounto him, that thereupon he turned to such bad members as God had willed to bee destroyed, and himselfe had endeuoured Ibi. 28: 3▪ 7-14.before to abolish out of the Land: and so hee did not then more earnestly seeke vntounto the Lord, and depend vponupon him till it should please him to hauehave mercy on him; but turned to such as dealt by ill meanes, Witches, Sorcerers, and such like, such as himselfe knew to be abhorred, and had a little before condemned. Howbeit considering what hauock he had made, on so small occasion, of the Lords Priests before; hee was but iustly required, that the Lord would not aunswere him now: and it may be a faire Lesson to many of vsus (all Christendome ouer) that if wee so proceede to destroy the Ministery, as of long wee hauehave done, by with-drawing their needefull maintenance from them, wee also may hauehave the selfesame iudgement laid vppon vsus. His pittifull ende, for the most part, wee hauehave described heere: but part of it in another place ensuing. So farre as it is described heere, the Issue of this conflict did not onelyonly fall on the persons of those that had the woorse: but on many of theyr Cittyes besides. As touching that which befell theyr persons, whereas when these battels ioyned, hee and his were slaine in the fielde, seeing the Enemies were not content with his death, but wreaked theyr anger further on some of their dead bodyes besides, wee also are not onelyonly to consider of his fall in the Fielde: but of that which befell him afterward also. In that his fall in the fielde, some-thing we finde common to himselfe and others: and some-thing proper to himselfe alone. Common to himselfe and others it was, that the Israelites had the worse, Saule, Ibid. 31▪ 1-3.his three Sonnes, and all his Familie (to speake off) and many of the people were slaine: and, as it seemeth by the order of the Text (speaking of the flight of all, before that it speaketh of the fall of any) and by the circumstance of the place (because their fall was in Mount Gilboa, from which they were before descended) they were all slaine, not in the face of the Enemye, but first turned to flight. Propper vntounto Saule it was, that beeing wounded, hee would hauehave had his Armour-Bearer Ibid. 4-6.to hauehave slaine him out-right, which when hee refused, hee did endeauour himselfe to doe it, and when that fayled likewise then (as the party himselfe confessed) 2. Sa. 1▪ 6-10.hee desired another (who by occasion came by) to dispatch him out-right, so to rid him out of his paine: and that his Armour-Bearer, seeing his Lord and Mayster so to dye, made away himselfe likewise, so to dye with him. In that which after befell him, when the Enemy had wreaked his mallice vppon him, it pleased GOD so to touch the hearts of some, that they had some speciall regard vntounto him. The Ibid. 8-10.Enemy to wreake his mallice vppon him (when the next day, going to spoyle those that were slaine, they found the bodyes of Saule and his Sonnes among the rest) both stript of his Armour, and cut off his head, and sent them home in token of 1. Ch…. 10: 10.the victory, and gaue commaundement withall that it should bee published in the Temples of their Gods, and to the people: but their bodies they did hang in despight on the wals of Bethsau (hauing belike pursued them so farre the day before) a Cittie of that halfe of the Tribe of Manasses that lay on the West side of Iordan, in the Chr. Adricom:North-east corner of it, at the South ende of the Lake of Genasereth. Those that were touched with some speciall regard vntounto him, were the Inhabitants of Iabesh-Gilead, situate neere to that Lake also, but on the East-side of it, and higher 1. Sam. 31: 11-13.into the Land from it: who before hauing beene deliuered from the tyrannie of Nahash King of the Ammonites (as before was declared) by the helpe of King Saule, at his first enteraunce into his Kingdome, remembering it nowe, went by night (a number of the most valiaunt of them) tooke downe theyr bodyes, had them away, and so bestowed such Funerall solemnity on them, as the manner then was among them. A good example of thankfull remembrance. As touching that which fell to many of their Citties, it is likewise set down, that many of the people of Israell in the Valleyes neere vntounto Gi…on, and on the other side of Iordan, Ibid. 7.when they heard of this ouerthrowe, left their Citties and fled: and that the Philsst… came, and dwelt in them. That part of his pittifull end, which is set downe in another place ensuing, and not alleaged in the Story heere, is, whereuppon it was, that the Lord was thus farre o…ended with him: and there, besides that former disobedience of his, for which it was denounced vntounto him, that hee was reiected, it is added withall, that (partly) it was or that he asked counsell of a familiar Spirite, and 1. Chro. 10: 13, 14.asked not of the Lord: whereas it is certaine, hee first sought vntounto the Lorde, and did not seeke to the other, till he found that the Lord would giuegive him no aunswere. Out of which (laying one place vntounto the other) wee are belike to gather, that although 1. Sam. 28: 6, 7.we seeke to the Lord first, yet i… it not reckoned for seeking to him, vnlesse still we depend vponupon him euen to the end; and neuer seeke to any other.