Westminster Annotations, 1 Samuel (1 Kings) · Chapter 20
CHAP. XX.
Vers. 1. DAvid fled] That is, whilst Saul being distracted in his propheticall extasie a day and night, minded him not, to apprehended or kill him.
came] That is, to Gibeah of Saul, where Jonathan resided, as his fathers lieutenant.
V. 2. God forbid] To wit, that my father should seek thy life.
shew it me] Hebr. uncover mine ear.
V. 3. a step] That is, I am in extreme and imminent danger of death.
V. 4. Whatsoever thy soul desireth, I will even do it for thee] Or, Say what is thy minde, and I will do, &c.
desireth] Hebr. speaketh, or, thinketh.
V. 5. new moon] On which they used to offer oblations of thanksgiving, and afterwards feasted together, Numb. 10. 10. Psal. 81. 3.
let me go] Give me leave to go, seeing in your fathers absence you have power to do it, that I may keep the feast of the new moon with my kinred at Bethlehem, and on the third day I will come and hide my self in the field, verse 6, 19, 35.
V. 6. his city] That is, in which he was born, Joh. 7. 42. So Gen. 23. 10. 24. 10.
sacrifice] Or, feast. Accompanied with a feast. See Chap. 9. 12.
V. 7. that evil is] That is, that be is resolved to ruine me.
V. 8. kindely] To wit, in giving me timely warning.
thou hast brought thy servant into a covenant of the Lord] Chap. 18. 3. and 23. 18. That is, made between us by oath in Gods presence.
slay me] Seeing if I have deserved it, you have power to do it.
to thy father] To wit, to be killed by him.
V. 9. from thee] To wit, that thou shouldest be killed by me, being innocent.
V. 10. tell me] That is, what thy father speaketh, good or evil, towards me, seeing thou canst hardly come to me thy self without suspition, nor entrust such a secret to a servant.
V. 12. O Lord God] He calleth upon God to be witnesse of his fidelity and truth, in discovering to David how his father stood affected towards him, either-well or ill.
sounded] Hebr. searched.
shew it thee] Hebr. uncover thine ear.
V. 13. The Lord do so] See Ruth 1 17.
if it please] That is, if my father be resolved.
hath been] When he raised him to the kingdom, and hath given many famous victories.
V. 14. And thou shalt] To wit, when God shall have made thee king, after my fathers death; so that Jonathan submitteth to Gods will, though by descent he was next heir to the crown.
of the Lord] That is, great kindnesse to me and my posterity, which thou hast promised in Gods presence.
V. 15. from my house] That is, posterity and family.
V. 16. made a covenant] Heb. cut. That is, renewed and ratified the covenant made before with him, Chap. 18. 3.
require it] That is, revenge it, Gen. 9. 5.
Davids enemies] And so of my self among the rest; if I discover my self to be one of them, by being perfidious in breaking promise, and not revealing my fathers purpose against David.
V. 17. to swear again] To wit, that he would shew kindenesse to him and his posterity, when he came to be king.
because he loved him] Or, by his love towards him.
V. 18. empty] Heb. missed.
V. 19. quickly] Or, diligently. Heb. greatly.
and come] To wit, from Bethelem.
when the businesse] Heb. in the day of the businesse; That is, when I made intercession for thee to my father, Chap. 19. 2.
stone Ezel] Or, that sheweth the way; Either which stood in crosse wayes, shewing travellers which way to take, or where Jonathan and David used to meet, when they meant to have private and secret conference.
V. 20. I will shoot] That is, this shall be the token between thee and me, whereby I will shew thee what thou shalt do, as thou diddest desire, vers. 10. if I cannot with conveniency, and unseen, come to speak with thee.
V. 21. no hurt] Heb. not any thing.
V. 22. go thy way] That is, come not a… court, but shift for thy self by going further off.
V. 23. be between] As a just judge and witnesse of our covenant, vers. 42.
V. 25. Jonathan arose] To wit, that he might honour Abner in giving him place; or he left his place to his father being present, which in his absence he used to sit in as his vicegerent.
Abner saie] Being the kings unkle and captain generall.
V. 26. not clean] And therefore cometh not to the feast, because the law forbiddeth it, Levit. 7. 19, 20. 11. 24. 15. 16.
V. 27. of Jesse] That is, David, whom he thus calleth in contempt…. So Nabal, Chap. 25. 10.
V. 29. a sacrifice] See Chap. 9. 12.
my brother] To wit, being appointed by my father.
V. 30. Thou son] Or, Thou perverse rebell. Heb. Son of perverse rebellion. Not my son, but a rebell, resisting my known will, not lawfully begotten by me, but some stranger, and born of a mother rebellious like thy self.
own confusion] Seeing he will deprive thee of the Kingdom.
of thy mothers] Either because thou causest her by thy carriage to be suspected of dishonesty, or because thou doest deprive her of her due honour in having a king for her son.
V. 31. shall surely die] H…b. is the son of death.
V. 34. was grieved] To wit, because that his fathers wrath against him was implacable, though he were innocent.
shame] By his reproaches, and casting his javelin at him, thereby shewing that he was resolved to kill David.
V. 36. beyond him] Heb. to passe over him.
V. 40. artillery] Heb. instruments.
his lad] Heb. that was his.
Go] He sends him away, that he might the more freely and secretly talk with David.
V. 41. David] Now seeing the coast clear, and none in sight that might discover them.
the south] That is, the south-side of the field, or of the stone where David had hidden himself.
V. 42. forasmuch as we have sworn both of us in the Name of the Lord] Or, the LORD be witnesse of that which, &c.
between me] To blesse and protect us, and to preserve this love and friendship for ever amongst us, which we have ratified by covenant before him.
the city] That is, Gibeah-Saul wh…re Jonathan had his court and residence, Chap. 23. 18, 19.