Westminster Annotations, 1 Samuel (1 Kings) · Chapter 15 – Chapter 16
CHAP. XV.
Vers. 1. THe Lord sent me to anoint thee to be king over his people] Chap. 9. 16.
therefore hearken] That is, in thankfulnesse to God for so high an advancement.
V. 2. how he laid wait] Exod. 17. 8. Num. 24. 20. So Deut. 25. 17.
V. 3. slay both man] That this might be an example of Gods vengeance against them that deal cruelly with his people; and that Gods word and oath concerning Amalek might be fulfilled, Exod. 17. 24, 26.
V. 4. in Telaim] That is, in the fields adjoyning to the city Telaim, situate in the tribe of Judah, called also Telem, Josh. 25. 24.
V. 5. a city] That is, either the first city in his march, or the chief city where their kings dwelled.
laid wait] Or, fought.
V. 6. to the Kenites] See Judg. 1. 16. who dwelled in the borders of Judah and Amalek.
Go, depart, &c.] This multiplying of phrases signifying the same thing, intimateth that they were to depart with all speed.
get you down] For the Kenites dwelled in high, hilly and rockie places, Num. 24. 21.
ye shewed kindenesse] That is, Jethro your progenitour, Exod. 18. 10, 19. Num. 10. 29, 31.
V. 7. from Havilah] A region of Arabia, Gen. 2. 11.
to Shur] The utmost border of Arabia towards Aegypt, Gen. 25. 18. Exod. 15. 22.
V. 8. took Agag] This name, as some think, was the common name to all the Amalekitish kings, as Pharaoh to the kings of Aegypt, and Abimelech to the kings of Gerar, Num. 24. 7.
V. 9. spared Agag] That is, contrary to Gods commandment, v. 3. either to reserve him for triumph, or out of covetousnesse, hoping that he would redeem his life with some great ransome; or out of impious pity, as Ahab spared Benhaded, 1 King. 20. 31.
of the fatlings] Or, of the second sort.
V. 11. It repenteth] He speaketh after the manner of men, namely, That he would do as men use to do when they repent of their actions; and not change his counsell and purpose, but his manner of working, as if he repented of what he had done; not changing his minde, but the things, his pre-science and couns…ll remaining immutable. So v. 29.
following me] In obeying my word.
and he cried] That is, earnestly prayed unto God for Saul, That he would not cast him off from being king: but God would not grant his suit, v. 23, 26, 28. and Chap. 16. 1.
V. 12. to Carmell] A town belonging to the tribe of Judah, lying in the way from Amalek to Judah.
up a place] Heb. an hand, that is, as some think, a monument of triumph like an hand, to signifie that by his hand and sword he had gotten the victory. Others, That he had appointed this place to refresh his army, and divide the spoil.
V. 13 I have performed] This was untrue, as appeareth v. 11▪
V. 14. What meaneth] q. d. This convinceth thee of untruth and disobedience, seeing they still live, bleat and low.
V. 15. the people spared] That is, They, and not I; which is also false. See v. 9.
to sacrifice] He coloureth his disobedience under the pretence of piety.
thy God] That is, whom thou lovest and servest, and therefore canst not but allow the means of his worship.
V. 17. wast little] That is, of mean condition. See Chap. 9. 21.
V. 18. a journey] That is, a warlike expedition against Amalek.
the sinners] That is, sinners above others in malice and wickednesse. So Gen. 13. 13. Matth. 9. 10. Joh. 9. 24, 31.
they be consumed] Hebr. they consume them.
V. 19. flie upon] To wit, greedily, like a bird of prey.
V. 21. But the people] q. d. It was the people, not I, to whom I gave way, for fear of mutenie, v. 24.
V. 22. to obey is better then sacrifice] Eccles 5. 1. Hos. 6. 6. Mat. 9. 13. and 12. 7.
V. 23. is as the sin of witchcraft] Hebr. divination. That is, both are sins of an high nature; for as witches and diviners leave Gods word, and go to the devill for counsell and direction, so rebells res…st Gods will, and obey the devill in their works.
idolatry] Hebr. Teraphim. See Gen. 31. 19.
V. 24. I have sinned] This was not the confession of one truely penitent, like Davids, 2 Sam. 12. 13. but dissembled, for fear of losing his kingdom.
V. 28. …ath rent] He taketh occasion by this accident, as a signe sent of God, to ratifie his sentence of deposition from the kingdom.
V. 29. the strength] Or, eternity, or, victory. That is, the LORD, in whom alone is all Israels strength. See vers. 11. and Gen. 6. 6.
V. 30. yet honour me] q. d. Though I be rejected of God, yet for the present uphold my credit with the people.
V. 32. delicately] That is, both in respect of his garb and gate.
said] That is, thought within himself, or spake to others about him.
the bitternesse of death] That is, the fear and danger: for being spared in the heat of war, it is not likely that they will kill me in cold blood, being their prisoner.
V. 33. As thy sword hath made women childlesse] Exod. 17. 11. Num. 14. 45.
Samuel hewed] Being excited by an extraordinary motion of Gods Spirit. So Elijah, 1 King. 18. 40. 2 Kin. 1. 10, 12. Num. 25. 7.
came no more] That is, purposely as his assistant, to visite, counsell and direct him from God, 2 King. 8. 29. though he saw him afterwards accidentally, when Saul came to see him at Naioth in R…mah, Chap. 19. 24.
mourned for Saul] To wit, till God did inhibite him, Ch. 16. 1.
CHAP. XVI.
Vers. 1. HOrn with oil] See 1 King. 1. 1. 39.
V. 2. How can I go] A question not of diffidence or reluctance, but to desire Gods direction how it might be done with most safety.
with thee] Hebr. thine in hand.
to sacrifice] That is, peace-offerings, or a sacrifice of thanksgiving; after which followed a feast, made out of the remainders of the offerings. See Chap. 9. 12.
V. 4. trembled] Not knowing the cause of this h…s unusuall coming, they feared the worst, as, That some crime committed amongst them drew him thither; or, That Samuel had fled from Saul, being displease…, to shelter himself among them.
coming] Hebr. mee…ing.
V. 5. sanctifie] To wit, by legall purifications, and spirituall devotions, Exod. 19. 10. See Josh. 3. 5.
Jesse] Because it was Gods purpose to chuse a king out of his sons, v. 6, 8, 10.
V. 6. when they] That is, Jesse his sons one after another into some private pl…ce.
Eliab] Called also Elihu, 1 Chron. 27. 18.
and said] That is, to himself, or in his heart.
V. 7. the Lord said] That is, secretly, and by divine inspiration. So Chap. 9. 17.
refused him] That is, not chosen him to be king. So v. 9.
outward appearan…a] Hebr. eyes.
heart] 2 Chron. 28. 9. Psal. 7. 9. Jer. 11▪ 20. and 17. 10 and 20. 12.
V. 9. Shammah] Called also Shime…h, and Shimmah, 2 Sam. 13. 3. 1 Chron. 2. 13.
V. 10. seven sons] Compare with Chap. 17. 12. and 1 Chron. 2. 23. 14.
V. 11. send and fetch him] 2 Sam. 7. 8. Psal. 78. 70.
sit down] Hebr. round. To w…t, to the feast.
V. 12. of a beautifull countenance] Heb. fair of eyes.
the Lord] See v. 7.
anoint him] To wit, to be king over Israel, Psal. 89. 20.
V. 13. and anointed him] First revealing the mystery of Gods will to David and his father, 2 Sam. 5. 2. but not (as it is probable) to his brethren. Compare Chap. 17. 28.
and the Spirit] To wit, enduing him with heroick gifts in an extraordinary manner and measure, as wisedom, magnanimity, courage, grace and holinesse. See Judg. 13. 25. Act. 13. 22.
V. 14. the spirit of the Lord] That is, those kingly parts and qualities conferred upon him, Chap. 10. 6, 9.
an evil spirit] That is, Satan, unto whom God for his sin had given him up to be vexed with frenzie, distempers, furious passions, rage and cruelty.
troubled] Or, terrified.
V. 15. troubleth] That is, vexeth and disquieteth thee.
V. 16. are before thee] That is, stand ready to do thee service.
shalt be well] That is, thy spirit shall be composed and quieted, and thy passions and distempers moderated.
V. 18. a mighty valiant man] From which commendation some probably gathor, That before this he h…d slain Goliath, from whence it was known that he was valiant, and that the LORD was with him, blessed and assisted him in all his signes.
matters] Or, speech.
V. 21. and stood before him] That is, waited on him, to do him service. See Deut. 1. 38. and 10. 8. Gen. 18. 3.
V. 23. was well] That is, was for the time freed from his fits of rage, and melancholique passions, God working with Davids musick, and giving Saul ease, that hereby he might make way to his kingly vocation.
departed] That is, ceased for the present to vex and trouble him.