Westminster Annotations, 1 Samuel (1 Kings) · Chapter 21 – Chapter 24
CHAP. XXI.
Vers. 1. TO Nob] A citie neer Anathoth in the tribe of Benjamin, 1 King. 2. 26. Neh. 11. 32. unto which (as it seemeth) Saul had caused the tabernacle to be removed from Shiloh, because it was in his own tribe, as before Joshua an Ephramite had placed it in Shiloh a city of Ephraim; and after David in Jerusalem being of the tribe of Judah, that he might have Gods oracles neer him. And this was the cause, why at this time, there were so many priests in Nob, Chap. 22. 18.
was afraid] Suspecting that some sinister accident had befaln him, knowing that he was in Sauls displeasure, Chap. 16. 4.
alone] Or with so small a retinue as did not befit his place. For it appeareth that David had some company with him, vers. 4. Matth. 12. 3, 4. unlesse we will say (as it is very probable,) That David had appointed his company to stay i… some place for him, till he returned, as he saith, vers. 2. and himself went alone to the high priest.
V. 2. The king] Through humane frailty, David speaketh this untruth, to dissemble the true cause of his flight.
to such] Hebr. pel…ni, alm…ni. See Ruth 4. 1.
V. 3. under thy hand] In thy present custody, and at thy disposing, ready to be eaten.
present] Heb. found.
V. 4. but hallowed] That is, shew-bread which was set before the LORD, and so hallowed unto him; of which none but the priests might eat, unlesse in the case of necessity and charitie, which dispence with ceremonies, Exod. 25. 30. Levit. 24. 5, 9. Matth. 12. 4, 7.
from women] That is, their wives. See Exod. 19. 15. 1 Cor. 7. 5. And if so, then I will give it them.
V. 5. three dayes] All which time we have been in our journey, and therefore absent from our wives.
the vessels] That is, the bodies. So Act. 9. 15. 1 Thessal. 4. 4.
in a manner common] That is, the sabbath, neer approaching, Levit. 24. 8. seeing it is no longer as shew-bread, to stand before the LORD, but to be changed, and new put in the place; and though the old be the portion of the priest…, yet others in case of necessity may eat of it, Luk. 6. 3.
yea, though it were sanctified this day in the vessell] Or, especially when this day there is other sanctified in the vessell.
V. 7. detained] Either to keep the sabbath approaching, or to pay his vows, or to perform some other service, or some other occasion▪
an Edomite] That is, by nation, but a proselyte by profession of the Jewish religion.
V. 9. the valley of Elah] Chap. 17. 2.
behinde the ephod] Laid up by the ephod in the tabernacle. Others read it thus, After that Abimelech had put on the …phod to ask counsell of God. See Chap. 22. 10, 13, 15. The like phrase is used, Gen. 24 67. Deut. 24. 20, 21.
V. 10. to Achish] This was his proper name, but he is called Abimelech, Psal. 34. 1. which was a common name to all the Philistine kings. See Gen. 20. 21, 26.
Gath] One of the five chief cities of the Philistines. See 1▪ Sam. 5. 8.
V. 11. the king] That is, the famous and chief warriour, and (as it were) another king in the esteem of the people.
Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands?] Cha. 18. 7. and 29. 5. Eccles. 47. 6.
V. 12. laid up] That is, seriously weighed, and thought on them, Luk. …. 19, 51.
V. 13. his behaviour] Hebr. his taste; That is, his gesture, words, and all his carriage, whereby may be discerned whither a man be wise or foolish, mad, or in his right wits; as the taste discerneth of meats, whither they be savoury or unsavoury, Job 12. 11. and 34. 3.
in their hands] That is, whilest he was in their power, who were ready to carry him before their king, Psal. 34. 1. and 56. 1.
scrabbled] Or, made marks; That is, used the postures, gestures and absurd actions of a mad man.
V. 14. is mad] Or, playeth the mad-man.
V. 15. come into] That is, is he fit to come into a kings house, q. d. He is most unfit; and therefore send him away.
CHAP. XXII.
Vers. 1. A… Dullam] A citie in the tribe of Judah, not far from Bethlehem; of which, there is mention, Josh. 12. 15.
V. 2. was in debt] Heb. had a creditour.
discontented] Heb. bitter of soul.
V. 3. Mizpeh] A strong hold in the land of Moab.
king of Moab] For he expected from him the more favour, because he was Sauls enemy, Chap. 14. 47. Or, because Ruth the mother of Obed, Davids grand-father, was a Moabitish woman.
V. 4. the hold] That is, in Mizpeh, v. 3. in which the king of Moab had placed him.
V. 5. depart] Either because the king and his people were treacherous, or idolatrous, or▪ because God would further try Davids faith, with many perills and tentations in his own countrey.
forest] Because in it were many hiding places.
V. 6. tree in Ramah] Or, gr…ve in a high place; That is, within the territories of Ramah, neer to Gibeah, or in some h…gh place within Gibeah. See Judg. 19. 13. Or thus, Saul was sitting in Gibeah under a grove in an high place.
V. 8. have conspired] This he speaketh out of jealousie and suspition, and not of certain knowledge. See Chap. 20. 23.
sheweth me] Heb. uncovereth mine ear.
V. 9. D…eg] A court-sycophant, who applyeth his speech to the humour of his master, maliciously and slanderously traducing an innocent, Psal. 52. 1, 2.
set over] Or stood among the servants, as vers. 6.
V. 11. of Ahitub] See Chap. 14. 3.
the priests] Which were some of the remnant of Elies house that God threatned to cut off, Chap. 2. 31.
V. 12. son of Ahitub] He so calleth him, without any other title, by way of contumely and disgrace. So David the son of Jesse, v. 7. 13. in contempt.
Here I am] Heb. Behold me.
V. 14. goeth at thy bidding] As David told him, Chap. 21. 2. and he beleeved.
V. 15. begin to enquire] Have I not at other times also, when he had great affairs, consulted with the LORD for him?
be it far from me] To wit, that I should conspire with David against thee, as thou chargest me, v. 13.
of all this] That is, of any conspiracy or rebellion against thee.
lesse or more] Heb. little or great.
V. 17. footmen] Or, guard. Heb. the runners.
of the Lord] These words have an emphasis in them, shewing that Sauls malice extended to the LORD himself, because he favoured David, and had rejected him; and therefore slew his priests, seeing his rage could not reach to him.
their hand] That is, they favour and help him all they can in his conspiracy and rebellion.
V. 18. that did wear] That is, that did service in the tabernacle, which they performed in linen clothes, Exod. 28. 40, 42. See Chap. 2. 18.
V. 20. escaped] To wit, by Gods providence, who according to his promise preserved some of Elies house, Chapter 2. 33.
after David] And came to him when he was going to Keilah, Chap. 23. 6.
V. 22. I knew it] I thought, or my minde did misgive me, knowing Doegs malice, that it would fall out so.
occasioned] Seeing they all suffered for my sake, though sore against my will, and to my great grief.
V. 23. Abide thou with nie] That is, I will take thee into my protection.
my life] That is, I will venture my own life to preserve thine, and will be as carefull of thy safety, as of my own; so that he that will take away thy life, shall have mine also.
CHAP. XXIII.
Vers. 1. THen] Whilest David abode in the forest of Hareth, Chap. 22. 5.
Keilah] A city in the tribe of Judah, Josh▪ 15. 44.
threshing-floors] To wit, of the corn that was brought into, and beaten out in them.
V. 2. enquired] That is, either by the Prophet Gad, who was with him, Chap. 22. 5. Or by Abiathar coming to him, when he was going to Keilah.
V. 3. afraid here] To wit, of Saul, though we lie hid in the forest, and how much more cause of fear shall we have when the Philistines our enemies are before us, and Saul pursuing after us.
V. 4. yet again] Not as doubting himself of the truth of Gods first answer, but to satisfie his followers who were in fear.
V. 6. fled to David to Keilah] Chap. 22. 20.
an ephod] With the brest-plate, in which were the Urim and Thummim, that he might ask counsell of the LORD as occasion required, Exod. 28. 30.
V. 11. deliver me] To wit, if I stay here.
V. 12. deliver] Heb. shut up.
They will] To wit, if thou stayest still among them.
V. 13. he forbare] That is, he desisted to prosecute his purpose.
V. 14. in a mountain] Which was neer to Idumea, Josh. 15. 21, 24. In which were many steep mountains, and clifts of rocks, Obad. 3.
Ziph] There were two cities of this name, one spoken of Josh. 15. 24. the other neer the wildernesse of Maon, mentioned Josh. 15. 55. which is here meant. Of these Ziphites, David complaineth, Psal. 54.
every day] That is, as long as he stayed in the land, 1 Sam. 27. 4.
V. 15. David saw] Had intelligence by his spies and friends.
V. 16. and strengthened] That is, comforted him and strengthned his faith, by putting him in minde of Gods promises, v. 17.
V. 17. the hand] That is, the power of my father shall not reach unto thee to do thee any hurt.
and thou] Or, but thou shalt be king.
my father knoweth] Remembring Samuels words, Chapter 15. 28. and seeing Gods favour towards thee, in thy good successe and continuall preservation, Chapter 20. 30, 31. and 24. 20.
V. 18. made] That is, renewed and confirmed their covenant before made, Chap. 18. 3. and 20. 16.
V. 19. Doth not David] That is, know surely that he hath hid himself.
on the south] Heb. on the right hand.
Jeshimon] Or, the wildernesse.
V. 21. Blessed] In his hypocrisie he maketh shew of religion to incourage therein them treason and treachery.
V. 22. haunt is] Heb. foot shall be.
very subtilly] And therefore will deceive you, and escape out of your hands, if you be not very circumspect.
V. 23. of all the lurking] Or of the certain place.
V. 24. before Saul] As his guides to bring him to David.
V. 25. came down] To wit, from the hill Hachilah where he had hid himself.
of Maon] Which was also in the tribe of Judah, Joshus 15. 55.
V. 27. invaded the land] Heb. spread themselves upon, &c.
V. 28. Sela-hammahlekoth] That is, the rock of divisions; So called, because Saul there was forced to leave David, and to make head against the Philistines.
CHAP. XXIIII.
Vers. 1. FOllowing] Heb. after.
En-gedi] A city in the tribe of Judah, called of old, Hazezon-tamar; that is, The city of palm trees, which abounded there, Gen. 14. 7. 2 Chro. 20. 3. situated between high mountains and rocks, having a desert adjoyning unto it of the same name.
V. 2. the rocks] Upon which store of goates lived, and climbed, as there manner is.
V. 3. cover his feet] That is, do his easement. See Judges 3. 24.
remained] That is, lay hid in the in-most parts of the cave.
V. 4. Behold the day] That is, a fit opportunity is now given thee by God, of killing thine enemy, who seeketh to kill thee, as if he should speak unto thee from heaven, and bid thee do it.
Sauls robe] Heb. the robe which was Sauls; That is, his uppermost garment, which perhaps Saul had put off, and laid aside, till he had done his businesse.
V. 5. heart smote him] That is, his conscience checked him, because he had done it.
V. 6. the Lords anointed] Because the LORD who made him king, hath onelyonly power and right to depose him.
to stretch] That is, to kill him, or to lay violent hands upon him, to do him any hurt. So Gen. 37. 22.
V. 7. stayed them] Heb. cut off; That is, he pacified, and took them off from their purpose.
V. 9. hearest thou] That is, givest heed and credit to flanderers and sycophants.
V. 10. some bad me] That is, some of them that were with me, did advise me.
V. 11. my father] Both because he had married his daughter to him, and being king, was the father of his people.
huntest my soul] That is, seekest eargerly my life, as an huntsman pursueth the wilde beast, thorow woods and hils, bushes and hard passages, v. 2.
V. 12. the Lord avenge] That is, the supreme judge of king and subject, hear my innocent cause, and do me right.
upon thee] To revenge my self by seeking thy ruine.
V. 13. Wickednesse] That is, wicked men will act wickednesse to their own just destruction.
but mine hand] That is, but I will not seek to revenge my self in my own private quarrell.
V. 14. the king] As if he should say, It is not for the honour of so great a king, nor worth his pains to pursue a man so weak, and contemptible as I am. So 2 Sam. 9. 8.
V. 15. deliver] Heb. judge.
V. 16. and wept] Being for the present convinced by Davids carriage, of his innocency, and his own sin, he was (as we say) overcome with kindnesse, and burst forth into tears.
V. 18. delivered] Heb. shut up.
V. 19. for that] In preserving my life, when it was in thy hands to take it from me.
V. 22. hold] That is, of Engedi, having yet no confidence in Sauls sincerity, seeing after reconciliation he had so often returned to his old malicious courses.