Westminster Annotations, 1 Samuel (1 Kings) · Chapter 30 – Chapter 31
CHAP. XXX.
Vers. 1. THird day] To wit, after they had left the Philistines camp.
the Amalckites] That is, either the remainders of them that had escaped Saul, 1 Sam. 15. 7. or else some others of that nation which inhabited in some other corner of the land, who took this occasion of Davids absence in the Philistines countrey, to revenge themselves upon his city and company, for his invading and spoiling of them, Chap. 27. 8.
V. 6. of storting him] As ascribing all these their miseries unto him, both because he had provoked the Amalckites to take this revenge by his invading and spoiling them, and also had given them opportunity of doing this mischief, by withdrawing all his forces to the Philistines camp, and so leaving their own city naked.
grieved] Heb. bitter.
encouraged himself] That is, relying on Gods former promises, and comforting himself with his future hopes, that he should by Gods assistance recover all these losses, and be avenged on his enemies, Hab. 3. 17.
V. 7. bring me hither] That is, go fetch the ephod and brestplate, and put it on, that thou mayest for me enquire by Urim, what is to be done in this distresse. So Cha. 23. 9. Num. 27. 21.
V. 8. David enquired] To wit, by Abiathar the priest.
V. 9. brook Bezor] Which was in the borders of the tribe of Simeon, derived and descending from the mountains of Judah, and running to the west sea.
where those] That is, the two hundred men mentioned, v. 10.
V. 11. gave him bread] God at once by his wise providence, provideth food for this almost starved Egyptian, and for David, a fit guide.
V. 12. his spirit came] That is, he was revived and strengthned.
V. 13. three dayes] Heb. this is the third day, to wit, from which I fell sick.
V. 14. the Cherethites] That is, the Philistines, appeareth, vers. 16. for so they were called, Ezek. 25. 16. Zeph. 2. 5.
south of Caleb] That is, the south of the land inhabited by Calebs posterity, Josh. 14. 13. 13. 15.
V. 15. I will bring] Having learned from some of the company, at their departure from him, where they purposed to encamp; that if he recovered his sicknesse, he might come to them.
V. 16. land of Judah] To which, Ziklag and the land of Caleb belonged.
V. twilight] To wit, of the foregoing evening, for David found them eating, drinking, and dancing, which are actions usually of the evening, and not done in the twilight of the morning; and having so small a number to sight against a great multitude, the night was fittest for such an attempt; yet some take it for the morning twilight, because of the unfitnesse of Davids men for this enterprize, by reason of their wearinesse and long march.
the next day] Heb. their morrow.
V. 20. David took] That is, Davids men.
all the flocks] That is, all the residue of the cattle which the Amalckites had taken from others, that is, the Philistines and the Calebites.
Davids spoil] That is, belongs to David, by his souldiers free consent and gift, and therefore afterwards he bestowed …t on whom he pleased, v. 26.
V. 21. saluted them] Or, asked them how they did.
V. 22. Then answered] That is, when the two hundred men had spoken to have that part of the spoil which belonged unto them.
men of Be…ial] See Judg. 19. 21.
those] Heb. men.
V. 23. with that] That is, with the spoil, which we have gotten, not by our own strength, but Gods free gift.
who hath preserved us] Or, for he preserved us.
V. 24. as his part] That is, they both shall have equall shares, according to Gods appointment, Num. 31. 27. Josh. 22. 8. And also the law of arms which, appointeth those that guard the camp, an equall share with those that go out to sight.
V. 25. forward] Heb. and forward.
made it] That is, did revive and ratifie this statute first made by God.
V. 26. his friends] Who remained faithfull to him in his affliction and persecution.
present] Heb. blessing.
V. 27. in Beth-el] Or, the house of God; which at this time was a Kirjath-jearim, with the ark, 1 Sam. 6. 21. 7. 1.
south-Ramoth] A city in the tribe of Simeon, Josh. 19. 8. So distinguished from Ramoth in Gilead, 1 King. 22. 13.
Jatur] A city situate on a mountain in the tribe of Judah, Josh. 15. 48.
V. 28. Aroer] A city lying upon the river Arnon, belonging to the tribe of Reuben, Josh. 13. 16. Deut. 3. 12.
Siphmoth] The same (as some think) with Shepham, Num. 34. 10. one of the land-limits of Canaan.
Eshtemo… ] A city situate in the tribe of Judah, called also Ashtemoth, Josh. 15. 50. and was given to the sons of Aaron, 1 Chron. 6. 57.
V. 29. Rachal] This town is no where else in scripture m…ntioned. Some think that it was in the tribe of Judah, though not nan…ed in that catalogue, Josh. 15.
Jerah-meeli…e… ] See Chap. 27. 10.
Kenites] See Judg. 1. 16.
V. 30. Hormah] Called also Z…phath, Judg. 1. 17. 2 Chro. 14. 10. belonging to the tribe of Simeon.
Cho…-ashan] The same (as some think) which is called Aslian, in the tribe of Simeon, Josh. 19. 7.
Athach] Saint Jerome in his book de lo…is Hebraicis, placeth it in the tribe of Judah; and we read not of it, but onelyonly here.
V. 31. Hebron] A famous city in the mountains of Judah, given to Caleb. See Josh. 14. 13, 14.
all the places] Where he had sound entertainment when he fled from Saul, by way of thankfulnesse.
CHAP. XXXI.
Vers. 1. NOw] 1 Chron. 10. 1. Here the writer returneth to the history, from which he had digressed in the former Chapter.
slain] Or, wounded.
V. 2. Abinadab] Who before is called Ishui, Chap. 14. 49.
V. 3. archers] Heb. shooters, men with bowes.
hit him] Heb. found him.
V. 4. his armour-bearer] Whom the Hebrews, as Jerome witnesseth, and many expositers think to have been Doeg the Edomite.
V. 4. al use me] Or, mock me; That is, put me to some disgracefull death, unworthy of my place and calling, if they should take me prisoner. So v. 9, 10.
sore afraid] To wit, out of his reverence towards the person of his king.
V. 6. all his men] That is, the most of his family and kinred; courtiers and commanders, with a great part of his army. So 1 Chro. 10. 6.
V. 7. valley] That is, of Jazreel in the tribe of Issachar, which had the mountains of Gilboa on the south, and mount Hermon on the north
V. 8. morrow] To wit, after the battell.
V. 9. cut off his head] And set it up, and fastned it in the house of Dagon, 1 Chro. 10. 10.
publish it] That is, their great victory, and the death of Saul and his sons, by way of joy and triumph.
idols] Heb. terrours; So named because they possesse the mindes and hearts of their superstitious worshippers with terrours and fears, and neither teach nor comfort them.
V. 10. Ashtareth] See Judg. 2. 13.
to the wall] That is, in the street that was by the city wall, as it is 2 Sam. 21. 12.
Beth-shan] Called also Beth-shean, Josh. 17. 11. which was in the lot of Manasseh, but possessed by the Philistines at this time, Judg. 1. 27. as Keilah also was, Chap. 27. 6. till Achish gave it David.
V. 11. Jabesh-Gilead] In token of thankfulnesse to Saul, who had resoued and delivered them from Nahash. Chapter 11. 11.
of that which the Philistines had done to Saul] Or, concerning him.
V. 12. burnt them there] Both because their flesh having been divers dayes exposed to the sun and air, was so putrified, that they could not be enbalmed with spices and odours; and also hereby prevented any further abuse which might have been offered to their bodies. Others take it thus, That they burnt by their bodies odours and spices, as was used to kings, 2 Chron. 16. 14. Jerem. 34. 5.
V. 13. buried] 2 Sam. 2. 4.
seven dayes] That is, till the evening, not out of any prescript of law, but voluntarily to expresse their heavinesse, for the losse of their king and his sons.