A Complete History and Mystery of the Old and New Testament, Biblical tract · Volume 2 · Commentary on 1 Samuel · Chapter 18
1 Sam CHAP. XVIII.
CHapter the Eighteenth giveth an Account, Firſt, Of the extraordinary Grace and Favour that Saul, &c. expreſſed towards David, from v. 1. to v. 8. And, Secondly, How all this came to be changed in Saul into extraordinary envy and hatred, from v. 8. to the end. Remarks upon the firſt part are,
Firſt, Saul looked upon David with an Amicable Eye, and with a Look of Love, when Abner brought him to the King with Goliah's Head in his Hand, chap. 17.57, 58. and when he had made an excellent Oration to Saul, debaſing himſelf and exalting his God, who was the ſole giver of the Victory over Goliah, &c. 'Tis ſaid here, v. 1. [When David had made an end of ſpeaking to Saul,] no doubt but he ſpake much more to Saul than is here Recorded; for himſelf ſaith, [The Mouth of the Righteous ſpeaketh Wiſdom, and his Tongue talketh of Judgment, the Law of God is in his Heart,] Pſal. 37.30, 31. When Saul heard the many Gracious Words that proceeded out of his Mouth, and withal ſaw the Giant's Head in his Hand, for which a little before he would have given even the half of his Kingdom, while Goliah put him to ſhame for forty Days together, How could Saul do leſs but thank him for his Valour and Victory, (a Mercy to himſelf and to all his Subjects? yea, and Admire him alſo, for his moſt excellent Endowments which ſhone forth in him both in his Speeches and Actions. Saul might alſo admire David's Modeſty in not claiming the Wages promiſed for his Work, Chap. 17.25.
N. B. However, this is expreſſed, that David found ſo much favour with Saul, as that he now muſt have his conſtant Reſidence in the King's Court, and have no more Diſmiſſions into a Countrey-Life, as he had heretofore, v. 2. and Chap. 17.15. If Saul could Love David greatly, when he was to him but a skilful Muſician, chap. 16.22. How much more now, when he was ſo highly Honour'd of God to become his Conquering Champion? better had it been to have loved him leſs, and loved him long.
The Second Remark is, David had the Love of Jonathan, v. 1, 3, 4. whatever defect was found in the Father's Love to David, it was abundantly ſupplyed in the Sons Love to him: And this Love of Jonathan's to David, was,
Firſt, Internal, he Loved him as his own Soul, v. 1. as if there had been but one Soul in their two Bodies, [Corporibus geminis Spiritus unus erat,] becauſe of ſuitableneſs in their Age, Natures and Manners.
2. Jonathan's Love was External in making a League of Love, a Convenant of Friendſhip with him; the Symbol and Pledge whereof was, his ſtriping himſelf of all his Princely Robes and Accoutrements, and putting them upon David, who deveſted himſelf of his Paſtoral Habits in order thereunto, v. 3, 4. ſo that here Prince Jonathan (to mend his Father's, the King's neglect) did, as it were, confer the Honour of Knighthood upon David, ſaying to him, [Kneel down David a Shepherd, and riſe up David a Prince,] thou ſhalt have the Veneration due to Jonathan, in the Garments and Ornaments of Jonathan; thou ſhalt be my alter ego, thou ſhalt be my Court-Companion, and wear theſe Robes of the higheſt Courtier, as a Reward of thy Heroick Valour and Victory.
N. B. Nor was it perhaps without a Myſtery (ſaith one) that Saul's Garments fitted not David, but Jonathan's fitted him, and theſe he was as much delighted to put on and wear, as he was deſirous to put off and disburden himſelf of the other: Oh how liberal was Jonathan's Love to David, thus to ſtrip himſelf even to his Sword, Bow, and Girdle! but the Love of our Jonathan, of our Jeſus, is more liberal, in ſtripping himſelf of his own righteouſneſs, and became ſin for us, that we might be Righteous to God in him! 2 Cor. 5.21. Jonathan did not put on David's poor Paſtoral Coat, when he put off his own Royal Robes, as our Jeſus doth for us, &c.
The Third Remark is, The Love that the Courtiers bare to David, yea, and all the People alſo loved him, v. 5. for his prudent management of all his Military Matters, when Saul had made him the Captain of his Life-guard, his Vertue was ſo Amiable and Attractive, [In his behaving himſelf ſo wiſely in all his concerns,] that both the Court and the Countrey were plainly Inamour'd with him, though no doubt ſome of Saul's Servants did envy his Glory.
The Fourth Remark is, The Love that he gained likewiſe among the Women, v. 6, 7. This was immediately after the Slaughter of Goliah, and of the Army of the Philiſtines, as Saul and David marched through the Cities to Jeruſalem, the Women (who ſhare deeply in the common Calamities of War, as Raviſhments, &c. and rejoyce greatly in Victories, whereby they are freed from ſuch Abuſes) came forth to meet King Saul with ſinging and playing upon Inſtruments of Muſick, according to the cuſtom of thoſe times and places, Exod. 15.20. Judg. 11.34. the burden of their Song was, [Saul hath ſlain his Thouſands, but David his Ten Thouſands,] as if they had ſaid, Saul deſerves to be commended much, but David ten times more, [Hinc illae lachrymae.] From hence came the riſe of all David's following Troubles.
N. B. Objection, Had this Song of the Virgins (enamour'd with David) been immediately after the Victory over Goliah, &c. This would have hindered Saul from preferring David to be the Commander in Chief of his Life-guard, &c.
Anſwer 1. It was Saul's Policy to prefer David at the preſent to gratifie his whole Army and People, eſpecially his Son Jonathan, who was become ſuch a paſſionate Lover of David, and therefore Saul muſt beſtow a badge of Honour upon him for his famous Victory, or he could not retain his own Reputation, nor anſwer Univerſal Expectation of fulfilling his promiſe of preferring the Conqueror, Chap. 17.25.
Anſwer 2. It was principally God's Providence, more than Saul's Policy, over-ruling Saul againſt his own Inclinations, who deſigned to cruſh him when he could obtain a fit opportunity; but now he muſt be made a Captain, as Samuel had foretold it, 1 Sam. 8.11, 12. as a ſtep to the Kingdom, whereunto he was Anointed, and whereof he was no leſs aſſured, Pſal. 63 11.
The ſecond part is Saul's Envy and Hatred, the matter and form whereof is expreſſed. in v. 8. how it had its Conception, and Nativity, the foul effects follow. Remarks hereon are,
Firſt, Saul was very wroth with the Womens ſinging ten times more Praiſes to David, than to himſelf. Chryſoſtom and others do blame the Women for ſo doing, becauſe all Compariſons are odious, even among equals, how much more when an Inferiour is made equal to his Superiour, but moſt of all when a Subject is preferr'd before his Soveraign? this ſeems to have ſome Imprudence in it, eſpecially when ſuch a Song would (for the ſame of it) ſpread far and near, even into other Lands, as indeed it did even into the Philiſtines Countrey▪ chap. 21.9. and 29.5. thoſe Songs of Triumph for this famous Victory were ſo ſolemnly tranſacted, ſo that Saul ſeemeth to have juſt cauſe of diſpleaſure againſt the Women for their Imprudent Actings, but ſtill be had no juſt cauſe of Anger againſt Innocent David, who had ſo modeſtly behaved himſelf all along before Saul, that he might eaſily gather, it was neither David's deſire or deſign, much leſs his doing, that any thing, leaſt of all, that ſo much ſhould be aſcribed to him; therefore the ſame Chryſoſtom excellently obſerveth, that Saul's Anger againſt David was altogether without cauſe, and he qualifies the fault and folly (if any were indeed in their ſo doing, being over-ruled by God ſo to do, &c.) in the Women, for
N. B. Their Aſcribing to Saul more than he deſerved, becauſe he ſuffered the Philiſtines Champion to Challenge and Deſie the Army of the Iſrael of God, and to Blaſpheme the God of Iſrael twice a Day for forty Days together; yet he cowardly kept himſelf in his Camp for ſafety, and durſt not venture to vindicate God's Glory, and the Honour of Iſrael; whereas the Women attributed to David leſs than his due, ſeeing to him (as to an Inſtrument of God's Hand) the whole Glory of the Victory ought to have been deſervedly aſcribed; he was the only Agent, and Saul was but a Patient and an Idle Spectator, in the grand Conquering Controverſie. Yet the Women do give him ſome praiſe: However in David there was no fault, for he neither compoſed, nor ſang the Song.
The Second Remark is, The firſt product or effect of Saul's Envious Heart againſt David, which was his looking upon David with an Envious Eye, with a Lowring Look, and with a Sowre Frowning Countenance, v. 9. This Vitium Diabolicum, or Deviliſh Sin of Envy from the Envious one, lay boiling in his Heart ever after the Womens ſinging ſo, and his ſaying, [What can David have more but the Kingdom?]
Invidiâ Siculi non Invenere Tyranni
Majus Tormentum.—
ſaith Horace.
The Tyrants of Sicily never invented a worſe Torment than Envy, which now became a burning fire in Saul's Boſome, and as a Worm that unceſſantly gnawed upon his Entrails.
N. B. Saul now began to think that David was the Man, that Samuel had twice told him of, [A Man after God's own Heart,] chap. 13.14. and [A Man better than me,] chap. 15.28. to whom my Kingdom muſt be transferr'd: I now ſee God is gone from me, in thoſe Royal Gifts he once gave me, but now they ſhine forth in David: Kings hate Corrivals, thus Saul hated David in his Heart, when he ſaw him God's Darling, and the Peoples Favourite; and though he was a diſſembling Hypocrite, carrying plauſibly with Court Complements toward David, becauſe he knew this pleaſed his Son Jonathan, (a great Crony with him) and his Subjects generally, yet could he not hide his Heart-Hatred, but diſcovered it by an Envious Eye, and a Malicious Aſpect; ſuch a Countenance he caſt upon David, as Cain did upon Abel, Gen. 4, 5, 6. Heu quàm Difficile eſt Crimen non prodere Vultu.
Though he ſometimes gilded over his inward Malice, with outward ſhews of Love to David, yet could he not at all times conceal his Hypocriſie, but diſcovered it by his Countenance.
The Third Remark is, Saul's Envious Heart and Eye revived his Melancholick Diſtemper, and the Devil of Diſcontent ſets him now into a new Phrenzy, v. 10. which while David endeavoured to qualifie by playing upon his Harp, as at other times, Saul raved and raged like a mad Prophet, a Kings 9.11. and being acted and agitated by the Devil, his Hand now, as his Eye had done before, doth make a new diſcovery of his ſecret Diſſimulation: For this Tyrant, being as terrible to himſelf, (a Magormiſſabib, Jer. 20. 3, 4. terrour to himſelf) as he had been to others, kept ever a Javelin by him for his own defence; this the Hypocrite ſnatches up in a Fury, hurls it with great force at David:
N B. Who, for his kindneſs in Harping to cure Saul's Melancholy, hath this Javelin caſt at him to kill him, and to prick him to the Wall, v. 11. tho' (as Chryſoſtom well obſerveth) Saul could not have ſufficiently Honoured David, had he taken the Crown from off his own Head, and placed it upon the Head of David, ſeeing he owed to him both his Kingdom and his very Life: This was truly Diabolical, to requite David evil for good; yea, and now while David was doing this good Office for him, whereof he had formerly ſuch good experience of great Succeſs; and had not the Devil been in him, he would ſurely never have done it to good David.
N. B. Note well. Theſe three things here: The Firſt is The Devil was not ſo in Saul, as to take away altogether the uſe of his Reaſon, but ſuffers Saul to exerciſe it for execrable ends: Saul could ſay to himſelf, Now have I a fair opportunity to kill David. Some ſuppoſe, that Satan prompted Saul to propheſie of Divine things, politickly to lull David aſleep, that he might diſpatch him the better while he feared no danger.
The ſecond is, God over-ſhoots the Devil in his own Bow, in making Saul's Javelin to miſs David's Body, who made David's ſtone to hit Goliah's Forchead and kill him.
The third thing is, David in thus eſcaping, is a Type of Chriſt, who while he ſought to cure the Jews, they ſought to kill him, yet did he eſcape them often, Luke 4.18, 19, 20. and John 8.59. till his hour was come. Thus David eſcaped twice, once here, v. 11. and again, chap. 19.10.
The Fourth Remark is, Saul's ſending David away from his Court at Gibeah, whither Saul marched from the Camp, and Jonathan together with David, after he had put him into a Soldier and a Courtiers Garb: In their way thither was that Song (ſo offenſive to Saul) ſung by the Women as is aforeſaid; however, Saul Hypocritically hides his Malice, till he had the opportunity of caſting a Javelin at David, which he marvelouſly avoided, as is before related.
N. B. Now Saul taketh new meaſures, and Baniſheth David from his Court, v. 12, 13. Yet under pretence of Honour, that he might ſeem to make good his Promiſe of preferring the Man that could Conquer Goliah, ſo he makes him a Collonel over a Thouſand Soldiers; but his intent was to free himſelf from his own fears.
Firſt, Leſt (as ſome ſay) David ſhould diſpatch him privily in his Bed, as he would have done to David upon advantage, with his Javelin: This was to Muſe, as he did Ʋſe.
Secondly, Leſt (as others ſay) he ſhould ingratiate himſelf too much with his Courtiers, as he had already gained the Commonalty, and he might fear that both theſe would joyn together to Depoſe him, and ſet up David in his ſtead becauſe of the Song of the Women, v. 7. But,
Thirdly, The true cauſe was to quit himſelf of his great Eye-ſore, for now David's Preſence made Saul as much ſad, as ever his Muſick had made him merry, by fetching him out of his Melancholick Dumps.
The Fifth Remark is, The effects of this new Preferment conferr'd by Saul upon David, v. 14, 15, 16. Saul deſigned to expoſe David in the Wars, that he might fall by the Philiſtines Hands, when he could not make him fall by his own Hands: But ſuch was the Providence of God over him, and his own Prudence in managing all his Military Matters, that David became proſperous in all his Proceedings, whereby he plainly captivated the Univerſal Affections of the People, when they ſaw the Lord was departed from Saul, and was preſent with David, giving him prudence in his Conduct, and proſperous Succeſs in all his Ʋndertakings: No wonder if Saul was afraid of him, as it is ſaid of him three times, v. 12. and 15. and 19.
N. B. Dr. Lightfoot well obſerveth, that when David was now ſet at large from Saul, to go in and out at his pleaſure, then likely he bringeth Goliah's Armour to Bethlehem, and his Head to Jeruſalem, laying up thoſe Trophies of his Valour and Victory among his own Tribe, that when occaſion ſhould be, the ſight of theſe things might influence a ſufficient Party to ſtand up for him, whom God had already Anointed and Appointed by Samuel.
The Sixth Remark is, Saul's reſtleſs malice in plotting to deſtroy David ſecretly and treacherouſly by pretending an Honourable Marriage to him; but intending moſt notorious miſchief againſt him therein. And firſt he propoſeth to Marry David to his Eldeſt Daughter Merab, but for a deſtructive purpoſe, v. 17, 18, 19. Saul's malice to David was ſuch and ſo unſatisfiable, that he was reſolved to ruin him, vel vi, vel clam, vel precariò, either privately or openly; and when he ſaw the latter could not be done, he makes an experiment of the former by propounding a Royal Match to him, thinking that would pleaſe the People, who, he feared would protect David from his offering him any open Violence. Therefore his Secret Wheedle was to offer him Merab in Marriage, only upon this condition [Be Valiant for me, and Fight the Lords Battles,] hoping he might fall by the hands of the Philiſtines, being a forward Man in Fight, (he well knew) and would venture far, yea too far; as Uriah did afterwards and was cut off, 2 Sam. 11.16, 17.
N. B. Note well; Firſt, This very Pit which Saul had digged for David, the Lord over-ruled the matter ſo, that Saul fell into that very Pit himſelf, Pſal. 9.15, 16. and 7.15, 16. For whereas he deſigned that David ſhould Die by the hands of the Philiſtines, that very fate did befal himſelf; they made him kill himſelf, Chapter 32. Verſe 3, 4.
N. B. Note well; Secondly, Merab was due to David before by Promiſe for his killing Goliah, Chap. 17.25. yet he that there twice enquired into the reward of that enterprize before he undertook it, never demanded it after the Atchievement. Behold Saul's baſe Hypocriſie, ſtill waxing worſe and worſe; Love is here pretended, and Truth in performing his Promiſes; but Miſchief is purpoſed: Deſigning that he being made Saul's General, ſo Valiant in himſelf, would expoſe himſelf the more in moſt Deſperate Enterprizes, to give more than Ordinary Proofs of his Extraordinary Valour.
N. B. Note well; Thirdly, David's modeſt refuſal of this Royal Offer, becauſe of his own meanneſs, not becauſe there was really ſo much diſtance betwixt Saul and David, for the former had been but a Feeder of Aſſes, as the latter had been a Feeder of Sheep; and Saul himſelf, when he had a better mind than now, had the like modeſty to Samuel, when he was firſt ſent to Anoint him King, Chap. 9.21. but alas, Honores mutant mores, His Honour had marred both his Mind and his Manners; he had now forgot that himſelf was raiſed out of the very Rubbiſh of almoſt Deſtroyed Benjamin, Judg. 20, &c. David ſpeaks lowly of himſelf without diſſimulation, as too low and unmeet for ſo high a Marriage, that Saul might not ſuſpect ſo low-minded a Man, for being Ambitious to ſeek the Kingdom, though already Anointed thereto.
N. B. Note well; Fourthly, The perſidious dealing of Saul with David, when he had performed the Conditions in Fighting the Lords Battles, that he might be Married to Merab; and through Divine Protection, and contrary to Saul's expectation, had run through many difficulties, and eminent dangers. Saul, contrary to his Promiſe to David, gave his Daughter to another Man, namely, to Adriel, v. 19. on purpoſe to provoke David into ſome Treaſonable Actions and Speeches, which might give Saul ſome colour to cut him off: This Affront and injury was very unbearable, and the like had incenſed Samſon to Deſtroy the Corn, Vines, &c. of the Philiſtines, Judg. 15.2, 4. though to be deprived of the Joy of Marriage; and when the Marriage Day was come, wherein the Bridegroom was in high expectation of Embraceing his Bride, even then to be diſappointed was exceeding hard meaſure, yet David reſolves to bear it patiently.
N. B. Note well; Fifthly, David over-matched Saul's Malice in this matter alſo by his great Prudence and Patience, neither Acting nor Speaking any thing unbeſeeming a Loyal Subject, but committed his Cauſe with all Calmneſs to God who Judges Righteouſly: And ſo indeed God did notably when Merab's five Sons (which ſhe had by this Adriel) were in due time by Gods own appointment all Hanged, 2 Sam. 21.8, 9. To appeaſe his great Wrath, &c.
The Second Secret Deſign of Saul to deſtroy David, was by his Marrying him to his Younger Daughter Michal, who could not hide her Love to David▪ which (ſome ſay) her Siſter wanted, otherwiſe ſhe would not have conſented to Marry another Man, even Adriel, v. 20, 21. Here this Hypocrite diſcovers his Hypocriſie: 'Tis ſaid, he was pleaſed that his Daughter Michal loved David, yet was highly diſpleaſed that his Son Jonathan loved him: So that this was not pleaſing to Saul ſimply that David was beloved of Michal, but that ſhe might Become a Snare to him, either by cauſing him to run ſome deſperate Adventures for procuring her, or by obliging her (as his Daughter) to complot with her Father for Davids deſtruction: Put herein likewiſe David's God over-ſhot Saul's Devil in his own Bow. This bad Counſel for betraying David had no good ſucceſs, for Michal minded more her Conjugal Love to a Good Husband, than an Impious Obeiſence to a Bad Father; therefore was ſhe an inſtrument of preſerving David and not of deſtroying him, as the ſequel ſheweth, v. 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27. The Plot is promoted,
N. B. Firſt, By Saul himſelf, offering to him Michal, though he had Robb'd him of Marab, ſaying, [One of the twain thou ſhalt have,] v. 21. Here's a fair Glove drawn upon a foul Hand, deſigning to pervert the Holy Ordinance of God (to wit, Marriage, inſtituted for mutual comfort) to his own Deviliſh ends; that the Wife might betray the Husband.
Secondly, By Saul's Courtiers, who beſprinkled him (as we ſay) with a little Court Holy-Water, and perſwade him into a willingneſs whom they found unwilling to embrace this Royal Offer, V. 22, 23. and not only ſo, but they Covenant with him too For an Hundred Fore-skins of the Philiſtines, v. 24, 25. not an hundred Heads (as Joſephus ſaith,) for Fore-skins would much more enrage the Philiſtines againſt David, becauſe they hated Circumciſion utterly, v. 25. This pleaſed David well, v. 26. becauſe this Match might mount him towards the Kingdom, which God had promiſed him; and he in order to it brings in the double number to prevent all Cavils that might hinder his Marrying of Michal; which was effected, v. 27.
The Laſt Remark is, This ſecret Conſpiracy of Saul was likewiſe very marvelouſly confounded For,
Firſt, He ſaw God was with David to ſecure him from all danger: The Hypocrite pretended, [To be avenged of the Kings Enemies, v. 25.] but intended that they ſhould be avenged of David in his behalf, but God counter wrought him.
Secondly. He found his Daughters Love to David, was ſuch as would not ſerve his hatred of him, v. 28. and when he ſaw this double diſappointment, he became more afraid of David than ever before, v. 29. more eſpecially when he ſaw Davids Prudence, Valour, Courage and Conduct Advanced Daily with the People, Verſe 30.
N. B. Note well; Saul's hating God in David, ſeems like the unpardonable Sin: Glory fled from Saul who followed it, but follows David who fled from it: God Wills it, this none can reſiſt, Rom. 9.19, 20.