A Complete History and Mystery of the Old and New Testament, Biblical tract · Volume 2 · Commentary on 1 Samuel · Chapter 22
1 Sam. CHAP. XXII.
THIS Chapter contains a farther Account of David's Baniſhment, firſt into Moab, and then into Judah. Remarks upon the Firſt are,
Firſt, No doubt but David was full glad that he was ſo fairly delivered out of the hands of the Philiſtine King and Courtiers: he departed from Gath when Achiſh had ſaid it was below a King to defile his Fingers with the Blood of a Mad-man, that was not capable to do any miſchief to him, becauſe of his Mopiſhneſs; ſo he thruſt him out of his Preſence, whereupon he eſcaped to the Cave of Adullam, v. 1. a place fortified by Art as well as by Nature, 2 Sam. 23.13, 14. which lay in his own Tribe of Judah, from whom (being his kindred,) he expected ſome aſſiſtance to protect both him and themſelves from Saul's fury.
N. B. In this Cave (not far from Bethlehem, and about eight Miles from Jeruſalem) David compoſed the Hundred and Forty Second Pſalm, as appeareth by the Title, and by his Prayer in it, where he complains how low he is brought now, ſo that none would know him, nor any that took care for him; that he was in this Cave as in a Priſon, &c. Pſal. 142.7. Hereupon the Lord heard his Prayer, and ſends his Friends and Kindred about him to his Comfort, and divers others to become a Guard to him, of about Four Hundred Men; and God ſent Gad alſo to him to be his Chapla n. Verſe 2.
The Second Remark is; Though David ſeemeth here to be a Sanctuary for Out-lawries, a Refuge for Rebels, and a Protector to broken Debtors, to the damage of their Creditors, &c.
N. B. Yet in truth he was not ſo; for ſuppoſe any ſuch came, David was Ignorant of their Debts; it may be their Creditors were Cruel Oppreſſors, who had (however) their Debtors Lands and Goods for ſatisfaction: Nor did he Countenance any of his Followers in a way of Rebellion againſt their King, but occaſionally ſuppreſſed all Rebellious intentions againſt Saul, (though Davids mortal Enemy,) Chap. 24 4, 6, 7. and 26.8, 9. Nor did he retain them as Robbers to Plunder the Country, but rather to Protect it from the Common Enemy, as Nabal's Servants teſtifie in Chap. 25.15. And the Diſtreſſed ones whom David entertained, are ſuppoſed to be ſuch as were great ſufferers by Saul's Tyranny, whereof Samuel forewarned them, Chap. 8. from v. 11. to 18.
N. B. Note well. Herein David became a Type of Chriſt the Captain of our Salvation, Heb. 2.10. who entertained contemptible Fiſhermen, &c. And ſuch as were deeply Indebted to Divine Juſtice for their Sins, and deſperately diſtreſſed with the heavy burden of them, Luk. 7.41. to 48. 1 Cor. 1.26, 27. Yea Chriſt ſtill Cries, [Come to me all that are weary, &c.] Matth. 11.28. All ſuch as are ſenſible of their ſuffering worſe under Satan's Tyranny, than thoſe had under Saul's.
The Third Remark is, David's Removal from hence into Moab, v. 3, 4. where he came to the Kings Court. Oh! what Various Proſpects have we of David in differing Figures at the Courts of Kings after he had turned his Shepherds-Hook into a Souldiers-Sword?
N. B. Note well. At firſt we have him in the Court of Iſraels King, as a None ſuch David; both with Saul (that thought him worthy to be made the Kings Sonin-Law,) and with his Subjects that Sang, [Saul hath Slain his Thouſands, but David his Ten Thouſands] as before. The next Proſpect we have of him is in the Philiſtines Courts, when forced by Saul to flee unto Gath, the very City of Goliah, and Goliah's Sword now girt about him; where he is Diſcovered and Upbraided with that very Song above-ſaid, ſo was haled to the King, being in the midſt of all the Gyants Friends; he could not expect, but they would now take Revenge upon him for ſlaying their Champion.
N. B. David's danger was now ſo inevitable, that he could find no other ſhift, but to feign himſelf a Natural Fool, behaving himſelf like a Mopiſh Dotard, then was he [Jonath Elam Rechokim] the Title of his Fifty Sixth Pſalm; that is, A Dumb Dove in a far Country: But the third Proſpect we have here of David at the Court of the King of Moab: He is now come hither voluntarily, and in a better Equipage, not all alone and by conſtraint, as to the Philiſtines King, but as Colonel of a Regiment, and without fear of this King (as he had of Achiſh) but with Magnanimous Courage; the grounds whereof were, partly, becauſe his Fathers Grand-Mother was Ruth the Moabiteſs, Ruth 4.10. Which (as ſome ſuppoſe) David might plead with the King of Moab, for his favour to one Related to him by Deſcent; and partly, becauſe Saul, who perſecuted him, was alſo an Enemy to this King, having done great damage to Moab in his Wars, Chap. 14.47.
The Fourth Remark is, David's Deſign at the Court of this King of Moab was not ſo much for favour to his own Perſon, as it was for his Protection to his Aged Parents, who could not in their Old Age poſt away from place to place with him, as he in his preſent condition was forced to do: So he requeſts of this King, that both his Father and Mother, yet alive, Might be ſeated ſome where in the Country of Moab, that they might be not only at Eaſe in their Old Age, but alſo in Safety out of the reach of Saul's Cruel Perſecutions; who was ſo Bloody, he knew, as to be Revenged upon the Parents, when he could not come at the Son: And this David deſired to be done, only [Till he knew what God would do for him] in the Accompliſhing of God's Promiſe made to him.
N. B. Note well. This Godly Care of David the Son, for his Aged Parents Eaſe and Safety, is moſt highly commendable, and exceeding worthy of all due Imitation: Children can never enough requite their Parents, from whom they have both their Being and Well-being. Nor may it be doubted, but ſo Grave and Godly a Man as Jeſſe (David's Father) was, muſt not only be acceptable to the King of Moab, but might be uſeful to him in his Counſels, &c.
The Second Part of this Chapter is David's return from Moab into the Land of Judah, and the occurrences happening thereupon. Remarks upon it are,
Firſt, David did ſo, becauſe he was admoniſhed thereunto by the Oracle of Gad the Prophet, v. 5.
N. B. It was no ſmall comfort to diſtreſſed David that he had a Prophet of God ſo night at hand, to conſult with in all his Difficulties and Diſtreſſes: One who was called David's Seer, 1 Chron. 21.9. 2 Sam. 24.11. This Prophet warns David to depart from Moab, either becauſe they were Idolatrous, and ſo might ſoon be Treacherous to him, yea and ſo might infect his followers with their Idolatry, if he tarryed too long with them: Or rather, becauſe God was pleaſed to bring David to a farther Tryal by Saul's Perſecution in his own Country: Therefore God bids him by Gad, [Go ſhew thy ſelf in the Land of Judah] that he might publickly put in his Claim to the Kingdom after Saul's Death, and that there he might be in Action, Aſſiſted by his own Tribe, and do ſome good for his Country, as God ſo ordered it, for he and his ſmall Army did beat back the Army of the Philiſtines from the borders of Judah, when Saul was at a diſtance, and could not ſtop that Invaſion, Chap. 23.1, 2, 3.
The Second Remark is, Saul's hearing that David was come with a ſmall Party into his his own Tribe, put him into a new Ferment, Fright, and Phrenzy, v. 6, 7, 8. Where Saul charges his followers that they alſo Conſpired with David to Dethrone him, ſaying, [None of you, though of my own Tribe, is ſorry for me.]
N. B. Note well. It may be ſome of them were ſorry for his Malice and Madneſs againſt Innocent David, but durſt not ſhew it; and it is too true, that others of Saul's Favourites and Followers, who had fawn'd upon David while he was in Favour and Proſperity, were now eſtranged from him, and devoted to Saul's command, in doing ill Offices againſt David. Saul here makes a loud Harangue made up moſtly of Lies to his Courtiers; ſaying,
Firſt, Can ye be content to have the Kingdom tranſlated from your Tribe of Benjamin, into the Tribe of Judah; as David would do? Therefore beſtir your ſelves ye Benjamites that it may not be ſo.
Secondly, He Upbraids them with the Profits and Preferments he had Enriched them with; having oppreſſed his own Subjects to Bribe his Courtiers and Souldiers with ſuch ſpoils as Tyrants uſe to do, and as (Samuel had foretold, Chap. 8.14.) Saul would do. Whereas no ſuch Bounties (he tells them) they could expect from David.
N. B. Oh! that we could ſay thus to Satan, neither thy Work nor thy Wages are comparable to thoſe of my ſweet Saviour, &c.
Thirdly, His Third Coaxing Argument was, You muſt be of the Conſpiracy becauſe none of you lets me know where David's lurking holes be.
N. B. Whereas they indeed were too much Addicted to Saul, and too little Affected to David: Their only fault was with him, that they did not ſo eagerly purſue and perſecute David, as his Phrantick Fury would have puſhed them forwards. But above all;
Fourthly, His Fourth Flying Argument was, that none of them gave him intelligence how his own Son proved baſely perfidious to him, and ſtirred up his Servant to lie in wait againſt him: Thus he vilely ſlanders his Vertuous Son Jonathan; partly, becauſe Jonathan had abſented himſelf from the Court ever ſince Saul caſt a Javelin at him in the preſence of all his Courtiers, Chap. 20.33. So Piſcator ſaith, that this was one ground of this Tyrants ſuſpicion; or partly, becauſe David durſt not Invade the Land of Judah with only Four Hundred Men, (as he thought) without having Encouragement of ſome promiſed Aſſiſtance from Jonathan and other Accomplices: Whereas in truth, it was neither ſo, nor ſo.
N. B. For as to Jonathan, he abhorred the thoughts of Conſpiring againſt his own Father, preferring his Fathers Welfare and Honour above all other Friends in the World, reſolving to be Paſſive, and to leave all to the Providence of God in bringing about that Promiſe whereof David had Acquainted him when they entred into a League of Love: And as to David, he was ſo far from lying in wait for Saul, that the contrary was moſt true. 'Twas Saul that did daily lay in wait for David to take away his Life; when as all David did was only to Defend himſelf from his Bloody Hands.
The Third Remark is; That dogged Court Sycophant Doeg, ſo ſoon as he heard that Saul would prefer any Informer againſt David, with Vineyards, and Olive-yards, ſnatches at the bait, ver. 9, 10. He preſently ſurmizes he had now a fair opportunity to advance himſelf from being a baſe Heardſman, to become a brave Gentleman, and to be exalted as ſome Eminent Courtier; hereupon he ſpareth not moſt maliciouſly to traduce them that were moſt innocent. Not only David, whom he calls by contempt [the Son of Jeſſe] learning that ſcornful Language from Saul, whom he deſign'd to humour, but alſo Ahimelech, who was free of having any hand in a treacherous Conſpiracy againſt his Sovereign: However, Quod volumus facilè credimus, Saul would have it ſo, and true or not true, it muſt be believed that it was ſo.
N. B. Mark here what a diſſembling Hypocrite this Doeg was; he had been not long before this [detained before the Lord] under pretence of great piety, Chap. 21.7. with this very High-Prieſt Ahimelech, yet now impeacheth him of no leſs Crime than High Treaſon, wretchedly wreſting all that he ſaw and heard done or ſaid (at that time relating to David) to the moſt miſchievous miſconſtructions, and all along concealing that part of the truth which he was obliged to declare for Ahimelechs juſt defence; namely, how he was circumvented by David's plauſible pretences, ſo could not be an Acceſſary to any ſuch ſuppoſed Conſpiracy with David againſt Saul.
N. B. Note well. Upon this Occaſion David compoſeth his fifty ſecond Pſalm, as appears by the Title, wherein Doeg is rightly reputed a Lyar, and ſtigmatiz'd he ſtands for ever upon Scripture Record for his Lying tongue; for though he told ſome truth to Saul here, yet not for any love to truth or juſtice, but for Deviliſh Ends, both for incenſing Saul, and for diſgracing both David, and the Prieſts of the Lord.
The Fourth Remark is, The Maſſacre of the Lords Prieſts by Doog, both Informer and Executioner at the Command of Saul that bloody Tyrant, ver. 11. to the 19. wherein we have an account of many ſad Circumſtances of that moſt ſavage Tragedy; as
Firſt, Upon the Evidence given by this curſed Informer Doeg, Saul ſends out his Summons, and ſerves a Citation by his Apparitors upon Ahimelech, and all that wore a Linnen Ephod to appear perſonally before him at Gibeah.
N. B. Here Saul ſtay'd, and ſtood in a Tyrannical poſture, with a Spear in his hand, ver. 6. being always under a guilty affrightment of receiving harm from others, and always in a ready poſture of doing miſchief to others.
N. B. Saul citeth thoſe Prieſts of the Lord under a pretence of Juſtice, tho' his intent was to be both their Accuſer, and their Judge, and reſolv'd before hand they ſhould all dye whatever good defence they could make for themſelves, and for the ſaving of their own lives, ver. 11.
The ſecond Circumſtance is, Ahimelech and the reſt appear at Saul's Summons, each man in perſon, then Saul impeaches them of High Treaſon, in Conſpiring with David againſt their Leige Lord and Sovereign, which Charge or Accuſation he could only prove by preſumption and probability, ver. 12, 13. Saying, [In ſo much as you have contributed your beſt Aſſiſtance to that Grand Rebel David, you are Abettors of his Rebellion, and therefore you ſhall dye,] and Saul was in ſuch a rage here, that ſpeaking to Ahimelech in the name of the reſt, he diſdain'd to call him by his own name, but the beſt Title he can afford him was [thou Son of Ahitub] in a way of contumely, becauſe he was reſolv'd to condemn him right or wrong, though his Arraignment was falſe, for what he did was done in the integrity of his heart.
The Third Circumſtance is, Ahimelech's Apology, and Anſwer to the Indictment, ver. 14, 15. wherein the Defendant Argues againſt this Royal Plaintiff in defence of his own innocency, ſaying,
Firſt, As to David, he declareth what David had formerly been, both really in himſelf, and relatively in the common eſtimation both of King and People, inſomuch, that Saul himſelf had judg'd him worthy to receive him into a Royal Relation in his Court, by making him the King's Son-in-Law, &c. As to preſent differences that had lately happened between Saul and David, he did not take upon him to determine.
N. B. Some here do ſay, that Ahimelech did not ſpeak words of wiſdom, in ſo highly commending David to Saul's face, whom he ſaw ſo hotly incenſed againſt him at this time, whatever he had been formerly: But others do better affirm, that this Holy High Prieſt wholly laid aſide all Worldly Policy, not acting like the Politicians, of our times, who, to curry favour with an Angry Tyrant, would acknowledge their miſtake, and would have promiſed they will know David better for time to come, &c. This good Man abhor'd ſuch ſubtle and ſinful ſhifts, but in the honeſty of his heart, and in all godly ſimplicity will give David his due, rather than debauch his own Conſcience, he will juſtifie the righteous, tho' he tacitly tax Saul of Tyranny therein, and ſo run himſelf into deſperate danger of his life thereby.
N. B. In this Apology, Secondly, Ahimelech ſpeaks as to himſelf, having done with David, ſaying [This is not the firſt time that I have enquired of God for David] had it been ſo, there had been ſome ground of jealouſie for my being a Conſpirator, knowing that David was now fallen under the King's diſpleaſure (tho' it hath oft been ſo before, yet have they been as oft again reconcil'd) but ſeeing it hath been my conſtant cuſtom thus to enquire of God for him in former times, when he hath been ſent forth upon the King's ſervice, therefore this thing ought not to be imputed to me for a fault (which is, and hath often been but the duty of my Prieſthood) much leſs for a treacherous Conſpiracy againſt my Soveraign, which my Soul abhorreth, and whereof I am altogether ignorant, leſs or more.
N. B. Though he might know ſomething of Saul's diſpleaſure againſt David at ſome times, yet this he might aſcribe to the violence of Saul's frantick Diſeaſe, as Jonathan had done, Chap. 20.2. and not to himſelf, ſeeing when his paſſion was over, he had been reconciled to David, and gave him ſecurity by Oath, but he knew nothing of any Treaſonable Deſign, &c.
The Fourth Circumſtance is, Saul's raſh pronouncing that harſh Sentence of Death againſt innocent Ahimelech, and his whole Family of Prieſts, ver. 16. Here Saul plaid the part of a bloody Tyrant.
N. B. This was the worſt Act that ever Saul did, ſaith Theodoret, and a great cauſe of his deſtruction, ſaith Joſephus; like an unjuſt Judge he deſperately ſhuts his ears to the High Prieſts juſt defence, and damnably paſſeth this bloody doom of death upon him, and not upon him only, but upon all his Fathers Houſe alſo, and all this upon the ſingle and malicious Teſtimony of a falſe and flattering Sycophant, whereas the Law of God requireth, that none ſhould dye under two or three Credible Witneſſes, Deut. 17.6, &c. Nor doth he take any time to deliberate for diſcovering any other Teſtimonies, as Reaſons why thoſe Innocents ought not to die, but without delay, in a furious rage he denounced this illegal and raſh doom, and as furiouſly proceeds he from this cruel Sentence to a preſent bloody Execution.
N. B. It may well be wondred at, why Ahimelech did not Apologize, at leſt now in ſo deſperate a pinch, and tell Saul that David had deceived him, and drew him on to all he did for him, by all thoſe Lyes which he had told him; this Allegation might ſeem moſt effectual for the High Prieſts excuſe, but not a word of this, for 'tis probable, this good man was unwilling, by excuſing himſelf of a ſeeming fault, to accuſe David of a fault that was both foul and real, and thereby to incenſe Saul yet more againſt him, whom he ſaw already beyond meaſure inraged, &c. No, Ahimelech will rather dye, than diſcover the infirmities of ſuch an Holy Man as David was, to ſuch a wickeed Tyrant as Saul.
The Fifth Circumſtance is, The bloody Execution of this Barbarous Sentence. Now wants Saul nothing but Executioners, hereupon he commands (1ſt.) His Footmen (the Runners, Hebr. that had run to fetch the Prieſts, from Nob to Saul) to kill the Prieſts of the Lord, ver. 17. which had ſuch an emphatical ſound [Prieſts of the Lord] that it ſtruck thoſe Footmen into ſuch a fear, they durſt not lift up an hand againſt them, as probably they might have done, had they been Prieſts of Baal, or Prieſts of the Devil, and not of the Lord; but becauſe they were ſo, they had ſuch a veneration both for the innocency of their perſons, and for the fanctity of their Office, that they refuſed to obey the Royal Command; and the rather, becauſe all thoſe Prieſts appeared (as Sanctius ſuppoſeth) in their Sacerdotal Habits, ſeeing they are ſaid to wear the Linnen Ephod, ver. 18.
N. B. They all appeared before the King thus Apparell'd (ſaith Sanctius.) (1.) For the honour of their High Prieſt. (2.) For Reverence to the King. And (3.) For pacifying the King's wrath, ſuſpecting their Summons was upon David's account, though that expreſſion holds out only their wearing an Ephod in the Sanctuaries ſervice, Exod. 28.40, 41. yet if they ſo appeared here, no wonder if Saul's Footmen were loth to dye their white Ephods red with their own blood.
N. B. However, they chuſed rather to obey God (who had forbidden Murther) than this wicked Tyrant, who would make them his Agents and Inſtruments in ſuch an horrid Maſſacre; this was well thus far, but Chryſoſtom blames them for not ſteping farther in an effectual pleading with Saul, to ſave the Prieſts, &c.
Secondly, Upon the Footmens refuſal, Saul turns to dogged Doeg, ver. 18. being ſure he would do it himſelf, ſeeing he was reſolv'd to have it done.
N. B. Some do probably ſuppoſe that Saul committed here the unpardonable Sin, his malice extending againſt the Lord himſelf, in his ſaying [Slay the Prieſts of the Lord] as if he had ſaid, the Lord favours David, and rejects me, becauſe my rage cannot reach the Lord himſelf, I will be reveng'd upon his Priests.
N. B. Note well. And who but ſuch a damnable Hypocrite as Saul, could be liker to ſin that ſin againſt the Holy Spirit; he out of a ſeeming Kingly Compaſſion would ſpare Agag, whom God had deſtinated to be deſtroyed, yet now is ſo fleſh'd in blood and cruelty, that he ſticks not in his furious malice to murther the Prieſts of the Lord, in deſpite and defiance of the Lord himſelf whom they ſerved, and into whoſe protection they betruſted their lives: This was much like the Devil's doings, who, when he muſt not meddle with Job's ſelf, falls foul upon Job's Servants; thus Saul ſeems to be Sataniz'd here.
N. B. And Doeg the Edomite muſt be his tool to work with, who is call'd ſo, ver. 18. on purpoſe to wipe off the ſtain from the Iſraelitiſh Nation, of ſo bloody a Butchery, intimating, that a true Iſraelite would abhor ſuch barbarous villany; none but an Edomite, one of that bloody Off-ſpring of Prophane Eſau (who had an implacable hatred againſt Iſrael) would dare to perpetrate ſuch an unparalleld a Maſſacre, not only of thoſe 85 Prieſts of the Lord, but alſo a great multitude of many more Innocents, when Doeg at the Devil's command (as well as Saul's) deſtroyed the City Nob, the Men, Women, Children, and Sucklings, ver. 19. leaving the Tabernacle deſolate of either place or Prieſt, ſays Joſephus.
N. B. Whether Doeg could do all this execution with his own hands only, ſome queſtion; no doubt but he might do much miſchief with the Devil's help, where he met with no reſiſtance; it may be Saul had more Edomites than Doeg attending him, or ſuch degenerate Iſraelites as he had debauched for his Tyrannical practices; 'tis probable Saul was thus ſevere againſt this City Nob, in terrorem, to afright all his Subjects from aſſiſting David.
The laſt Remark is, The iſſue of this Tragedy, ver. 20, 21. wherein mark.
Firſt, How God over-ſhoots the Devil in his own Bow, while this bloody Villain Doeg, and his cruel Maſter Saul (or Satan in him, the Devil in both,) thought of nothing but of glutting their blood-thirſty minds, they are unwittingly over-ruled to be but the Executioners of God's juſt, yet ſevere Sentence againſt Ely's Family, Chap. 2.31. God uſed them as Phyſicians do Leeches, to ſuck blood for their Patients health; ſo God did thoſe blood-ſuckers for his own glory, &c.
N. B. Secondly, Yet Abiathar (who now was High-Prieſt by his Fathers death) muſt by a ſingular providence eſcape from this general Maſſacre; for God had promiſed to preſerve ſome of Eli's Houſe, Chap. 2.33. Though God had long ſuſpended that direful threatning againſt Eli's Family, for the outragious villanies of his profligate Sons, &c. Yet now ſuffers this Divine Vengeance (which had ſlept for a great while) now to awake, and break forth in this brutiſh manner) but in wrath God remembers mercy, Hab. 3.2.
N. B. Thirdly, Abiathar eſcapes and comes to David, as he was going to Keilah, Chap. 23.6, 7. and tells him the ſad Tragedy; hereupon David becomes heartily ſorry, ſaying, tho' Saul and Doeg, as I feared when I ſaw him at the Tabernacle) be the cauſe of all this blood ſhed, yet have I been the occaſion of it, by deluding Ahimelech with my untruths; for which, as I am much to be blamed, ſo am I greatly humbled. So he promiſeth,
N. B. Fourthly, To Abiathar, that he would repair his loſs by making him his High-Prieſt; thus when David had aſcribed the whole guilt of this Maſſacre to himſelf, the Lord extracts this good out of that evil, for encouraging diſcourag'd David, that now he that an High-Prieſt in his Army, as well as a Prophet to counſel and comfort him. So Chriſt our Myſtical David, ſaith to us, [With me ye ſhall be in ſafety, &c.] as literal David ſaid to Abiathar.
N. B. Fifthly, How Doeg dyed by his own hands, with Saul his bloody Maſter; ſee Chap. 31. Remark the Fourth.