A Complete History and Mystery of the Old and New Testament, Biblical tract · Volume 2 · Commentary on 1 Samuel · Chapter 30
1 Sam. CHAP. XXX.
THis Chapter is a Narrative of David's Succeſsful Deeds for Ziklag againſt the Amalekites. The Remarks upon David's Expedition here are,
Firſt, the Calamity of Ziklag and its Citizens when David came thither, he found the City burnt, ſacked, and ſpoiled, v. 1. and all the Women with their Sons and Daughters were carried away Captive, and all this was done by the Amalekites, who had not ſlain any, v. 2. though David had not left (in his Expedition againſt them) neither Man or Woman alive, Chap. 27.9. and though theſe Amalekites took the advantage of David's abſence, and ſought revenge, yet were they ſo chained up by the overruling Providence of God, that they are bound up from doing ſo much miſchief to David and his Friends as David had done to them, for God deſigned this Calamity only to Chaſtiſe David for his diſtruſting God in the Land of Judah, Chap. 22.5. and for his Diſſimulation to the King of the Philiſtims, but not to deliver either Him or His to Death.
The Second Remark is, though the loſs was not ſo great as it might have been without God's reſtraint, yet was it ſo grievouſly deplorable, that they all bewail'd it, and wept until they could weep no more, v. 3, 4. and no wonder, for Achiſh had diſmiſs'd David and his Men, and bid them return home to the City which he had beſtowed on them: They thereupon march away, and were three Days in marching from Achiſh's Army to Ziklag, v. 1. & 2 Sam. 1.2. well wearied undoubtedly with this long march all on foot, and at the end find they had no home to harbour them, nor Wives to embrace them after a long abſenſe, nor Sons or Daughters to refreſh them with their preſence; and tis no wonder that David was greatly diſtreſſed alſo for the loſs of his Wives, v. 5. but more eſpecially for fear of being stoned by his own Friends and Followers, as he was the Chief Cauſe of all their Calamities,
N. B. Note well. Firſt, in provoking the Amalekites to this Cruelty.
Secondly, In his ſo improvidently drawing forth all his Forces that ſhould have guarded Ziklag againſt the incenſed Amalekites.
Thirdly, In his being over-forward to march with Achiſh againſt their own People, and to aſſiſt him in ſuch an unneceſſary yea pernicious War againſt God's Iſrael.
Fourthly, This Fury of their ſtoning David might ariſe from that innate levity of their minds (naturally inherent in the Jewiſh Nation) that upon every diſcontent were for ſtoning their Rulers, as Moſes, Exod. 17, 6. and the Meſſias, Joh. 8.59. and here David a Type of Christ that Bleſſed Meſſiah.
Fifthly, Or it might ſpring from that ſtupefaction into which their great grief had overwhelmed them, ſo that they had loſt the uſe of their reaſon and knew not what they either ſaid or did.
Sixthly, Tacitus Noteth, that an Overthrow received in any Army, doth commonly cauſe a Mutiny.
The Third Remark is, David's Remedy to this deſperate Malady, [but David encourag'd himſelf in the Lord his God] v. 6. Take a particular proſpect of David's diſcouragements whereby he became ſo prodigiouſly diſtreſſed.
N. B. Note well, (1.) He was forced to flye from his own home in the Land of Promiſe, and (by Saul's furious rage againſt him) driven as an Exile into an Heatheniſh Countrey.
(2.) Having had a little lucid intervals, a ſhort reſpit of peace and breathing, by ſeating his Family at Ziklag; and though himſelf had been for a while abſent from thence with Achiſh, yet now had he ſent him home, but now he had no home to come to, for he found his Houſe burnt, &c.
(3) What to do, or which way to turn himſelf he knew not, not to his own Country, for that had been to run into the mouth of that Furious Lion Saul, who ſought to devour him every day, nor to the Philistims durſt he turn back, for their Lords had ſuch an envious eye of jealouſie over him, that they had newly got him Caſhiered from their Army, though their General had ſhewed much Generoſity towards him, yet the Lords prevailed to pack him away with diſhonour and diſgrace.
(4.) The Amalekites (his malicious Enemies) were now become Poſſeſſors of his beloved Wives, and had a ſtrong Army to maintain their poſſeſſion of them.
(5.) His own Friends and Followers (from whom alone he could expect any comfort) were ſo exaſperated, as they will needs Stone him.
Alas poor diſtreſſed David! What was his Remedy againſt this deſperate Malady? He can look for relief no where here below, therefore he looks up to Heaven, and [encourag'd himſelf in the Lord his God] now David was at his worſt, as Joah ſaid afterwards to him in another caſe, 2 Sam. 19.7. This ſad diſpenſation was worſe to him than all the Evils that had befaln him from his Youth until now, and therefore was a ſign that Deliverance was not far off, as when things are once at the worſt, we uſe to ſay, they will then mend, ſo David's Deliverance was here at the door, when he believingly caſt his whole dependency upon the Lord his God only, whom he had found Faithful to him in his Promiſes, and had never fail'd him in his deepeſt dangers with his Providences; God loves (David well knew) to reſerve his holy hand for a dead lift in the behalf of his Servants (in Covenant with him) when there is a damp upon their hopes, and a death upon their helps. Thus his Encouragements in God did (by the help of his Faith) outweight weighs his diſcouragement from Man, though his diſtreſs was the greater, inaſmuch as thoſe very diſtreſſed Perſons (whom he had received into his protection, Chap. 22.2.) were now become David's grandeſt diſtreſſers in their deſigning to ſtone him.
The Fourth Remark is, The Antecedents of David's Expedition againſt the Amalekites, v. 7, 8. wherein he firſt craves Divine Help, and Conſults God's Oracle according to God's Ordinance, Numb. 27.21. as he had done before with good ſucceſs for his own ſafety, Chap. 23.9, 10, &c. He here begins at the right end, &c.
Before which time, we find in this good Man a bad neglect of this good duty in thus Conſulting with God; for we read not of his calling for the Ephod, either when he fled to Gath for Refuge from Saul, Chap. 27.1. or when he offered to go along with Achiſh to the Battel againſt Iſrael, Chap. 28.2. But now, when his diſtreſſes (he had brought himſelf unto be being his own Counſellor) made him ſenſible both of his former errors, and of his preſent duties, now he can cry again [bring hither the Ephod.] This Great diſtreſs had driven David into his Counting-Houſe, where he found how his God (in Covenant Relation) had hitherto preſerved him by his All-poweful Providence, and had likewiſe given him a ſpecial Promiſe (which he could not but account Infallible) of his ſucceeding Saul in the Kingdom; therefore ſo good a God was no longer to be neglected by him, who was bound likewiſe by Covenant (on his part) to acknowledge God in all his ways, and not to lean upon his own underſtanding, Prov. 3.5. as he had done heretofore, and had deeply ſmarted for it: No doubt but David had more than a Months mind to purſue the Amalekites, and to recover his beloved Wives, yet dare he not now do ſo, without God's leave and liking; and no ſooner did David remember God, but God alſo did remember him, and gave him an Anſwer of Peace, both his approbation, and direction to purſue and prevail. David's Ephod brought a Bleſſing to him, when Saul's Witch brought a Curſe upon him, and his Sons, &c.
N. B. Note well. Saul had loſt God's Ear and Anſwer, but David found both; and though God had given an Anſwer to David by degrees, and one piece of his Divine pleaſure after another at Keilah, Chap. 23.10, 11. yet here God gives him an Anſwer with more expedition, and all at once, becauſe the nature of his preſent Circumſtances would not admit of any delay; Oh how good is our God in his Divine Condeſcenſions unto his Servants neceſſities, thus to accomodate his Anſwers to our Addreſſes, either ſlowly or ſpeedily according as the matter doth require.
The Second Antecedent of David's Expedition here, is his making uſe of Humane Help alſo in a way of ſubſerviency to the Divine Oracle, for David dare not tempt the Lord by a neglect of means, nor durſt the expect any extraordinary Miracles, where the Lord afforded him ordinary means and helps; David's Humane helps were twofold,
Firſt Domeſtick, he being encouraged by God's Oracle, purſues the Amalekites with 600 Men, but one third part of them fainted, and were not able to paſs over the Brook Beſor, v. 9, 10. This was a new Exerciſe of David's faith, and 'tis a wonder he did not doubt of the truth of God's call to this Expedition, when he ſaw God's Providence croſſing him thus in it; Carnal Reaſon would ſuggeſt to him that his 600 Men were few enough encounter ſo great an Army of the Amalekites: But God ſaith to David here, as he had ſaid to Gideon [the People that are with thee are too many for God to work by] Judg. 7.4. God ſtrikes off 200 from the 600, that the glory of the Victory might be aſcribed to God, and not to Man.
David's Second Humane Help was foreign, namely an Egyytian the Servant of an Amalekite whom they found in the Field, v. 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16. wherein thoſe Marvelous Occurrences of Divine Providence did concur, for the promoting of David's Deſign,
N. B. Note well, As Firſt, A Guide for him in his blind March was intercepted, v. 11. finding a Man lying in the Field in a Souldier's Habit, ready to periſh by ſickneſs and hunger; as this was a good Providence to David, thus to find one that had belonged to the Enemies Army, who knew how to lead him to the Amalekites that had ſo barbarouſly left him; ſo it was no leſs good to himſelf. For,
Secondly, By this means the poor periſhing Creature was recovered from being famiſhed, v. 12. David (a ſtranger) was more charitable to him (and that before he knew whether the Fellow could or would do him any ſervice) than had been his own Cruel Maſter at that time.
Thirdly, So ſoon as his Spirit was revived by David's benevolence, he was Examined, upon which he confeſſeth, (1.) That he was an Egyptian by Nation. (2.) His Employ was that of a Servant. (3.) His Maſter was an Amalekite. (4.) But a Churliſh one, for leaving me behind him when diſenabled to march, v. 13. this was a moſt brutiſh part, ſeeing he might have carried him with the Prey.
N. B. Note well. How unlike was this inhumane Maſter to the good. Centurion who went to Chriſt for Cure of his ſick Servant, Math. 8.6. but more unlike the good Samaritan, who took order both for the Carriage and for the Cure of a meer Stranger, Luke 10.33, 34, 35. His Maſter acted more like a Curſed Amalekite whom God had devoted to utter deſtruction, Exod. 17.14. Deut. 25.19. in caſting off his Sick Servant, for which barbarous Cruelty he paid dear, and not only himſelf, but his whole Company alſo; for he might have taken better care of his Cure and Life, ſeeing no Enemy did purſue their Army, therefore had leiſure enough to ſeat him upon ſome Beaſt, or lodge him in a Waggon.
Fourthly, After this account he had given of himſelf, David contracts with him to diſcover where the Amalekites lay: Hereupon (having ſecurity given him for his own ſafety) he makes a moſt ample diſcovery both of what miſchief they had done againſt the Philiſtines and that part of Judah, where David's Poſſeſſions (which he had by the right of Abigail) did lay, as well as unto Ziklag, which Achiſh out of his generoſity had beſtowed upon David and his Men.
N. B. It may well be ſuppoſed that this Army of the Amalekites took the opportunity of Invading thoſe Countries and remote places, while the Philiſtims and the Iſraelites were ſo deeply engaged on both ſides in a preſent War; and this poor wretch (thus revived and ſecured) doth alſo make a diſcovery where this Triumphing Enemy Encamped in all Riot and Luxury, fearing no danger from either Party at this juncture, they being prepared on both ſides for a ſudden Battle.
This Man might be informed by his Maſter whither they marched to, that in caſe of his recovery he might know to what place he ſhould repair, and be with them again: All thoſe Circumſtances we have an account of in v. 14, 15, 16.
The Second Conſiderable in this Expedition is, the Concomitants thereof: David having now got both ſure Intelligence, and ſuch an Infallible Guide, immediately Marcheth after the Amalekites, his principal encouragement from the Oracle of God, v. 6. being thus happily back'd with theſe two Additional Helps by way of Subordination.
N. B. David's Victory over this Enemy is deſcribed by many Circumſtances, ver. 16, 17. as,
Firſt, The Place where, 'twas: When they were come to the very Borders of their own Country, far enough (as they thought) out of any danger of either Iſraelites, or Philiſtines, (with whom they believed David had joyn'd himſelf,) who were at this juncture engaged in a Battel.
Secondly, The Time when, namely at the twilight, a time moſt convenient for David, when the fewneſs of his Forces againſt ſo great a multitude, might not be diſcovered, &c.
Thirdly, The Opportunity of David's ſucceſsful Aſſault upon them, while they were drinking, dancing, and diſperſed abroad without any Scouts or Watch, and while they were keeping an Holiday to their Gods, who had help'd them to ſo vaſt a Spoil and Booty: David ſets upon them in this ſecure and careleſs poſture, as Abraham had done upon Kedorlaomer and his Accomplices, and routed them, Gen. 14.15. and as Ahab did afterward upon the Syrians, 1 Kings 20.16.
Fourthly, The Quantity of the Victory, both as to time, laſting until the Evening of the next day; ſo long was David in cutting off thoſe Curſed Amalekites with thoſe few hands of his Followers; and alſo as to Number none eſcaped, ſave 400 that rode upon Dromedaries, though equal to the number of David's 400 Foot Souldiers, yet were they diſpirited and fled; all the reſt were half Dead Drunk, ſo ſtood at mark for David's deadly blows: Thus the Graecians aſſaulted Troy. Invadunt Ʋrbem Somno Vino que Sepultam.
They found the Citizens half death to their hands, and 'twas no more matter with Caſar to Conquer a careleſs and ſecure Enemy, but as he expreſſeth it in his Commentaries [Veni, Vidi, Vici,] I Came, I Saw, and I Overcame. Thus did David here, without difficulty.
N. B. Note well, Objection. Why was David ſo kind to this Egyptian in ſparing his life, yet ſo cruel to the Amalekites in not ſparing the life of one Man that his hands could reach, eſpecially ſeeing they had ſpared the lives of his Wives and Children, and of his Men alſo, they had not ſlain any, v. 2, 3.
Anſwer Firſt, as to the kindneſs David ſhewed to the Egyptian, he had an expreſs Command for it, Deut 23.7. Thou ſhalt not abhor an Egyptian, for ye were Strangers in his Land; and had this Man been what his Maſter was, an Amalekite, he had not fared ſo well as he did; 'twas well for him that he was an Egyptian.
Anſwer Second, David had as expreſs a Command not to ſpare any Amalekite, Exod. 17.14. Deut. 25.19. Therefore this Fact of David was not Cruelty, but Juſtice and Obedience to God, for the neglect whereof Saul was ſeverely puniſhed, &c. Chap. 15.18, 19, 22, 23.
Anſwer the Third, Tho' the Amalekites had ſpared the Wives and Children, yet could not this praeponderate a clear Command of God, nor give David a diſpenſation for ſparing thoſe whom God would have utterly deſtroyed. Nor did the Amalekites ſpare thoſe Women and Children from any love or compaſſion towards them, but from their own ſelf-reſpects, not doubting they would be redeemed with large Ranſoms, &c. but more eſpecially, they were ſpared by the over ruling Providence of God out of his ſingular kindneſs to David. Men cannot kill but when Go will permit, who ſets bounds to the malice of Mankind.
The Laſt Circumſtance of the Concomitants of this Conqueſt, is David's recovering all that had been carried away Captive, both Perſons, and Things.
Firſt, For himſelf, v. 18. he reſcued his two Wives, who had been Vexed, but not Violated, and now doubly endeared to David, both by their Chaſt preſervation, and by this his marvelous deliverance of them.
Secondly, To his Souldiers, [there was nothing lacking to any of them] v. 19.
And Thirdly, To his Friends, either Iſraelites, or Philiſtines; David recovered all the Flocks and Herds, v. 20. which the Enemy had plundered from all Neighbouring places, and no doubt but he took the Spoil of Amalek's Tents therewith.
N. B. Note well. Peter Martyr's Annotation here: Matters do ſucceed in a quite contrary manner with the Godly than they do with the Wicked; for the Calamities of the Godly have a joyful Concluſion, but the mad merriments of the Wicked have a moſt ſad Cataſtrophe; as here to the Amalekites who lately made pleaſant Comedies out of poor Ziklag's doleful Tragedies; and now God turns the Wheel upon their own heads.
The Laſt Part be the Conſequents after the Conqueſt; the Firſt relateth to David's Souldiers, where we have.
Firſt, The Triumphant Song they Sang, and [this is David's Spoil] was the burthen of the Song, v. 20.
Secondly, Their Congratulating David for his Victory, v. 21. even thoſe very Men who had ſpoken of ſtoning him, [Oh Wheel] Ezek. 10.13. not only to David's Men, but to Amalek alſo: Behold how the great God made ſuch a ſmall accident (as was their meeting with an half famiſh'd Egyytian) to become ſerviceable for the production of ſuch great Changes on both ſides.
Thirdly, The Conquerors diſſention among themſelves about dividing the Spoils, v. 22. tho' David was a good Man, yet had he bad Men and Belialiſts to follow him, notwithſtanding all his pains to make them better, in teaching them the fear of the Lord, Pſal. 34.11. even while he was among the Philiſtines, as the title of that Pſalm intimates: Thoſe Covetous Caitiffs will not have any part of the Prey given to the 200 Men that ſtaid by the ſtuff behind; tho' this was good ſervice to guard the Carriages, which otherwiſe might have been plundered.
The Second Relateth to David himſelf, wherein is held forth,
Firſt His Prudence in deciding this difference, and compoſing this Controverſie according to a Righteous Rule, v. 23, 24, 25. wherein David's Candour appeareth, in giving thoſe Belialiſts that Courteous Compellation of [Brethren] for ſo they were by Nation, and by Profeſſion, though they wanted the Power of Religion; and ſeeing it had been a Ruled Caſe, in diſpoſing of Spoils, otherwiſe than thoſe bad Men deſired, both by Abraham, Gen. 14.24. and by Moſes, Numb. 31.26, &c. Therefore David interpoſeth his Authority, and conſtitutes thoſe old Preſidents into a ſtanding Statute-Law in Iſrael, grounded upon this juſtice; Armies fight but faintly, when their Camp is not well guarded.
Secondly, David's Generous Liberality, out of thoſe Spoils which were the matter thereof, but the Objects of it were manifold, v. 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31. even to all thoſe places which had ſhewed the Kindneſs of God to him while he was forced to flye during Saul's Perſecutions which now he ſaw (by a Prophetick Spirit) were come to an end, and himſelf coming to the Kingdom unto which thoſe Gifts (he well-knew) would not a little conduce, Prov. 17.8. and 18.16. and he wiſely lets his own Countrey Men know, that he fought not againſt Iſrael, as Saul's Sycophants had ſuggeſted to them, but theſe ſpoils were from the Amalekites whom God had curſed for his Enemies, &c.