A Complete History and Mystery of the Old and New Testament, Biblical tract · Volume 2 · Commentary on 1 Samuel · Chapter 20
CHAP. XX.
THE Twentieth Chapter containeth David's private return to the Court to conſult with his Faithful Friend Jonathan, about his caſe, &c. where we have a proſpect of three parts. (1.) The Antecedents. (2.) The Concomitants. And (3.) The Conſequents. Remarks upon the Firſt: The Antecedents are theſe.
Firſt, David fled from Naioth in Ramah to Gibeah of Saul (which is computed twelve Miles diſtance) while Saul lay in his Trance, (and Chain'd up in God's Chain, like a Wolf reſtrain'd from Worrying God's Lamb David for a Day and a Night) and where Jonathan was Reſident and Preſident in his Father's Abſence: He asks his dear Jonathan. What Crime he had committed that his Father was ſo implacably incens'd againſt him? v. 1. Good Jonathan anſwers him with a [God forbid, &c.] v. 2. not thinking that his Father could be ſo wicked as to ſeek David's Life, when he had ſo lately ſworn to the contrary, chap. 19.6.
N. B. The Love of this good Son thought no evil of a bad Father, 1 Cor. 13.5. what extravagancy had been in the Father, his Charitable Son imputes it as the fruits only of his Frantick Fits, and he aſſureth David, ſaying, when my Father comes to himſelf, I dare undertake to reconcile thee to him, as I have done heretofore, chap. 19 4, 5. Thus this Noble-minded Son is leaſt ſuſpicious of evil, and puts a more candid Conſtruction upon the evil Actions of a Bloody-minded Father, than they truly deſerved; and ſo great was the Son's Blind Charity, towards a bad Father (which was both commendable and comely in him) that he aſſureth David [My Father will do nothing, either ſmall or great, but that he will ſhew it me.] To this David replys, v. 3. and that with a Solemn Oath, (becauſe the matter was of great moment) that Jonathan might not doubt of it, interpoſing this Reaſon, why Saul concealed his deſigning David's Death from Jonathan, becauſe he knew there was a League of Love betwixt them, v. 3. Jonathan's Rejoynder to David's Reply, was, That he offered his utmoſt endeavour to grant David's Requeſt for diſcovering the truth, concerning the King's Mind, and for preſerving his Life who was Innocent, yet in danger, v. 4. ſaying to him, What thy Soul deſireth, I will do for thee; ſo our Jeſus ſays to us, Matth. 7.7. John 16.23, 24.
The Second Remark is, The manner how Jonathan muſt pump forth his Father's Mind, preſcribed by David, v. 5, 6, 7, 8. wherein Obſerve,
Firſt, The Opportunity, that is, the Solemn Feſtival time of the New-Moon now at hand, which was celebrated as a Teſtimony of their Thankfulneſs to God, for lending them Times and Seaſons, Numb. 10.10. becauſe all time is the Lords, [The day is thine, and the Night is thine, thou haſt prepared the Light and the Sun,] Pſal. 74.16.
Secondly, The Vacancy of David's uſual Seat as he was the King's Son in Law, would occaſion Saul's Enquiry after him; for though David could not well imagine that Saul would expect his Company, whom he had once and again endeavoured to kill; yet partly Saul might ſuppoſe that David would aſcribe all thoſe his Extravagancies only to his Frantick Fits; but when this Phrenzy was over, he would come with a more compoſed Mind to keep the Feaſt of the Lord, and then David might think himſelf in ſafety, and ſo by his coming to fill up his proper Seat, would give another fair Seaſon wherein to ſlay him: Or partly, and more eſpecially, David would try this Experiment for diſcovering Saul's Mind toward him, he begs leave of Jonathan (who had power to grant it, as the King's Deputy Lieutenant, during his Abſence at Naioth) that he might go to Bethlehem, and keep his Annual-Feaſt among his Kindred for two Days only, promiſing to return and hide himſelf in the Field near the Court, that Jonathan might give him Intelligence how his Father reſented his Withdrawment.
Thirdly, David's Appeal to Jonathan's own Conſcience concerning his Innocency, ſaying, (1.) If Iniquity be in me, ſtay me thy ſelf, I had rather Die by thy friendly hands, than be tortured by the hands of thy furious Father: The tender Mercies of the Wicked, are Cruelties, ſaith Solomon, Prov. 12.10. But if no Iniquity be found in me, as thou judgeſt, then be mindful of that Solemn Covenant, whereof God is a Witneſs, and give me ſeaſonable notice of Saul's Intentions concerning me; If he ſay well to my Abſence, by thy leave, I am willing to truſt my ſelf with him this third time, as I have done twice already, chap. 18.11, 17. and 19.7. notwithſtanding his double Double-Dealing with me, in forgetting both his Promiſe and his Oath; but if my Abſence enrage him for his loſing the opportunity of killing me, then let me know, that I may eſcape his Rage, &c.
The Third Remark upon the Antecedents is, Jonathan's pathetical Promiſe to David, that he would be a faſt and a faithful Friend to him at this critical juncture, v. 9, 10, 11. to 18. Wherein obſerve,
Firſt, After Jonathan had told David, he abhor'd the thoughts of either ſlaying him himſelf, or of betraying him into Saul's Hands to be ſlain by him, v. 9. they conſult together by what means, and in what place this friendly Office might be performed without ſuſpicion to Saul, v. 10, 11. So they both walk into the Fields for private Conference, where they might not be over-heard, and where Jonathan in an abrupt Expreſſion, calleth, [Jehovah the God of Iſrael,] to Witneſs the reality of his Reſpects, and to be Judge betwixt them, v. 12, 13.
Secondly, Jonathan's Piety towards God, and an humble denial of himſelf, ſaying, Tantamount, though I be Heir Apparent of the Crown, by Lineal Succeſſion, and therefore might envy thee, having more cauſe than my Father for being envious, yet becauſe I know 'tis the good Pleaſure of God to reject my Father, and to Elect thee as one better than my Father, much Joy mayeſt thou have of the Kingdom after him, and whatſoever becometh of me, [The Will of the Lord be done therein] Acts 21.14. he chearfully ſubmitteth himſelf, and reſolveth to cleave cloſe to his Friendſhip with David, in whoſe felicity he rejoyced as much as in his own.
Thirdly, Jonathan's Faith, as well as Self-denial, is here very Conſpicuous, in courting David, now in his loweſt State of Humiliation, even then, when David had ſo ſolemnly Sworn his own deſperate Apprehenſions of himſelf, ſaying, [As the Lord liveth, and as thy Soul liveth, there is but a ſtep betwixt me and death] v. 3.
N. B. Yet at that time Jonathan Complements him, as if he were already actually the King of Iſrael, therefore muſt he have David to Swear and Swear again, by way of Reſtipulation, to keep Covenant with himſelf, and with his Poſterity, whether he were Dead or Alive when David came to the Kingdom, which he was ſure would be, v. 14, 15, 16, 17.
N. B. The like famous Faith we find in Abigail afterward, Chap. 25.28, 30. &c. But above all, the Faith of the Penitent Thief, in him who is called the Son of David, he could believe in a Crucified Chriſt, and pray for his kind remembrance when he came into his Kingdom, Luke 23.42. as if he ſaw him already in his State of Exaltation.
The Fourth Remark upon the Antecedents is. The pious Prudence and Policy Jonathan propounds to David, as meaſures to be taken on both ſides; the one for ſounding Saul at the Feaſt, how his Heart ſtood affected, or diſaffected towards David, and the other, for hiding himſelf until the Evening of the third Day, ver. 18, 19, 20, 21, 22. Wherein obſerve,
Firſt, The time when it was agreed betwixt them, that David ſhould tarry at Bethlehem till towards the ending of the third day, (the next Morning being the Feaſt-day, and Saul was expected home from Naioth in order thereto) it may not be ſuppoſed, that David laid perdue all that time, but then was he to haſten to his hiding work, that he might have an Account from Jonathan what was Saul's Reſolve.
Secondly, The place where David was appointed to hide himſelf was, [by the Stone Ezel,] which ſignifieth, [that ſheweth the way,] and ſo indeed it did to poor David; namely, that his way was not to return to Saul's Court, but to flee from Saul's Fury for the ſaving of his Life: 'Twas certainly a place where Jonathan and David uſed to walk and talk together about ſecret Matters, and where Jonathan had advertiſed him of his Father's Intent to kill him, chap. 19.2. likely it was a Way-mark to direct Travellers into the right way, &c.
Thirdly, The manner how Saul's Soul might be diſcover'd, which was a moſt cunning Contrivance of Judicious Jonathan, to avoid all Jealouſie on his Father's ſide: He muſt ſhoot three Arrows, as David muſt tarry three days, v. 19, 20.
N. B. One would wonder to behold all the Allegories that the Wanton Wits even of Learned Men, do make upon the Stones David prepared to ſling at Goliah; ſome would have them to ſignifie the Scriptures that Chriſt caſt at Satan (that great Goliah of Hell) in his Wilderneſs-Temptations; but that which marrs the Mirth of the Alluſion, is the diſproportion of the two Numbers, for Chriſt's Scriptures are but three, and David was overſeen in chuſing five ſmooth Stones out of the Brook, to make their Allegory Incongruous: After the ſame manner they trifle about this Story of the two three's here, and of Jonathan and his Boy, &c. and indeed I have found it but a laborious loſs of time to peruſe ſuch Writers, whoſe Writings are but the frothy Exuberancies of their own Wanton Brains: Thus far they ſay right, that the Name Jonathan, Heb. ſignifies, [Columbae donum,] the Gift of a Dove, though he was the Son of a Perſecutor, but their making him to ſignifie (together with his Boy) as the Company of Prophets, &c. ſeems altogether Impertinent.
N. B. However, this may ſolidly be affirmed, that Jonathan's ſhooting his Arrows ſhort, or over the Boy, as he ſhould ſee occaſion, v. 21, 22. was an appointed Indication between them too, and an Infallible Intimation of God's Providence concerning David, how he had found his Father minded towards, or againſt him, after he had duly ſounded him: Thoſe three Arrows, were Jonathan's three Winged Meſſengers which he ſent to David to give Intelligence to him, how his Matters flood at Court, (in caſe they two could not come together for Diſcourſe but be diſcovered,) therefore the Scene was laid thus, for fear the Coaſt might not be clear, and Saul come to know their Meeting together, and become more mad thereby, this ſhould be a dumb and an undiſcernable Sign from Jonathan to David, [If I ſhoot ſhort of him, then come thou along with the Lad, as if thou cameſt thither by chance, and carry on thy courſe to the Court, without any fear of damage; but if I ſhoot over the Lad, then flee with Expedition, and ſhift for thy ſelf, ſerving God's Providence in ſuch a way as the Lord ſhall direct thee.
N. B. How oft doth our Jonathan, or Jeſus ſhoot ſhort of us ſometimes in common Calamities (that carries off many others, and ſometimes he ſhoots over us in the like caſe of common Viſitations, and all this is to demonſtrate the Bleſſed Indications of his Sparing Mercy towards us for his farther Service, &c.
Now come we to the ſecond part, the Concomitants of the Act it ſelf at that Feaſt, unto which Saul came the next Morning after this from Naioth. Remarks upon them are,
Firſt, Saul, though a bad Man, yet was careful to keep this Feaſt of the New Moon, according to God's Law, Numb. 10.10. and 28.11. Pſal. 81.3, &c. and he will have his Princes and Nobles to keep it with him; where himſelf ſate down in his Chair of State, his Seat of Royalty, and his Chieftains had likewiſe their peculiar Seats, which were all filled, but David's (the King's Son in Law) was empty, v. 24, 25. But Jonathan aroſe at Abner's coming to give place to him, as to the King's Couſin, and Chief General of the Army, or rather to ſit at farther diſtance from his Father, as fearing his fury: The firſt Day of the Feaſt Saul was ſilent at David's Abſence, ſuppoſing ſome legal pollution had detained him, ſo was unclean until the Evening according to the Law, Levit. 7.19, 20. and 11.14. and 15.16. therefore Saul asked for him the next Day, whereby he diſcovered his groſs Hypocriſie, ſaying.
N. B. [Surely he was not clean the firſt day,] v. 26. Surely Saul look'd upon himſelf as clean, yet while he ſcrupled thus at Ceremonial Pollutions, he made no Conſcience of Moral filthineſs, ſuch as Envy, Malice and Murthering of Innocent Blood: This is the true Character of Hypocriſie.
The Second Remark upon the ſignal Circumſtances of this Feaſt is, Saul, upon the ſecond Day, asks Jonathan after a ſcornful manner, [Where is the Son of Jeſſe, that he comes not to day?] v. 27. Surely David had deſerved to be better ſtiled by Saul, who did owe his Crown and Kingdom to him for killing Goliah, &c.
N. B. 'Tis likely Doeg learnt this Language of Contempt, touching David from Saul here, chap. 22.9. and ſo did that Churle Nabal, chap. 25.10. not calling him by his proper Name: Saul was enraged, that he had loſt his opportunty to ſlay him.
The Third Remark is, Jonathan's Anſwer, v. 28, 29. Saul asks him only, thinking that he knew David's mind moſt, and Jonathan might have Anſwered, [How can David be expected here, unleſs he be weary of his own Life, which was ſo lately ſought for?] But he truly tells him with due Reverence to Saul, that David had begg'd leave of him (as Vice Roy in the King's Abſence) to go to the Feaſt at Bethlehem, for his Eldeſt Brother in his Father's Name, and by the right of the Firſt-born had commanded his preſence there.
N.B. Joſephus ſaith, he only Invited him, but the Firſt-born (having a Commiſſion from the Father) had Authority over the Younger Brethren in all the Concerns of the Family, where of the ordering of this Yearly Feaſt (as 'tis call'd, v. 6.) was one branch: As this might very well be a true Excuſe, ſo David might in prudence take this opportunity for preſerving his precious Life, which Saul had ſo greedily, and ſo frequently ſought for.
The Fourth Remark is, Saul's Anger at this Anſwer, v. 30, 31. He calleth good Jonathan all that is naught, and holds the worſt word in his Budget too good for him, foaming out of his Mouth in his Frantick Fit whatever Spite and Spleen, yea, the moſt Malignant Malice could invent, making foul Reflections upon his own Queen, Jonathan's Mother, as if ſhe had been a Whore, or no better than his Concubine Riſpah, 2 Sam. 21.8. or however, ſuch an Imperious Dame whom he could never govern, poſſibly oppoſing at times his Frantick Extravagancies: And ſeeing [partus ſequitur ventr…m,] The Birth follows the Belly, that Jonathan had derived this perverſe Temper from her, and not from him; and thus the Tyrant Rants and Hectors his good Son, intimating, as if David by his Crafty Inſinuations had wheedled the Fool out of his Kingdom, whereof he was Heir Apparent; ſo in a Rage reſolves, that the Cheat David, ſhall ſurely die.
N. B. Note well. Nay, but ſtay, Sir, you muſt ask God leave, [For to him belongeth Iſſues from Death,] Pſal. 68.20. and David's times were in the Lord's Hand, Pſal. 31.15. and not in the hands of bloody Saul: No ſooner did Jonathan intercede a word for David, in his, [Why ſhall be die?] v. 32. but preſently Saul ſeconds his raging Words with outragious Deeds, [caſting his Javelin at his dear Jonathan,] v. 33. which, had it hit and kill'd, Saul could expect little Joy in ſo doing; for a Father to kill ſuch an obliging Son with his own hands, might have broke a more Natural Father's Heart, &c.
N. B. But a Mad Man is not capable of any ſuch conſideration: Had this Hypocrit… now diſſembled his Diſpleaſure, he might have got David into his Clutches, &c. but hereby he proclaims his Irreconcileable fury, and taught David by this Token to provide the beſt for his own ſafety.
The Fifth Remark is, Jonathan's Anger at his furious too Angry Father, that had thus foully affronted him at the publick Table, traducing him for a Traytor in ſo open a Theatre; and not only ſo, but eſſaying to wound him, &c.
N. B. The Signs of Jonathan's Anger were two. Firſt, His Abrupt Departure from the Royal Table upon this Affront from Saul. The Second was his Abſtinence from Meat all that ſecond Day, v. 34. So near to his good Heart did David's deſperate Condition lay, making it as if it had been his own; ſo that the cauſe of his Anger was for David's ſake, as well as for himſelf. Duo nunc moriuntur in uno; Two days as it were in one, by Sympathy.
The Laſt part is the Conſequents: The Remarks on it are, Firſt, The third day, being the time appointed, v. 6.19. Jonathan Walks forth into the Field, no better guarded than with a Boy, to ſignifie theſe ſaid Tidings to David, v. 35, 36, 37, 38, 39. as they two had agreed, the Boy being altogether ignorant of the deſign, as the Boy…an Jonathan ſhot his Arrow beyond him, and cryed to him, [Is not the Arrow beyond thee?] This was the Warning-word for David to pack away.
N. B. Note well. Thus God ſhoots ſharp Arrows ſometimes beyond us, not to wound us, but to warn us of Saul's, or Satan's deſign to deſtroy us. When Jonathan had ſhot all his Arrows beyond the Boy, he bids him gather them up, bring them away, take his Bow, Arrows and Quiver, and be gone with them in haſte to the City, v. 40.
The Second Remark; Then David (obſerving the Coaſt clear of Paſſengers) came forth of his Cave, meets Jonathan, and theſe two dear Friends met and melted one over another, v. 41. until David exceeded, having the greater Reaſon in many Reſpects; for now he was like to be Baniſh'd, (1.) From the ſweet Society of his dear Jonathan. (2.) From his Wife and Family. (3.) From the Common-wealth of Iſrael. But above all. (4.) From the Church of God, whereof he complains moſtly, chap. 26.19. becauſe there lay his chief delight. Pſal. 42.1, 2. and 84.1, 2.
The Third Remark is, Jonathan diſmiſſes him with his Prayers (as well as Tears) that the Lord would direct him, Renews the Covenant with him, and returns to the City, v. 42. leaving David to Divine Direction.
N. B. Note well. Behold here what a plunge David was in, not knowing whither to go for ſafety; not to Saul's Friends durſt he go, for they would betray him; nor to his Foes, for thoſe alſo he had incenſed againſt him by his many Victories over them: Into all theſe and many other preſent Perplexities, God was pleaſed to plunge David, to fit him the more for future felicity, and in the mean time to exerciſe his Faith and Patience, that he might run to God as his only Rock and Refuge by fervent Prayer, Pſal. 16.1, 2. and 144.1, 2, &c.