A Complete History and Mystery of the Old and New Testament, Biblical tract · Volume 2 · Commentary on 1 Samuel · Chapter 24
1 Sam. CHAP. XXIV.
THIS Chapter conſiſts of two General Parts, the Firſt is the Fury of Saul againſt David. The Second is the Favour of David toward Saul. The Remarks upon the firſt are,
Firſt, Saul made but a ſhort receſs from purſuing David; that ſtorm of the Phililiſtines Invaſion was ſoon blown over, for God deſigned it to do no more work at this juncture, ſave only to give Saul a diverſion from attacking David when he was juſt ready to apprehend him. The cauſe of that Diverſion being paſſed away, Saul makes a Reverſion, and returns to his old trade of purſuing David, v. 1, 2. And finding that during Saul's withdrawment David was departed into thoſe inacceſſible Rocks of Engedi, near Mare Mortuum or the Dead Sea, to lurk there among the Wild Goats, which Naturally love to climb ſuch ſteep precipices. Saul had his Sycophants that ſtarted (ſuiting to his Humour) this Game, he chuſeth out three Thouſand of his choiceſt Soldiers to hunt out David, that in ſeeking him there, Saul and his Soldiers adventured their own Necks breaking at every ſtep; ſo ſteep and full of precipices were the craggy clifts of that place. Saul was ſo tranſported with Rage, and born up (as it were) upon the Wings of Malice, that no difficulty, no danger can daunt him, ſtill he dares even danger it ſelf.
N. B. Note well. 'Tis pity that Love to God ſhould not as ſtrongly conſtrain us to undertake all ſuch adventures as are lawful in the Service of God, as Malice to Man proved ſuch a prevalent motive to run Deſperate Riſques in the Devils Service.
The Second Part is, David's Favour towards Saul had by an over-ruling Providence …aſt himſelf unwillingly into David's hands, v. 3, 4.
The Firſt Remark is, Saul in his March retiers into a Rock, (as ſome ſay) to eaſe Nature; the ſame phraſe is uſed, Judg. 3.24. This Rock had a very capacious Concave wherein Shepherds (as is ſuppoſed) ſheltred their Sheep both from Scorching Heat in Summer, and from Tempeſtuous Storms in Winter, as neceſſity required.
N. B. So that the Concavaties of this Cave were capable enough to contain David, and his Six hundred Men in its obſcureſt places; nor is it improbable that they might ſee Saul enter the paſſage of the Cavern where there was light, and Saul not be able to diſcern them, that were not only wrapt up in obſcurity, but alſo commanded by David to keep in a ſtill and deep ſilence; until an opportunity was now offered (by Saul's comming to purge his Paunch) of ſome Whiſpering Diſcouſe to David thereupon; which (as ſome ſuppoſe) the ratling noiſe of Saul's Chariots and Horeſmen (that Guarded the King's Perſon) at the very Hole of the Rock might moſt eaſily drown, ſo that they could not be heard.
The Second Remark is, The clear Specimen of David's Lenity and Humanity towards Saul, when ſome of his own Men Whiſpered to him, that now was the time of Diſpatching Saul, Seeing God had delivered him into his Hands, according to his Promiſe, v. 3, 4, 5. They urge David to deſtroy him, which he might now do (ſay they) without any Danger or Difficulty; and which being once done (they Argue) David then may take the Kingdom without oppoſition, and all they themſelves may return to their Homes (from which they had long been Baniſhed) and enjoy the Comforts of their own Wives and Children with David himſelf.
N. B. Note well Here are Perſons for miſimproving of God's Providence in David's pious Judgment, and not only ſo, but of God's Promiſe alſo, ſaying to him, [Behold the Day of which the Lord ſaid unto thee, &c.] But where and when did the Lord ſay this to David? Some ſuppoſe God ſaid ſo to him by Gad, others by Samuel when David took his firſt Flight by night; others ſay, God ſaid it to David himſelf, becauſe he was a Prophet alſo: But this is improbable, for then David would aſſuredly have declared it to his Followers for their own Comfort in their ſorrows and ſufferings, as well as for his own peace.
N. B. But if there were no particular Promiſe, they might collect it from God's General Promiſe of delivering all David's Enemies into his hands; or from this preſent Providence in offering him ſuch an opportunity; this they lookt on as an Oracle and Warrant good enough, and not to be ſlighted or let ſlip: Their Fingers now even itched to deſtroy Saul, the cauſe of all their Calamities, and therefore they take hold of any promiſing occaſion to preſs the matter ſo hard upon David to take Saul, as a Common-Peſt, out of the way. Thus prone are Men to Antedate Promiſes, as well as to Poſt-date Threatnings: The latter men think come too faſt, Therefore put we the Evil Day far from us, Amos 6.3. But Promiſes come not faſt enough, we cry, [Where is the Promiſe of his coming, though the Lord is not ſlack concerning it?] 2 Pet. 3. 3, 9. yet are we apt to ſend for a Promiſe by the Poſt: Theſe Men were all in haſt to have the Promiſe before it was Ripe, &c. but David had learnt better Leſſons in God's School.
The Third Remark is, David's excellent Piety and Prudence in ſtaying, ſtemming and ſtaving off thoſe Hot-Headed Soldiers from all ſuch praepoſterous Practices and unlawful Aſſaults, v. 6, 7, 8
N. B. Note well. Objection. Some Corrupt Catholick Caſuiſts do dare to ſay, it was lawful for David to kill Saul in this caſe, becauſe (ſay they) it is lawful [Vim vi repellere] to reſiſt and repel force by force; beſide (ſay they) David was King: Thus Leſſius, Aquinas, &c. do Argue.
We Anſwer (1.) 'Tis lawful only to repel force by force in an unblameable Defence, where there is no way to eſcape, but muſt either Kill or be Killed, &c.
Anſwer (2.) Though David was now privately Anointed, yet was not he publickly Inaugurated to be King, ſo was ſtill a private perſon only, and thus he look'd upon himſelf as no more; and therefore comes off with his [God forbid that I ſhould do this thing;] and again [Who can do it and be guiltleſs? The Lord ſhall ſmite him, I will not,] Chap. 26.9, 10. And here to pacifie his over-paſſionate Followers he uſeth two Arguments.
The Firſt is, Saul is my Maſter: Therefore a Servant, as I am, muſt Reverence and not Ruine him.
The Second is, He is my Soveraign: It belongs not to me to Revenge my wrongs upon him; I refer this to the Lord, To whom Vengeance belongeth; the ſame hand of God that ſet him up, ſhall alſo pull him down, but my Hand ſhall not be upon him, &c. David will wait and truſt God at all times, Pſal. 62.1, 5, 8.
N. B. Note well. Notwithſtanding all theſe ſeeming Averſions of David's doing violence to Saul, yet the Rabbins affirm (over-confidently) that David went from his Soldiers with a purpoſe to diſpatch Saul to prevent a mutiny among his own Men whom he ſaw ſo deſperately reſolved to have it done, either by David's, or by their own hands: Therefore ſome Authors do place this diſſwaſive Diſcourſe of David to his diſcontented Soldiers before he cut off Saul's Lap; but ſeeing it is placed in Scripture after that Act, when he returned to them with Saul's Lap in his hand, at which ſight they were enraged becauſe he had not kill'd him.
The Fourth Remark is, This daring Action of David in cutting off Saul's Lap, which he could not do without eminent Danger and Difficulty.
N. B. To reſolve this Doubt, I find ſeveral Sentiments, ſeeing it ſeems marvelous that Saul neither Saw him, nor Heard him, nor Felt him when he did it.
Anſwer (1.) The Syriack and Arabick Verſion for Saul's covering his feet is, that he laid him down to ſleep, being weary'd with his haſty purſuit; ſo David without difficulty took him napping, and ſo might eaſily have cut his Throat, according to his firſt purpoſe, (as the Rabbins ſay) but his Heart miſgave him, and he better bethought himſelf; therefore he did only cut off his Lap.
The Second Anſwer is, Suppoſing Saul was only Eaſing Nature, he laid aſide his Upper Garment at ſome diſtance behind him, according to common cuſtom, for the more conveniency of doing that buſineſs; this did facilitate David's cutting off a ſmall part thereof, enough to become an evidence of his Innocency.
The Third Anſwer is, That Saul did not only Cover his Feet. but He covered his Head alſo, according to the cuſtom of that Country for Modeſties ſake; that the Disfiguring of Mans Countenance in that Straining work may not be diſcerned.
The Fourth Anſwer is, God wrought miraculouſly for David here, not only in giving him extraordinary agility in the Act, but alſo in Stupifying Saul, ſo as to make him inſenſible; Thus God caſt him into a deep Sleep, Chap. 26.7, 12. To ſay nothing of the noiſe of Saul's Soldiers at the Mouth of the Cave, which might well drown the noiſe of David's nimble motion, &c.
The Fifth Remark is, David's Apology, and Pathetical Oration to Saul in the Vindication of his own Innocency, v. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14. Wherein Obſerve,
Firſt, Though David had been afraid of Saul, and therefore hid himſelf from him, and though his Heart had ſmote him for cutting off Saul's Lap, as being an injurious and ignominious Act, and an affront to his Soveraign; yet now becomes he more bold being better ſatisfied with the teſtimony of his own Conſcience) and dares follow Saul out of the Mouth of the Cave, and cries after him with this evidence of his Integrity in his Hand.
Secondly, He makes his moſt humble obeyſance to Saul as to his Soveraign, bowing with his Face to the ground; that by Heaping Coals of Fire upon his Head in his Humility, he might happily melt him into a more appeaſed frame, and to quench his Fury with Courteſie.
Thirdly, David prudently accoſts Saul with a well Accommodated Oration, which he begins with his blaming not ſo much Saul himſelf, as his Sycophants for infuſing into him ſuch Evil Counſel, whereby he was agitated to ſuch eager and evil Actions more than by any Genuine Malice of his own.
N. B. This was a Politick Inſinuation of David thus to Conquer and Captivate Saul s Bennevolence, whereas in truth Saul could not be juſtified; for tho' thoſe Sycophants had the Devil upon their Tongues in their ſlandring David to him, yet Saul had the Devil in his Ears in hearing and believing their ſlanders: The Tale-hearer is no leſs faulty than the Tale-bearer. Nor was this all Saul's fault, for he had indeed the Devil in his Heart as well as in his Ear, even that Evil Spirit from the Lord ſent upon him, Chap. 16.14. So wanted a Bridle more than a Spur. They muſt needs Run whom the Devil drives.
Fourthly, David Vindicates his own Innocency not by words only, but by a ſign alſo; crying to Saul [Ecce Signum,] behold here an infallible Evidence that I ſeek not thy Life, as thy Sycophants ſuggeſt to thee; ſaying, [My Father, God delivered thee into my Hands this day, and my men bid me kill thee, &c.] As if he had ſaid according to Chryſoſtom's ſenſe, God hath given me a greater Victory this Day, than on that Day when I Conquered Goliah; for now I have not only Conquered my own Soldiers, (who roſe from all ſides of the Cave to kill thee) by diſſwading them from ſo doing, with a word in ſeaſon: But I have alſo Conquered my ſelf, whoſe Corrupt Nature prompted me to diſpatch thee, but by Grace I have Maſtered it; behold here thy Lap to teſtifie it, &c.
Fifthly, To convince Saul's Conſcience the more, David Adds the Proverb [Semel malus, ſemper (data occaſione) praeſumitur eſſe malus:] Once Evil and ever Evil, if opportunity be offered: I am Honeſt, as thou never haſt, ſo ſhalt thou never find me otherwiſe, &c. As if he had ſaid, I abhor the motion, Such Counſel of the wicked is far from me, Job. 21.16.
Sixthly, David pleads, ['Tis below a King to Kill a Flea, &c.] as 'tis below an Eagle to Catch Flies; this was David's Humility expreſſed in Pſalm 131. calling himſelf a Dead Dog.
And Laſtly, He appeals to God the Righteous Judge, v. 12, 15. twice over; and woe to thoſe, whom Gods perſecuted People turns over to the great God for Revenging the injuries done them, for he is the Lord of Recompence, and will ſurely requite, Jer. 51.56.
The Sixth Remark is, The Influence and Efficacy this Pathetical Oration of David had upon the Heart of Saul.
Firſt, It Squeezed Tears from Saul, v. 16. which was like Moſes's fetching Water out of a Rock. Thus David's Innocency began to Triumph in the Tyrants Conſcience: This was only a Temporary Paſſion in an Hypocrites Heart.
Secondly, It conſtrained from Saul a candid Confeſſion of David's Integrity, and of his own Iniquity, ſaying, v. 17, 18. [While I bare an Evil will to thee, thou haſt born a a Good will to me.]
Thirdly, It compelled Saul to give David an High commendation of his matchleſs Meekneſs and Tenderneſs toward him, v. 19, 20 ſaying, Thou haſt not dealt with me as with an Enemy, after the manner of Men, but thou haſt rather imitated the Clemency of God in ſparing my Life, (which is more than my Kingdom) when it was in the power of thy hands, which no meer Man would do to an Enemy.
Fourthly, So ſtrongly did Conviction take hold of Saul's Conſcience, that he confirmed what Samuel had foretold, and while Samuel was yet alive, that David Shall be King; and thereupon falls into a Capitulation, not to cut off his Poſterity, verſe. 20, 21.
N. B. The care he had of his Sons was indeed commendable, though he had hitherto taken ſuch a courſe, as was more like to bring a Curſe upon them and not a Bleſſing: Notwithſtanding David Concurs and Capitulates by an Oath, v. 22. The ſame in Effect with that Covenant he had contracted with Jonathan before.
N. B. Here David bound himſelf only, that upon his own private Account he would not cut any of them off as his Corrivals to the Kingdom, but he could not bind God herein. For when God required Juſtice to be done, then Sundry of Saul's Sons were Deſtroyed, 2 Sam. 21.8, 14. After this Saul went home, but David durſt not truſt his forced Proteſtations, having found him ſo oft perfidious: Credulity (he knew) to an Hypocrite, (who was only Convicted but not Converted) had been but ſublime Folly; and therefore (having little hold of inconſtant Saul) he ſtill continued in the ſtrong hold of Engedi, thinking ſuch good thoughts (as theſe were in Saul's wicked Heart) would not like their lodging long, but ſoon be gone, &c.