A Complete History and Mystery of the Old and New Testament, Biblical tract · Volume 2 · Commentary on 1 Samuel · Chapter 29
1 Sam. CHAP. XXIX.
THIS Chapter contains the Diſmiſſion of David out of the Camp of the Philiſtines and not without diſgrace. Remarks upon it are,
Firſt, The Circumſtances of David's Diſmiſſion, as (1.) The Place where it was, v. 1. was Aphek, contiguous to Shunem where the Philiſtines Encamped, chap. 28.2. covering both thoſe places with their numerous Hoſt. (2.) The Time when, v. 2. It was at their General Muſter, when the Lords of the Philiſtines took a diſtinct View of every Company, Regiment and Brigade, whereby David was diſcovered in the Rear-band attending as Life-Guard to Achiſh their General.
The Second Remark is. The Quarrel thoſe Lords of the Philiſtines had againſt David for which he muſt be Caſhierd out of their Army, and all his Men with him.
Firſt, Their Quarrel was againſt them all in General, becauſe they were Hebrews, v. 3. which they knew to be ſo by their Language, Garbs and Manners, as hateful then to the Heathens, as the Chriſtians are now to Pagans and Infidels. The Philiſtines at this time accounted the Hebrews, their mortal Enemies.
Secondly, But their principal Quarrel was againſt David, ſaying, [Make this Fellow to return,] v. 4. This they ſpake in great Wrath againſt him, calling him [Fellow] in contempt; and thoſe Four Princes thus roughly ruffling with Achiſh about David, were Fellow-Princes with the King, whom they would not ſuffer to Patronize David notwithſtanding his fair Apology (from long experience) he made for him to them: Nor can this Military Prudence of thoſe Four Princes be altogether condemned, ſeeing they looked upon David but as a reconciled Enemy at the beſt, ſo not to be too far truſſed ſaying, [Becauſe ſome Hebrews heretofore had given us the ſlip, and turned from us to the Enemy, chap. 14.21. and becauſe David hath no better expedient to reconcile himſelf to Saul than by betraying us into his hand.]
N. B. Note well. Thus they ſtrenuouſly Argue, Firſt, That he will do it, as one diſcontented to want all the comforts of his own Native Countrey, and live an Exile in a ſtrange Nation; but the betraying of us will merit his return.
Secondly they Argue, That he can do it, v. 15. As his Intereſt may incline him to betray us, ſo he hath abilities to do it, being ſo well known to be a Man of valour in conquering our Goliah, &c.
The Third Remark is, Achiſh the King, when he ſaw he could not hold up againſt the other Four Lords (his Confederates in this War) nor could effectually juſtifie David againſt their jealouſies, v. 6. he kindly intreats David to an Amicable diſmiſſion, leſt the Lords in their moroſe humor ſhould Caſhier him by force, &c. And ſo Complaiſant was the King, that though he was an Idolater and a Dagon-Worſhiper, yet he Swears by David's Jehovah, (ſo much good he had got in the knowledge of the true God by his kindneſs to David, and converſing with him) that he might receive his unwelcome Meſſage with leſs offence, aſſuring him, it came not from any want of my love (which thou haſt throughly merited) but 'tis only becauſe [the Lords love thee not.
N. B. Indeed there be but few Lords in the World, that love ſuch as David was, a Man after God's own heart, not many Noble are called, 1 Cor. 1.26. However, Achiſh here doth qualifie the ſevere Suſpicions and Cenſures of thoſe loſel-Lords, by ſaying to David [the Lords favour thee not] and therefore I adviſe thee to depart, and diſpleaſe them not, ſeeing thou art now in their power and it is not in my power to defend thy innocency, v. 7.
The Fourth Remark is, David's Reply to Achiſh, v. 8. [Why may not I go to fight againſt the Enemies of my Lord the King] this was down right gloſing flattery, and David's grievous frailty in ſuch deep diſſimulation: No doubt but David had earneſtly prayed that God would prevent his going to Fight againſt God's People, and now when God is at work to grant his deſire, he pretends a grand diſcontent, that he is prevented from ſo doing in Achiſh's ſervice.
N. B. Menochius affirms, that David did well in uttering diſcontentful words, this Complaint was neceſſary, leſt he ſhould tacitly confeſs himſelf guilty of that whereof they accuſed him, and thereby expoſe himſelf to the moſt deſperate danger from the Lords.
The Fifth Remark is, Hereupon Achiſh doth aſſure David, [that he was good in his ſight as an Angel of God] v. 9. that is, a Man of ſuch Excellencies in mine eyes, that thou ſeemeſt as an Angel ſent from Heaven to me (which Phraſe he had learnt from David alſo tho' an Heathen) but, ſaith he, tho' thou be as welcom as an Angel to me, yet art thou as irkſom as a Devil to thoſe Lords that are of equal Authority with my ſelf, ſave only they have made me their General; and ſeeing all thy Souldiers are Saul's Servants (as he calls them, v. 10.) thou canſt not oblige them (ſay the Lords) to fight for the Philiſtines againſt their Old Lord and Maſter, therefore I diſmiſs thee in peace, depart as ſoon as it is day to Ziklag which I gave thee, leſt thy longer ſtay incenſe the Lords, and they fall on thee and thy Followers in the Camp: upon this David departs early, before the Battle began, &c.
The Sixth Remark is, The Stupendous Providence of God towards David, when his own Carnal Policy had brought him into this perplexity (by his forſaking Judah where God placed him, Chap. 22.5. and his coming to Gath where he had placed himſelf, Chap. 27.1, &c.) He muſt now be perfidious either to Saul, or Achiſh; he can be neither with comfort: when the wit of Man cannot extricate him, then God comes, foreign, as out of an Engine; uſeth theſe Lords to rid themſelves of him, deſiring rather his Room than Company; they look'd no farther, but God did, not only to bring David out of the Bryars here, but alſo to ſend him in ſeaſon to redeem his loſs at Ziklag, Chap, 30.