A Complete History and Mystery of the Old and New Testament, Volume 3 · Continuation of commentary on 2 Samuel · Chapter 23
2 Sam. CHAP. XXIII.
WHerein we have the Swan-like Song of David a little before his death, and in which we have likewiſe but little Hiſtory, ſave only a Catalogue of David's Worthies, from v. 8. to the end, and therefore a few Remarks upon the Song and the Catalogue, will diſpatch it alſo: And firſt upon the Song, from v. 1, to the 8th.
The Firſt Remark is, This Song is ſaid to be the laſt words of David, v. 1. not as the laſt he ſpoke while living (for he ſpake often after this to Joab, to Araunah, to Solomon, &c. after this) but it was the laſt he ſet down as Pen-man of Holy-Writ, and by Divine Inſpiration: This Song is foreign, much in a little, wherein he doth in few words, but full of matter.
Firſt, Acknowledge God's Kindneſs.
Secondly, Confeſs his own Sins.
Thirdly, Profeſs his Faith.
Fourthly, Comforts himſelf in the Covenant, and
Fifthly, Denounces deſtruction to all Unbelievers.
Remark the Second, Junius judgeth he ſpake theſe words after he had given his Commands to Solomon, 1 King. 2. and after his prayers for him in Pſal. 72. when he was near his death: and Peter Martyr addeth that this Prophetick Song comes properly in after his thankſgiving for all his former Victories, Chap. 22. and now he foretels here what great things God would give him hereafter; for which he gives thanks alſo, even for the Covenant wherein he confided for his poſterity, which muſt be underſtood of the promiſe of Chriſt David's Son, and ſureſt Comfort.
Remark the Third, Whenever this Song was ſang by David, 'tis properly placed here, for all his Enemies had spat and spent all their venom, and he was delivered from them all both domeſtick and foreign: We hear not of any one that ſtir'd either hand or tongue againſt him until himſelf became an enemy to himſelf, when Satan provok'd him to number the People, as in Chap. 24.
The Second Part is the Catalogue of David's Worthies. The Remarks are
Firſt, This Catalogue is reckon'd in 1 Chron. 11. as well as here, Chap. 23.8, &c. but with this difference; there 'tis ſet down in the beginning of David's Reign, here at the ending of it. This is a ſeeming Contradiction, yet both are done ſo upon ſolid grounds, for the former deſigneth to declare who were the Worthies that help'd David to his firſt ſettlement in his Kingdom, but the latter gives an account of thoſe that ſtuck cloſe to him all the time of his Reign, and help'd him all along to keep him in his ſettlement, and faſt in the Saddle.
Remark the Second, In both the Books of Samuel and the Chronicles there is reckon'd a double Triumverate, the firſt three were men of the greateſt gallantry, the ſecond three tho' they were exceeding valorous, yet not matching the firſt in fortitude or Magnanimous Atchievements.
N. B. There be diverſities of Gifts, yet from the ſame spirit, all muſt not excell in degree; and dignity if all were the head, where would be the other parts of the body: much leſs did the other Thirty Heroes, Colonels and Commanders come up to the firſt three.
Remark the Third, Among all thoſe 36 Worthies Joab is not once named in the Catalogue, ſome ſuppoſe he is not mentioned becauſe of his barbarous Butcheries of Abner and Amaſa, as well as for his killing Abſalom contrary to the King's Command. But others are of Opinion, that Joab being the Lord Chief General, needed not to be named, becauſe his Valour and high Generalſhip had been notified before at the ſtorming of the ſtrong fort of Sion; and he muſt neceſſarily be reckon'd one of the number to make up (the forementioned number of 36) to the full number of Thirty ſeven, as is the expreſs number, v. 39.
Remark the Fourth, David's refuſing to drink the waters of Bethlehem, &c. v. 15, 16, 17. looking upon it as too dear a draught for him, but religiouſly pouring it forth before the Lord.
N. B. 'Tis a good preſident for Princes not to buy their pleaſures with the hazarding the lives of their Subjects, and for Maſters not to keep their Servants from Ordinances without neceſſity, &c.
Remark the Fifth, The Valour of thoſe Worthies was oft laid forth in defence of the Harveſt, to keep a Field of Barley, and of Lentiles, 1 Chron. 11.13. & v. 11, 12. here, and if they contended thus for Provender, &c. ſhould not we be Valiant for the Truth, Jer. 9.3. and contend for the Faith once delivered to the Saints, Jude v. 3.
Remark the Laſt on Chap. 23. is, In all this long Catalogue of David's 37 Worthies, none of David's Brethren are found amongſt them, tho' ſome of them were of ſuch a Prince-like port, and of ſo perſonable a preſence, that even the Prophet Samuel himſelf was deceived in them, by looking too much at their outward appearance, height of ſtature, and a goodly Countenance, he judged that Eliab (David's Eldeſt Brother) was indeed the Man appointed to be the Lord's Anointed, 1 Sam. 16.6, 7. whereas neither he, nor any of his other ſix brave Brethren proved ſo much as to be any of the number of Worthies to the Lord's Anointed, even to David the youngeſt of them.
N. B. Which is an evident Demonſtration of the freeneſs of God's choice, in cauſing the firſt to be laſt, and the laſt firſt, Mat. 20.16. God will honour whom he willeth, or abaſe, &c. Rom. 9.15, 16, 17, 18.