The Throne of David, Treatise · Section 7
Chap. 3. from the 1. Verſe to the 6.
IN the former Chapter we have heard the ſingular combats, the battle enſueing thereon, with the retrait, moved between Iſhboſeth King of the 11. tribes perſewer, under the conduct of Abner on the one part, and David King of Judah, defender, under the conduct of Ioab, on the other part, the end whereof was, Victory on Davids part, yet bloody by the loſſe of Aſahel, through his own obſtinacy, and 19. of Judah beſides, but the loſſe being great on Abners part to the number 360.
In this Chapter we have the continuation of the civil debates between the houſes of Saul & David, with the death of Iſhboſeth rehearſed in the next Chapter.
The general theam of this Hiſtory is taken from the event of theſe troubles, and is ſet down in forme of propoſition in the 1. Verſ. of this Chapter which is, in the time of theſe long debates, the houſe of David proſpered and increaſed, and the houſe of Saul decayed and decreaſed.
This chapter and hiſtory it ſelfe contained therein, is divided into two parts, the former comprehends the meanes how the one houſe riſeth, and the other declines, from the 2 Verſ. to the 28. The ſecond, is the treaſonable murther of Abner by Joab, and the diſpleaſure of David therefore,
The firſt, which ſets downe the meanes, muſt be conſidered in ſix particulars, 1. By the plurality of Davids children, from the 2. Verſ. to the 6. The 2. By the variance between Abner, and Iſhboſeth, from the 6. to the 12. Verſ. The▪ 3. By the reſtitution of Micol Davids firſt wife, from the 12. to the 17. Verſ. The 4. By the falling away of the people from Iſhboſeth, by Abners perſwaſion to David, from the 17. to the 19. The 5. Is by the confederacy between David and Abner, from the 19. to the 22. Verſ. And the laſt meanes whereby Sauls houſe groweth weaker, and Davids ſtronger, is by the ſlaughter of Abner by Joab, from the 22. Verſ. to the 28. of theſe then in order.
The propoſition or generall argument of all this hiſtory, is the firſt Verſ. There was long warre &c. This is not to be underſtood of battles, becauſe we read not of ſuch to have intervened between theſe houſes, except that one mentioned in the former chapter. As to David he had deliberated to commit the ſucceſs of his kingdome to his God, and therefore abſtained from invaſion and violence. And as to Iſhboſeth and Abner their forces by the former foile were weakened, and their minds daſht, and therefore would not perill the whole cauſe upon the uncertaine hazard of a battle, Therefore theſe warres are to be underſtood of the jealouſies, envies, hatred, diverſity of minds, counſells, and hoſtile practiſes between theſe houſes, whereby the whole inhabitants were divided into factions, and contrary parties, And theſe warres are called long, becauſe they continued all the time of Davids reigne in Hebron after the firſt two yeares of Iſhboſeth, which was the ſpace of five yeares and ſix moneths. The end of which warres was, the houſe of David increaſed, but the houſe of Saul decreaſed. The reaſon of this diverſity was the contrary nature of their cauſes and proceedings therein. The cauſe of David was the maintenance of a juſt kingdome, received from God: The cauſe of Iſhboſeth was the maintaining of an uſurped tyranny, received of man. The forme of Davids proceeding was by faith and confidence in his God, but Iſhboſeths was in the arme of man, David fought, and overcame by patience, and Iſhboſeth impatient in trouble periſhed through deſpaire.
This is the difference of the kingdome of God, & the kingdome of Satan, both fight, but in great diverſity, in cauſes, forme, weapons, conductours, and therefore in great diverſity of end, and event likewiſe, for albeit Satan fought againſt God and his Chriſt, yet daily (in ſpight of his ſuppoſts) the kingdome of darkneſs declines: and ſhall decay: and the kingdome of light increaſe, till at length (as Paul affirmeth) in that glorious triumph, Satan ſhall be trodden under foot, and then ſhall be accompliſhed, that which the Father ſpeaketh to his Chriſt Pſalm. 110. The Lord ſaid to my Lord, ſit at my right hand till I make thine enemies thy footſtoole.
OBSERVATIONS.
1. IN the type between the kingdome of David, and the kingdome of Chriſt, we have to conſider, that like as there was perpetuall warre between the houſe of Saul, and the houſe of David, Even ſo in the kingdome and Church of Chriſt, there is not only hoſtility between the ſame and the manifeſt enemies thereof, but even in her ſelfe, and own boſome, there hath been, is, and ſhall be (for the tryall of the elect) perpetuall debates, ſects, ſchiſmes, and variances, and therefore the wombe of the Church is fitly reſembled to Rebecca's, wherein is much wrangling, and this is correſpondent to our Saviours warning and prediction of the eſtate of the Church in the latter daies, as the Apoſtle likewiſe plainly foretold, 2 Pet. 2. 1. &c. And may be amplified by examples of all ages, before the flood, between the ſeed of Seth and Cain who were brethren: after the flood between Shem and Cham: before the law, between Iſaac and Iſhmael, Jacob and Eſau, Joſeph and his brethren: between Moſes and Kora's company, after the law David and Sauls houſe here, Judah and Ephraim: and under the Goſpell, between Chriſt and his diſciples, and the highprieſt and doctors of the Law of Moſes, between the Fathers in the primitive Church and hereticks: and this day between us requiring reformation, of religion, and our adverſaries maintaining corruption and mens inventions, and the like debates ſhall continue till that glorious coming of Chriſt Jeſus to the full triumph over Satan and hereſie. In the meane time let us with David and all the faithfull prepare our ſelves for the battle, with conſtant faith, and couragious patience: that having fought that good fight, and finiſhed our courſe, being faithfull unto the death, we may obtaine the crowne of life.
2. The diverſe ends of theſe two houſes offer to us, the diverſe ends of the warfare of Gods children, and their eſtate, and of the children of the world. The one leads to proſperity, the other runnes to decay, for as David ſaith, bleſſed is the man, that putteth his truſt in God, for he ſhall not be aſhamed in the day of trouble, and on the contrary as Jeremiah affirmeth, curſed is the man who putteth his truſt in man, and maketh fleſh his arme. This diverſity is proved in the preſervation of Noah, Lot, Abraham, the patriarches, Moſes, David, and the remanent good kings in Iſrael, alſo of Iſrael it ſelfe in Egypt, and in Babylon, and the Church of Chriſt in all ages, preſſa nunquam oppreſſa, whoſe bow hath abiden ſtrong through the mighty God of Jacob, and is ſo built on her rock, that the gates of hell ſhall not prevaile againſt her, whereby Daniels ſtone hewed out without hands, ſhall and hath bruiſed all her enemies into aſhes, as thoſe ſudden and fearefull puniſhments, and wonderfull alterations of the eſtates of the tyrannies of the world do teſtify, (like mighty Iſlands moved out of their places) ſometime by water, by fire, by ſword, and ſometimes by other extraordinary plagues, and puniſhments, being waſted (as it were) thereby, examples hereof both in holy and prophane hiſtories do teſtify. Upon the hope of which end, let us be encouraged in our Chriſtian warfare, that even ſo ſhall the eſtate of Mahomet, and that Roman Antichriſt, have the like decay.
3. The reaſon of this diverſity was both in the matter of the cauſe, and forme of proceeding, whereupon is noted what is the reaſon of the increaſe and ſtanding of all eſtates, and what is the true reaſon of their fall and decay: righteous conqueſt and conſcionable behaviour is the one: and unjuſt uſurpation and tyranny is the other, this is manifeſt by examples of all ages, and hiſtories, and agrees with the nature of Gods righteous Judgments.
Now after the generall propoſition, the particular meanes of the increaſe of Davids houſe are ſet down, The firſt whereof is ſaid to be the multitude of his Children born to him in Hebron, the eldeſt was Amnon whom Abſolom ſlew afterwards, the ſecond Chileab, whoſe proper name was Daniel, 1 Chron. 3. And by accident called Chileab, by interpretation like to the Father, whereof the Hebrewes aſſigne the reaſon, that he ſhould not be eſteemed the ſonne of Nabal the Carmelite. The third is Abſolom the ſonne of Maaca daughter to Tolmai, the King of Geſhur the Amalakite deſcended of Edom, who is not reckoned amongſt Davids wives that came from Ziklag to Hebron, becauſe then ſhe had not as yet performed all the ſolemnities requiſite in purging her ſelfe and renouncing her ſuperſtitious gentiliſme, being but lately taken captive, (as is ſuppoſed in that battle, 1 Sam. 28.) and for her beauty joyned to David. This Abſolom her ſonne, after rebelled againſt his Father, and was ſlaine by Joab. The fourth is Adoniah the ſonne of Aggith afterwards executed by Salomon. The fifth, Shephatiah the ſonne of Abital, which two were ſuppoſed to have been Sauls wives, whereof mention is made hereafter in Nathans reaſon to David, 2 Sam. 12. 8. The ſixt, Ithream the ſonne of Eglah whom Joſephus ſuppoſeth to be Nathan, of whom deſcended Chriſt, which Eglah, is peculiarly and only called Davids wife, ſome thinking it to be for her obſcure birth, that ſhe merited not to have her progenie nominated, ſome ſaid that ſhe was moſt noble, and therefore has the chief attribute, being ſuppoſed to been Micol Sauls daughter who was reſtored to him, fruitfull now, but barren only after that reproach of David, 2 Sam. 6. 20. And ſome, becauſe this woman was beſt beloved, and therefore called Eglah, which ſignifies a calfe, but the better opinion ſeemeth to be, that this attribute is to be meant in common with Eglah, and all the former nominated.
OBSERVATIONS.
1. V. 2. WE ſee the great providence of God towards David, in not giving him the burthen, and care of Children in the time of his hot perſecution, when he was hunted like a Partridge from place to place, to be either a prey to his Enemies, or whoſe ſtraits with their Mothers, ſhould have been either a ſnare to him, or grieved him more a great deale then his own danger. But now he giveth him Children in Hebron who ſhould not be ſo much burthen, (as before) but benefits, as props, and pil…ars to uphold his houſe, thus, is our God a provident and wiſe Father to his own Children, he knoweth the beſt time, when to beſtow his benefits, which we long for, and if they be for his glory and our welfare, according to his wiſe diſpenſation he will grant them unto us, but not in our precipitate haſt, but his own time, that we may know that they proceed for him, and to exerciſe our faith, our hope, and our patience, to moderate likewiſe our deſire of temporall things, and when they come to make us the more thankfull for them, and with Hannah, and Elizabeth, to dedicate them to his ſervice, Abraham muſt receive Iſaac therefore in the Lords time of viſitation only, ſo Iſaac his two ſonnes after 20. yeares expectation, Annah, Samuel, Elizabeth, the baptiſt; and David here his ſonnes after many yeares longing, let not Rachel then grudge and think Jacob can give her Children, nor Sarah diſtruſt, or ſay it will not be, but in the matter of Children, of health, of riches, or any wordly benefit: Let us wholy relye upon the Lords wiſe diſpenſation, both in the thing, and the time, in the giving, and in the taking back of the ſame; with confidence, patience and thankfulneſs alwaies, as did holy Job.
2. And yet of ſix wives he hath only ſix Children, albeit by nature he might have had many more, but very nature abhorreth Poligamy, and therefore it is that God gives greater ſucceſſion in ſingle marriage, bleſſing ſo his owne inſtitution at firſt. So that this practiſe is tolerated in the Jewes, their Patriarches and Princes, like that of divorcement for a time, for the hardneſs of their hearts, hath never been without ſome ſtamp of the Lords diſliking, as having flowed contrary to his ordinance at the beginning,Geneſ. 4. 19. from that corrupt fact of Lamech, by imitation of his example, and therefore hath been puniſhed ſometimes by paucity of ſucceſſion, as in Salomons example, who notwithſtanding of his many wives, and concubines, had but one Rehoboam who ſucceeded, and ſometimes by the miſcar…ying of their ofſpring and infortunate eſtate, as in the ſa…e Rehoboam, and in ſundry of Davids ſonnes clearly may be ſeen. Let us beware then to preſume upon inveterate cuſtome, and warrantleſs example▪ making licet quod libet, but let Gods Word ever be the rule of our actions.
3. The benefit of Davids ſucceſſion is joyned with the croſs; Amnon defyling Thamar, and Abſolom killing him &c▪ Whereupon we obſerve that there is nothing on earth that in all numbers, or perfectly may be called happy, or can beatify: as children, oftimes yeilding diſcomfort and wicked, as Kain, Cham, Iſhmael, Eſau, Dinab, Sime…n, and Levi. So Eli's ſonnes, Davids, Salomons, Jehoſaphat, and Ezekias, their ſonnes, with many more, or whether it be ſtrength, wiſdome, honour and riches, as in the examples of Goliah, Sampſon, Achitophel, Haman, Baltazar, and the rich glutton, all do teſtify that no earthly thing can make one happy. Then let us pray to God not only to grant us his benefits, but the right uſe of them, that ſo they may tend to our comfort, and not to our croſs, and that we may never think our ſelves happy by enjoying any creature comfort, but his favour with David, Pſal. 4. 6. Who is the creator.
4. The marriage of David with a ſtranger in religion, brings forth Abſolom, who was a great trouble to him, whereupon we mark, that conjunctions with parties of contrary and corrupt religion, is, and ever hath been moſt dangerous, therefore ſuch was well forbidden in the law of Moſes, and by the Apoſtle, commanding us to marry in the Lord, this may be confirmed in Sampſon, David, Salomon, and in the common miſeries of the primitive world, when the Children of Seth, married with the poſterity of Kain; therefore the Patriarches cared for wives to their ſonnes of their own kindred, and Eſdras in the reduction of Iſrael, from captivity, cauſed all the people to put away their ſtrange wives, which they had married in Babylon, Then in all conjunctions, but ſpecially in marriages let profeſſors beware of theſe dangerous aſſociations, which no doubt will produce ſuch bitter fruit as we ſee in the former examples.