Commentary on the Old Testament Volume 2-4, Biblical commentary 1 · 1 Samuel · Chapter 10
CHAP. X.
HEre Samuel first anointeth Saul, and then telleth him the signes that V. 1, 2.should follow for his confirmation; with what oyle hee was anointed, whether with the holy oyle which was appointed for the anointing of Priests, Exod. 30. 23. Peter Martyr.or other oyle, is uncertaine. Peter Martyr saith, that David Kimbi affirmeth it not to have been of that holy oyle, because none might be anointed therewith but the Priest onelyonly, which hee saith is a weake reason, seeing God at his pleasure could allow a further use thereof to anoint Kings. But of this enough before upon Exod. 30. 23. For the reason why Kings were anointed, as also Priests before, it was to set forth the Spirit, wherewith they should bee indued requisite in men so highly dignified. At this day, saith Peter Martyr, there is some cacozelia in anointing Kings, for being typicall it was done away in Christ, they are anointed now, who are indued with the Spirit, although no ceremony of oyle bee used, as our Lord is said to have been anointed with the oyle of gladnesse, although wee never read of any oyle powred upon his head to anoint him to his office. But although the anointing of Priests ceaseth, as typicall, yet the King being called the Lords anointed, as by a proper name, it seemeth alwayes to bee as necessary at his inauguration, as his Crowne. In that Samuel is said here to have taken a viall of oyle, but when hee anointed 1 Sam. 16. Pellican.David, an horne of oyle, some note the fragility of Sauls kingdome, and the durability of Davids set forth hereby, because a vial is made of earth or of glasse, which is soon broken; and therefore Jehu, in whose family the kingdome continued but a while, was anointed with a viall of oyle also. And Samuel kissed him; 1 In token of love and good will. 2 Of subjection unto him, as the phrase is used, Psal. 2. 12.
For the signes given; 1 When thou art gone from mee, thou shalt finde two V. 2.men by Rachels sepulchre in the border of Benjamin, at Zelzah, &c. Here a question Qu. ariseth, because Rachel was buryed neare unto Bethlehem, which was in the Gen. 35. 19.tribe of Judah, how her sepulchre could bee said to bee in the borders of Benjamin? R. Solomon saith, that it was meant, the two men who should tell him R. Solomon.that the Asses were found, were at that time neare Rachels sepulchre, but by that time he came to the borders of Benjamin, they should meet him there: but this device, saith Peter Martyr, is needlesse, because although the place of Rachels Peter Martyr.sepulchre was neare Bethlehem which was in Judah, yet it followeth not that it was in Judah, but in the borders of Benjamin extending neare unto Bethlehem. Lyra saith, that the borders of both tribes met here.
Then thou shalt come to the plaine of Tabor, and there shall meet thee three Lyra. V. 3.men going up to God to Bethel, one carrying three kids, another three loaves, and the third a bottle of wine, &c. For the plaine of Tabor, the Vulg. Latine hath, the oake of Tabor; and Comestor saith, that Tabor here is the name of a man, and Schol. Histor.not of any place. One saith, that the name of this place was Zilzahcabout, some two miles from the sepulchre of Rachel, where hee met the two men. But H. Bunt. Patriarchs travailes.what is meant by Bethel here? Answ. It is most commonly taken for the Bethel, where Jacob anointed a pillar, Gen. 28. and they say, that till the Arke Lyra. Schol. Histor. Hugo Cardin. P. Martyr Joseph. Chald. Septuag. Vatah. Borrheus. Iunius.was fixedly placed in a certaine place, it was lawfull to sacrifice wheresoever there was an Altar, and therefore the Altar of Jacob being at Bethel, they came thither to sacrifice. But Junius will not have Bethel a proper name either here, or 1 Sam. 7. 16. the reason whereof see there; and therefore hee rendreth it in both places the house of God, expounding it of Kiriath-jearim, where the Arke was, and so the house, wherein was the house of God, because they might not sacrifice in any other place, but where the Arke was. But this remaineth to bee proved, till which time I subscribe to the generall Tenet, and the words seem plainly to confirm it, for if the house of God had been meant elswhere, it would have been said, and might more aptly, to his house in Kiriathjearim, because it was said before, to God. Moreover, Bethel was a place of note, as Gilgal and Mizpeh, 1 Sam. 16. there being happily in every of them an Altar in those dayes, as well as in Ramah. The kids, loaves, and wine which they carryed, were doubtlesse for sacrifice, for meat-offerings and drink-offerings. But whereas it is said, they gave Saul two loaves, a question is made how Qu. they could thus doe, seeing they carryed them to God, and being for an offering to him, they were by no meanes to bee turned to another use. D. Kimhi D. Kimhi.saith, that they had more loaves for their owne use, then those that they carryed to offer, and of them they gave Saul two, and not of the offerings: but Peter Martyr better, they meeting Saul hungry, and ready to perish for want, Peter Martyr.thought it would bee more acceptable to God, to give him of their bread intended for sacrifice, then to keep it for sacrifice in this case of necessity, for God hath said, I will have mercy and not sacrifice. This is true indeed, if Saul were now in such need of food, but how that should be, I cannot see, forsomuch as hee had not yet travailed farre, since Samuel left him, viz. not above two miles and an halfe, and hee was also of a strong and able body. There was then doubtlesse some other thing in it, God inclined their hearts to give him these loaves, as it were a sacrament to confirm him touching the kingdom, as Peter Martyr also speaketh, God who had appointed him to bee King, would have them now meeting and saluting him, to offer him a present, as to a King; for so men use to present Kings with gifts where they come, and that of their most precious things, and such were these loaves, seeing they were part of Gods offerings; and if God extraordinarily moved them by his Spirit to give them, who dares question the lawfulnesse of the fact?
After this, thou shalt come to the hill of God, where is a garrison of the Philistims, V. 5. Chald. Pellican. Borrhaeus. R. Solomon. 1 Sam. 7. 1. Lyra. Hugo Card. Iunius. Josephus. Rabanus.&c. This hill of God is understood by some to bee Kiriath-jearim, where the Arke was in Abinadabs house upon the hill. But others will have another place meant, where was a Colledge of Prophets, and this saith Iunius, was in Gibeah, and Chap. 13. 3. agreeth, where Ioanthan is said to have smitten the garrison of the Philistims in Geba; and Iosephus, for the hill of God, hath, the towne of Gabbatha. Rabanus saith, it was some hill, where God had bestowed some great benefit, being therefore called Gods hill. Tostatus is for Gibeah in Benjamin, because it was in the end of Sauls journey, and where hee was known. That it was not the hill in Kiriath-jearim is plain, because the Arke being brought out of the Philistims Countrey, should not have been placed so neare their forces; and Gibeah, or Geba more probably was the place; and to make it the more evident, Hebr. it is foreign to Gibeah of God. But how could the Prophets bee safe, where a garrison of the Philistims was? Iunius answereth, religious persons were priviledged even amongst their enemies: some thinke that a garison of the Philistims had been there in times past, Lyra. Schol. Hist.but not now: but that they were there now appeareth, Chap. 13. 3. Whereas it is said, Chap. 7. that the people of Israel tooke from the Philistims all their Cities which they formerly possessed: It is answered, that they had still some strong holds in their Land, where they kept garrisons, but here with they onelyonly defended their owne, but invaded not them all the dayes of Samuel, at Peter Martyr.the least not to prevaile, so Peter Martyr; or else, as hee saith, when the sons of Samuel did wickedly, God stirred up the Philistims for a punishment, to make new incursions into the land. And thou shalt meet a company of prophets comming down from the High-place with a psaltery, a tabret and a pipe before them, &c. These Prophets are thought by some to have bin levites, who were first trained up here Borrhaeus.in the knowledge of the Law, till they came to serve in the Tabernacle. But this is a meer conjecture without all ground; for they might be a company as wel of other tribes, as of Levi, was brought up in holy studies under men indued with the spirit of prophesie, whose exercise was daily to praise God, which is called prophesying, and out of these God chose some, and indued them with the spirit of prophesie to foretell judgements to come, and to rebuke sin in all estates and degrees, and to call to repentance. Of such a Colledge of Prophets, see again, 2 King. 2. 2. in Bethel; and 2 King. 5. in Jericho. The instruments of musick P. Martyr.here said to goe before them, were used in praising God, and to make their mindes the more chearefull herein, and the Spirit of God the more ready to enter into them, who as the Rabbins note hence, is delighted with a chearefull spirit, but disliketh the sad and heavie, for which cause Elisha called for musick when hee would prophesie, that his troubled and exasperated mind, being 2 King 3lenified, hee might bee the more chearefull, and then the Spirit came upon him.
And the Spirit of the Lord shall come upon thee; and thou shalt prophesie with V. 6.them; that is, partly by praising God, and partly by fore-telling through the Spirit things to come, as Eldad and Medad prophesied in the Campe. The Numb. 11. …6. Lib. de H…br.Rabbins, as it is in the Booke de Hebr. Qu. say, that Saul prophesied of warres to come, and of Gog and Magog, of the rewards of the godly, and the punishments Quast. of the wicked; but this soundeth as an invention of their owne. And thou shalt bee changed into another man, that is, saith Peter Martyr, not by transubstantiation: but, first, by becomming suddenly a Prophet, to which he had not been trained up, as Pellican: Secondly, by having his minde taken off his Pellican.cattell, amongst which hee had been brought up, to meditate upon things belonging to a kingdome, as Borrhaeus; yet here was no inward change by grace Borrhaeus.and sanctification. Aug. l. 2. ad Simplic. qu. 1. saith, that Saul prophesied, as Balaams asse spake, that is, for the present, because God would have it so, but this gift soone left him againe.
When these things come to passe, see thou do as occasion serveth, for God is with thee; V. 7.that is, saith Lyra, know assuredly that God hath chosen thee to bee King, and will blesse and prosper thee in thy proceedings, and therefore see that thou administer the kingdome courageously and wisely when thou art come unto it. Thus God would have Saul confirmed touching this new calling by signes, as Gedeon had been before touching his office of a Judge. And this was necessary for any extraordinary calling, as the Apostles and first imbracers of the faith of Jesus had many miracles for their confirmation, but now the like cannot be expected or desired without tempting of God. By these words, doe as occasion serveth, saith Peter Martyr, Saul was not permitted to doe whatsoever he Peter Martyr.pleased; but knowing now that it was Gods will that he should doe as a King, confidently gather souldiers together, and goe forth to fight against the enemy, nothing doubting of Gods help, and so of good successe herein.
And thou shalt goe downe to Gilgal, and I will come to thee to offer burntofferings V. 8.and peace-offerings, seven dayes shalt thou tarry till I come to thee, &c. In the book of Hebr. Quaest. it is otherwise pointed, thus, That thou maist offer Hieron. de Hebr. Quaest. Hugo Cardin.burnt-offerings and peace-offerings seven dayes, and this, saith Hugo, is expounded by the Glosse thus, for thy inauguration to the Kingdom, as the Priests being consecrated there were offerings made seven dayes, Exod. 26. Levit. 8. But as Lyra well noteth, it is otherwise pointed in the Hebrew, as in our translation, Lyra.and wee doe no where read of any such ordinance of sacrificing seven dayes at the inauguration of a King; and it is not, that thou mayst offer, but to offer, for Samuel meant to offer for the Kings good successe now at the beginning of his raigne, and that hee might attempt no great matter without the advise of the Prophet, lest he should erre, he would come unto him. But from what time are these seven dayes to be reckoned? The Rabbins say, not from the time of Sauls departing from Samuel, for before his coming to Gilgal, he was chosen King in Mizpeh by lot, then he had an expedition against the Ammonites, and after this hee came to Gilgal, and was made King, and stayed for Samuel, 1 Sam. 10. 17. Ch. 11. Junius.till the seventh day, Chap. 13. 8. as Samuel had appointed; so likewise Junius; who saith, that these words, doe as occasion is offered, are to bee understood of his fighting against the Ammonites, after which hee should come to Gilgal, and bee made King there, and then stay seven dayes after that, about gathering together an Army, and making preparation to goe against the Philistims, for by that time hee would come againe unto him thither to sacrifice for his prosperity. Lyra reciteth another exposition of Andreas upon this, that when Samuel set Saul seven dayes, during which time hee should tarry for him, his meaning Lyra.was, that if any difficult case happened, so that hee should need Samuel's presence to direct and to pray for him, then hee should goe up to Gilgal, a place fit for assemblies and sacrifices, and send for Samuel, after which hee would come to him within seven dayes. But hee excepteth against this, because Samuel seemeth to speake of a determinate time wherein hee should goe to Gilgal, viz. after his election, and there tarry for him seven dayes. But seeing here is nothing spoken of Saul's election, and that immediately after hee went against the Ammonites, and after that to Gilgal, and yet not before Samuel, but with him, as did all the people, to renew the Kingdome there; I cannot subscribe to Lyra; neither can I assent to Junius, and the Rabbins, because if hee had meant his going to Gilgal to bee made King, and after this his tarrying for him seven dayes there, Samuel should not then have gone thither with him, as hee did; and it had been time enough then at his departure from him, to bid him tarry seven dayes till hee returned againe. I rather hold somewhat neare to that of Andreas, that Samuel having directed Saul for his first notable expedition against the Ammonites, v. 7. here prophesieth of a time after that, and after his inauguration to the kingdome, when he should have speciall need of his presence again, for hee should gather souldiers together to Gilgal against the Philistims, who should bee affrighted at the multitude and power of them, and so flee from him, whereupon hee should send for Samuel, but after this hee required him to tarry for him seven dayes, lest happily hee should at that time have other necessary employment to hinder him from comming sooner. And here I mislike not that of the Rabbins, who say, that this was a condition put, whereupon, if it were kept, Saul's kingdome should bee established, otherwise it should not continue. And I will shew thee what thou shalt do, that is, I will instruct thee more touching the office of a King.
Saul going from Samuel, had immediately another heart given him, and all the signes were fulfilled that day: Another heart, saith Hugo, hee V. 9. Hugo Card.had, because his heart was now set upon higher things, and hee was more courageous. Hee had not another heart, as hee that hath his heart of stone taken away, and hath an heart of flesh given him, wherein Gods laws are written; for hee should finally have acquitted himself better then hee did, and the kingdom should have continued to him and his posterity.
In reckoning up the fulfilling of the signes, onelyonly one is mentioned in particular, viz. when they were come to the hill▪ they met a company of Prophets, V. 10.&c. which is done, saith Peter Martyr, because hereby it appeared, how Peter Martyr.hee was turned into another man, as Samuel had chiefly foretold, which was of them all most wonderfull, as appeareth by the admiration, that the people where hereupon stricken into, v. 11. they wondred and said, Is Saul also V. 11. V. 12. P. Martyr.among the Prophets? but one of that place answered and said, but who is their father? This is expounded by some, saith Peter Martyr, thus, doe yee say, Is Saul amongst the Prophets? nay, who is their father? may not Saul bee counted so for his learned and wise prophesying? But hee rather approveth of another, who is the father of the Prophets, that inspireth and guideth them in prophesying? is it not the Spirit? and why may he not then, if hee pleaseth, inspire Saul also? or, who is their father? what father have they more then Saul, the comming of whom availeth for the gift of prophesying? verily none, for this gift is not derived from the father to the sonne, but is given as God pleaseth, and therefore may as well bee given to Saul, as to any other man. Lyra Lyra.reciting the last way of expounding it, saying, thus R. Solomon expounds it, yet because in the Vulg. Latin it is, who is his father, he saith, it is meant, who is his father, that he prophesieth? for he is none of the Prophets sons; as Amos saith, I Amos 7.was not a Prophet, nor the sonne of a Prophet. Now this, although it bee upon a translation not exactly according to the Hebrew, where it is not, who is his father, but, who is their father, yet it commeth nearest to the true meaning, as wee may gather upon the words following, Therefore it became a proverbe, Is Saul also amongst the Prophets? which was used, when any was extraordinarily indued with the spirit of prophesie, and that by way of admiration, and this is inferred upon these words, who was their father, which should not have been, if the meaning were, who was the father of the Prophets, it is not by reason of the father of whom he is descended, that hee is a Prophet, but by Gods gift, for thus it was no matter of admiration to say, Is Saul also amongst the Prophets? seeing God at his pleasure might give him the gift, as well as to them. But when it was admired that the sonne of Kish was amongst the Prophets; and some spake further, But who is their father? the admiration is increased, seeing neither hee, nor his father came of such a pedegree as ever yeelded a Prophet; for the Prophets were all hitherto most probably of the Tribe of Levi, and if of any other Tribe, of such as were educated under some old Prophet as a father, as Elijah is called by Elisha.2 Kings 2. 12. V. 13.
And when hee had made an end of prophesying, bee came to the high place. And Saul's Ʋncle said unto him, &c. This high place, was a place in Gibeah, wherein they used to offer sacrifice in those dayes before the setling of the Arke any where, and the Tabernacle, which were yet disjoyned, for so the hil of God hath been expounded, v. 5. Gibeah of God, where this high place was. And to the high place here, saith Peter Martyr, Saul most probably went to pray, and Peter Martyr.there hee met with his Uncle. Or having done his devotion there, and being returned home, the relation of which is omitted for brevities sake, hee had this communication with his Uncle. If it bee understood, that hee met his Uncle at the high place, it is to bee thought that hee also dwelling neare, came thither at the same time to worship: this Uncle most probably was Ner, the father of Abner. Whereas it is said, when his Uncle asked him, what Samuel V. 14, 15.said unto him, hee told him, that he said, the Asses were found, but hee told him nothing of the kingdome; this, saith Josephus, hee wisely concealed, lest Josephus.his Uncle beleeving it should envy him, or not beleeving it should taxe him as ambitious and vain-glorious. Unto which Lyra addeth, that hee was anointed Lyra.in secret, and therefore till Samuel publisht it, hee ought to keepe it secret.
And Samuel called the people together to the Lord to Mizpeh, &c. Some time after V. 17.Sauls anointing to bee King, but how long is uncertaine, Samuel called this Assembly, and then upbraided them by their ingratitude in that God having V. 18, 19.delivered them out of Egypt and from the hands of all their enemies, yet now they rejected him and required to have a King set over them: Of which their rejecting of God, see before Ch. 8. 7. But how is hee said to assemble them to the Lord in Mizpeh? It is likely, that the Lord had directed him to call them to that place, as being before used for such assemblies, Judg. 20. 1. 1 Sam. 7. 6. where see, how they are said to assemble before the Lord there, yet, as Junius noteth, it is likely, that Samuel caused the Arke to bee brought hither Iunius.at this time, and the Priest with the Ephod to consult with the Lord about this election of a King,, as v. 22. they are said to have inquired of the Lord.
This being done Samuel caused them to come before the Lord, Tribe by Tribe, V. 20.and the Tribe of Benjanin was taken; & then family by family of that tribe, and the family of Matri was taken, and Saul the sonne of Kish of that family. A question is commonly made here, how or by what meanes Samuel found out him, whom the Lord had chosen. But in the Vulg. Latin the words of the Text Qu. put it out of question, for there it is, the lot fel upon Benjamin, &c. so that it was by casting lots, as Joshua had found out Achan before, and so Josephus saith plainly, Iosh. 7. Josephus. Antiq. lib 6 cap. 5.the Tribe of Benjamin was taken by lot, and then the names of the families being put into a pot, the family of Matri was first drawne, and lastly every mans name of that family being put in, Saul was drawne. And hereunto agreeth R. Solomon saying, that the High-Priest drew them, but D. Kimhi saith, it was done by the R. Solomon. D. Kimhi.Urim and Thummim, the pretious stone which was for Benjamin, shining extraordinary brightly. But this could not be, because although the Tribe might thus be noted, yet the family and person could not; and although no mention bee here made of lots, yet, as Peter Martyr noteth, both the word foreign taken here used Peter Martyr.implyeth it, and the common custome maketh it most probable, for to finde out Jonathan and Ionas lots were cast, and for Matthias, and in dividing the land of Canaan. Touching Matri, Lyra saith, it signifieth a marke, and is no one mans name, for 1 Chron. 8. 30 this name is not found, wherefore hee concludeth, that the family of Matri was of those, that could shoot at a marke so exactly, Iudg. 20. 16.
When Saul was taken, hee was sought for, but would not be found, then V. 21, 22.inquiry being made of the Lord, hee answered, that hee had hid himselfe in the stuffe. They inquired by the Ephod which was brought thither by the High-Priest at this time, although, as Peter Martyr saith, the Arke remained at Kiriath-jearim, Peter Martyr. 1 Sam. 23 9.as afterwards David bade Abiathar, bring hither the Ephod, that he might thereby consult with the Lord, when the Arke was not there. Saul hid himselfe, because he knew before, that hee should bee taken, and that out of humility, that hee might seeme to bee farre from ambitiously seeking the Kingdome; and this, saith Iosephus, was in him a point of modesty: others thinke Josephus.that hee sinned in so doing, but Peter Martyr justifyeth him herein, for he that Peter Martyr. Luke. 14. 11humbleth himselfe shall bee exalted, and hee was afterwards praised for his humility by Samuel: neither did hee so flee the Kingdome to which hee was appointed, but that being brought forth hee presently tooke it upon him, and submitted to thewill of God. The like humility was in Augustine, who would not come at those Churches, that wanted Bishops, lest they should choose him, and Gregory fled away to decline being made Bishop of Rome. Maximianus and Dioclesianus gave over the Empire to live privately, and so did Sylla the Dictatourship. They that so readily take any high dignity upon them and seeke it rather then decline it, respect not the labour and burthen thereof, but the honour, and riches, which worke with their ambitious and covetous mindes.
Saul being brought forth and standing amongst the people was higher then any of them from the shoulders upward: and this was all, that yet hee was V. 23.commended by, and no marvaile, because the people are most taken with the stature and strength of their King, and according to humane reason such a man was most fit to deliver them from their enemies hands: yet little David who was indued with the vertue of the minde, did farre excell him even in military prowess and valiant acts, to shew, that power and prevailing in the day of battaile cometh of God, and not of humane strength.
Then Samuel told the people the manner of the Kingdome, and wrote it in a booke V. 25.and laid it up before the Lord. This booke did not containe, as Iosephus thinketh, predictions of those things that should fall out under Sauls government, for this had beene enough to alienate the hearts of the people from him, but rather, as Lyra, Pellican and others say, how the people should carry themselves Lyra Pellican. Junius.towards their King, and the King towards the people, according to that of Moses, Deut. 17. and this Book was laid up in the Arke, but now is lost, as also divers others, which were written by holy men of old, yet they were no part of the Canonicall Scriptures, so as that for want of them these should now be counted unperfect. Some, saith Peter Martyr, thinke, that there was a Chappel in Mizpeh, to which the people used to assemble, and that there this Booke was laid up.
After this every man went home, and Saul went to Gibeah, and with him a V. 26. V. 27. P. Martyr.band of men, whose hearts the Lord had touched: but the sonnes of Belial said, How shall this man save us, &c. Saul being thus chosen King, saith Peter Martyr, did not yet take it upon him, but lived still privately, because the wicked people, although they had desired a King, and saw plainly this man to bee chosen of God, yet for the meannesse of his tribe and pedegree they now despised him, making a mocke of his saving them from their enemies hands. To this hee wisely did forbeare to speake, waiting for an opportunity to declare himselfe a King, that could save them by deeds rather, then by words. But God now touched the hearts of some so, as that they clave unto him, who were also men of warre; if God had not moved their hearts, they had sinned as much as the rest by murmuring even when the thing which they so greatly desired, was granted unto them, as the people formerly did about the matter of Manna, which they desired, but being given them loathed it, and likewise the Note. Messiah himselfe, whereby wee may see the vilenesse of our nature, and what need we have dayly to pray with David, Lord incline my heart unto Psalm 109.thy Law.