Commentary on the Old Testament Volume 2-4, Biblical commentary 1 · 1 Samuel · Chapter 23
CHAP. XXIII.
HERE it is shewed, how David was certified, that the Philistims invaded V. 1.Keilah, and spoiled the threshing floores thereof, that is, by carrying away their corne, and it is likely, as Lyra hath it, that the men of Keilah sought to David for succour in this their distresse, wherein he was also ready both for Lyra.his love to the children of Israel, and because he being anointed King, it was his part to defend them, as his Subjects. But because he would goe upon good ground, he first asketh counsell of the Lord, and is bidden by him to goe against V. 2. V. 3.the Philistims and promised he should prevaile, and when his men forecasting the danger of Saul, that they might thus come into, he consulted againe, not that he doubted, but to satisfie them, and for their confirmation, and then he was assured againe of the victory.
Then David went with his men, and having smitten the Philistims tooke V. 5.their Cattle, that is, the beasts, which they brought with them to carry away the corne and provision of the men of Keilab. Touching Davids asking councell of God, before he would goe to battell, herein he did as the children of Israel had done before, Judg. 1. 1. & 20. 18. and it is the onelyonly sure way, when at any time a people goe forth to warre, to seeke first unto God to have him propitious; to doe otherwise, is temerity and rashnesse, as Peter Martyr noteth. … Martyr. … Aug… … Berrhaeus. ….For the manner of Davids consulting with God, Lyra, Hugo, Martyr and others, for the most part hold, that it was done by the Priest Abiathar having the Ephod, which he brought with him, when he fled unto David, v: 6. But Junius and Willet follwing him will have it by a Prophet, and most propherly …ius.by Gad, because it is said, that Abiathar came to David to Keilah, but this consultation was before his coming to Keilah, and Josephus saith, that he consulted with God by a Prophet. And this is the rather to be followed, because …ph. l. 6. c. 14.when he consulted by the Ephod, v: 9. it is mentioned, for he said to Abiathar, Bring hither the Ephod, whereas nothing is spoken of it in this place, but v. 6. it is recorded, that Abiathar brought it with him, as a preparative to the consulting hereby spoken of, v. 9. that we may understand, how it happened, that they had then the Ephod to aske counsell by. Of consulting by the Ephod see before, ch. 14. 18. and Numb. 27. 21.
Then it was told Saul, that David was come to Keilah, and he said, God hath slout V. 7.him up in my hand, &c. Hereby the blindenesse of Saul appeared; he for his wickednesse was hatefull to God, and yet he speaketh as if he thought God to be on his side and against David, and so doe others, who be enemies to Gods servants and to his truth, as the Papists in their warres against the Protestants, Note. who give for their posie, Adjutorium nostrum in nomine Domini, and in their persecuting proceedings begin with these words, In nomine Domini, as Peter Martyr Peter Martyr.noteth, and so did Senna…eherib, comming against Jerusalem, Am I now come up without the Lord, said he, by his Generall Rabshakeh? so do the wicked flatter themselves with an opinion of Gods being with them, when he doth utterly 2 King 18.abhorre both them, and their wayes.
Then David understanding of Sauls purposing to come against him, consulteth V. 9, 10, 11. 12.with the Lord by the Ephod, and first receiveth answer, that Saul would come to Keilah, as he had heard, and 2ly. that the men of Keilah would deliver him and his men into Sauls hands. He enquireth of both together, but hath an answer given onelyonly to one at the first, and then asking againe touching the other, ansswer is made to that also. The Rabbins hereupon, saith Martyr, faigne, that the divine oracle never gave answer to any more, then one demand at one time, but there is no ground for this, it is rather to be held with Lyra, that although Lyra.two questions be here propounded together, yet but one was asked first, and that being answered, the other: or God would have him seeke againe unto him, before hee would answer all, to teach us that he loveth to be importuned by us in prayer, and to be often sought unto, as also is taught Luk. 18. For touching a double enquiry made of the Lord, and all answered at once, we read 1 Chr. 14. 10.
Whereas the Lord answered, Saul will come downe, and the men of Keilah will V. 11, 12.deliver thee up to him, and yet neither of both was done, it is to be understood for the justifying hereof, that Saul would have come, it David had staid there, and if he had come, they would have delivered him up, but not otherwise. Wherefore David with his men departing thence, Saul hearing of it went not forth, for both Saul had his spies to watch David, and David his to watch V. 13.Saul, whereby it came to passe, that either sooe heard of the proceedings of the other, and did accordingly. The men that went with David now, were 600, but before 400, so that his company was not wasted by warring with the Philistims, but increased, none fell from him for feare of Sauls comming, but more were added, even as in the time of persecution, the Church was increased, when many were killed, as Martyr noteth, who also saith, that God Peter Martyr.could as well have given David victory against Saul, as against the Philistims, if he had staid his comming to Keilah, but forsomuch as Saul was his anointed, the Lord would not have David to fight against him, and he being destroyed, to come to the Kingdome, because that would have beene a blemish to him, and it might afterwards have been objected to him that he sought and came to it by ambition. Yet Jehu by going against King Joram and slaying him, attained his Kingdome, and was approved therein: but Joram was not anointed, as 2 King. 19.Saul was, that we read of, but came to the Kingdome by succession, and both he and all Ahabs posterity were adjudged before to destruction by the Lord, for Ahabs wickednesse, and Jehu was stirred up by the Lord to doe the exeuction, a Prophet being sent unto him, 2 King. 9. 7.
Then David aboad in a mountaine, in the wildernesse of Ziph, and sometimes he was in a wood there, for Saul sought after him continually. Ziph was V. 14.a City in the Tribe of Judah, Josh. 15. from whence this wildernesse had the H. B. Patriarks travailes. V. 16, 17, 18.name, Zepheth signifieth pitch, wherefore it is likely, that pitch abounded here, and so this City tooke the name therefrom, it was 22 miles from Jerusalem North-east, so H. Bunting. Here Jonathan came to David into the wood, and renued his League with him, and comforted him, by saying, that his father should not finde him out, and that he should be King, and he next unto him in the kingdome. The renewing of their Covenant before the Lord, saith Comestor, was before Gad the Prophet and Abiathar the Priest. Jonathan, saith Schol. Hister. Lyra.Lyra, knew, where David was, to goe unto him, although Saul knew not, because there were messengers secretly passing between them, as betweene most entire friends. And this was the third time of their swearing either to other, 1. in the house, 1 Sam. 18. 3. 2. in the field, ch. 20. and 3. in this wood; which he morrally applyeth thus, so the faithfull soule entereth into Covenant with God, 1. in the house of the heart, 2. in the field of the worke, 3. in the desert H. Bunting Patriarks travails.of contemplation. From Keilah to this Ziph, are reckoned 4 miles. Touching Jonathans saying that he knew David should be King and he next unto him, in the first hee spake upon sure ground, because he was by Samuel anointed, and because Samuel had told Saul that God had rejected him and chosen his neighbour, and for the grace wherein David was with all the people. But for the second, presuming only upon that great league of friendship, which was betwixt him and David, but as the history afterwards sheweth, he was herein deceived, for he dyed before that David attained to the Kingdome, so that as Martyr Note. noteth, the servants of God may be deceived in their confidence touching temporall P. Mortyr.things, whereof they have no certaine promise, but so farre forth, as they make for Gods glory and for their good. Others to justifie his saying, expound Pelliecan. Osiander.it as a request made by him unto David, and some of the heavenly kingdome.
Then came the Ziphims to Saul, saying, Doth not David hide himselfe with us in V. 19.strong holds and woods? These Ziphims were of the Tribe of Judah and came of Caleb, 1 Chron. 2. 42. In complaining of them David calleth them strangers, Ps. 54. 3. because in their affection they were estranged from him, although of his owne Tribe. That which moved them to this treachery against David was doubtlesse the great feare, wherein they stood of Saul, if they should have P. Martyr.for borne to certifie him of Davids lurking being warned by the example of the City of Nob. The place, wherein he was, they say, was Hachilah, on the south of Ieshimon, the Vulg. Lat. on the right hand of the desert, so likewise Iunius. Hebr. it is on the right hand of Jeshimon, and Jeshimon signifieth a wildernesse, but most take it for a proper name, and this is to be preferred, because the word foreign is commonly used for a wildernesse, and David is said now to have been in a wildernesse, and if by Jeshimon a place known particularly by that name had not beene meant, how should Saul by this description have known the better, where David was, when they certified him, that he was in the wildernes near to them, on the south of the wildernes, for there being many wildernesses, it would have been uncertaine, which they meant. If it be said, hee could not but understand it of the wildernesse of Ziph, the south or right side of it I say, why then did they vary the word, and not say Midbar, but Jeshimon? Peter Martyr saith, Peter Martyr.that David upon this occasion compiled not onelyonly Psal. 54. but also 99. Psal. 116. and 31. And it was a most inhumane part in them to deale thus with one of their owne Tribe, who fled to them, thinking, that for their nearnesse to him in blood they would have been a succour to him against Saul. In these men therefore the Jewes were figured out, of whom it is said, when they rejected Christ and delivered him to death, Hee came amongst his owne but his owne Joh 1. 11. V. 21.received him not. Saul is glad of this treachery of the Ziphims and blesseth them therefore, who were indeede accursed for this wickednesse by David led by a better Spirit. Pyrrhus an heathen King met with better measure at the Romans, his enemies hands, for they let him understand of the treachery of his Physitian who offered them to poison him; and the Falisci, to whom they sent their Schoolemaster home bound, that went about to betray their City to them by bringing the children of noble men into their power, which had beene to him committed for their education.
Saul finding, that the Ziphims were for him, biddeth them diligently to note V. 22.all his lurking places, for said he, it is told mee, that hee dealeth very subtilly. the Vulg. Latin for hee thinketh of mee, that I lay wait subtilly for him. Peter Martyr, he said unto Peter Martyr. Iunius.mee, that he was most crafty. Junius, he himself told me, that hee was wont to use subtilty. The Sept. for Saul said, lest he use craft, the Hebr. is, for he told me, or one told mee, that he is very subtle, and this is the same in effect with our translation, neither is any thing supplyed, but the Nominative to the verb foreign, which is left to bee understood, and that is, some one, whom Saul had imployed to observe David. That of Junius, that David in times past when he did so prosperously, being asked by Saul, how he handled the matter so to prevaile at all times answered, that hee used policy, is not so probable; because he then went armed with a strong band, neither needed hee, as now, to shift from place to place for his owne safety, which is the Subtilty here meant. All other expositions goe from the orginall, and so may easily bee rejected.
And they arose and went to Ziph before Saul, but David and his men were in the Wildernesse of Maon, on the south of Jeshimon. Iunius the Ziphims went before V. 24.Saul, when hee and his men were in the Wildernesse of Maon, on the south of the Wildernesse. Hebr. and David and …is men were, &c. The Ziphims going before Saul to search out David found him in the Wildernesse of Maon, which Maon was also a City in the Tribe of Iudah, not farre from Ziph, Iosh. 15. about 4 miles, as one saith, and this was also on the south of H. Bunting Patriar. travailes.the same Wildernesse called Ieshimon. Then Saul followed with his Army, and David hearing of it, went downe to a rock there. Iunius saith, hee went downe from the rocke, that was in the Mountaine. Hachilah before spoken Iunius.of v. 19. the Hebr. is, hee descended the rocke, most probably, as Iunius hath it, it being meant, that hee went downe from the hold or rocke in the Mountaine, that Saul comming might not finde him there, and therefore it is immediately said, that Saul and his men went on the one side of the Mountaine and David and his men on the other side. Yet I doe not thinke with Iunius, that the aforesaid Hachilah is here meant, for that was in the Wildernesse of Ziph, this of Maon, for David stayed not long in any place, but was before the returnes of the Ziphims to seeke him, gone to another rock. Yet general-it is rendered, hee descended to a rocke, and Willet who in all other things almost Willet.followeth Iunius, herein leaveth him, and defendeth the most received reading, but upon weake reason. The ordinary Glosse saith, that hee went to the rocke, to leave this carriage there is some cave, that hee might with the more expedition passe on, but this is very improbable.
Saul being come to the Wildernesse of Maon pursueth David so hard, that V. 26.hee was in danger of being even now taken by him, wherefore he made haste to get away for feare of Saul. But God by his singular providence saved V. 27.David, by calling Saul off from this pursuite, for a messenger came to him to tell him that the Philistims invaded the land, and so hee left pursuing David for that time to goe and fight against them. The Vulgar Latin hath it, he despaired of escaping from Saul: Peter Martyr, David hastened to goe away from the face of Saul. And thus it is Hebr. there being no word to set forth his feare or despaire, except the word foreign be taken for to bee terrified, as it also signifieth, but then it must bee rendred, David was terrified at the presence of Saul. But that hee despaired not, appeareth by Psal. 116. which Martyr thinketh, Peter Martyr.that hee made upon this occasion. Hee was tossed betweene feare and hope, for hee saith, that the snares of death did beset him round, but hee also saith, that then hee called upon God for deliverance, which sheweth his faith. Whereas v. 11. hee confesseth, I said in my haste, that all men are lyers, which some understand, as spoken of Samuel, and that David began now to doubt of the truth of that, which Samuel had told him touching the Kingdome: this is rather to be understood of the Ziphims and the men of Keilah, who dealt so falsly with David. But R. Kimhi maketh a diverse construction thus, although I doubt, yet God is true, for all men are lyers, and therefore I. Thus P. Martyr. But I rather hold with Junius, that he spake so having respect unto Samuel, for he said so in Iunius.his passion through the greatnesse of trouble, for hee professed still, that he beleeved. Thus God sometimes suffereth his to fal into the greatest straights where by they are much terrified, but let us take heed, that our faith be not overwhelmed with feare, for when all things may seeme to be most desperate, then God is Note. nearest hand to deliver us, as he did David. Some say, that David feared not so much for himself, but for his company, or because he would by no meanes fight against Saul being the Lords anointed. Glosse Ord. that although he doubted not, but hee should bee preserved to enjoy the Kingdome promised; yet hee feared both for his men, lest many of them should perish; and for many, that involuntarily followed Saul, left they should perish. For Sauls ceasing to pursue David, that hee might goe against the Philistims, Josephus and after him Josephus.Pellican thinke, that hee did it out of the love of his Countrey, which did beare more sway with him to preserve it, then his private spleene against David to make him still to pursue him, the weale publike being neglected. But Peter Martyr saith, that it is not to bee imputed to any goodnesse in Saul, for hee had done the office of a good Prince, if hee had so loved his Countrey, but to Gods providence over-ruling him at this time, as afterwards Sennacherib to make him leave the besieging of Jeruslame, when hee heard, that Tirhakah, 2 King. 19.the King of Ethiopia had invaded his land. But forsomuch as even in naturall men there may bee an earnest love to their Countrey, and an hatred of some enemies more then of others, and a greater desire to resist them, specially for their owne greater good, I see not, why this should bee deneyed to have beene in Saul or Sennacherib, nay God hereupon, that hee might give Saul an occasion to cease from pursuing David, when hee was even ready to take him, stirred up both the Philistims to invade his Countrey, and some man speedily to certifie him thereof. For hee saw, that by David there was not likely to be any present danger, because yet hee attempted nothing against him, but by the Philistims there was danger of subduing his Kingdome to them. and then it would have beene too late to goe against them, but for David, hee thought that hee might returne and take him as well another time. Saul being thus called away V. 28.and David by this meanes escaping, in remembrance of this deliverance he called the place, where Sela-Hammaleketh, that is, the rocke of diremptions, because the forces of Saul were here broken off from Davids.
And David went from thence and dwelt in strong bolds in Engedi. This is also in the Junius. V. 29.Hebrew added to this Chapter, the Vulgar Latin, and Junius referre it to the next, herein following the Sept. so likewise Peter Martyr. But I, as our translation, follow the originall. En-gedi was a strong Castle situated in a Mountaine H. B. Patriarks traviles.neare to the dead Sea, the Mountaines here were of a wonderfull height, in some places high ragged rockes appearing, which were fearfull to behold, and in others places plaine and fruitfull valleys, it was from Moon, 36. miles, yet in the Tribe of Iudah also, Josh. 15. Here grew in the fruitfull places, Vines, and other fruits and a Balsam, wherefore Solomon in his Song speaketh of the Vineyards of En-gedi. It signifieth the Fountaine of a Kid or Lambe. To this place being in the extremity of the land, and strong by nature, David came, thinking that Saul would not follow him hither, where an Army could so hardly passe, but he so greately thirsted after his bloud that as nothing could stay him from pursuing after him, as the next Chapter sheweth.
For the Mystery in this Chapter, The men of Keilah who received so great The Mystery.a benefit of David, but yet ungratefully would have delivered him to Saul, doe figuer out the Jewes, amongst whom Christ delivered and cured many, but they delivered him into the hands of the secular powers to bee crucified, wherefore hee left them. And the like is to be said of the Ziphims.