And the Ziphites came unto Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself in the hill of Hachilah, [which is] before Jeshimon? Ver. 1. _And the Ziphites came unto Saul._] As they had done once before, 1Sa 23:19 and therefore being conscious of their former treachery, and in addition desirous t... [ Continue Reading ]
Then Saul arose, and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, having three thousand chosen men of Israel with him, to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph. Ver. 2. _Then Saul arose._] Though he had otherwise resolved. 1Sa 24:16-22 Good motions that fall into wicked hearts, are like some sparks that fal... [ Continue Reading ]
And Saul pitched in the hill of Hachilah, which [is] before Jeshimon, by the way. But David abode in the wilderness, and he saw that Saul came after him into the wilderness. Ver. 3. _He saw that Saul came after him._] He had an inkling of it; and knowing that _sine vano publica fama,_ rumours are n... [ Continue Reading ]
David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul was come in very deed. Ver. 4. _David therefore sent out spies._] A practice in war both lawful and prudential. _ That Saul was come in very deed._] The devil driving him: for as he, being cast out of heaven, keepeth ado, and is restless; so... [ Continue Reading ]
And David arose, and came to the place where Saul had pitched: and David beheld the place where Saul lay, and Abner the son of Ner, the captain of his host: and Saul lay in the trench, and the people pitched round about him. Ver. 5. _And came to the place._] He came privily, saith the Vulgate, and... [ Continue Reading ]
Then answered David and said to Ahimelech the Hittite, and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah, brother to Joab, saying, Who will go down with me to Saul to the camp? And Abishai said, I will go down with thee. Ver. 6. _And to Abishai the son of Zeruiah._] David's own sister; her husband not mentioned, b... [ Continue Reading ]
So David and Abishai came to the people by night: and, behold, Saul lay sleeping within the trench, and his spear stuck in the ground at his bolster: but Abner and the people lay round about him. Ver. 7. _So David and Abishai came._] Ahimelech belike durst not venture, or else David was willing to... [ Continue Reading ]
Then said Abishai to David, God hath delivered thine enemy into thine hand this day: now therefore let me smite him, I pray thee, with the spear even to the earth at once, and I will not [smite] him the second time. Ver. 8. _God hath delivered, &c._] See on 1 Samuel 24:4 . _ I will not smite him t... [ Continue Reading ]
And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against the LORD'S anointed, and be guiltless? Ver. 9. _Destroy him not._] _Hoc enim indecens et indignum mihi videtur._ "Keep thee far from an ill matter." Exo 23:7 "Meddle not with them that are given to change." Pro 2... [ Continue Reading ]
David said furthermore, [As] the LORD liveth, the LORD shall smite him; or his day shall come to die; or he shall descend into battle, and perish. Ver. 10. _The Lord shall smite him._] The offending lion is not to be lashed with every man's whip, but by the rod of his accustomed governor. And as me... [ Continue Reading ]
The LORD forbid that I should stretch forth mine hand against the LORD'S anointed: but, I pray thee, take thou now the spear that [is] at his bolster, and the cruse of water, and let us go. Ver. 11. _And the cruse of water._] _Clepsydram,_ the hour glass, as some render it; others understand it of... [ Continue Reading ]
So David took the spear and the cruse of water from Saul's bolster; and they gat them away, and no man saw [it], nor knew [it], neither awaked: for they [were] all asleep; because a deep sleep from the LORD was fallen upon them. Ver. 12. _So David took the spear._] He took it himself, and would not... [ Continue Reading ]
Then David went over to the other side, and stood on the top of an hill afar off; a great space [being] between them: Ver. 13. _And stood on the top of a hill afar off._] On a hill, that he might be heard; and afar off, that he might provide for his own safety. _Vide hic ut David in omnes formas se... [ Continue Reading ]
And David cried to the people, and to Abner the son of Ner, saying, Answerest thou not, Abner? Then Abner answered and said, Who [art] thou [that] criest to the king? Ver. 14. _Answerest thou not, Abner?_] It seemeth that David had often called unto him, and that by name; for so men asleep are soon... [ Continue Reading ]
And David said to Abner, [Art] not thou a [valiant] man? and who [is] like to thee in Israel? wherefore then hast thou not kept thy lord the king? for there came one of the people in to destroy the king thy lord. Ver. 15. _Art not thou a valiant man?_] Heb., A man, that is, a man every inch of thee... [ Continue Reading ]
This thing [is] not good that thou hast done. [As] the LORD liveth, ye [are] worthy to die, because ye have not kept your master, the LORD'S anointed. And now see where the king's spear [is], and the cruse of water that [was] at his bolster. Ver. 16. _Ye are worthy to die,_] _sc., _ _Ex iure Gentiu... [ Continue Reading ]
And Saul knew David's voice, and said, [Is] this thy voice, my son David? And David said, [It is] my voice, my lord, O king. Ver. 17. _Is this thy voice, my son David?_] See 1 Samuel 24:16, _See Trapp on "_ 1Sa 24:16 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
And he said, Wherefore doth my lord thus pursue after his servant? for what have I done? or what evil [is] in mine hand? Ver. 18. _Wherefore doth my lord._] Nothing is more irrational than irreligion. Would wicked persons but consider their ways, as they are oft advised, Haggai 1:5 _; _ Hag 1:7 the... [ Continue Reading ]
Now therefore, I pray thee, let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If the LORD have stirred thee up against me, let him accept an offering: but if [they be] the children of men, cursed [be] they before the LORD; for they have driven me out this day from abiding in the inheritance of the... [ Continue Reading ]
Now therefore, let not my blood fall to the earth before the face of the LORD: for the king of Israel is come out to seek a flea, as when one doth hunt a partridge in the mountains. Ver. 20. _Let not my blood fall to the earth._] Slay me not, for God seeth and will require it. 2Ch 24:22 “ _Ne pecc... [ Continue Reading ]
Then said Saul, I have sinned: return, my son David: for I will no more do thee harm, because my soul was precious in thine eyes this day: behold, I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly. Ver. 21. _For I will no more do thee harm._] No more till next time. Saul's good affections and reso... [ Continue Reading ]
And David answered and said, Behold the king's spear! and let one of the young men come over and fetch it. Ver. 22. Behold the king's spear!] Which I took away, not to retain it, but to return it, whereas thereby I had cleared nay much wronged innocence.... [ Continue Reading ]
The LORD render to every man his righteousness and his faithfulness: for the LORD delivered thee into [my] hand to day, but I would not stretch forth mine hand against the LORD'S anointed. Ver. 23. _The Lord render to every man his righteousness._] Saving me from thy tender mercies, for they are cr... [ Continue Reading ]
And, behold, as thy life was much set by this day in mine eyes, so let my life be much set by in the eyes of the LORD, and let him deliver me out of all tribulation. Ver. 24. _And, behold, as thy life, &c._] What brave rhetoric is here! what heart could be so hard as to resist it? _Ipsa Suada, cred... [ Continue Reading ]
Then Saul said to David, Blessed [be] thou, my son David: thou shalt both do great [things], and also shalt still prevail. So David went on his way, and Saul returned to his place. Ver. 25. _Thou shalt both do great things._] _Faciendo facies._ The Tigurines translate it, _Et facies et omnino perfi... [ Continue Reading ]