Now it came to pass after the death of Saul, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, and David had abode two days in Ziklag; Ver. 1. _Now it came to pass._] Heb., And it came to pass: for the history is here continued by some of Samuel's disciples, and, as some gather from 1 C... [ Continue Reading ]
It came even to pass on the third day, that, behold, a man came out of the camp from Saul with his clothes rent, and earth upon his head: and [so] it was, when he came to David, that he fell to the earth, and did obeisance. Ver. 2. _A man came out of the camp from Saul._] The Hebrews will have this... [ Continue Reading ]
And David said unto him, From whence comest thou? And he said unto him, Out of the camp of Israel am I escaped. Ver. 3. _Out of the camp of Israel am I escaped._] But as good he had lost his life there; for his preservation was but a reservation to a worse end. Evil shall hunt the violent man to ov... [ Continue Reading ]
And David said unto him, How went the matter? I pray thee, tell me. And he answered, That the people are fled from the battle, and many of the people also are fallen and dead; and Saul and Jonathan his son are dead also. Ver. 4. _How went the matter? I pray thee, tell me._] He was very desirous to... [ Continue Reading ]
And David said unto the young man that told him, How knowest thou that Saul and Jonathan his son be dead? Ver. 5. _Unto the young man._] The lad, the stripling, the servant, for so David took him to be: and such are called lads or boys in many languages. "Herod said to his servants"; Mat 14:2 Gr.,... [ Continue Reading ]
And the young man that told him said, As I happened by chance upon mount Gilboa, behold, Saul leaned upon his spear; and, lo, the chariots and horsemen followed hard after him. Ver. 6. _As I happened by chance._] An artificially composed speech, but scarce ever a true word. This Amalekite, which si... [ Continue Reading ]
And when he looked behind him, he saw me, and called unto me. And I answered, Here [am] I. Ver. 7. _And when he looked behind him._] This fellow had taught his tongue to speak lies, and wearied himself to commit iniquity. Jer 9:5 He was an artist at it: and, like Dolon in Homer, “ Iσκε ψευδεα πολλ... [ Continue Reading ]
And he said unto me, Who [art] thou? And I answered him, I [am] an Amalekite. Ver. 8. _I am an Amalekite._] _See Trapp on "_ 2Sa 1:6 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
He said unto me again, Stand, I pray thee, upon me, and slay me: for anguish is come upon me, because my life [is] yet whole in me. Ver. 9. For anguish _a_ is come upon me.] Or, My _chlamys ocellata,_ coat of mail, hindereth me, that I cannot die. Life may prove a mischief to a man; we should there... [ Continue Reading ]
_So I stood upon him, and slew him, because I was sure that he could not live after that he was fallen: and I took the crown that [was] upon his head, and the bracelet that [was] on his arm, and have brought them hither unto my lord._ Ver. 10. _So I stood upon him, and slew him._] Lie and all: but... [ Continue Reading ]
Then David took hold on his clothes, and rent them; and likewise all the men that [were] with him: Ver. 11. _Then David took hold on his clothes, and rent them._] Which manner was taken up at first by extremity of passion, without any regard to the decency of whole apparel, or damage by tearing the... [ Continue Reading ]
And they mourned, and wept, and fasted until even, for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of the LORD, and for the house of Israel; because they were fallen by the sword. Ver. 12. _And they mourned, and wept, and fasted._] The manlier any man is, the milder and more merciful. Julius... [ Continue Reading ]
And David said unto the young man that told him, Whence [art] thou? And he answered, I [am] the son of a stranger, an Amalekite. Ver. 13. _I am the son of a stranger, an Amalekite._] This he had said before in David's hearing, 2Sa 1:8 but he being full of grief, minded it not belike.... [ Continue Reading ]
And David said unto him, How wast thou not afraid to stretch forth thine hand to destroy the LORD'S anointed? Ver. 14. _How wast thou not afraid to stretch forth thine hand, &c._] William Parry was for burglary condenmed to die: and yet saved by Queen Elizabeth's pardon. _a_ But he, ungrateful man,... [ Continue Reading ]
And David called one of the young men, and said, Go near, [and] fall upon him. And he smote him that he died. Ver. 15. _And he smote him that he died._] And alike sped those that murdered Ishbosheth, whom David caused instantly to be put to death, abhorring their treason, though attended with a kin... [ Continue Reading ]
And David said unto him, Thy blood [be] upon thy head; for thy mouth hath testified against thee, saying, I have slain the LORD'S anointed. Ver. 16. _Thy blood be upon thy head._] For though Saul desired thee to despatch him, as thou hast said, and _volenti non fit iniuria:_ yet because he was _fel... [ Continue Reading ]
And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son: Ver. 17. _And David lamented._] He composed this following elegy, or epitaph, this funeral song: a usual practice among the ancients.... [ Continue Reading ]
2 Samuel 1:18 (Also he bade them teach the children of Judah [the use of] the bow: behold, [it is] written in the book of Jasher.) Ver. 18. _Also he bade them teach._] Or, And he spake it to teach, &c., _sc., _ in honour of Jonathan, so skilful a bowman, 2Sa 1:22 and for their own future defence ag... [ Continue Reading ]
The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places: how are the mighty fallen! Ver. 19. _The beauty of Israel._] Here beginneth this sad sonnet, whereof this verse is the foot, and is therefore repeated. 2 Samuel 1:25 _; _ 2Sa 1:27 Junius _a_ readeth it, O thou beauty of Israel: which is, saith he,... [ Continue Reading ]
_Tell [it] not in Gath, publish [it] not in the streets of Askelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph._ Ver. 20. _Tell it not in Gath._] _Ah utinam saltem cladem hanc celare possemus hostes nostros._ If wishing were anything, I could hear... [ Continue Reading ]
Ye mountains of Gilboa, [let there be] no dew, neither [let there be] rain, upon you, nor fields of offerings: for there the shield of the mighty is vilely cast away, the shield of Saul, [as though he had] not [been] anointed with oil. Ver. 21. _Ye mountains of Gilboa._] A poetical exclamation, tog... [ Continue Reading ]
From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan turned not back, and the sword of Saul returned not empty. Ver. 22. _From the blood of the slain._] The sword is in Scripture said to "devour flesh" and to "drink blood." Saul and Jonathan were not wont to be worsted, howe... [ Continue Reading ]
Saul and Jonathan [were] lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided: they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions. Ver. 23. _Lovely and pleasant in their lives._] Both to others and betwixt themselves: they loved one another dearly. _ And in their... [ Continue Reading ]
Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet, with [other] delights, who put on ornaments of gold upon your apparel. Ver. 24. _Ye daughters of Israel._] Women love fine array: see Isaiah 3:18,26; and see their wardrobes rifled. Queen Elizabeth used to wear costly apparel alway... [ Continue Reading ]
How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! O Jonathan, [thou wast] slain in thine high places. Ver. 25. _In the midst of the battle._] Making good their station, and dying on the place: not flying to save themselves. _ Thou wast slain, &c._] _Est hoc carmen spiritu militari conscriptum.... [ Continue Reading ]
I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women. Ver. 26. _My brother Jonathan._] _Frater quasi fere alter._ I loved thee as entirely as any one doth a brother: thou lovedst me as much as any woman doth her... [ Continue Reading ]
How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished! Ver. 27. _How are the mighty fallen!_] See 2 Samuel 1:19 . _ And the weapons of war perished!_] Yea, together with Saul and Jonathan, all the warlike glory of Israel is gone.... [ Continue Reading ]