_A.M. 2942. B.C. 1062._ David complains to Jonathan, and desires his help, 1 Samuel 20:1. Jonathan promises to give him intelligence, and confirms his friendship, 1 Samuel 20:9. He finds his father implacable, 1 Samuel 20:24. He gives David notice of it, in the manner they had agreed on, 1 Samuel 2... [ Continue Reading ]
_David fled, and came and said before Jonathan_ Saul's being thrown into a trance, as mentioned in the foregoing verse, gave David time to escape, and he went from Naioth to Gibeah, where Jonathan was. “It was happy for David that he had such a friend at court, when he had such an enemy on the thron... [ Continue Reading ]
_He said, God forbid: thou shalt not die_ It appears by this that Jonathan knew nothing of his father's design, and that the messengers before named had been sent to seize David without his privity. Hence, from a principle of filial respect to his father, he was very loath to believe that he would d... [ Continue Reading ]
_David sware moreover_ The matter being of great moment, and Jonathan doubting the truth of it, he confirms his word with an oath, which follows in the end of the verse. Only he interposeth a reason why Saul concealed it from Jonathan. _Let not Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved _ What a noble a... [ Continue Reading ]
_Whatsoever thou desirest_ He does not say, _that shall be lawful and honest;_ for he knew David too well to think he would ask anything that was otherwise. _I will do it for thee_ This is true friendship. Thus Christ testifies his love to us; _Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do._ An... [ Continue Reading ]
_Say, David earnestly asked of me_ Jonathan, being the king's son and deputy, used, it seems, to give license to military men to depart for a season upon just occasions. _There is a yearly sacrifice for all the family _ It is likely it was a custom among pious families to meet together once a year,... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thou shalt deal kindly with thy servant_ In giving me timely notice, and a true account of Saul's disposition and intention toward me. _A covenant of the Lord_ That is, a solemn covenant, not lightly undertaken, but seriously entered into, in the name and fear of God, and in his presence, calling h... [ Continue Reading ]
_Jonathan said, Far be it from thee_ Or, rather, _Far be this away;_ for Jonathan is speaking of himself in this thing. _Then said David, Who shall tell me?_ Who shall bring me advice how matters stand? _They went out both into the field_ To take their measures about this matter. _Jonathan said, O L... [ Continue Reading ]
_And thou shalt show me the kindness of the Lord_ That kindness to which thou hast engaged thyself, in the covenant sworn between thee and me in God's presence. The words in the Hebrew run plainly thus: _And wilt thou not, if I be then alive_, (namely, when God had advanced David to the throne as he... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house_ The covenant they had made was not merely personal, but reached to their posterity, and was to be kept even when David should have the greatest power, and there were none to oppose his will. These verses seem strongly to indicate that Jonathan knew... [ Continue Reading ]
_So Jonathan made a covenant_ The covenant which before was personal, he now extends to the whole house of David, expecting a reciprocal enlargement of it on David's side, which doubtless he obtained. _At the hand of David's enemies_ If either I, or any of my house, shall prove enemies to David or t... [ Continue Reading ]
_When thou hast stayed three days_, &c. This is commonly interpreted of his staying so long with his kindred at Bethlehem. In the Hebrew the words are, _Thou shalt three times go down to a very low place;_ and the meaning seems to be, that if Jonathan did not come to the place appointed the first da... [ Continue Reading ]
_I will send a lad_, &c. I will send him before I shoot, to find and take up the arrows which I shall shoot: and I shall shoot them either short of him or beyond him, as I shall see occasion. _If I say, Behold the arrows are beyond thee_ This signal seems to have been agreed on between them, in case... [ Continue Reading ]
_David hid himself in the field_ Namely, at the time appointed: for it seems probable that he went first to Beth-lehem, and thence returned to the field, when the occasion required. _Jonathan arose_ He rose from his seat where he had sat next the king, and stood up at Abner's coming, to do honour to... [ Continue Reading ]
_Wherefore cometh not the son of Jesse?_ So he calls him in contempt and scorn, to mark the meanness of his original, and as not deigning to call him by his proper name. _Neither yesterday nor to-day_ For the uncleanness that came by some accident usually lasted but for one day. _David earnestly ask... [ Continue Reading ]
_My brother, he hath commanded me to be there_ The eldest brother, it seems, was wont to let all the rest know that their company was expected. _Thou son of the perverse, rebellious woman_ Or rather, according to the Hebrew, _Thou son of perverse rebellion;_ that is, a very perverse rebel. _Thou has... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thou shalt not be established, nor thy kingdom_ Though Samuel had long before this declared to Saul, in the name of the Lord, that the kingdom should not continue with him, nor descend to his posterity; yet he seems to have had hopes that he should be able to prevent this declaration from being ver... [ Continue Reading ]
_Saul cast a javelin to smite him_ Saul seemed a moment before to be in great care, that Jonathan should be _established in his kingdom:_ and now he himself aims at his life! What fools, what worse than savage beasts, does anger make men! _Because_ Or, _and because_, &c., for this seems to be a seco... [ Continue Reading ]
_When the lad was come to the place_ That is, near to the place: or, _and the lad went;_ or, _was going on to the place;_ for the words following show that he was not yet come thither. The Hebrew word בוא _bo_, signifies either _to come_ or _to go._ See Ruth 3:7; and Jonah 1:3.... [ Continue Reading ]
_His artillery_ His bow, and arrows, and quiver.... [ Continue Reading ]
_And fell on his face to the ground_, &c. After three bows, he fell on his face; out of reverence to Jonathan, as the king's son, and in tenderness to him, as his most generous friend. _They kissed one another, and wept one with another_ Nothing can be imagined more generous, and, at the same time,... [ Continue Reading ]
_Jonathan said, The Lord be between thee and me_, &c. As much as to say, Fear not but I will faithfully keep my covenant with thee; as I doubt not of thy perpetual steadfastness in it with me and my posterity. And this must be our satisfaction in this sad separation. _And he arose and departed_ That... [ Continue Reading ]