_THE PRINCES OF THE PHILISTINES REQUEST KING ACHISH TO DISMISS DAVID, LEST HE SHOULD PROVE AN ADVERSARY IN THE BATTLE: ACHISH DISMISSETH HIM WITH LARGE COMMENDATIONS OF HIS FIDELITY._ _Before Christ 1055._... [ Continue Reading ]
THE ISRAELITES PITCHED BY A FOUNTAIN WHICH IS IN JEZREEL— As we are informed in the foregoing chapter, 1 Samuel 29:4 that the Philistines were come to Shunem, the verbs in this verse should be read in the past tense, _had gathered,—had pitched:_—David's departure from the army of the Philistines bei... [ Continue Reading ]
THESE DAYS, OR THESE YEARS— _Long enough, even two years._ Houb.... [ Continue Reading ]
MAKE THIS FELLOW RETURN— The lords of the Philistines were suspicious of David's purposes; and, instead of placing that confidence in him which Achish did, they insist upon his dismission. His pleasure must certainly have been great, to find himself extricated out of so delicate a situation as he ha... [ Continue Reading ]
SURELY, AS THE LORD LIVETH— It is observable, that Achish on this occasion makes use of that form of swearing which obtained among the Jews, _as the Lord liveth;_ from which some have concluded, that Achish had learned a part of David's religion; and others go into great extremes on the other side;... [ Continue Reading ]
AND DAVID SAID—WHAT HAVE I DONE? &C.— Dr. Chandler observes, that "this answer was prudent, and such as became the circumstances in which he then stood; but promised nothing, and was only in general, that he never had given Achish any reason to suspect his gratitude and fidelity. He says nothing abo... [ Continue Reading ]