16 And the king said, Thou shalt surely die, Ahimelech, thou, and all thy father's house. 17 And the king said unto the footmen that stood about him, Turn, and slay the priests of the LORD; because their hand also is with David, and because they knew when he fled, and did not show it to me. But the servants of the king would not put forth their hand to fall upon the priests of the LORD. d 18 And the king said to Doeg, Turn thou, and fall upon the priests. And Doeg the Edomite turned, and he fell upon the priests, and slew on that day fourscore and five persons that did wear a linen ephod. 19 And Nob, the city of the priests, smote he with the edge of the sword, both men and women, children and sucklings, and oxen, and asses, and sheep, with the edge of the sword. 20 And one of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped, and fled after David. b 2 Therefore David inquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go and smite these Philistines? And the LORD said unto David, Go, and smite the Philistines, and save Keilah. 3 And David's men said unto him, Behold, we be afraid here in Judah; how much more then if we come to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines? 4 Then David inquired of the LORD yet again. And the LORD answered him, and said, Arise, go down to Keilah; for I will deliver the Philistines into thine hand.. 5 So David and his men went to Keilah, and fought with the Philistines, and brought away their cattle, and smote them with a great slaugh ter. So David saved the inhabitants of Keilah. A. M. 2913 BC 1061 430. 6 And it came to pass, when Abiathar the son of Ahimelech fled to David to Keilah, that he came down with an ephod in his hand. 7 And it was told Saul that David was come to Keilah. And Saul said, An Exod. I God hath delivered him into mine hand; for he is shut in, by entering into a 22 And David said unto Abiathar, I knew it town that hath gates and bars. that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, 8 And Saul called all the people together to that he would surely tell Saul: I have occasion-war, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David ed the death of all the persons of thy father's and his men. house. 21 And Abiathar showed David that Saul had slain the LORD's priests. 23 Abide thou with me, fear not; for he that seeketh my life seeketh thy life: but with me thou shalt be in safeguard. Anno ante I. Olymp. 95. 9 And David knew that Saul secretly practised mischief against him: and he said to Abiathar the priest, Bring hither the ephod. 10 Then said David, O LORD God of Israel, thy servant hath certainly heard that Saul seekDavid succours Keilah, besieged by the Philistines; defeats them; and delivers the eth to come to Keilah, to destroy the city for CHAPTER XXIII. city, 1-6. Saul hearing that David was at Keilah, determines to come and seize him, 7,8. Davil inquires of the Lord concerning the fidelity of the men of Keilah toward him is informed that if he stays in the city, the men of Keilah will betray him to Saul, 1-12 David and his men escape from the city, and come to the wil my sake. 11 Will the men of Keilah deliver me up into derness of Ziph, 13-15. Jonathan meets him in the wood of Ziph; strengthens his his hand? will Saul come down, as thy servant hand in Gol; and they renew their covenant, 16-18. The Ziphites endeavour to betray David to Saul, but he and his men escape to Maon, 19--21. Saul comes to Maon; and having surrounded the mountain on which David and his men were, they must inevitably have fallen into his hands, had not a messenger come to call Saul to the secour of Judah, then invaded by the Philistines, 25--27. Saul leaves the pursuit of David, and goes to succour the land; and David escapes to En-gedi, 28, 29 An. Exod. Isr. 4:29. Anno ante I. Olyrup. 296. floors. THEN they told David, saying, Behold, the Philistines fight against Keilah, and they rob the thrashing b Or, guarde Heb. runners.- See Exod. 1. 17.-e See Ch. 2. 31.-f Ver. 9, 11. g Ch. 23. 6.—h Ch. 2. 33-11 Kings 2. 26.—k Josh. 15. 41. to the king. Nor is it likely that Ahimelech knew of any disagreement between Saul and David. He knew him to be the king's son-in-law, and he treated him as such. Verse 17. But the servants of the king would not] They dared to disobey the commands of the king, in a case of such injustice, inhumanity, and irreligion. Verse 18. And Doeg-fell upon the priests] A ruthless Edomite, capable of any species of iniquity. Fourscore and five persons] The Septuagint read τριακοσίους και πεντε ανδρας, three hundred and fire men; and Josephus has three hundred and eighty-five men. Probably the eighty-five were priests; the three hundred, the families of the priests; three hundred and eighty-five being the whole population of Nob. That did wear a linen ephod] That is, persons who did actually administer, or had a right to administer, in sacred things. The linen ephod was the ordinary clothing of the priests. Verse 13. And Nob-smote he with the edge of the sword] This is one of the worst acts in the life of Saul: his malice was implacable: and his wrath was cruel; and there is no motive of justice or policy by which such a barbarous act can be justified. Verse 20. Abiathar, escaped] This man carried with him his sacerdotal garments, as we find from chap. xxiv. 6, 9. Verse 22. I knew it that day] When I saw Doeg there, I suspected he would make the matter known to Saul. I have occasioned the death of all the persons] I have been the innocent cause of their destruction. Verse 23. He that seeketh my life seeketh thy life] The enmity of Saul is directed against thee, as well as against me; and thou canst have no safety but in being closely attached to me; and I will defend thee, even at the risk of my own life. This he was bound in duty and conscience to do. NOTES ON CHAPTER XXIII. Verse 1. The Philistines fight against Keilah] Keilah was a fortified town in the tribe of Judah, near to Eleutheropolis, on the road to Hebron. hath heard? O LORD God of Israel, I beseech thee, tell thy servant. And the LORD said, He will come down. 12 Then said David, Will the men of Keilah P deliver me and my men into the hand of Saul? And the LORD said, They will deliver thee up. 13 Then David and his men, which were about six hundred, arose and departed out of 1 Ver. 4, 6, 9. Ch. 30. 8. 2 Sam. 5. 19, 23-m Ch. 22. 20.-n Nomb, 27. 21. Ca 30. 7.-9 Ch. 22 19.—p Heb. shut up. —q Ch. 22. 2. & 25. 13. Rob the thrashing-floors] This was an ancient custom of the Philistines, Midianites, and others. See Judges, v. 4. When the corn was ripe, and fit to be thrashed, and they had collected it at the thrashing-floors, which were always in the open field, then their enemies came upon them, and spoiled them of the fruits of their harvest. Verse 2. Therefore David inquired of the LORD] In what way David made this inquiry we are not told; but it was probably by means of Abiathar; and, therefore, I think, with Houbigant, that the sixth verse should be rend immediately after the first. The adventure mentioned here was truly noble. Had not David loved his country, and been above all motives of private and personal revenge, he would have rejoiced in this invasion of Judah, as producing a strong diversion in his favour, and embroiling his inveterate enemy. In most cases, a man with David's wrongs would have joined with the enemies of his country, and avenged himself on the author of his adversities; but he thinks of nothing but succouring Keilah, and using his power and influence in behalf of his brethren! This is a rare instance of disinterested heroism. The LORD said-Go and smite] He might now go with confidence, being assured of success. When God promises success, who need be afraid of the face of any enemy? Verse 4. David inquired of the LORD yet again] This was to satisfy his men; who made the strong objections mentioned in the preceding verse. Verse 5. Brought away their cattle] The forage and spoil which the Philistines had taken; driving the country before them round about Keilah. Verse 6. Came down with an ephod] I think this verse should come iminediately after verse the first. See the note there. Verse 8. Saul called all the people together] That is, all the people of that region or district; that they might scour the country, and hunt out David from all his haunts. Verse 9. Bring hither the ephod] It seems as if David himself, clothed with the ephod, had consulted the LORD: and the 10th, 11th, and 12th verses contain the words of the consultation, and the Lord's answer. But see on ver. 2. Keilah, and went whithersoever they could go. And it was told Saul that David was escaped from Keilah; and he forbare to go forth. 14 And David abode in the wilderness in strong-holds, and remained in a mountain in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hand. 15 And David saw that Saul was come out to seek his life: and David was in the wilderness of Ziph in a wood. 16 And Jonathan, Saul's son, arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God. 17 And he said unto him, Fear not: for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee; and thou shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be next unto thee; and "that also Saul my father knoweth. 18 And they two made a covenant before the LORD: and David abode in the wood, and Jonathan went to his house. 22 Go, I pray you, prepare yet, and know and see his place where his haunt is, and who hath seen him there: for it is told me that he dealeth very subtilely. 23 See therefore, and take knowledge of all the lurking places where he hideth himself, and come ye again to me with the certainty, and I will go with you: and it shall come to pass, if he be in the land, that I will search him out throughout all the thousands of Judah. 24 And they arose, and went to Ziph before Saul: but David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon, in the plain on the south of Jeshimon. с 25 Saul also and his men went to seek him. And they told David: wherefore he came down into a rock, and abode in the wilderness of Maon. And when Saul heard that, he pursued after David in the wilderness of Maon. e 26 And Saul went on this side of the mountain, and David and his men on that side of the mountain: and David made haste to get away 19 Then came up the Ziphites to Saul to for fear of Saul; for Saul and his men compassGibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself ed David and his men round about to take them. with us in strong-holds in the wood, in the hill 27 But there came a messenger unto Saul, of Hachilah, which is on the south of Jeshi-saying, Haste thee, and come; for the Philistines mon? 20 Now, therefore, O king, come down according to all the desire of thy soul to come down; and our part shall be to deliver him into the king's hand. 21 And Saul said, Blessed be ye of the LORD; for ye have compassion on me. r Ps. 11. 1-8 Josh. 15. 55-t Psa. 54. 3, 4.-u Chap. 24. 20.-v Chap. 18. 3. & 20. 16, 42 2 Sam. 21. 7.-w See Ch. 26. 1. Psa. 54, title.-x Heb. on the right hand. y Or, the wilderness. Verses 11, 12. In these verses we find the following questions and answers: David said, Will Saul come down to Keilah? And the Lord said, He will come down. Will the men of Keilah deliver me and my men into the hand of Saul? And the Lord said, They will deliver thee up. In this short history we find an ample proof that there is such a thing as contingency in human affairs: that is, God has poised many things between a possibility of being and not being; leaving it to the will of the creature to turn the scale. In the above answers of the Lord, the following conditions were evidently implied: IF thou continue in Keilah, Saul will certainly come down; and, IF Saul come down, the men of Keilah will deliver thee into his hands. Now, though the text positively asserts that Saul would come to Keilah, yet he did not come; and that the men of Keilah would deliver David into his hand, yet David was not thus delivered to him. And why? Because David left Keilah;-but had he staid, Saul would have come down, and the men of Keilah would have betrayed David. We may observe from this, that, however positive a declaration of God may appear, that refers to any thing in which man is to be employed, the prediction is not intended to suspend or destroy free-agency, but always comprehends in it some particular condition. Verse 14. Wilderness of Ziph] Ziph was a city in the southern part of Judea, not far from Carmel. Verse 16. And Jonathan-strengthened his hand in God.] It is probable that there was always a secret intercourse between David and Jonathan; and that, by this most trusty friend, he was apprised of the various designs of Saul to take away his life. As Jonathan well knew that God had appointed David to the kingdom, he came now to encourage him to trust in the Most High; and to assure him that the hand of Saul should not prevail against him: and at this interview they renewed their covenant of friendship. Now, all this Jonathan could do, consistently with his duty to his father and his king. He knew that David had delivered the kingdom: he saw that his father was ruling unconstitutionally; and he knew that God had appointed David to succeed Saul. This he knew would come about in the order of providence; and neither he nor David took one step to hasten the time. Jonathan, by his several interferences, prevented his father from imbruing his hands in innocent blood: a more filial, and a more loyal part, he could not have acted; and, therefore, in his attachment to David, he is wholly free of blame. Verse 25. The wilderness of Maon] Maon was a mountainous district, in the most southern parts of Judah. Calmet supposes it to be the city of Menoïs, which Eusebius places in the vicinity of Gaza; and the Manæmi have invaded the land. 28 Wherefore Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines: therefore they called that place ↳ Sela-hammahlekoth. 29 And David went up from thence, and dwelt in strong-holds at En-gedi. z Psa. 54. 3.-a Heb. foot shall be.-b Josh. 15. 55. Ch. 25. 2-c Or, from the rock.-d Psa. 31. 22-e Pa. 17. 9.-f See 2 Kings 19. 9.-g Heb. spread themselves upon, &c-h That is, the rock of divisions.-i 2 Chron. 20. 2. Castrum, which the Theodosian code places near to Beersheba. Verse 26. Saul went on this side of the mountain] Evidently not knowing that David and his men were on the other side. Verse 27. There came a messenger] See the providence of God exerted for the salvation of David's life! David and his men are almost surrounded by Saul and his army, and on the point of being taken, when a messenger arrives, and informs Saul that the Philistines had invaded the land! But behold the workings of providence! God had already prepared the invasion of the land by the Philistines, and kept Saul ignorant how much David was in his power: but as his advanced guards and scouts must have discovered him in a very short time, the messenger arrives just in the nick of time to prevent it! Here David was delivered by God; and, in such a manner too, as rendered the divine interposition visible. Verse 28. They called that place Sela-hammah-lekoth.] That is, the rock of divisions; because, says the Targum, the heart of the king was divided to go hither and thither. Here Saul was obliged to separate himself from David, in order to go and oppose the invading Philistines. Verse 29. Strong holds at En-gedi.] En-gedi was situated near to the western coast of the Dead sea, not far from Jeshimon: it literally signifies the kid's well; and was celebrated for its vineyards, Cant. i. 14. It was also celebrated for its balm. It is reported to be a mountainous territory, filled with caverns; and consequently proper for David in his present circumstances. How thrashing-floors were made among the ancients, we learn from CATO, De Re Rusticâ, chap. xci. and exxix. And, as I believe it would be an excellent method to make the most durable and efficient barn-floors, I will set it down. Aream sic facito. Locum ubi facies confodito; postca amurca conspergito bene, sinitoque combibat. Postea comminuito glebas bene. Deinde coaquato, et paviculis verberato. Postea denuo amurca conspergito, sinitoque arescat. Si ita feceris neque formice nocebunt, neque herba nascentur: et cum pluerit, lutum non erit. "Make a thrashing-floor thus: dig the place thoroughly; afterward sprinkle it well with the lees of oil, and give it time to soak in. Then beat the clods very fine; make it level, and beat it well down with a paviour's rammer. When this is done, spinkle it afresh with the oil lees, and let it dry. This being done, the mice cannot burrow in it, no grass can grow through it, nor will the rain dissolve the surface to raise mud." The directions of COLUMELLA are nearly the same; but, CHAPTER XXIV. Saul is informed that David is at En-gedi; and goes to seck him with three thousand observing this, exhort David to take away his life: David refuses, and contents him self with privily cutting off Saul's skitt, 3-7. When Saud de parted, not knowing what was door, David called after him; showed him that his life had been in his power; expostulates strongly with him; and appeals to God, the judge of his innocruce, 8-15. Saul confesses David's uprightness; acknowledges his obligation to him for sparing his life; and causes hind to swear that, when he should come to the kingdom, he would not destroy his seed, 17-21 Saul returns home and David and his men stay in the hold, 22. An. Exod. Inc. men, 1, 2. He goes into a cave to repose, where David and his men lay hid; who, 430. Anno ante 6 And he said unto his men, The LORD forbid AND it came to pass, & when Saul was returnd from following the that I should do this thing unto my master, the I. Olymp. 235. Philistines, that it was told him, say- LORD's anointed, to stretch forth mine hand ing, Behold, David is in the wilderness of En-against him, seeing he is the anointed of the gedi. LORD. 2 Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats. 3 And he came to the sheep-cotes by the way, where was a cave; and "Saul went in to cover his feet: and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave. 4 And the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the LORD said unto thee, k Chap. 23. 23.-1 Heb. after-mn Psalm 38. 12-n Psalm 141. 6-0 Judg. 3. 24. p Ps 57, title, & 142, title.-q Ch. 26. 8. as there are some differences of importance, I will subjoin his account. V 7 So David "stayed his servants with these words, and suffered them not to rise against Saul. But Saul rose up out of the cave, and went on his way. 8 David also rose afterward, and went out of the cave, and cried after Saul, saying, My lord the king. And when Saul looked behind him, David stooped with his face to the earth, and bowed himself. r Heb. the robe which was Saul's.- 2 Sam. 24. 10.-t Ch. 26. 11.-u Heb. end of. v Psalm 7. 4. Matt. 5. 44. Rom. 12. 17, 19. Dr. Pocock observes, "Beyond the valley (of Tekoa) there is a very large grotto, which the Arabs call El Maamah, a hiding-place: the high rocks on each side of the valley are almost perpendicular; and the way to the grotto is by a terrace formed in the rock, which is very narrow. There are two entrances into it; we went by the farthest, which leads by a narrow passage into a very large grotto, the rock being supported by great natural pillars: the top of it rises in several parts like domes; the grotto is perfectly dry. There is a tradition, that the people of the country, to the number of thirty thousand, retired into this grotto, to avoid a bad air. This place is so strong, that one would imagine it to be one of the strong-holds of En-gedi, to which David and his men fled from Saul: and possibly it may be that very cave in which he cut off Saul's skirt; for David and his men might, with great ease, lie hid there, and not be seen by him." Pocock's Travels, vol. ii. part p. 41. Area quoque si terrena erit, ut sit ad trituram satis habilis, primum radatur, deinde confodiatur, permixtis paleis cum amurcâ, quæ salem non accepit, extergatur: nam ca res a populatione murium formicarumque frumenta defendit. Tum æquata paviculis, vel molari lapide condensetur, et rursus subjectis paleis inculcetur, atque ita solibus siccanda relinquatur. De Re Rusticâ, lib. ii. c. 20. "If you would have a thrashing-floor made on the open ground, that it may be proper for the purpose, first pare off the surface, then let it be well digged and mixed with lees of oil, unsalted, with which chaff has been mingled; for this prevents the mice and ants from burrowing and injuring the corn. Then level it with a paver's rammer, or press it down with a millstone. Afterward, scatter chaff over it, tread it down, and leave it to be dried by the sun." This may be profitably used within doors, as well as ini. the field and a durable and solid floor is a matter of very great consequence to the husbandman, as it prevents the floor from being injured by sand or dust. NOTES ON CHAPTER XXIV. Verse 1. Saul was returned] It is very probable that it was only a small marauding party that had made an excursion in the Israelitish borders; and this invasion was soon suppressed. Verse 2. Rocks of the wild goats] The original tsurey ha-yêlim, is variously understood. The VULGATE makes a paraphrase; Super abruptissimas petras quæ solis ibicibus pervia sunt: "On the most precipitous rocks, over which the ibexes alone can travel." The TARGUM, the caverns of the rocks; the SEPTUAGINT make the original a proper name; for, out of tsurey hayelim, they make Zaddaien, Saddaiem; and in some copies Actapety, Aeiamein; which are evidently corruptions of the Hebrew. Verse 3. The sheep-cotes] Caves in the rocks; in which it is common, even to the present time, for shepherds and their flocks to lodge. According to Strabo, there are caverns in Syria, one of which is capable of containing four thousand men: Sv iv Kaι TEтpakioxidiový avbρwπovs detaσOai dvvapevov, lib. xvi. p. 1096. Edit. 1707. Saul went in to cover his feet] Perhaps this phrase signifies exactly what the Vulgate has rendered it, ut purgaret ventrem. The Septuagint, the Targum, and the Arabic, understand it in the same way. It is likely, that when he had performed this act of necessity, that he lay down to repose himself; and it was while he was asleep that David cut off the skirt of his robe. It is strange that Saul was not aware that there might be men lying in wait in such a place; and the rabbins have invented a most curious conceit to account for Saul's security:-"God, foreseeing that Saul would come to this cave, caused a spider to weave her web over the mouth of it; which, when Saul perceived, he took for granted that no person had lately been there; and, consequently, he entered it without suspicion." This may be literally true; and we know that even a spider, in the hand of God, may be the instrument of a great salvation. This is a Jewish tradition; and one of the most elegant and instructive in their whole collection. David and his men remained in the sides of the cave.] This is no hyperbole we have not only the authority of Strabo, as above mentioned, but we have the authority of the most accurate travellers, to attest the fact of the vast capacity of caves in the East. : Verse 4. And the men of David said] We know not to what promise of God the men of David refer: they, perhaps, meant no more than to say, "Behold, the Lord hath delivered thine enemy into thy hand; now do to him as he wishes to do to thee." Then David arose] Though I have a high opinion of the character of David, yet the circumstances of the case seem to indicate that he arose to take away the life of Saul; and that it was in reference to this that his heart smote him. It appears that he rose up immediately, at the desire of his men, to slay his inveterate enemy, and one whom he knew the Lord had rejected: but, when about to do it, he was prevented by the remonstrance of God in his conscience; and instead of cutting off his head, as he might have done, an act which the laws and usages of war would have justified, he contented himself with cutting off the skirt of his robe; and he did this only to show Saul how much he had been in his power. Verse 6. The LORD's anointed] Howsoever unworthily Saul was now acting, he had been appointed to his high office by God himself; and he could only be removed by the authority which placed him on the throne. Even David, who knew he was appointed to reign in his stead, and whose life Saul had often sought to destroy, did not conceive that he had any right to take away his life: and he grounds the reasons of his forbearance on this, he is my master; I am his subject. He is the Lord's anointed; and therefore sacred, as to his person, in the Lord's sight. It is an awful thing to kill a king, even the most untoward, when he has once been constitutionally appointed to the throne. No experiment of this kind has ever succeeded; the Lord abhors king-killing. Had David taken away the life of Saul, at this time, he would, in the sight of God, have been a murderer. Verse 7. Suffered them not to rise against Saul.] As he could restrain them, it was his duty to do so: had he connived at their killing him, David would have been the murderer. In praying for the king, we call God the only ruler of princes; for this simple reason, that their autho rity is the highest among men, and next to that of God himself: hence, he alone is above them. We find this sentiment well expressed by an elegant poet: Regum timendorum in proprios greges, Horace, Odar. 1. iii Od. i. ver S. 9 And David said to Saul, Wherefore hear est thou men's words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt? 10 Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the LORD had delivered thee to-day into mine hand in the cave; and some bade me kill thee: but mine eye spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord: for he is the LORD's anointed. him go well away? Wherefore the LORD reward thee good for that thou hast done unto me this day. 20 And now, behold, "I know well that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thine hand. 0 21 Swear now therefore unto me by the LORD, P that thou wilt not cut off my seed after me; and that thou wilt not destroy my name out of my father's house. 22 And David sware unto Saul. And Saul went home; but David and his men gat them 11 Moreover, my father, see, yea, see the skirt of thy robe in my hand: for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe, and killed thee not, know thou and see that there is neither evil nor trans-up unto the hold. gression in mine hand, and I have not sinned against thee; yet thou huntest my soul to take it. 12 The LORD judge between me and thee, and the LORD avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee. 13 As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked: but mine hand shall not be upon thee. a 14 After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea? е 15 The LORD therefore be judge, and judge between me and thee; and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thine hand. 16 And it came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words unto Saul, that Saul said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And Saul lifted up his voice, and wept. 17h And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil. 18 And thou hast showed this day how that thou hast dealt well with me: forasmuch as when the LORD had m delivered me into thine hand, thou killedst me not. CHAPTER XXV. The death of Samuel, 1. The history of Nabal, and his churlishness toward David and his men, 2-12. David determining to punish him, is appeased by Abigail, Nabal's wife, 13---35. Abigail returns, and tells Nabal of the danger that he had escaped; who, on hearing it, is thunderstruck, and dies in ten days, 36-38. David, hearing of this, sends and takes Abigail to wife, 39-42. He marries also Ahinoam, of Jezreel, Saul having given Michal, David's wife, to Phalti, the son of Laish, 43, 44. AND Samuel died: and all the Is- 4. M. 2004. S B. C. 431. raelites were gathered together, An Exod. Isr. and lamented him, and buried him in Anno ante his house at Ramah. And David arose, Olymp. 284. and went down to the wilderness of Paran. 21 And there was a man "in Maon, whose possessions were in Carmel; and the man was very great, and he had three thousand sheep, and a thousand goats: and he was shearing his sheep in Carmel. 3 Now the name of the man was Nabal; and the name of his wife Abigail: and she was a woman of good understanding, and of a beautiful countenance: but the man was churlish and evil in his doings; and he was of the house of Caleb. 4 And David heard in the wilderness that Nabal did shear his sheep. 5 And David sent out ten young men; and David said unto the young men, Get you up to Car19 For, if a man find his enemy, will he let mel, and go to Nabal, and greet him in my name: P. 141. 6. Prov. 16. 23. & 17. 9.-x Psa. 7. 3. & 35, 7.-y Ch. 26. 20.-2 Gen. 16. 5. Judg. 11. 27. Ch. 26. 10. Job 5. 8.-a Ch. 17. 43. 2 Sam. 9. 8.-b Ch. 26. 20. e Ver. 12-d 2 Chron. 24. 22-e Psa. 35. 1. & 43. 1. & 119. 154. Mic. 7. 9.-f Heb. judge.-g Ch. 25. 17.-h Ch. 26. 21.-i Gen. 38. 26.-k Matt. 5. 44.-1 Ch. 26. 23. Verse 13. Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked] This proverb may be thus understood: he that does a wicked act, gives proof thereby that he is a wicked man. From him who is wicked, wickedness will proceed: he who is wicked, will add one act of iniquity to another. Had I conspired to dethrone you, I would have taken your life when it was in my power; and thus added wickedness to wickedness. Verse 14. After a dead dog] A term used among the Hebrews to signify the most sovereign contempt. See 2 Sam. xvi. 9. One utterly incapable of making the least resistance against Saul, and the troops of Israel. The same idea is expressed in the term flea. The Targum properly expresses both thus: one who is weak, one who is contemptible. Verse 15. The LORD therefore be judge] Let God determine who is guilty. Verse 16. My son David] David had called Saul his master, lord, and king. Saul accosts him here as his son, to show that he felt perfectly reconciled to him, and wished to receive him, as formerly, into his family. Verse 19. If a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away?] Or, rather, Will he send him in a good way? But Houbigant translates the whole clause thus: Si quis inimicum suum reperiens, dimittit eum in viam bonam, redditur ei à domino sua merces-"If a man finding his enemy, send him by a good way, the Lord will give him his reward." The words which are here put in italic, are not in the Hebrew text; hut they are found, at least in the sense, in the Septuagint, Syriac, and Arabic; and seem necessary to complete the sense: therefore, adds Saul, the Lord will reward thee good for what thou hast done unto me. Verse 20. I know well that thou shalt surely be king] Hebrew, Reigning, thou shalt reign. He knew this before; and yet he continued to pursue him with the most deadly hatred. Verse 21. Swear now] Saul knew that an oath would bind David, though it was insufficient to bind himself: see chap. xix. 6. He had sworn to his son Jonathan that David should not be slain; and yet sought, by all means in his power, to destroy him. Verse 22. Saul went home] Confounded at a sense of | m Heb. shut up. Ch. 23. 12. & 26. 8.-n Ch. 23. 17.-o Gen. 21. 23-p 2 Sam. 21.6. 8. Ch. 23. 29. Ecclus. 12. 10, 11-r Ch. 28. 3.-s Numb. 20. 29. Deut. 34. 8.-t Gen. 21. 21. Paa. 120. 5.-u Ch. 23. 24.-v Or, business.-w Josh. 15. 55.-x Gen. 38. 13. 2 Sam. 13. 23-y Heb. ask him in my name of peace. Chap. 17. 2. his own baseness; and overwhelmed with a sense of David's generosity. David and his men gat them up unto the hold.] Went up to Mizpeh, according to the Syriac and Arabic. David could not trust Saul with his life; the utmost he could expect from him was, that he should cease from persecuting him; but even this was too much to expect from a man of such a character as Saul. He was no longer under the divine guidance; an evil spirit had full dominion over his soul. What God fills not, the devil will occupy. NOTES ON CHAPTER XXV. Verse 1. And Samuel died] Samuel lived, as is supposed, about ninety-eight years; was in the government of Israel before Saul from sixteen to twenty years; and ceased to live, according to the Jews, about four months before the death of Saul; but, according to Calmet and others, two years. But all this is very uncertain: how long he died before Saul cannot be ascertained. For some account of his character, see the end of the chapter. Buried him in his house] Probably, this means not his dwelling-house, but the house or tomb he had made for his sepulture: and thus the Syriac and Arabic seem to have understood it. David-went down to the wilderness of Paran.] This was either on the confines of Judea, or in Arabia Petræa, between the mountains of Judah and Mount Sinai: it is evident, from the history, that it was not far from Carmel, on the south confines of Judah. Verse 3. The name of the man was Nabal] The word Sa nabal, signifies to be foolish, base, or villanous; and hence the Latin word nebulo, knave, is susposed to be derived. The name of his wife Abigail] The joy or exultation of my father. A woman of sense and beauty, married to the hog mentioned above; probably because he was rich. Many women have been thus sacrificed. Of the house of Caleb]ve hu Calebi, "he was a Calebite." But as the word caleb signifies a dog, the Septuagint have understood it as implying a man of a canine disposition, and translated it thus: kató avopano Komikos, he was a doggish man. It is understood in the same way by the Syriac and Arabic. 6 And thus shall ye say to him that liveth in 17 Now therefore know and consider what prosperity, Peace be both to thee, and peace be to thou wilt do; for " evil is determined against our thine house, and peace be unto all that thou hast. master, and against all his household: for he is 7 And now I have heard that thou hast shear-such a son of Belial, that a man cannot speak ers: now thy shepherds which were with us, we hurt them not, neither was there aught missing unto them, all the while they were in Carmel. b 8 Ask the young men, and they will show thee. Wherefore let the young men find favour in thine eyes for we come in a good day; give, I pray thee, whatsoever cometh to thine hand unto thy servants, and to thy son David. 9 And when David's young men came, they spake to Nabal according to all those words in the name of David, and ceased. 10 And Nabal answered David's servants, and said, Who is David? and who is the son of Jesse? There be many servants nowadays that break away every man from his master. 11 Shall I then take my bread, and my water, and my flesh that I have killed for my shearers, and give it unto men whom I know not whence they be? 12 So David's young men turned their way, and went again, and came and told him all those sayings. 13 And David said unto his men, Gird ye on every man his sword. And they girded on every man his sword; and David also girded on his sword: and there went up after David about four hundred men; and two hundred abode by the stuff. 14 T But one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal's wife, saying, Behold, David sent messengers out of the wilderness to salute our master; and he i railed on them. k 15 But the men were very good unto us, and we were not hurt, neither missed we any thing, as long as we were conversant with them, when we were in the fields: to him. १ 18 Then Abigail made haste, and P took two hundred loaves, and two bottles of wine, and five sheep ready dressed, and five measures of parched corn, and a hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid them on asses. 19 And she said unto her servants, Go on before me; behold, I come after you. But she told not her husband Nabal. 20 And it was so, as she rode on the ass, that she came down by the covert of the hill, and. behold, David and his men came down against her; and she met them. 21 Now David had said, Surely in vain have I kept all that this fellow hath in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that pertained unto him: and he hath requited me evil for good. 22" So and more also do God unto the enemies of David, if I leave of all that pertain to him by the morning light any that pisseth. against the wall. W 23 And when Abigail saw David, she hasted, and lighted off the ass, and fell before David on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, 24 And fell at his feet, and said, Upon me, my lord, upon me let this iniquity be: and let thine handmaid, I pray thee, speak in thine audience, and hear the words of thine handmaid. a 25 Let not my lord, I pray thee, regard this man of Belial, even Nabal: for as his name is, so is he; Nabal is his name, and folly is with him: but I thine handmaid saw not the young men of my lord, whom thou didst send. 26 Now, therefore, my lord, as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, seeing the LORD hath withholden thee from coming to shed blood, and from davenging thyself with thine own and day, all the while we were with them keep-hand, now let thine enemies, and they that seek ing the sheep. evil to my lord, be as Nabal. 16 They were m a wall unto us both by night z Chron. 12 18. Psalm 122, 7, Luke 10. 5.-a Heb. shamed.-b Verse 15, 21. e Neh. 8. 10. Esth. 9. 19.- Heb. rested-e Judges 9. 23. Psa. 73, 7, 8. & 123, 3, 4. f Judges 86-g Heb. slaughter.-h Ch. 30. 24-i Heb. flew upon them.-k Ver. 7. 1 Heb. shamed-m Exod. 14. 22. Job 1. 10.-n Chap. 20. 7.-0 Deut. 13. 13. Judg. 19. 22-p Gen. 32. 13. Prov. 18. 16. & 21. 14. Verse 6. Peace be both to thee] This is the ancient form of sending greetings to a friend: Peace to THEE, Peace to thy HOUSEHOLD, and Peace to all that THOU HAST. That is, may both thyself, thy family, and all that pertain unto thee, be in continual prosperity! Perhaps David, by this salutation, wished Nabal to understand that he had acted so toward him and his property, that nothing had been destroyed, and that all had been protected: see ver. 15, 16, 17. Verse 7. Thy shepherds which were with us, we hurt them not] It is most evident that David had a claim upon Nabal, for very essential services performed to his herdsmen at Carmel. He not only did them no hurt, and took none of their flocks for the supply of his necessities, but he protected them from the rapacity of others: they were a WALL unto us, said Nabal's servants, both by night and day. In those times, and to the present day, wandering hordes of Arabs, under their several chiefs, think they have a right to exact contributions of provisions, &c. wherever they come : David had done nothing of this kind, but protected them against those who would. Verse 8. Whatsoever cometh to thine hand] As thou art making a great feast for thy servants, and I and my men, as having essentially served thee, would naturally come in for a share, were we present; send a portion by my ten young men, for me and my men, that we also may rejoice with you. Certainly this was a very reasonable, and a very modest request. Verse 10. Who is David?] Nabal's answer shows the surliness of his disposition. It was unjust to refuse so reasonble a request; and the manner of the refusal was highly insulting. It is true what his own servants said of him, He is such a son of Belial that one cannot speak to him, ver. 17. Verse 13. Took two hundred loaves] The Eastern bread is ordinarily both thin and small; and answers to our cakes. Two bottles of wine] That is, two goat-skins full. The hide is pulled off the animal without ripping up; the f e q Or, lumps.-r Gen. 32. 16, 20-s Ecclna 12 1.- Psa. 109. 5. Prov. 17, 13. u Ruth 1. 17. Chap. 3. 17. & 20, 13, 16.- Verse 34-w1 Kings 14. 10 & N. 2 Kings 9. S.-x Josh. 15. 18. Judges 1. 14.-y Heb. ears.-z Heb. lay it to his heart. a. That is, fool-b 2 Kings 2 2-c Gen. 20. 6. Ver. 33-d Heb saving thyself. e Rom. 12. 19-f 2 Sam 18. 32 places where the legs, &c. were, are sewed up, and then the skin appears one large bag. This is properly the Scripture and Eastern bottle. Five sheep] Not one sheep to one hundred men. Cakes of figs] Figs cured, and then pressed together. We receive the former in jars, and the latter in small barrels; and both articles answer the description here given. Now all this provision was a matter of little worth; and, had it been granted in the first instance, it would have perfectly satisfied David, and secured the good offices of him and his men. Abigail showed both her wisdom and prudence in making this provision. Out of three thousand sheep Nabal could not have missed fire; and, as this claim was made only in the time of sheep-shearing, it could not have been made more than once in the year: and it certainly was a small price for such important services. Verse 20. She came down-and David-came down] David was coming down mount Pharan; Abigail was coming down from Carmel. Calmet. Verse 22. So and more also do God] Nothing can justify this part of David's conduct. Whatever his provocation might have been, he had suffered, properly speaking, no wrongs; and his resolution to cut off a whole innocent family, because Nabal had acted ungenerously toward him, was abominable and cruel; not to say diabolic. He who attempts to vindicate this conduct of David, is, at least constructively, a foe to God and truth. David himself condemns this most rash and unwarrantable conduct, and thanks God for having prevented him from doing this evil,. ver. 32, &c. Any that pisseth against the wall] This expression certainly means either men or dogs; and should be thus translated, If I leave-any male and this will answer both to men and dogs, and the offensive mode of expression be avoided. I will not enter farther into the subject: Bochart and Calmet have done enough, and more than enough; and in the plainest language too. |