9  A short account of Saul, Sa1 9:1-2.
Seeking his father's asses, he is advised to consult Samuel, Sa1 9:3-10.
He is directed to him, Sa1 9:11-14.
Samuel being informed of God concerning him, treats him with respect, and prepares him for the news, that he must be king, Sa1 9:15-27.

9:12 Came to - day to the city - He had been travelling abroad, and was now returned to his own house in Ramah.High place - Upon the hill mentioned ver. Sa1 9:11, and near the altar which Samuel built for this use.

9:13 Find him - At home and at leisure. To eat - The relicks of the sacrifices. Doth bless - The blessing of this sacrifice seems to have consisted both of thanksgiving, this being a thank - offering, and of prayer to God for its acceptance.

9:15 His ear - That is, secretly, perhaps by a still small voice.

9:16 Philistines - For though they were now most pressed with the Ammonites, yet they looked upon these as a land - flood, soon up, and soon down again: but the Philistines, their constant and nearest enemies, they most dreaded. And from these did Saul in some measure save them, and would have saved them much more, if his and the people's sins had not hindered.

9:20 On whom - Who is he that shall be that, which all Israel desire to have, namely, a king. Father's house - That honour is designed for thee, and, after thy death, for thy family or posterity, is by thy sin thou dost not cut off the entail.

9:21 The smallest - For so indeed this was, having been all cut off except six hundred, Jdg 20:46-48, which blow they never recovered, and therefore they were scarce reckoned as an entire tribe, but only as a remnant of a tribe; and being ingrafted into Judah, in the division between the ten tribes and the two, they in some sort lost their name, and together with Judah were accounted but one tribe.

9:22 Chief place - Thereby to raise their expectation, and to prepare them for giving that honour to Saul, which his approaching dignity required.

9:24 I said - When I first spake that I had invited the people to join with me in my sacrifice, and then to partake with me of the feast, I then bade the cook reserve this part for thy use.

9:25 Communed - Concerning the kingdom designed for him by God.

9:27 Pass on - That thou and I may speak privately of the matter or the kingdom. Which Samuel hitherto endeavoured to conceal, lest he should be thought now to impose a king upon them, as before he denied one to them; and that it might appear by the lot mentioned in the next chapter, that the kingdom was given to Saul by God's destination, and not by Samuel's contrivance. Word of God - That is, a message delivered to me from God, which now I shall impart to thee.

10  The anointing of Saul, Sa1 10:1.
Samuel gives him signs and instruction, Sa1 10:2-8.
The signs accomplished, Sa1 10:9-13.
His return to his father's house, Sa1 10:14-16.
He is elected, solemnly inaugurated, and returns to his own city, Sa1 10:17-27.

10:1 Poured it - Which Is was the usual rite in the designation, as of priests and prophets, so also of kings, whereby was signified the pouring forth of the gifts of God's spirit upon him, to fit him for the administration of his office. These sacred unctions then used, pointed at the great Messiah, or anointed One, the King of the church, and High - priest of our profession, who was anointed with the oil of the spirit without measure, above all the priests and princes of the Jewish church. Kissed - As a testimony of his sincere friendship and affection to him. His inheritance - That is, over his own peculiar people. Whereby he admonisheth Saul, that this people were not so much his, as God's; and that he was not to rule them according his own will, but according to the will of God.

10:2 Rachel's sepulchre - In the way to Bethlehem, which city was in Judah; her sepulchre might be either in Judah, or in Benjamin; for the possessions of those two tribes were bordering one upon another.The first place he directs him to was a sepulchre, the sepulchre of one of his ancestors. There he must read a lecture of his own mortality, and now he had a crown in his eye, must think of his grave, in which all his honour would be laid in the dust.

10:3 Plain - Not that at the foot of mount Tabor, which was far from these parts; but another belonging to some other place.Bethel - Properly so called, which was in Ephraim, where there was a noted high - place, famous for Jacob's vision there, Gen 28:19, where it is probable they offered sacrifices, in this confused state of things, when the ark was in one place, and the tabernacle in another.

10:5 Prophets - By prophets he understands persons that wholly devoted themselves to religious studies and exercises. For the term of prophesying is not only given to the most eminent act of it, foretelling things to come; but also to preaching, and to the making or singing of psalms, or songs of praise to God. And they that wholly attended upon these things, are called sons of the prophets, who were commonly combined into companies or colleges, that they might more conveniently assist one another in God's work. This institution God was pleased so far to honour and bless, that sometimes he communicated unto those persons the knowledge of future things. Psaltery - Such instruments of musick being then used by prophets and other persons, for the excitation of their spirits in God's service.Prophesy - Either sing God's praises, or speak of the things of God, by a peculiar impulse of his spirit.

10:6 Will come - Heb. will leap, or rush upon thee.Another man - That is, thou shalt be suddenly endowed with another spirit, filled with skill of divine things, with courage, and wisdom, and magnanimity; and other qualifications befitting thy dignity.

10:7 Thou do - Heb. do what they hand findeth to do; that is, as thou shalt have a call and opportunity. He doth not intend that he should take the kingly government upon him, before his call to it was owned by the people, but that he should dispose his mind to a readiness of undertaking any public service when he should be called to his office.

10:8 Till I come - This, though now mentioned and commanded, was not immediately to be performed; as is evident, partly from the whole course of the story, (which shews, that Saul and Samuel, and the people, first met at Mizpeh, ver. Sa1 10:17, etc where Saul was chosen by God, and accepted by the people as king; and afterwards went to Gilgal once before the time here spoken of, chap.Sa1 11:14-15) and partly, by comparing this place with chap.Sa1 13:8, etc where we find Saul charged with the violation of this command, two years after the giving of it. It seems this is given as a standing rule for Saul to observe while Samuel and he lived; that in case of any great future difficulties, as the invasion of enemies, Saul should resort to Gilgal, and call the people thither, and tarry there seven days, which was but a necessary time for gathering the people, and for the coming of Samuel thither. And Gilgal was chosen for this purpose, because that place was famous for the solemn renewing of the covenant between God and Israel, Jos 4:19-24, and for other eminent instances of God's favour to them, the remembrance whereof was a confirmation of their faith; and because it was a very convenient place for he tribes within and without Jordan to assemble, and consult, and unite their forces together upon such occasions.

10:10 Prophesied - The accomplishment of the two former signs is supposed, and this only is expressed, because this was more eminent than the former; the other were only transient acts, which passed in private between two or three persons meeting together; but this was a more permanent and notorious sign, done in a more solemn manner, and before many witnesses.

10:11 Is Saul - A man never instructed, nor exercised in, nor inclined to these matters.

10:12 Who is, etc - Who is the father of all these prophets, among whom Saul now is one? Who is it that instructs and inspires them but God?They have it not from their parents, nor from their education, but by inspiration from God, who, when he pleaseth, can inspire Saul, or any other man with the same skill. And therefore wonder not at this matter, but give God the glory of it. A proverb - Used when any strange, or unexpected thing happened.

10:13 High place - Returning thither with the prophets, to praise God for these wonderful favours, and to beg counsel and help from God in this high business.

10:16 Told not - In obedience to Samuel, who obliged him to secrecy: and from an humble modesty.

10:19 Now therefore, etc - He puts them upon chusing their king by lot, that all might know God had chosen Saul (for the disposal of the lot is of the Lord) and to prevent all dispute and exception.

10:20 Benjamin - Which tribe was now preferred before Judah, because the kingdom was freely promised by God to Judah, and was to be given to him in love; but now the kingdom was in a manner forced from God, and given them in anger and therefore conferred upon an obscure tribe.

10:22 Enquired - Either by Urim or Thummim, which was the usual way of enquiry. Or, by Samuel, who by his prayer procured an answer.Stuff - Among the carriages or baggage of the people there assembled.This he probably did, from a sense of his own unworthiness.

10:24 None like him - As to the height of his bodily stature, which was in itself, commendable in a king, and some kind of indication of great endowments of mind. God save the king - Heb. let the king live; that is, long and prosperously. Hereby they accept him for their king, and promise subjection to him. None will be losers in the end by their humility and modesty. Honour, like the shadows, follows them that flee from it, but flees from them that pursue it.

10:25 Manner of the kingdom - The laws and rules by which the kingly government was to be managed; agreeable to those mentioned Deu 17:16, etc Before the Lord - Before the ark, where it was kept safe fromdepravation.

10:26 Went home - Not being actually inaugurated into his kingdom, he thought fit to retire to his former habitation, and to live privately 'till he had an occasion to shew himself in a more illustrious manner.Then went - To give him safe and honourable conduct to his house, though not to abide with him there, which did not suit his present circumstance.

10:27 No presents - As subjects in those times used to do to their kings. This was an evidence both of his humility, and the mercifulness of his disposition. So Christ held his peace, in the day of his patience.But there is a day of recompense coming.

11  The distress of Jabesh - gilead, Sa1 11:1-3.
Saul's readiness to relieve them, and success, Sa1 11:4-11.
His tenderness to them that opposed him, Sa1 11:12-13.
He is confirmed in his kingdom, Sa1 11:14-15.

11:1 Then - That is, about that time; for that this happened before, and was the occasion of their desire of a king, may seem from chap.Sa1 12:12, although it is possible, that Nahash's preparation, might cause that desire, and that he did not actually come 'till their king was chosen. Will serve - The occasion of this offer was, that they saw no likelihood of relief from their brethren in Canaan.

11:2 Thrust out, etc - Partly for a reproach, as it here follows; and partly, to disable them. He leaves them one eye, that they might be fit to serve in any mean and base office.

11:5 After the herd - For being only anointed king, and not publickly inaugurated, nor having yet had opportunity of doing any thing worthy of his place, he thought fit to forbear all royal state, and to retire to his former private life, which, howsoever despised in this latter ages, was anciently in great esteem. Good magistrates are in pain, if their subjects are in tears.

11:7 Sent them - Wisely considering, that the sight of mens eyes does much more affect their hearts, than what they only hear with their ears.Samuel - Whom he joins with himself, both because he was present with him; and that hereby he might gain the more authority. Fear - A fear sent upon them by God, that they should not dare to deny their help. The fear of God will make men good subjects, good soldiers, and good friends to their country. They that fear God will make conscience of their duty to all men, particularly to their rulers.

11:8 Men of Judah - Who are numbered apart to their honour, to shew how readily they, to whom the kingdom was promised, Gen 49:10, submitted to their king, though of another tribe; and how willing they were to hazard themselves for their brethren although they might have excused themselves from the necessity of defending their own country from their dangerous neighbours the Philistines.

11:14 Then - While the people were together by Jabesh - gilead, wherein Samuel's great prudence and fidelity to Saul is evident.He suspended the confirmation of Saul at first, whilst the generality of the people were disaffected, and now when he had given such eminent proof of his princely virtues, and when the peoples hearts were eagerly set upon him, he takes this as the fittest season for that work. Renew - That is, confirm our former choice.

11:15 Made - They owned and accepted him for their king.

12  Samuel clears himself from all imputation of abusing the power which he now resigns to Saul, Sa1 12:1-5.
He reminds them of the great things God had done, Sa1 12:6-13.
He sets before them the blessing and the curse, Sa1 12:14-15.
He calls upon God for thunder, Sa1 12:16-19.
He encourages and exhorts them, Sa1 12:20-25.

12:1 Said - While they were assembled together in Gilgal. And this is another instance of Samuel's great wisdom and integrity. He would not reprove the people for their sin, in desiring a king, whilst Saul was unsettled in his kingdom; lest through their accustomed levity, they should as hastily cast off their king, as they had passionately desired him, and therefore he chuseth this season for it; because Saul's kingdom was now confirmed by an eminent victory; and because the people rejoiced greatly, applauded themselves for their desires of a king; and interpreted the success which God had given them, as a divine approbation of those desires. Samuel therefore thinks fit to temper their joys, and to excite them to that repentance which he saw wanting in them, and which he knew to be necessary, to prevent the curse of God upon their new king, and the whole kingdom.

12:2 Walketh - Ruleth over you. To him I have fully resigned my power, and own myself one of his subjects. Old - And therefore unable to bear the burden of government. My sons - Or, among you, in the same states private persons, as you are; if they have injured any of you, the law is now open against them; any of you may accuse them, your king can punish them, I do not intercede for them. Walked before you - That is, been your guide and governor; partly, as a prophet; and partly, as a judge.

12:3 Behold - I here present myself before the Lord, and before your king, ready to give an account of all my administrations. And this protestation Samuel makes of his integrity, not out of ostentation; but for his own just vindication, that the people might not hereafter for the defence of their own irregularities, reproach his government, and that being publickly acquitted from all faults in his government, he might more freely reprove the sins of the people, and, particularly, that sin of theirs in desiring a king, when they had so little reason for it.

12:7 Righteous acts - Heb. the righteousnesses; that is, mercies or benefits the chief subject of the following discourse; some of their calamities being but briefly named, and that for the illustration of God's mercy in their deliverances.

12:8 This place - In this land: in which Moses and Aaron are said to settle them; because they brought them into, and seated them in part of it, that without Jordan; because they were, under God, the principal authors of their entering into the land of Canaan; inasmuch as they brought them out of Egypt, conducted them through the wilderness; and thereby their prayers to God, and counsel to them, preserved them from ruin, and gave command from God for the distribution of the land among them, and encouraged them to enter into it. And lastly, Moses substituted Joshua in his stead, and commanded him to seat them there, which he did.

12:9 Forgat - That is, they revolted from him, and carried themselves, as if they had wholly forgotten his innumerable favours. This he saith to answer an objection, that the reason why they desired a king, was, because in the time of the judges they were at great uncertainties, and often exercised with sharp afflictions: to which he answereth by concession that they were so; but adds, by way of retortion, that they themselves were the cause of it, by their forgetting God: so that it was not the fault of that kind of government, but their transgressing the rules of it.Fought - With success, and subdued them.

12:11 Bedan - This was either Samson, as most interpreters believe, who is called Bedan; that is, in Dan, or of Dan, one of that tribe, to signify that they had no reason to distrust that God, who could raise so eminent a saviour out of so obscure a tribe: or, Jair the Gileadite, which may seem best to agree, first, with the time and order of the judges; for Jair was before Jephthah, but Samson was after him. Secondly, with other scriptures: for among the sons of a more ancient Jair, we meet with one called Bedan, Ch1 7:17, which name seems here given to Jair the judge, to distinguish him from that first Jair. Safe - So that it was no necessity, but mere wantonness, that made you desire a change.

12:12 Your king - That is, when God was your immediate king and governor, who was both able and willing to deliver you, if you had cried to him, whereof you and your ancestors have had plentiful experience; so that you did not at all need any other king; and your desire of another, was a manifest reproach against God.

12:13 Ye have chosen - Though God chose him by lot, yet the people are said to chuse him; either generally, because they chose that form of government; or particularly, because they approved of God's choice, and confirmed it. The Lord - He hath yielded to your inordinate desire.

12:14 Then, etc - Heb. then shall - ye - be, (that is, walk, or go) after the Lord; that is, God shall still go before you, as he hath hitherto done, as your leader or governor, to direct, protect, and deliver you; and he will not forsake you, as you have given him just cause to do.Sometimes this phrase of going after the Lord, signifies a man's obedience to God; but here it is otherwise to be understood, and it notes not a duty to be performed, but a privilege to be received upon the performance of their duty; because it is opposed to a threatening denounced in case of disobedience, in the next verse.

12:15 Your fathers - Who lived under the judges; and you shall have no advantage by the change of government, nor shall your kings be able to protect you against God's displeasure. The mistake, if we think we can evade God's justice, by shaking off his dominion. If we will not let God rule us, yet he will judge us.

12:17 Wheat - harvest - At which time it was a rare thing in those parts to have thunder or rain; the weather being more constant in its seasons there, than it is with us. Rain - That you may understand that God is displeased with you; and also how foolishly and wickedly you have done in rejecting the government of that God, at whose command are all things both in heaven and in earth.

12:18 Samuel - Who had such power and favour with God. By this thunder and rain, God shewed them their folly in desiring a king to save them, rather than God or Samuel, expecting more from an arm of flesh than from the arm of God, or from the power of prayer. Could their king thunder with a voice like God? Could their prince command such forces as the prophet could by his prayers? Likewise he intimates, that how serene soever their condition was now, (like the weather in wheat harvest) yet if God pleased, he could soon change the face of their heavens, and persecute them with his storms.

12:19 Thy God - Whom thou hast so great an interest in, while we are ashamed and afraid to call him our God.

12:20 Fear not - With a desponding fear, as if there were no hope left for you.

12:21 Turn aside - After idols; as they had often done before; and, notwithstanding this warning, did afterwards.Vain things - So idols are called, Deu 32:21 Sa1 12, Jer 2:5, and so they are, being mere nothings, having no power in them; no influence upon us, nor use or benefit to us.

12:22 His name's sake - That is, for his own honour, which would suffer much among men, if he should not preserve and deliver his people in eminent dangers. And this reason God alledgeth to take them off from all conceit of their own merit; and to assure them, that if they did truly repent of all their sins, and serve God with all their heart; yet even in that case their salvation would not be due to their merits; but the effect of God's free mercy. To make - Out of his own free grace, without any desert of yours, and therefore he will not forsake you, except you thrust him away.

12:24 Only, etc - Otherwise neither my prayer nor counsels will stand you in any stead.

13  Saul and Jonathan's life - guard, Sa1 13:1-2.
Jonathan smites a garrison, and the people are called together, Sa1 13:3-4.
The Philistines come up, and the Israelites are terrified, Sa1 13:5-7.
Saul sacrifices, Sa1 13:8-10.
Is reproved by Samuel, Sa1 13:11-14.
The people diminished, plundered, and disarmed, Sa1 13:15-23.

13:3 Blew - That is, he sent messengers to tell them all what Jonathan had done, and how the Philistines were enraged at it, and therefore what necessity there was of gathering themselves together for their own defence.

13:4 Saul - Perhaps contrary to some treaty.

13:5 Thirty thousand chariots, etc - Most of them, we may suppose, carriages for their baggage, not chariots of war, tho' all their allies were joined with them.

13:6 Strait - Notwithstanding their former presumption that if they had a king, they should be free from all such straits. And hereby God intended to teach them the vanity of confidence in men; and that they did not one jot less need the help of God now, than they did when they had no king.And probably they were the more discouraged, because they did not find Samuel with Saul. Sooner or later men will be made to see, that God and his prophets are their best friends.

13:7 All the people - That is, all that were left.

13:8 Seven days - Not seven compleat days; for the last day was not finished.

13:11 Camest not - That is, when the seventh day was come, and a good part of it past, whence I concluded thou wouldst not come that day.

13:12 Supplication - Thence it appears, that sacrifices were accompanied with solemn prayers. Forced myself - I did it against my own mind and inclination.

13:13 For ever - The phrase, for ever, in scripture often signifies only a long time. So this had been abundantly verified, if the kingdom had been enjoyed by Saul, and by his son, and by his son's son; after whom the kingdom might have come to Judah.

13:14 A man - That is, such a man as will fulfil all the desires of his heart, and not oppose them, as thou dost. Commanded - That is, hath appointed, as the word command is sometimes used: but though God threatened but Saul with the loss of his kingdom for his sin; yet it is not improbable, there was a tacit condition implied, to wit, if he did not repent of this; and of all his sins; for the full, and final, and peremptory sentence of Saul's rejection, is plainly ascribed to another cause, chap.Sa1 15:11, Sa1 15:23, Sa1 15:26, Sa1 15:28-29, and 'till that second offence, neither the spirit of the Lord departed from him, nor was David anointed in his stead. "But was it not hard, to punish so little a sin so severely?" It was not little: disobedience to an express command, tho' in a small matter, is a great provocation. And indeed, there is no little sin, because there is no little god to sin against. In general, what to men seems a small offence, to him who knows the heart may appear a heinous crime. We are taught hereby, how necessary it is, that we wait on our God continually.For Saul is sentenced to lose his kingdom for want of two or three hours patience.

13:20 Philistines - Not to the land of the Philistines, but to the stations and garrisons which the Philistines retained in several parts of Israel's land, though Samuel's authority had so far over - awed them, that they durst not give the Israelites much disturbance.In these, therefore, the Philistines kept all the smiths; and here they allowed them the exercise of their art for the uses following.

13:22 Sword - It seems restrained to the six hundred that were with Saul and Jonathan; for there were no doubt a considerable number of swords and spears among the Israelites, but they generally hid them, as now they did their persons, from the Philistines. And the Philistines had not yet attained to so great a power over them, as wholly to disarm them, but thought it sufficient to prevent the making of new arms; knowing that the old ones would shortly be decayed, and useless.There were likewise other arms more common in those times and places, than swords and spears; to wit, bows and arrows, and slings and stones.

14  Jonathan proposes to his armour - bearer the attacking of the Philistine's army, Sa1 14:1-10.
They make the attack; the Philistines are terrified, Sa1 14:11-15.
They slay one another, and are pursued by the Israelites, Sa1 14:16-23.
Saul adjures the people to eat nothing 'till night; Jonathan eats honey, Sa1 14:24-30.
The people smite the Philistines, and eat the spoil with the blood, Sa1 14:31-32.
Saul remedies this, Sa1 14:33-35.
Dooms Jonathan to death, who is rescued by the people, Sa1 14:36-46.
A general account of Saul's exploits and family, Sa1 14:47-52.

14:2 Tarried - In the outworks of the city where he had entrenched himself to observe the motion of the Philistines.In - Or, towards Migron, which was near Gibeah.

14:3 Ahiah - The same who is called Abimelech, chap.Sa1 22:9, Sa1 22:11, Sa1 22:20, the high - priest, who was here to attend upon the ark which was brought thither, ver. Sa1 14:18.Ephod - The high - priest's ephod, wherein the Urim and Thummim was.

14:4 Passages - Two passages, both which Jonathan must cross, to go to the Philistines, between which the following rocks lay, but the words may be rendered, in the middle of the passage, the plural number being put for the singular. Rock - Which is not to be understood, as if in this passage one rock was on the right hand, and the other on the left; for so he might have gone between both: and there was no need of climbing up to them.But the meaning is, that the tooth (or prominency) of one rock, (as it is in the Hebrew) was on the side; that is northward, lookingtowards Michmash (the garrison of the Philistines) and the tooth of the other rock was on the other side; that is, southward, looking towards Gibeah, (where Saul's camp lay): and Jonathan was forced to climb over these two rocks, because the common ways from one town to the other were obstructed.

14:6 Uncircumcised - So he calls them, to strengthen his faith by this consideration, that his enemies were enemies to God; whereas he was circumcised, and therefore in covenant with God, who was both able, and engaged to assist his people. It way be - He speaks doubtfully: for tho' he felt himself stirred up by God to this exploit, and was assured that God would deliver his people; yet he was not certain that he would do it at this time, and in this way. Work - Great and wonderful things.

14:10 A sign - Jonathan not being assured of the success of this exploit, desires a sign; and by the instinct of God's Spirit, pitches upon this. Divers such motions and extraordinary impulses there were among great and good men in ancient times. Observe; God has the governing of the hearts and tongues of all men, even of those that know him not, and serves his own purposes by them, tho' they mean not so, neither does their hearts think so.

14:12 Come up, etc - A speech of contempt and derision.The Lord - He piously and modestly ascribes the success which he now foresees, to God only. And he does not say, into our hand, but into the hand of Israel; for he fought not his own glory, but the public good.His faith being thus strengthened, nothing can stand against him: he climbs the rock upon all four, though he had nothing to cover him, none to second him, but his servant, nor any probability of any thing but death before him.

14:13 They fell - For being endowed with extraordinary strength and courage, and having with incredible boldness killed the first they met with, it is not strange if the Philistines were both astonished and intimidated; God also struck them with a panic; and withal, infatuated their minds, and possibly, put an evil spirit among them, which in this universal confusion made them conceive that there was treachery among themselves, and therefore caused them to sheathe their swords in one anothers bowels.

14:15 Field - That is, in the whole host which was in the field.All - That is, among all the rest of their forces, as well as those in the garrison at Michmash, as the spoilers, mentioned chap.Sa1 13:17, the report of this prodigy, and with it the terror of God speedily passing from one to another. Trembling - The Hebrew is, a trembling of God, signifying not only a very great trembling, but such as was supernatural, and came immediately from the hand of God. He that made the heart knows how to make it tremble. To complete their confusion, even the earth quaked; it shook under them, and made them fear it was just going to swallow them up. Those who will not fear the eternal God, he can make afraid of a shadow.

14:19 Withdraw - Trouble not thyself to enquire; for I now plainly discern the matter.

14:21 Which went - Either by constraint, as servants; or in policy, to gain their favour and protection.

14:23 The battle - That is, the warriors who were engaged in the battle, and were pursuing the Philistines. Yet it is said, the Lord saved Israel that day: he did it by them: for without him they could do nothing. Salvation is of the Lord.

14:24 Distressed - With hunger, and weakness, and faintness, and all by reason of the following oath. Avenged - As Saul's intention was good, so the matter of the obligation was not simply unlawful, if it had not been so rigorous in excluding all food, and in obliging the people to it under pain of an accursed death, which was a punishment far exceeding the fault.

14:26 Honey - Bees often make their hives in the trunks of trees, or clefts of rocks, or holes of the earth; and this in divers countries, but eminently in Canaan.

14:27 Enlightened - He was refreshed, and recovered his lost spirits.This cleared his sight, which was grown dim by hunger and faintness.

14:28 People - They that came with Saul, whose forces were now united with Jonathan's.

14:32 Slew - At evening, when the time prefixed by Saul was expired.With blood - Not having patience to tarry 'till the blood was perfectly gone out of them, as they should have done. So they who made conscience of the king's commandment for fear of the curse, make no scruple of transgressing God's command.

14:33 Transgressed - He sees their fault, but not his own, in giving the occasion of it.

14:36 Draw near - To the ark, in order to enquire of God.

14:39 Answered - None of those who saw Jonathan eating, informed against him; because they were satisfied that his ignorance excused him; and from their great love to Jonathan, whom they would not expose to death for so small an offence.

14:41 Perfect lot - Or, declare the perfect, or guiltless person. That is, O Lord, so guide the lot, that it may discover who is guilty in his matter, and who innocent. Escaped - They were pronounced guiltless.

14:42 Jonathan - God so ordered the lot; not that he approved Saul's execration, ver. Sa1 14:24, or his oath that the transgressor should die, ver. Sa1 14:39, nor that he would expose Jonathan to death; but that Saul's folly might be chastised, when he saw what danger it had brought upon his eldest and excellent son; and that Jonathan's innocency might be cleared.

14:44 For thou, etc - We have no proof, that Saul did not act in this whole affair from a real fear of God.

14:45 With God - In concurrence with God, he hath wrought this salvation. God is so far from being offended with Jonathan, that he hath graciously owned him in the great service of this day.

14:47 Took the kingdom - That is, resumed the administration of it, after he had in a manner lost it by the Philistines, who had almost turned him out of it.

14:49 Ishui - Called also Abinadab. chap.Sa1 31:2.Ishbosheth, Saul's other son is here omitted, because he intended to mention only those of his sons who went with him into the battles here mentioned, and who were afterwards slain with him.

15  God commands Saul utterly to destroy the Amalekites, Sa1 15:1-3.
He destroys them, but not utterly, Sa1 15:4-9.
Samuel pronounces sentence upon him for his disobedience, yet consents to honour him before the people, Sa1 15:10-31.
Slays Agag, Sa1 15:32-33.
Takes his leave of Saul, yet mourns for him, Sa1 15:34-35.

15:1 Hearken - Thou hast committed error already, now regain God's favour by thy exact obedience to what he commands.

15:2 I remember - Now I will revenge those old injuries of the Amalekites on their children: who continue in their parents practices.Came from Egypt - When he was newly come out of cruel and long bondage, and was now weak, and weary, and faint, and hungry, Deu 25:18, and therefore it was barbarous instead of that pity which even Nature prompted them to afford, to add affliction to the afflicted; it was also horrid impiety to fight against God himself and to lift up their hand in a manner against the Lord's throne, whilst they struck at that people which God had brought forth in so stupendous a way.

15:3 Destroy - Both persons and goods, kill all that live, and consume all things without life, for I will have no name nor remnant of that people left, whom long since I have devoted to utter destruction.Spare not - Shew no compassion or favour to any of them. The same thing repeated to prevent mistake, and oblige Saul to the exact performance hereof. Slay, etc - Which was not unjust, because God is the supreme Lord of life, and can require his own when he pleaseth; infants likewise are born in sin, and therefore liable to God's wrath. Their death also was rather a mercy than a curse, as being the occasion of preventing their sin and punishment. Ox, etc - Which being all made for man's benefit, it is not strange if they suffer with him, for the instruction of mankind.

15:6 Kenites - A people descending from, or nearly related to Jethro, who anciently dwelt in rocks near the Amalekites, Num 24:21, and afterwards some of them dwelt inJudah, Jdg 1:16, whence it is probable they removed, (which, dwelling in tents, they could easily do) and retired to their oldhabitation, because of the wars and troubles wherewith Judah was annoyed.Shewed kindness - Some of your progenitors did so, and for their sakes all of you shall fare the better. You were not guilty of that sin for which Amalek is now to be destroyed. When destroying judgments are abroad God takes care to separate the precious from the vile. It is then especially dangerous to be found in the company of God's enemies. The Jews have a saying, Wo to a wicked man, and to his neighbour.

15:7 To Shur - That is, from one end of their country to the other; he smote all that he met with: but a great number of them fled away upon the noise of his coming, and secured themselves in other places, 'till the storm was over.

15:8 All - Whom he found. Now they paid dear for the sin of their ancestors. They were themselves guilty of idolatry and numberless sins, for which they deserved to be cut off. Yet when God would reckon with them, he fixes upon this as the ground of his quarrel.

15:9 Vile - Thus they obeyed God only so far as they could without inconvenience to themselves.

15:11 Repenteth - Repentance implies grief of heart, and change of counsels, and therefore cannot be in God: but it is ascribed to God when God alters his method of dealing, and treats a person as if be did indeed repent of the kindness he had shewed him. All night - To implore his pardoning mercy for Saul, and for the people. Is turned back - Therefore he did once follow God. Otherwise it would have been impossible, he should turn back from following him.

15:12 A place - That is, a monument or trophy of his victory.

15:13 They - That is, the people. Thus, he lays the blame upon the people; whereas they could not do it without his consent; and he should have used his power to over - rule them.

15:18 A journey - So easy was the service, and so certain the success, that it was rather to be called a journey than a war.

15:20 The king - To be dealt with as God pleaseth.

15:21 But the people, etc - Here the conscience of Saul begins to awake, tho' but a little: for he still lays the blame on the people.

15:22 Sacrifice - Because obedience to God is a moral duty, constantly and indispensably necessary; but sacrifice is but a ceremonial institution, sometimes unnecessary, as it was in the wilderness: and sometimes sinful, when it is offered by a polluted hand, or in an irregular manner.Therefore thy gross disobedience to God's express command, is not to be compensated with sacrifice. Hearken - That is, to obey.Fat - Then the choicest part of all the sacrifice.

15:23 Rebellion - Disobedience to God's command.Stubbornness - Contumacy in sin, justifying it, and pleading for it.Iniquity - Or, the iniquity of idolatry. Rejected - Hath pronounced the sentence of rejection: for that he was not actually deposed by God before, plainly appears, because not only the people, but even David, after this, owned him as king. Those are unworthy to rule over men, who are not willing that God should rule over them.

15:24 I have sinned - It does by no means appear, that Saul acts the hypocrite herein, in assigning a false cause of his disobedience.Rather, he nakedly declares the thing as it was.

15:25 Pardon my sin - Neither can it be proved that there was any hypocrisy in this. Rather charity requires us to believe, that he sincerely desired pardon, both from God and man, as he now knew, he had sinned against both.

15:26 I will not - This was no lie, though he afterwards returned, because he spoke what he meant; his words and his intentions agreed together, though afterwards he saw reason to change his intentions.Compare Gen 19:2-3. This may relieve many perplexed consciences, who think themselves obliged to do what they have said they would do, though they see just cause to change their minds. Hath rejected thee, etc - But he does not say, he "hath rejected thee from salvation." And who besides hath authority to say so?

15:29 Strength of Israel - So he calls God here, to shew the reason why God neither will nor can lie; because lying proceeds from the sense of a man's weakness, who cannot many times accomplish his design without lying and dissimulation; therefore many princes have used it for this very reason.But God needs no such artifices; he can do whatsoever he pleaseth by his absolute power. Repent - That is, nor change his counsel; which also is an effect of weakness and imperfection, either of wisdom or power. So that this word is not here used in the sense it commonly is when applied to God, as in Jer 11:1-23, and elsewhere.

15:31 Turned - First, that the people might not upon pretence of this sentence of rejection, withdraw their obedience to their sovereign; whereby they would both have sinned against God, and have been as sheep without a shepherd. Secondly, that he might rectify Saul's error, and execute God's judgment upon Agag.

15:33 As, etc - Whereby it appears, that he was a tyrant, and guilty of many bloody actions. And this seems to be added for the fuller vindication of God's justice, and to shew, that although God did at this time revenge a crime committed by this man's ancestors four hundreds years ago, yet he did not punish an innocent son for his father's crimes, but one that persisted in the same evil courses. Hewed - This he did by divine instinct, and in pursuance of God's express command, which being sinfully neglected by Saul, is now executed by Samuel. But these are no precedents for private persons to take the sword of justice into their hands. For we must live by the laws of God, and not by extraordinary examples.

15:35 To see Saul - That is, to visit him, in token of respect or friendship: or, to seek counsel from God for him. Otherwise he did see him chap.Sa1 19:24.Though indeed it was not Samuel that came thither with design to see Saul, but Saul went thither to see Samuel, and that accidentally.

16  Samuel is appointed to anoint one of the sons of Jesse king, Sa1 16:1-5.
The elder sons are passed by, and David anointed, Sa1 16:6-13.
Saul growing melancholy is eased by David's music, Sa1 16:14-23.

16:1 Mourn - And pray for his restitution, which the following words imply he did. Oil - Which was used in the inauguration of kings. But here it is used in the designation of a king; for David was not actually made king by it, but still remained a subject. And the reason of this anticipation was the comfort of Samuel, and other good men, against their fears in case of Saul's death, and the assurance of David's title, which otherwise would have been doubtful. I have provided - This phrase is very emphatical, and implies the difference between this and the former king. Saul was a king of the people's providing, he was the product of their sinful desires: but this is a king of my own providing, to fulfil all my will, and to serve my glory.

16:4 Trembled - Because it was strange and unexpected to them, this being but an obscure town, and remote from Samuel, and therefore they justly thought there was some extraordinary reason for it.Peaceable - The Hebrew phrase, comest thou in peace, is as much as to say (in our phrase) is all well?

16:5 He sanctified - It seems evident that there was something peculiar in Jesse's invitation. For first, both he and his sons were invited, whereas the others were only invited for their own persons. Secondly, the different phrase here used, that he sanctified these, when he only bade the other sanctify themselves; argues a singular care of Samuel in their sanctification. Which makes it probable, that the rest were only to join with them in the act of sacrificing; but these, and only these, were invited to feast upon the remainders of the sacrifices.

16:6 Before him - That is, in this place where God is now present.For it is observable, that not only the sacrifice is said to be offered, but even the feast upon the remainders of it is said, to be eaten before the Lord, Deu 12:7, that is, before or near his altar, where God was present in a special manner. This I take to be the person I am sent to anoint: wherein yet be was mistaken, as other prophets sometimes were, when they hastily spake their own thoughts, before they had consulted God.

16:10 Seven - There are but seven named, Ch1 2:13-15, because one of them was either born of a concubine: or, died immediately after this time.

16:11 Keepeth sheep - And consequently is the most unfit of all my sons for that high employment. Either therefore he did not understand David's wisdom and valour, or he judged him unfit, by reason of his mean education.And God so ordered it by his providence, that David's choice might plainly appear to be God's work, and not Samuel's, or Jesse's.David signifies beloved: a fit name for so eminent a type of the Beloved Son. It is supposed, David was now about twenty years old.If so, his troubles by Saul lasted near ten years: for he was thirty years old when Saul died. Samuel having done this went to Ramah.He retired to die in peace, since his eyes had seen the salvation, even the sceptre brought into the tribe of Judah.

16:13 Anointed him - David's brethren saw David's unction, yet did not understand, that he was anointed to the kingdom; but were only told by Samuel, that he was anointed to some great service, which hereafter they should know. Thus Jesse only, and David, understood the whole business, and his brethren were able to attest to that act of Samuel's anointing him, which, with other collateral evidences, was abundantly sufficient to prove David's right to the kingdom, if need should be.The spirit, etc, - That is, he was immediately endowed with extraordinary gifts of God's Spirit, as strength, and courage, and wisdom, and other excellent qualities which fitted him for, and put him upon noble attempts.

16:14 Departed - God took away that prudence, and courage, and alacrity, and other gifts wherewith be had qualified him for his public employment.From the Lord - That is, by God's permission, who delivered him up to be buffeted of Satan. Troubled - Stirred up in him unruly and tormenting passions; as envy, rage, fear, or despair. He grew fretful, and peevish, and discontented, timorous and suspicious, frequently starting and trembling.

16:16 Be well - And the success confirms their opinion. For although music cannot directly have an influence upon an evil spirit to drive him away; yet, because the devil, as it seems, had not possession of him, but only made use of the passions of his mind, and humours of his body to molest him: and because it is manifest, that music hath a mighty power to qualify and sweeten these, and to make a man sedate and chearful; it is not strange, if the devil had not that power over him when his mind was more composed, which he had when it was disordered; as the devil had less power over lunaticks in the decrease, than in the increase of the moon: Mat 17:15, Mat 17:18. And seeing music prepared the Lord's prophets for theentertainment of the good Spirit, as Ki2 3:15. Why might it not dispose Saul to the resistance of the evil spirit? And why might not the chearing of his heart, in some measure strengthen him against those temptations of the devil, which were fed by his melancholy humour?And by this means, David without any contrivance of him or his friends, is brought to court, soon after he was anointed to the kingdom. Those whom God designs for any service, his providence will concur with his grace, to prepare and qualify them for it.

16:18 Prudent - Wonder not, that David was so suddenly advanced, from a poor shepherd, to so great a reputation; for these were the effects of that Spirit of the Lord which he received when he was anointed.The Lord, etc - That is, directs and prospers all his undertakings.

16:20 Sent him - This present, though in our times it would seem contemptible, yet was very agreeable to the usage of those times, and to the condition of Jesse, which was but mean in the world. And it seems to have been the custom of those times, (as it is yet in the eastern countries) when they made their appearance before princes, or great persons, to bring a present.

16:21 Stood before him - That is, waited upon him. And he loved him greatly - So there was something good in Saul still: he had not lost all, tho' he had lost the kingdom. Armour - bearer - He had that place conferred upon him, though we do not read that he ever exercised it; for it seems he was gone back to his father upon some occasion not related; and had abode with him some considerable time before the war described, chap.Sa1 17:1-53, happened.

16:23 Departed - Namely, for a season. And the reason of this success, may be, partly natural, and partly, supernatural, respecting David; whom God designed by this means to bring into favour with the king, and so to smooth the way for his advancement.

17  Goliath challenges the armies of Israel, Sa1 17:1-11.
David coming into the camp, hears his challenge, Sa1 17:12-27.
Eliab chides David, whose words are related to Saul, Sa1 17:28-31.
David undertakes to fight Goliath, Sa1 17:32-37.
He rejects Saul's armour, and goes with his sling, Sa1 17:38-40.
He attacks and slays Goliath, Sa1 17:41-51.
The Israelites pursue the Philistines, Sa1 17:52-53.
David returns: the notice taken of him by Saul, Sa1 17:54-58.

17:1 Gathered, etc - Probably they had heard, that Samuel had forsaken Saul, and that Saul himself was unfit for business.The enemies of the church are watchful to take all advantages, and they never have greater advantage, than when her protectors have provoked God's Spirit and prophets to leave them.

17:4 Six cubits - At least, nine feet, nine inches high. And this is not strange; for besides the giants mentioned in Scripture, Herodotus, Diodorus Siculus, and Pliny, make mention of persons seven cubits high.

17:5 Coat of mail - Made of brass plates laid over one another, like the scales of a fish. The weight, etc - The common shekel contained a fourth part of an ounce; and so five thousand shekels made one thousand two hundred and fifty ounces, or seventy - eight pounds: which weight is not unsuitable to a man of such vast strength as his height speaks him to be.

17:6 Greaves - Boots.

17:7 Beam - On which the weavers fasten their web. It was like this for thickness. And though the whole weight of Goliath's armour may seem prodigious; yet it is not so much by far as one Athanatus did manage: of whom Pliny relates, That he saw him come into the theatre with arms weighing twelve thousand ounces. A shield - Probably for state: for he that was clad in brass, little needed a shield.

17:8 Come down - That the battle may be decided by us two alone.

17:11 Afraid - This may seem strange, considering the glorious promises, and their late experience of divine assistance. And where was Jonathan, who in the last war had so bravely engaged an whole army of the Philistines? Doubtless he did not feel himself so stirred up of God as he did at that time. As the best, so the bravest of men, are no more than what God makes them. Jonathan must sit still now, because this honour is reserved for David.

17:12 Old man - Therefore he went not himself to the camp.

17:15 Went - From Saul's court: where having relieved Saul, he was permitted to go to his father's house, to be sent for again upon occasion.

17:18 Pledge - That is, bring me some token of their welfare.

17:19 Fighting - That is, in a posture and readiness to fight with them; as it is explained, ver. Sa1 17:20-21.

17:20 Went, etc - Jesse little thought of sending his son to the camp, just at that critical juncture. But the wise God orders the time and all the circumstances of affairs, so as to serve the designs of his own glory.

17:24 Fled - One Philistine could never have thus put ten thousand Israelites to flight, unless their rock, being forsaken by them, had justly sold them and shut them up.

17:25 Free - Free from all those tributes and charges which either the court or the camp required.

17:28 Naughtiness - Thy false - confidence, and vain gloried curiosity.See the folly and wickedness of envy! How groundless its jealousies are, how unjust its censures, how unfair it representations? God preserve us from such a spirit!

17:29 A cause - Of my thus speaking? Is this giant invincible? Is our God unable to oppose him, and subdue him? However David is not deterred from his undertaking, by the hard words of Eliab. They that undertake public services must not think it strange, if they be opposed by those from whom they had reason to expect assistance, but must humbly go on with their work, in the face, not only of their enemies threats, but of their friends slights, suspicions, and censures.

17:30 He tarried - For being secretly moved by God's spirit to undertake the combat. He speaks with divers persons about it, that it might come to the king's ear.

17:32 Let no man's heart, etc - It would have reflected upon his prince to say, Let not thy heart fail: therefore he speaks in general terms, Let no man's heart fail. A little shepherd, come but this morning from keeping sheep, has more courage than all the mighty men of Israel!Thus doth God often do great things for his people by the weak things of the world.

17:33 A youth - Not above 20 years old; and a novice, a raw and unexperienced soldier.

17:37 The Lord, etc - The lion and the bear were only enemies to me and my sheep, and it was in defence of them I attacked them. But this Philistine is an enemy to my God and his people, and it is for their honour that I attack him.

17:38 Armour - With armour taken out of his armoury. He seems to speak of some military vestments which were then used in war, and were contrived for defence; such as buff - coats are now.

17:39 Proved them - I have no skill or experience in the managements of this kind of arms.

17:40 Staff - His shepherd's staff. These arms in themselves were contemptible, yet chosen by David; because he had no skill to use other arms; because he had inward assurance of the victory, even by these weapons; and because such a conquest would be more honourable to God, and most shameful, and discouraging to the Philistines.

17:41 Drew near - Probably a signal was made, that his challenge was accepted.

17:42 Fair - Not having so much as the countenance of a martial person.

17:43 Dog - Dost thou think to beat me as easily as thou wouldst thy dog?

17:46 A God - Heb. that God, the only true God, is for Israel; or on Israel's side, and against you. Or, that Israel hath a God, a God indeed, one who is able to help them; and not such an impotent idol as you serve.

17:47 Saveth - That is, that he can save without these arms, and with the most contemptible weapons. The battle - That is, the events of war are wholly in his power. He will - David speaks thus confidently, because he was assured of it by a particular inspiration.

17:48 Drew nigh - Like a stalking mountain.Ran - So far was he from fear!

17:49 Forehead - Probably the proud giant had lift up that part of his helmet which covered his fore - head; in contempt of David and his weapons, and by the singular direction of providence.

17:51 David took - Hence it appears, that David was not a little man, as many fancy; but a man of considerable bulk and strength, because he was able to manage a giant's sword. The stone threw him down to the earth, and bereaved him of sense and motion; but there remained some life in him, which the sword took away, and so compleated the work. God is greatly glorified, when his proud enemies are cut off with their own sword.

17:55 Whose son - David had been some considerable time dismissed from Saul's court, and was returned home. And therefore it is not strange, if Saul for the present had forgot David. Besides the distemper of Saul's mind might make him forgetful; and that David might be now much changed, both in his countenance and in his habit.I cannot tell - Abner's employment was generally in the camp, when David was at the court; and when Abner was there, he took little notice of a person so much inferior to him as David was.

18  David becomes the friend of Jonathan, the constant attendant of Saul, and the favourite of all the people, Sa1 18:1-5.
Saul's envy raised, Sa1 18:6-9.
He seeks to kill David, Sa1 18:10-11.
Is afraid of him, Sa1 18:12-16.
Promises to give him his elder daughter, and gives him the younger, hoping to destroy him thereby, but in vain, Sa1 18:17-27.
He is more feared by Saul and esteemed by the people, Sa1 18:28-30.

18:1 Loved him - For his excellent virtues and endowments, which shone forth both in his speeches and actions; for the service he had done to God and to his people; and for the similitude of their age and qualities.

18:2 Took him, etc - By which it appears, that before this David had not his constant residence at court.

18:5 Went - Upon military expeditions, of which that word is often used.

18:10 The evil spirit, etc - His fits of frenzy returned upon him.The very next day after he conceived envy at David, the evil spirit was permitted by God to seize him again. Such is the fruit of envy and uncharitableness. Prophesied - That is, he used uncouth gestures, and signs, as the prophets often did.

18:11 And Saul cast the javelin - Being now quite under the power of that evil spirit. Twice - Once now, and another time upon a like occasion, chap.Sa1 19:10.

18:12 Afraid - Lest as he had gained the favour of God and of all the people, he should also take away his kingdom.

18:13 Removed him from him - From his presence and court; which he did, because he feared lest David should find an opportunity to kill him, as he had designed to kill David; because his presence now made him more sad than ever his musick made him chearful: and principally, that hereby he might expose him to the greatest hazards.

18:18 What is my life - How little is my life worth, that by the exposing of that to some hazard, I should purchase a king's daughter!In these expressions David sheweth not only his humility, but also his wisdom, in discovering so deep a sense of his own meanness, that Saul might see how far he was from aspiring at the kingdom.

18:19 Adriel - The son of Bar - zillai, as he is called, Sa1 21:8. This was an act of great injustice; and accordingly thismarriage was accursed by God, and the children begotten in it, were, by God's appointment cut off, Sa1 21:8-9.

18:26 The days - That is, the time allowed by Saul to David for the execution of this exploit.

18:27 Two hundred - He doubled the number required; to oblige Saul the more to the performance of his promise; and to shew his great respect and affection to Saul's daughter.

18:30 Went forth - To war against the Israelites, being provoked by their former losses, and especially by that act of David's.

19  Saul is pacified by Jonathan, Sa1 19:1-7.
Attempts again to kill David, Sa1 19:8-10.
Is deceived by Michal, who sends David away, Sa1 19:11-17.
David flies to Ramah, and Saul prophesies, Sa1 19:18-24.

19:4 Spake good - Which he could not do without hazard to himself.Herein therefore he performed the duty of a true friend, and of a valiant man.

19:6 As the Lord, etc - And without all doubt, he intended what he said, feeling a real change in himself for the present. "God," says Mr. Henry, "inclined the heart of Saul to hearken to the voice of Jonathan."

19:8 And David, etc - So David continues his good service, tho' it was ill requited. They who are ill paid for doing good, yet must not be weary of well doing, remembering how bountiful a benefactor God is, even to the evil and unthankful.

19:9 The evil spirit - David's successes against the Philistines revived his envy, and the devil watched the opportunity, as he had done before.

19:13 Goats hair - Or, put great goats hair upon his bolster; upon the head and face of the image, which lay upon his bolster, that it might have some kind of resemblance of David's head and hair, at least in a sick man's bed, where there useth to be but a glimmering light.Covered it - Upon pretence of his being sick, and needing some such covering.

19:18 To Samuel - Both for comfort and direction in his distress; and for safety, supposing that Saul would be ashamed to execute his bloody designs in the presence of so venerable a person as Samuel.

19:20 Over them - To instruct and direct them in those holy exercises.For though they prophesied by Divine inspiration, yet they were both to prepare themselves for it before hand, and to make good improvement of it afterwards, in both which they needed Samuel's counsel and assistance.And whereas some might falsely pretend to those raptures; or the devil might transform himself into an angel of light, Samuel's presence and judgment was necessary to prevent and to detect such impostures. Besides, Samuel would by his present conjunction with them in those holy exercises, encourage them, and stir up others to the coveting of those gifts, and to the performance of such religious duties. Prophesied - Being inspired by God as Balaam was; that being wrapt up into such an extasy, their minds might be wholly taken off from their design of seizing David.

19:23 The spirit - It came upon him in the way; whereas it came not upon his messengers 'till they came to the place. Hereby God would convince Saul of the vanity of his designs against David, and that in them he fought against God himself.

19:24 Lay down - Heb. fell, down upon the earth; for his mind being in an extasy, he had not the use of his senses. God so ordering it, that David might have an opportunity to escape. Naked - That is, stript of his upper garments, as the word naked is often used; and it is here repeated to signify how long he lay in that posture. Day and night - So God kept him as it were in chains, 'till David was got out of his reach.Is Saul - The same proverb which was used before, is here revived, as an evidence of God's wonderful care over David; he made Saul in some sort a prophet, that he mightst make David a king.

20  David complains to Jonathan; and desires his help, Sa1 20:1-5.
Jonathan promises to give him intelligence, and confirms his friendship, Sa1 20:9-23.
He finds his father implacable, Sa1 20:24-34.
He gives David notice of it, in the manner they had agreed on, Sa1 20:35-42.

20:2 Is it not so - For Jonathan gave credit to his father's oath, chap.Sa1 19:6.

20:3 David sware - 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.

20:5 To the third day - That is, unto the next day, but one after the new moon. His meaning is not, that he would hide himself in any certain place all the three days, but that he would secure himself either at Bethlehem with his friends, or in any other place 'till the third day.

20:6 Asked me - Who being the king's son and deputy, used to give license to military men to depart for a season upon just occasions.

20:8 Deal kindly - In giving me timely notice, and a true account of Saul's disposition and intention towards 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 him to be the witness of our sincerity therein, and the avenger of perfidiousness in him that breaks it.Slay me - I am contented thou shouldst kill me. For why - Why shouldst thou betray me to thy father, by concealing his evil intentions from me?

20:12 O Lord God - Do thou hear and judge between us. It is an abrupt speech which is usual in great passions.

20:14 Kindness as the Lord - That kindness to which thou hast engaged thyself, in the covenant sworn between thee and me in God's presence.I die not - That thou do not kill me or mine, as princes of another line use to kill the nearest relations of the former line, from whom the kingdom was translated to them.

20:16 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. Enemies - If either I or any of my house shall break this covenant, and shall prove enemies to David or to his house, let the Lord, the witness of this covenant, severely punish the violators of it.

20:17 Swear again - Heb. and Jonathan added or proceeded to make David swear; that is, having himself sworn to David or adjured David, in the foregoing verse, he here requires David's oath to him, by way of restipulation or confirmation. Loved him - Because he had a true friendship for David, he desired that the covenant might be inviolably observed through all their generations.

20:19 Was in hand - When this same business which now they were treating about, was in agitation formerly; namely, to discover Saul's mind and purpose towards him, chap.Sa1 19:2-3. Ezel - By that stone which directs travellers in the way; namely, in some cave, or convenient place, which was near it.

20:21 I will send - I will send him out before I shoot, to find out, 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.

20:23 Between - As a witness and a judge between us and our families for ever, if on either side this league of friendship be violated.

20:24 Hid himself - Namely, at the time appointed: for it seems probable, that he went first to Bethlehem, and thence returned to the field, when the occasion required.

20:25 Arose - He rose from his seat where he was sat next the king, and stood at Abner's coming, to do honour to him, who was his father's cousin, and the general of the army.

20:26 Something - Some accident which has rendered him unclean, and so unfit to partake of this feast, which consisted in part of the remainders of the peace - offerings, according to the law, Lev 7:20.Unfit also to come into any company, much more, into the king's company, lest he should pollute them also.

20:27 Son of Jesse - So he calls him in scorn, to note the meanness of his original; and as not deigning to call him by his proper name.To day - For the uncleanness which came by some chance, usually lasted but for one day.

20:30 Thy confusion - Men will conclude that thou hast no royal blood in thy veins, that canst so tamely give up thy crown to so contemptible a person.

20:33 To smite him - Saul seemed 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.

20:37 To - That is, near the place. For the words following shew, that he was not yet come thither.

20:40 Artillery - His bow, and arrows, and quiver.

21  David coming to Nob, takes the shew - bread, and Goliath's sword, Sa1 21:1-9.
Goes to Achish, and feigns himself mad, Sa1 21:10-13.
Is dismissed by Achish, Sa1 21:14-15.

21:1 Nob - A city of priests, where the tabernacle now was. Hither David resorted, for a supply of his necessities, which he supposed he might receive here, without danger of being betrayed into Saul's hands: and principally, that in this great distress, he might receive comfort and counsel from the Lord. Ahimelech - The chief priest, brother to that Ahiah, chap.Sa1 14:3, and he being now dead, his successor in the priesthood, for they were both sons of Ahitub. Was afraid - Suspecting some extraordinary cause of his coming in such a manner. Alone - For though David had some servants as is manifest from ver. Sa1 21:4-5, whom Jonathan probably had sent to a place appointed, yet they were left at another place: as David himself affirmeth, ver. Sa1 21:2.And David was now alone, as also he was when he fled to Achish.He who had been suddenly advanced to the highest honour, is as soon reduced to the desolate conditions of an exile. Such changes are there in this world, and so uncertain are its smiles.

21:2 The king, etc - This seems to be a plain lie extorted from him, by fear. But it was pernicious to all the priests there. Whence David afterwards declares his repentance for this sin of lying, Psa 119:29.To such a place - To a certain place which it not convenient now to mention; because the whole business requires concealment.

21:4 There is, etc - Here in the tabernacle: though doubtless he had other provisions is his house; but David was in great haste, and in fear of Doeg whom he saw, and knew and therefore would not stay 'till any thing could be fetched thence. There was a double impediment to the giving this bread to them;

1. Its sacredness in itself; which the priest implies, and David answers ver. Sa1 21:5, and the priest was satisfied therein by David's great necessities.
2. The abstinence from all women, which he supposed should be in those that use it; concerning which he now enquires. And though he mentions this only concerning David's young men, and out of reverence forbears to name him; yet he is also included in the number, as David's answer shews.

21:5 Three days - As long as the law required, Exo 19:15.And so long David, and his men hid, it seems, hid themselves for fear of Saul, whereby they were kept both from women: and from food convenient for them. Vessels - That is, Either,

1. Their garments, or other utensils for their journey. Or
2. their bodies.

21:7 Detained - Not by force but by his choice; he fixed his abode there for that day; either because it was the sabbath - day; on which he might not proceed in his journey, or for the discharge of some vow.Before the Lord - That is, at the tabernacle. An Edomite - By birth, but he was proselyted to the Jewish religion.

21:9 Ephod - That is, behind that holy place allotted for the keeping of the sacred, or priestly garments; all which are here comprehended under the ephod; which, as the chief is put for all the rest. Here it was laid up as a sacred monument of God's power and goodness.None like it - Because it not only served him for his use, for he was a strong and tall man, and one that could wield that sword, but was also a pledge of God's favour to him. Whenever be looked upon it, it would be a support to his faith, by reminding him of what God had already done.

21:10 To Achish - A strange action; but it must be considered, that Saul's rage was so great, his power also, and diligence in hunting after him that he despaired of escaping any other way: and a desperate disease, produceth a desperate remedy. The king elect is here an exile: anointed to the crown, and yet forced to run his country. So do God's providences sometimes run counter to his promises, for the trial of our faith, and the glorifying his name in accomplishing his counsels, notwithstanding the difficulties that lie in the way.

21:11 King of the land - Of Canaan. They call him king, either more generally for the governor, the most eminent captain and commander, or, as the king elect, the person designed to be king: for, by this time, the fame of Saul's rejection, and David's destination to the kingdom, was got abroad among the Israelites, and from them, probably to the Philistines. Did they not sing, etc - And therefore consider what to do; and now our great enemy is in thy hand, be sure thou never let him go alive.

21:12 Was afraid - Lest either their revenge or policy should prompt them to kill him. Perhaps he was the more apprehensive, because he wore Goliath's sword, which was probably well known at Gath. He now learned by experience what he afterward taught us, Psa 118:9.It is better to trust in the Lord, than to put any confidence in princes.

21:15 Mad men - It is highly probable, Achish was aware, that this madness was counterfeit. But being desirous to preserve David, he speaks as if he thought it real.

22  David escapes to the cave of Adullam, where many resort to him, Sa1 22:1-2.
Lodges his parents with the king of Moab, Sa1 22:3-4.
Comes to the forest of Hareth, Sa1 22:5.
Saul complains of his servants as unfaithful to him, Sa1 22:6-8.
On the information of Doeg, he orders the priests of Nob to be slain, and their city destroyed, Sa1 22:9-19.
David is informed of this by Abiathar, Sa1 22:20-23.

22:2 Debt - Probably poor debtors, whom the creditors were obliged to spare, Exo 22:25. And though their persons were with David, yet their lands and goods were liable to their creditors.Captain over them - He did not maintain any injustice or wickedness, which some of them possibly might be guilty of; but on the contrary, he instructed and obliged them to the practice of all justice and honesty.

22:3  'Till I know, etc - He expresses his hopes very modestly, as onethat had entirely cast himself upon God, and committed his way to him, trusting not in his own arts or arms, but in the wisdom, power and goodness of God.

22:4 Hold - In holds; the singular number being put for the plural; as is frequent; that is, as long as David was forced to go from place to place, and from hold to hold, to secure himself: for it concerned David to secure his father, and he did doubtless secure him for all that time; and not only while he was in the hold of Mizpeh, or of Adullam, which was but a little while.

22:5 Abide not - Do not shut up thyself here. Judah - Go and shew thyself in the land of Judah, that thou mayest publicly put in thy claim to the kingdom after Saul's death; and that thy friends may be invited and encouraged to appear on thy behalf. Hereby also God would exercise David's faith, and wisdom, and courage; and so prepare him for the kingdom.

22:6 Spear - It seems, as an ensign of majesty, for in old times kings carried a spear instead of a sceptre.

22:7 Ye Benjamites - You that are of my own tribe and kindred, from whom David designs to translate the kingdom to another tribe. Will he distribute profits and preferments among you Benjamites, as I have done?Will he not rather prefer those of his own tribe before you?

22:8 That all, etc - See the nature of jealousy, and its arts of wheedling to extort discoveries of things that are not.

22:10 He enquired - David chargeth him with the sin of lying, Psa 52:3, and it is not improbable, that he told many lies not hereexpressed; and withal, he was guilty of concealing part of the truth, which in this case he was obliged to declare for Ahimelech's just defence, namely, the artifice whereby David circumvented Ahimelech: making him believe, that he was then going upon the king's business, so that the service he did to David, was designed in honour to Saul.

22:11 The priests - Of the house of Eli, which God had threatened to cut off, chap.Sa1 2:31.

22:14 And said - He doth not determine the difference between Saul and David; nor affirm what David now was: but only declared what David formerly had been, and what he was still, for anything he knew to the contrary.

22:15 Knew nothing of all this - Of any design against thee.

22:18 The Edomite - This is noted to wipe off the stain of this butchery from the Israelitish nation, and to shew, why he was so ready to do it, because he was one of that nation which had an implacable hatred against all Israelites, and against the priests of the Lord.

22:19 Both men, etc - In all the life of Saul, there is no wickedness to be compared to this. He appears now to be wholly under the power of that evil spirit which had long tormented him. And this destruction could not but go to the heart of every pious Israelite, and make them wish a thousand times, they had been content with the government of Samuel.

22:20 Abiathar - Who by his father's death was now high - priest.

23  David saves Keilah from the Philistines, Sa1 23:1-6.
His danger there, and deliverance from it, Sa1 23:7-13.
He remains in the wilderness of Ziph, and is visited by Jonathan, Sa1 23:14-18.
Saul pursues him, Sa1 23:19-25.
His narrow escape, Sa1 23:26-29.

23:1 The Philistines, etc - Probably it was the departure of God and David from Saul, that encouraged the Philistines to make this inroad. When princes begin to persecute God's people and ministers, let them expect nothing but vexation on all sides.

23:4 Enquired again - Not for his own, but for his soldiers satisfaction.

23:6 Ephod - With the Ephod, the high - priest's Ephod, wherein were the Urim and the Thummim, which when Ahimelech and the rest of the priests went to Saul, were probably left in his hand. This gave him the opportunity both of escaping, whilst Doeg the butcher was killing his brethren, and of bringing away the Ephod, which Saul now was justly deprived of.

23:11 The Lord said - From this place it may appear that God's answer by Urim and Thummim, was not by any change in the colour or situation of the precious stones in the breast - plate of the Ephod, but by a voice or suggestion from God to the high - priest.He will - He purposeth to come, if thou continuest here. For still as David's question, so God's answer, is upon supposition.

23:16 And strengthened - He comforted and supported him against all his fears, by minding him of God's infallible promises made to him, and his singular providence which hitherto had and still would be with him.

23:17 Next to thee - Which he gathered either from David's generosity, and friendship to him; or from some promise made to him by David concerning it. So that the whole imports thus much; I do not look to be king myself (as by my birth I might expect,) but that thou shalt be king (God having so appointed) and I but in a secondary place inferior to thee.

23:18 Made a covenant - They then parted, and never came together again, that we find, in this world.

23:19 Ziphites - Who were of David's own tribe tho' for this their unnatural carriage to him, he calls them strangers, Psa 54:3.

23:25 A rock - That is, into a cave which was in the rock; where at first he might think to hide himself, but upon farther consideration he removed from thence upon Saul's approach.

23:27 A messenger, etc - The wisdom of God is never at a loss for ways, and means to preserve his people.

23:28 Called, etc - That is, The rock of divisions, because there Saul was separated, and in a manner pulled asunder from David, who was now almost within his reach.

24  Saul pursues David to Engedi, Sa1 24:1-2.
David cuts off his skirt, Sa1 24:3-7.
He reasons with Saul, Sa1 24:8-15.
Saul owns his fault, and returns home, Sa1 24:16-22.

24:2 Rocks - Which the wild goats used to delight in and climb over.These very rocks are exceeding steep, and full of precipices, and dangerous to travellers, as an eye - witness hath left upon record. And yet Saul was so transported with rage, as to venture himself and his army here, that he might take David, who, as he thought, would judge himself safe, and therefore be secure in such inaccessible places.

24:3 Went in - To sleep there: Saul being a military man, used to sleep with his soldiers upon the ground. And it is not improbable, that being weary with his eager and almost incessant pursuit, first of David, then of the Philistines, and now of David again, he both needed and desired some sleep, God also disposing him thereto, that David might have this eminent occasion to demonstrate his integrity to Saul, and to all Israel. Of the cave - For that there were vast caves in those parts is affirmed, not only by Josephus, but also by Heathen authors; Strabo writes of one which could receive four thousand men.

24:4 Behold, etc - Not that God had said these words, or made any such promise; but they put this construction upon those promises which God had made to him, of delivering him from all his enemies, and carrying him through all difficulties to the throne. This promise they conceived put him under an obligation of taking all opportunities which God put into his hand for their accomplishment.

24:10 Mine eye - The eye is said to spare, because it affects the heart with pity, and moves a man to spare.

24:12 Will avenge - If thou persistest in thy injuries and cruel designs against me.

24:13 Wickedness, etc - That is, wicked men will do wicked actions, among which this is one, to kill their sovereign lord and king; and therefore if I were so wicked a person as thy courtiers represent me, I should make no conscience of laying violent hands upon thee.

24:16 Thy voice - He knew his voice, though being at a great distance from him, he could not discern his face. Wept - From the sense of his sin against God, and his base carriage to David. He speaks as one quite overcome with David's kindness, and as one that relents at the sight of his own folly and ingratitude.

24:17 More righteous than I - He ingenuously acknowledges David's integrity, and his own iniquity.

24:19 The Lord reward thee - Because he thought himself not able to recompense so great a favour, he prays God to recompense it.

24:22 Unto the hold - Of En - gedi, ver. Sa1 24:1, for having had by frequent experience of Saul's inconstancy, he would trust him no more.

25  Samuel's death, Sa1 25:1.
The character of Nabal, Sa1 25:2-3.
David's requests to him, Sa1 25:4-9.
His churlish answer, Sa1 25:10-13.
David's purpose to destroy him told to Abigail, Sa1 25:13-17.
She pacifies David, Sa1 25:18-31.
His answer, Sa1 25:32-35.
The death of Nabal, Sa1 25:36-38.
David marries Abigail and Ahinoam, Sa1 25:39-44.

25:1 Lamented him - Those have hard hearts, that can bury their faithful ministers with dry eyes, and are not sensible of the loss of them who have prayed for them, and taught them the way of the Lord.

25:2 Carmel - In some part of this wilderness Israel wandered, when they came out of Egypt. The place would bring to mind God's care concerning them, which David might now improve for his own encouragement.

25:3 Abigail - That is, the joy of his father: yet he could not promise himself much joy of her, when he married her to such an husband: it seems, in inquiring, (no unfrequent thing) more after his wealth, than after his wisdom. Caleb - This is added to aggravate his crime, that he was a degenerate branch of that noble stock of Caleb, and consequently of the tribe of Judah, as David was.

25:4 Shear sheep - Which times were celebrated with feasting.

25:6 Prosperity - By this expression David both congratulates Nabal's felicity, and tacitly minds him of the distress in which he and his men were.

25:7 We hurt not - This considering the licentiousness of soldiers, and the necessities David and his men were exposed to, was no small favour, which Nabal was bound both in justice, and gratitude, and prudence to requite.

25:8 A good day - That is, in a day of feasting and rejoicing; when men are most chearful and liberal; when thou mayst relieve us out of thy abundance without damage to thyself; when thou art receiving the mercies of God, and therefore obliged to pity and relieve distressed and indigent persons.

25:17 Can not speak - But he flies into a passion.

25:18 Abigail took, etc - This she did without his leave, because it was a case of apparent necessity, for the preservation of herself, and husband, and all the family from imminent ruin. And surely, that necessity which dispenseth with God's positive commands, might dispense with the husband's right, in this case. Bottles - Casks or rundlets.

25:22 Enemies of David - That is, unto David himself. But because it might seem ominous to curse himself, therefore instead of David, he mentions David's enemies. But is this the voice of David? Can he speak so unadvisedly with his lips? Has he been so long in the school of affliction, and learned no more patience therein? Lord, what is man?And what need have we to pray, lead us not into temptation.

25:24 And said, etc - Impute Nabal's sin to me, and if thou pleasest, punish it in me, who here offer myself as a sacrifice to thy just indignation. This whole speech of Abigail shews great wisdom, by an absolute submitting to mercy, without any pretence of justification, of what was done, (but rather with aggravation of it) she endeavours to work upon David's generosity, to pardon it. And there is hardly any head of argument, whence the greatest orator might argue in this case, which she doth not manage to the best advantage.

25:25 Nabal is his name - Nabal signifies a fool.

25:26 As Nabal - Let them be as contemptible as Nabal is, and will be for this odious action; let them be as unable to do thee any hurt as he is; let them be forced to yield to thee, and implore thy pardon, as Nabal now doth by my mouth: let the vengeance thou didst design upon Nabal and his family fall upon their heads, who, by their inveterate malice against thee, do more deserve it than this fool for this miscarriage; and much more than all the rest of our family, who, as they are none of thine enemies, so they were in way guilty of this wicked action. And therefore spare these, and execute thy vengeance upon more proper objects.

25:27 Blessing - So a gift or present is called here, and elsewhere; not only because the matter of it comes from God's blessing; but also because it is given with a blessing, or with a good will.Unto the young men - As being unworthy of thine acceptance or use.

25:28 The trespass - That is, which I have taken upon myself, and which, if it be punished, the punishment will reach to me.Sure house - Will give the kingdom to thee, and to thy house for ever, as he hath promised thee. And therefore let God's kindness to thee, make thee gentle and merciful to others; do not sully thy approaching glory with the stain of innocent blood; but consider, that it is the glory of a king, to profit by offences: and that it will be thy loss to cut off such as will shortly be thy subjects. The battles - For the Lord, and for the people of the Lord against their enemies; especially, the Philistines. And as this is thy proper work, and therein thou mayest expect God's blessing; so it is not thy work to draw thy sword in thy own private quarrel against any of the people of the Lord; and God will not bless thee in it.Evil hath not, etc - Though thou hast been charged with many crimes by Saul and others; yet thy innocency is evident to all men: do not therefore by this cruel act, justify thine enemies reproaches, or blemish thy great and just reputation.

25:29 A man - Saul though no way injured. Thy soul - To take away thy life. Bundle of life - Or, in the bundle: that is, in the society, or congregation of the living; out of which, men are taken, and cut off by death. The phrase is taken from the common usage of men, who bind those things in bundles, which they are afraid to lose. The meaning is, God will preserve thy life; and therefore it becomes not thee, unnecessarily to take away the lives of any; especially of the people of thy God. With the Lord - That is, in the custody of God, who by his watchful providence, preserves this bundle, and all that are in it; and thee in a particular manner, as being thy God in a particular way, and special covenant. The Jews understand this. not only of the present life, but of that which is to come, even the happiness of departed souls, and therefore use it commonly, as an inscription on their grave - stones. "Here we have laid the body, trusting the soul is bound up in the bundleof life with the Lord." Sling out - God himself will cut them off suddenly, violently, and irresistibly; and cast them far away; both from his presence, and from thy neighbourhood, and from all capacity of doing thee hurt.

25:31 No grief - The mind and conscience will be free from all the torment which such an action would cause in thee. By which, she intimates, what a blemish this would be to his glory, what a disturbance to his peace, if he proceeded to execute his purpose: and withal implies, how comfortable it would be to him to remember, that he had for conscience to God, restrained his passions. Causeless - Which she signifies would be done if he should go on. For though Nabal had been guilty of abominable rudeness, and ingratitude; yet he had done nothing worthy of death, by the laws of God or of man. And whatsoever he had done, the rest of his family were innocent. Avenged - Which is directly contrary to God's law, Lev 19:18 Sa1 25, Deu 32:35, .Then - When God shall make thee king, let me find grace in thy sight.

25:32 The Lord - Who by his gracious providence so disposed matters, that thou shouldst come to me: He rightly begins at the fountain of his deliverance; and then proceeds to the instruments.

25:33 From coming, etc - Which I had sworn to do. Hereby it plainly appears, that oaths whereby men bind themselves to any sin, are null and void: and as it was a sin to make them; so it is adding sin to sin to perform them.

25:35 Accepted - That is, shewed my acceptance of thy person, by my grant of thy request.

25:36 A feast - As the manner was upon those solemn occasions.Sordid covetousness, and vain prodigality were met together in him.Told nothing - As he was then incapable of admonition, his reason and conscience being both asleep.

25:37 His heart died - He fainted away through the fear and horror of so great a mischief though it was past. As one, who having in the night galloped over a narrow plank, laid upon a broken bridge, over a deep river; when in the morning he came to review it, was struck dead with the horror of the danger he had been in.

25:38 Smote - God either inflicted some other stroke upon him, or increased his grief and fear to such an height, as killed him.

25:39 Blessed, etc - This was another instance of human infirmity in David. David sent - But this doubtless was not done immediately after Nabal's death, but some time after it; though such circumstances be commonly omitted in the sacred history; which gives only the heads, and most important passages of things.

26  The Ziphites inform Saul of David, who pursues him again, Sa1 26:1-3.
David sends out spies, and views his camp, Sa1 26:4-5.
Comes to him, being asleep, and takes his spear and cruse of water, Sa1 26:6-12.
Reasons with him upon it, Sa1 26:13-20.
Saul again owns his spirit, and promises to pursue him no more, Sa1 26:21-25.

26:5 The Ziphites - Probably Saul would have pursued David no more, had not these wretches set him on.

26:6 Zerujah - David's sister. His father is not named either because he was now dead; or because he was an obscure person.

26:7 Came - That is, to Saul's host. It might seem a bold and strange attempt; but it may be considered:

1. That David had a particular assurance that God would preserve him to the kingdom.
2. That he had a special instinct from God, to this work; and possibly God might inform him, that he had cast them into a deep sleep, that he might have this second opportunity of manifesting his innocency towards Saul.

26:9 Destroy him not, etc - Though Saul be a tyrant, yet he is our Lord and king; and I, though designed king, as yet am his subject; and therefore cannot kill him without sin, nor will I consent that thou shouldst do it.

26:11 Take the spear - Which will shew where we have been, and what we could have done.

26:13 Afar off - That his person might be out of their reach, and yet his voice might be heard; which in a clear air, and in the silence of the night might be heard at a great distance.

26:14 Cried to the people - It is probable this was early in the morning.

26:19 The Lord - If the Lord hath by the evil spirit which he hath sent, or by his secret providence, directed thy rage against me for the punishment of thine, or my sins. An offering - Let us offer up a sacrifice to God to appease his wrath against us. Driven me - From the land which God hath given to his people for their inheritance, and where he hath established his presence and worship. Go serve - This was the language of their actions. For by driving him from God's land, and the place of his worship, into foreign and idolatrous lands, they exposed him to the peril of being either ensnared by their counsels, or examples; or forced by their power to worship idols.

26:20 Before the Lord - Remember, if thou dost it, God the judge of all men seeth it, and will avenge it; though I will not avenge myself.

26:21 My soul, etc - This second instance of David's tenderness wrought more upon Saul than the former. He owns himself melted and quite overcome by David's kindness to him. My soul was precious in thine eyes, which I thought had been odious. He acknowledges he had done very ill to persecute him: I have acted against God's law, I have sinned: and against my own interest, I have played the fool, in pursuing him as an enemy, who was indeed one of my best friends. And herein I have erred exceedingly, have wronged both thee and myself. Nothing can be more full and ingenuous than this confession: God surely now touched his heart. And he promises to persecute him no more: nor does it appear that he ever attempted it.

26:25 Blessed, etc - So strong was his conviction now, that he could notforbear blessing him, foretelling his success, applauding David, and condemning himself, even in the hearing of his own soldiers. And this, it seems, was their last interview. After this they saw each other no more.

27  David retires to Gath, Sa1 27:1-4.
Achish gives him Ziklag, Sa1 27:5-7.
David destroys the Canaanites, Sa1 27:8-9.
Persuades Achish he fought against Judah, Sa1 27:10-12.

27:1 I shall perish - But this was certainly a very great fault in David: for

1. This proceeded from gross distrust of God's promise and providence; and that after such repeated demonstrations of God's peculiar care over him.
2. He forsakes the place where god had settled him, chap.Sa1 22:5, and given him both assurance and experience of his protection there.
3. He voluntarily runs upon that rock, which he cursed his enemies for throwing him upon, chap.Sa1 26:19, and upon many other snares and dangers, as the following history will shew; and withal, deprives the people of the Lord of those succours which he might have given them, in case of a battle.

27:4 Sought no more for him - At their meeting Saul's heart was deeply wounded, and he had said, "Return, my son David, Be with me as in time past." Nor have we the least proof, that he would have sought for him again, with any other design.

27:5 Give me a place - A prudent desire. Hereby David designed to preserve his people, both from the vices, which conversation with the Philistines would have exposed them to; and from that envy, and malice, which diversity of religion might have caused. With thee - Which is too great an honour for me, and too burdensome to thee, and may be an occasion of offence to thy people.

27:6 Gave Ziklag - Not only to inhabit, but to possess it as his own.Which he did, to lay the greater obligations upon David, whom he knew so able to serve him. It was given to the tribe of Judah before, Jos 15:31,but the Philistines kept the possession of it 'till this time.And being given by them to David, it now belonged not to the tribe of Judah; but to the king of Judah, David and his heirs forever.To this day - This, and some such clauses seem to have been added, after the main substance of the several books was written.

27:8 Amalekites - The remnant of those whom Saul destroyed, chap.Sa1 15:3-9, who retired into remote and desert places.

27:9 Let neither man, etc - In that part where he came: but there were more of the Amalekites yet left in another part of that land.

27:10 David - These and the following words are ambiguous, and contrary to that simplicity which became David, both as a prince, and as an eminent professor of the true religion. The fidelity of Achish to him, and the confidence he put in him, aggravates his sin in thus deceiving him, which David seems penitently to reflect on, when he prays, Remove from me the way of lying.

28  The conference between Achish and David, Sa1 28:1-2.
The preparation of the Philistines, and the distress of Saul, Sa1 28:3-6.
He applies to a woman which had a familiar spirit, to raise Samuel, Sa1 28:7-11.
Samuel appears, and foretells his defeat and death, Sa1 28:12-19.
Saul faints, and is with difficulty persuaded to take any sustenance, Sa1 28:20-25.

28:2 Can do - He speaks ambiguously, as he did before.

28:5 He trembled - Had he kept close to God, he needed not fear all the armies of the Philistines.

28:7 That hath, etc - One that converseth with the devil, or dead men's ghosts, and by them can discover future things. See Isa 8:19.

28:8 Disguised - Both because he was ashamed to be known, or thought guilty of this practice; and because he suspected, the woman, had she known him, would not practice her art before him.

28:11 Samuel - Whose kindness and compassion as he had formerly experienced, so now he expected it in his deep distress. This practice of divination by the dead, or the souls of dead persons, was very usual among all nations.

28:12 Saw Samuel - The words are express, the woman saw Samuel, instead of the spirit whom she expected to see, God ordering it so for his own glory. She cried with a loud voice - Terrified and astonished, and thence easily conjectured, whom she had been talking with.

28:13 Gods - That is, a god, and divine person, glorious, and full of majesty and splendor, exceeding not only mortal men, but common ghosts.She used the plural number, gods, either after the manner of the Hebrew language, which commonly uses that word of one person: or, after the language and custom of the heathens.

28:14 A mantle - The usual habit of prophets, and particularly of Samuel, chap.Sa1 15:27.If it was not Samuel, but an other spirit in his shape, it is not true, that Saul perceived it was Samuel. It seems Saul did not see him, so soon as the woman, which occasioned his asking those questions.

28:15 Called Samuel - Happy had it been, if he had called Samuel sooner, or rather the God of Samuel! It was now too late: destruction was at hand and God had determined, it should not be stayed.

28:17 To him - To David.

28:19 Tomorrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me: "What do these solemn words portend?A gleam of hope when life shall end.Thou and thy sons, tho' slain shall beTo-morrow in repose with me.Not in a state of health or painIf Saul with Samuel doth remain;Not in a state of damn'd despair,If loving Jonathan is there."Tho' these words may only mean, ye shall surely die, without any reference to the state of their souls after death. See note on Sa1 31:8

28:20 Fell - As if the Archers of the Philistines had already hit him, and there was no strength in him, to bear up against these heavy tidings: especially, as we cannot doubt, but all his past sins were now brought to his remembrance and what authority has any man to affirm, that he felt no contrition all this time? Altho' it did not seem good to the holy ghost, to leave it upon record?

28:21 Came to Saul - From whom she departed, when she had brought him and Samuel together, that they might more freely converse together.

28:24 Unleavened - Not having time to leaven it.

29  The princes of the Philistines object against David's going with them to the battle, Sa1 29:1-5.
He is dismissed by Achish, Sa1 29:6-11.

29:2 With Achish - As the life - guard of Achish. Achish being, as it seems, the general of the army.

29:3 The princes - The Lords of the other eminent cities, who were confederate with him in this expedition. These days or years - That is, did I say days? I might have said years. He hath now been with me a full year and four months, chap.Sa1 27:7, and he was with me some years ago, Sa1 21:10, and since their time hath been known to me.And it is not improbable, but David, after his escape from thence, might hold some correspondence with Achish, as finding him to be a man of a more generous temper than the rest of the Philistines, and supposing that he might have need of him for a refuge, in case Saul continued to seek his life. Since he fell - Revolted, or left his own king to turn to me.

29:4 Make this fellow - Herein the wise and gracious providence of God appeared, both in helping him out of these difficulties, out of which no human wit could have extricated him, but he must have been, an ungrateful person either to the one or the other side, and moreover in giving him the happy opportunity of recovering his own, and his all from the Amalekites, which had been irrecoverably lost, if he had gone into this battle. And the kindness of God to David was the greater, because it had been most just for God to have left David in those distresses into which his own sinful counsel had brought him. These men - That is, of these our soldiers, they speak according to the rules of true policy; for by this very course, great enemies have sometimes been reconciled together.

29:8 David said etc - This was deep dissimulation and flattery, no way to be justified. None knows, how strong a temptation they are in to compliment and dissemble, which they are in who attend great men.

29:9 Angel of God - In whom nothing is blame - worthy. The Heathens acknowledged good spirits, which also they worshipped as an inferior sort of deities, who were messengers and ministers to the supreme God; Achish had learned the title of angels, from the Israelites his neighbours, and especially from David's conversation.

29:11 Rose up early - David did not then know, how necessary this was, for the relief of his own city. But God knew it well, and sent him thither accordingly. On how many occasions may he say, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter?

30  Ziklag plundered: David and his men distressed, Sa1 30:1-6.
Encouraged of God, he pursues them, Sa1 30:7-10.
He gains intelligence from a straggler, Sa1 30:11-15.
Routs the enemy, and recovers all they had taken, Sa1 30:16-20.
Makes an order for dividing the spoil, Sa1 30:21-25.
Sends presents to his friends, Sa1 30:26-31.

30:1 The south - Namely, the southern part of Judah, and the adjacent parts.

30:4 Wept - It is no disparagement to the boldest, bravest spirits, to lament the calamities of friends or relations.

30:6 Stoning him - As the author of their miseries, by coming to Ziklag at first, by provoking the Amalekites to this cruelty, and by his forwardness in marching away with Achish, and leaving their wives and children unguarded. Encouraged himself - That is, in this that the all - wise, and all - powerful Lord, was his God by covenant and special promise, and fatherly affection, as he had shewed himself to be in the whole course of his providence towards him. It is the duty of all good men, whatever happens, to encourage themselves in the Lord their God, assuring themselves, that he both can and will bring light out of darkness.

30:7 The ephod - And put it upon thyself, that thou mayst enquire of God according to his ordinance, David was sensible of his former error in neglecting to ask counsel of God by the ephod, when he came to Achish, and when he went out with Achish to the Battle; and his necessity now brings him to his duty, and his duty meets with success.

30:8 He answered - Before, God answered more slowly and gradually, chap.Sa1 23:11-12, but now he answers speedily, and fully at once, because the business required haste. So gracious is our God, that he considers even the degree of our necessities, and accommodates himself to them.

30:10 Four hundred - A small number for such an attempt: but David was strong in faith, giving God the glory of his power and faithfulness.

30:12 Three days and nights - One whole day and part of two others, as appears from the next verse, where he saith, three days ago I fell sick, but in the Hebrew it is, this is the third day since I fell sick.

30:13 Egypt - God by his providence so ordering it, that he was not one of that cursed race of the Amalekites, who were to be utterly destroyed, but an Egyptian, who might be spared. Left me - In this place and condition: which was barbarous inhumanity: for he ought, and easily might have carried him away with the prey which they had taken. But he paid dear for this cruelty, for this was the occasion of the ruin of him and all their company. And God by his secret providence ordered the matter thus for that very end. So that there is no fighting against God, who can make the smallest accidents serviceable to the production of the greatest effects.

30:14 Cherethites - That is, the Philistines. Caleb - This is added by way of explication: that part of the south of Judah which belongs to Caleb's posterity.

30:15 Will bring thee - For his master had told him whither they intended to go, that he might come after them, as soon as he could.

30:16 Upon all the earth - Secure and careless, because they were now come almost to the borders of their own country, and the Philistines and Israelites both were otherwise engaged, and David, as they believed, with them. So they had no visible cause of danger; and yet then they were nearest to destruction.

30:17 Twilight - The word signifies both the morning and evening twilight. But the latter seems here intended, partly because their eating, and drinking, and dancing, was more proper work for the evening, than the morning; and partly, because the evening was more convenient for David, that the fewness of his forces might not be discovered by the day - light.It is probable, that when he came near them, he reposed himself, and his army, in some secret place, whereof there were many parts, for a convenient season; and then marched on so as to come to them at the evening time.

30:20 Other cattle - Before those that belonged to Ziklag.David's spoil - The soldiers, who lately were so incensed against David, that they spake of stoning him: now upon this success magnify him, and triumphantly celebrate his praise; and say concerning this spoil, David purchased it by his valour and conduct, and he may dispose of it as he pleaseth.

30:21 Saluted them - He spoke kindly to them, and did not blame them because they went no further with them.

30:23 My brethren - He useth his authority to over - rule them; but manageth it with all sweetness, tho' they were such wicked and unreasonable men, calling them brethren; not only as of the same nation and religion with him, but as his fellow - soldiers. What God hath freely imparted to us, we should not unkindly and injuriously withhold from our brethren.

30:24 Part alike - A prudent and equitable constitution, and therefore practiced by the Romans, as Polybius and others note. The reason of it is manifest; because they were exposed to hazards, as well as their brethren: and were a reserve to whom they might retreat in case of a defeat; and they were now in actual service, and in the station in which their general had placed them.

30:26 Elders of Judah - Partly in gratitude for their former favours to him: and partly, in policy, to engage their affections to him.

31  Israel overthrown, and Saul, his three sons, his armour - bearer and all his men slain, Sa1 31:1-6.
The Israelites forsake their cities, Sa1 31:7.
The camp plundered and the dead bodies insulted, Sa1 31:8-10.
But rescued by the men of Jabesh - Gilead, Sa1 31:11-13.

31:2 Jonathan - David's dear friend; God so ordering it for the farther exercise of David's faith and patience; and that David might depend upon God alone for his crown, and receive it solely from him, and not from Jonathan; who doubtless, had he lived, would have speedily settled the crown upon David's head. There was also a special providence of God, in taking away Jonathan, (who of all Saul's sons, seems to have been the fairest for the crown) for preventing divisions, which might have happened amongst the people concerning the successor: David's way to the crown being by this means made the more clear. Abinadab - Called also Ishui, chap.Sa1 14:49.Ishbosheth was not here, being possibly at home for the management of affairs there.

31:8 Saul and his three sons - "The scripture, as Mr. Henry well observes, makes no mention of the souls of Saul and his sons, what became of them after they were dead: secret things belong not to us."

31:9 Cut off his head - As the Israelites did by Goliath, and fastened it in the temple of Dagon, Ch1 10:10.Idols - To give them the glory of this victory. And by this respect shewn to their pretended deities, how do they shame those, who give not the honour of their achievements to the living God?

31:12 Took the body, etc - This they did, not only out of a concern, for the honour of Israel, and the crown of Israel, but out of gratitude to Saul, for his zeal and forwardness to rescue them from the Ammonites.

31:13 Fasted - To testify their sorrow for the loss of Saul, and of the people of God; and to intreat God's favour to prevent the utter extinction of his people. But you must not understand this word of fasting strictly, as if they eat nothing for seven whole days; but in a more large sense, as it is used both in sacred and profane writers; that they did eat but little, and that but mean food, and drank only water for that time. This book began with the birth of Samuel, and ends with the death of Saul: The comparing these together will teach us to prefer the honour that comes from God, before all the honours of the world.

10:5 Эти "пророки", объединившиеся в группы, приходили с помощью музыки и пляски в экстаз, становившийся заразительным. Их нельзя отождествлять с великими пророками Израиля (см Введение к пророкам).

12:20 Краткое изложение антимонархической доктрины: установление царской власти было тяжелым проступком (ср Ос 8:4, Ос 9:15), но Бог все же не отвергает избранного Им народа, при условии, что он впредь будет верен. Пророки будут ходатайствовать за него и направлять его.

13:7 В этом драма царствования Саула: избранный Богом, он спас свой народ (1 Цар 11и 1 Цар 14) и однако Бог его отвергает (1 Цар 13и 1 Цар 15). Начиная с предпочтения, оказанного Иакову перед Исавом (Быт 25:23; ср Рим 9:13), с избрания Израиля (Втор 7:6; Ам 3:2) и до призвания апостолов и даже каждого христианина вся свящ. история утверждает избрание по одному только Божиему соизволению. Но она утверждает также, что сохранение благодати зависит от верности избранного: Саул не был верен своему призванию и пытался присвоить себе духовную власть, сосредоточить в своих руках "Божие" и "кесарево".

14:10 Воля Божия проявляется в событии, близком или далеком. Она возвещается Богом (Исх 3:12) или Божиим человеком (1 Цар 2:34; 4 Цар 19:29), или, как здесь и в Быт 24:12сл; Суд 6:17-18и Суд 6:36-40; 4 Цар 20:8-10, вопрошающий сам выбирает знак, посредством которого может проявиться воля Божия.

14:18 О "кивоте" или "ефоде" см 1 Цар 2:18. Саул хочет знать волю Божию прежде, чем начинать бой (ср ст 1 Цар 14:37и 1 Цар 30:7сл). Вспомнив Суд 8:27, где ефод является предметом соблазна, поздний писец заменил здесь "ефод" "кивотом" (ковчегом).

14:19 Священник готовится вытянуть жребии. Саул его останавливает и идет в бой.

14:23 Филистимляне отброшены на дорогу, по которой вторглись (ср. ст 1 Цар 14:31). Это действительно большая победа: горная местность, расположенная в центре царства, освобождена.

14:24 Добровольный пост является средством к достижению победы, которая дается Богом.

15:22 Самуил не отвергает жертвоприношений, но указывает, что послушание, будучи внутренним расположением души, более приятно Богу, чем внешний обряд. Исполнять этот обряд против воли Бога значит поклоняться не Богу, а кумиру, впадать в идолопоклонство, которое избранный народ не отверг еще окончательно, как о том свидетельствуют библейские тексты, напр. Быт 31:19, Быт 31:30сл; 1 Цар 19:13.

16:13 "Почивал Дух Господень на Давиде" - без всякого внешнего знака и в непосредственной связи с помазанием Дух Божий знаменует здесь благодать, ниспосланную священному лицу. Имя "Давид" - старое семитское слово, означающее "начальствующий", "военный вождь".

16:14 Дух Господень (ср. Суд 3:10) покинул Саула (1 Цар 15:23), который теперь "одержим" злым духом. Его называют "злым духом от Бога" (стт 1 Цар 16:15-16, ср. 1 Цар 18:10; 1 Цар 19:9), ибо израильтяне все относят к Богу, как к первопричине. (Ср. дух распри, Суд 9:23, дух лжи, 3 Цар 22:19-22, дух опьянения, Ис 19:14, дух усыпления, Ис 29:10), Сознание своей отверженности Богом и отход от него Самуила действуют на необузданный характер царя и вызывают у него припадки безумия (1 Цар 18:10сл; 1 Цар 19:9сл).

16:16 Во всем древнем мире музыка применялась для возбуждения доброго духа (ср 1 Цар 10:5) или для изгнания злого.

24:5 Давид испытывает угрызения совести (ср. 2 Цар 24:10), ибо считалось, что одежда заменяет личность (ср. 1 Цар 18:4): притронуться к одежде значило прикоснуться к личности.

25:4 Стрижка овец давала повод для праздника, на котором богатый владелец был Давид воспользовался этим обстоятельством, чтобы потребовать налог т. н. права "братства", который кочевники взимали с соседних сел за оказанную им "защиту", заключавшуюся в том, что они их не грабили и отгоняли мародеров (ст. 1 Цар 25:16).

25:25 По-евр. "навал" означает безумца, одновременно глупого, нечестивого и злого (ср. Ис 32:5сл).

26:19 Считалось, что Господь настолько связан с израильской землей, Своим "наследием", что невозможно поклоняться Ему "за ее пределами, где царили другие боги". Поэтому и Нееман уносит с собой в Дамаск немного израильской земли (4 Цар 5:17). Заставить Давида уйти в изгнание - значит обречь его на отказ от Бога Израилева.

27:6 На границе земли филистимлян, северо-восточнее Вирсавии. Анхус отдает город Давиду, как вассалу, рассчитывая на его отряд для поддержания порядка в соседней пустыне.

28:13 "Выходящего из земли" - т.е. из шеола, подземного местопребывания умерших (ср. Числ 16:33).

Автор показывает Давида избранником Божиим, но в дальнейшем он подчеркивает его слабости, чтобы показать, что и величайший царь Израиля не был идеальным помазанником. Как и все люди, он грешит и должен нести ответственность за свои поступки.

9:12  Сегодня у нас жертвоприношение на высоте — см. прим. к 7:9.

9:13 Имеется в виду мирная жертва. См. прим. к 1:4.

9:16  Ибо я призрел на народ Мой, так как вопль его достиг до Меня. Положение евреев около времени избрания ими царя было далеко не блестяще. С запада их неотразимо теснили филистимляне. Они успели захватить в свои руки некоторые укрепленные места (холмы) евреев, снабдив их собственными охранными отрядами (10:5). Чтобы лишить евреев возможности выделывать оружие, филистимляне уничтожили в их земле всех кузнецов; так что даже для починки земледельческих орудий евреи должны были ходить к своим врагам, филистимлянам (13:19-22). С востока угрожали аммонитяне.

9:18  В воротах города.

9:20  А об ослицах не заботься. Да и может ли заботиться исключительно о них тот, кому, по определению Божию, уже принадлежит все вожделенное во Израиле?

9:21 После междоусобной распри (Суд 19-21) Вениаминово колено значительно сократилось в своем населении.

10:1 Доселе в Ветхом Завете упоминалось о помазании святым елеем (для сообщения духовных даров Божиих) только первосвященника (Исх 30:23). Но если для успешного прохождения своего служения требует особой божественной помощи пастырь душ человеческих, то не меньшей помощи требует и устроитель земного благополучия людей — царь, который в теократическом государстве (см. прим. к 8:6) есть вместе с тем и помощник первосвященника в деле упасения душ вверенного им народа (Втор 17:14-20).

И вот тебе знамение того, что помазал тебя Господь: душевное состояние Саула требовало какого-либо осязательного подтверждения его богоизбранничества в цари над Израилем (9:20-21).

10:2  Близ гроба Рахили. Согласно Быт 35:19, гроб Рахили находится близ г. Вифлеема, к югу от Иерусалима, в пределах Иудина колена. Полагают, что в пределах Вениаминовых, в Целцахе, была местность, также носившая название Гроба Рахили, — из уважения к памяти родоначальницы вениамитян.

10:3  Дубрава Фаворская не может быть дубравой известной горы Фавор, так как последняя (т. е. гора Фавор) расположена значительно севернее колена Вениаминова, совершенно не по пути Саула в его родной город — Гиву Вениаминову (10:26). Упоминаемая здесь «дубрава Фаворская» (как и «гроб Рахили»), по всей вероятности, название какой-нибудь, неизвестной в настоящее время, местности Вениаминова колена.

Идущих к Богу в Вефиль, т. е. идущих в Вефиль для совершения жертвы Господу Богу. См. прим. к 7:9.

10:5  Холм Божий, т. е. одна из известных тогда в народе жертвенных высот (см. прим. к 7:9).

Помимо отмеченного, холм имел и иное — военное назначение, служа для филистимлян опорным пунктом их власти в Ханаане (см. прим. к 9:16).

Встретишь сонм пророков, сходящих с высоты. «Сонмы» пророков — это религиозно-воспитательные и образовательные пророческие общества, впоследствии носившие названия пророческих училищ, первоначальное основание и устройство которых было сделано пророком Самуилом. Изучение слова Божия, упражнение в молитве, пение (под аккомпанементы музыки) священных гимнов были главными предметами занятий в этих обществах. Члены последних назывались «пророками» за свое восторженно-одушевленное прославление имени Божия, а также «сынами» или «учениками пророческими» (3 Цар 20:35; 4 Цар 2:3,5,15), потому что воспитывались под руководством боговдохновенных пророков, называвшихся их «отцами» (4 Цар 2:12). При Самуиле члены пророческой общины имели свое пребывание в Раме Самуиловой (1 Цар 19:18-24); в позднейшее время, при Илии и Елисее, мы видим пророческих учеников в разных городах южного Ханаана: в Галгале (4 Цар 2:1), в Вефиле (4 Цар 2:3), в Иерихоне (4 Цар 2:5,15).

«Сонмы» неподкупных стражей закона Иеговы, восторженных глашатаев Его святой, совершенной и благой воли должны были стать, — и были на самом деле в течение всей ветхозаветной истории, — сильным противовесом народного увлечения в мрачные и гибельные дебри языческого беззакония. Глубокая убежденность истинного ведения, священный огонь религиозного воодушевления, полная правдивость и нелицеприятие обличительных речей учеников пророческих школ оказывали на народ сильное впечатление и немало содействовали богопризванным пророкам в их великой и трудной миссии религиозного уврачевания народа.

Псалтирь, тимпан, свирель, гусли — музыкальные инструменты евреев того времени: псалтирь и гусли — струнные; свирель — духовой; тимпан — вроде нашего тамбурина или бубна.

И они пророчествуют. «Пророчествовать» на библейском языке не всегда означает «предсказывать». В данном случае, как и нередко в Библии (напр., Чис 11:25; 1 Цар 10:6,10,13; 19:20 и др.), выражение «пророчествовать» можно понимать в смысле — прославлять Бога и Его чудные дела в восторженных хвалебных гимнах, что предполагает, разумеется, особый подъем духовных сил человека. С временным прекращением этого подъема прекращается и «пророчествование» (Чис 11:25; 1 Цар 10:13 и др.).

10:6  И ты будешь пророчествовать. См. прим. к концу 5 ст.

10:7-8 Наставление и вместе испытание для Саула: получая известную свободу действий (ст. 7), нареченный царь евреев отнюдь не должен был забывать того обстоятельства, что в вопросах высшего порядка он лишь исполнитель воли Небесного Царя народа; посредник между Богом и народом, истолкователь и провозвестник божественной воли — пророк — есть и будет в отношении царя тем же самым, что и в отношении каждого из народа. См. прим. к 8:6.

10:8  Галгал — город священных воспоминаний (Нав 4:4; 5:5); расположен на восток от Иерихона, вблизи р. Иордан.

10:9  Бог дал ему иное сердце — под воздействием божественного помазания Саул внутренне как бы переродился, получил возможность быть тем, чем должен стать в своем новом звании (см. прим. к 8:6).

И сбылись все те знамения: см. 1-7 ст.

10:10  И он пророчествовал среди них — см. прим. к концу 5 ст., а также к 9 ст.

10:12  А у тех кто отец? Указывая на сынов пророческих, спрашивающий дает понять, что нравы и положение родителей в данном случае ни при чем, так как дар пророческий не наследственен. Тем не менее, недоумение при виде «пророчествовавшего Саула» было так велико, что увековечилось в пословице. Когда впоследствии желали выразить изумление по поводу какой-нибудь неожиданной перемены, то говорили: «Неужели и Саул во пророках!»

10:13 См. прим. к концу 5 ст.

10:17 Город Массифа (к западу от Гивы Вениаминовой, к северо-западу от Иерусалима) и прежде бывал местом религиозно-общественных собраний народа (Суд 20:1; 21:1; 1 Цар 7:5).

10:18-19  А вы отвергли Бога (ср. 8:7-8). См. прим. к 8:6.

Итак, предстаньте теперь пред Господом, чтобы узнать, кого Господь избирает вам в цари.

10:20  И указано — через жребий. «Жившие порочно, — замечает блаж. Феодорит, — не всегда верили Божиим пророкам. Посему, чтобы не думали, будто приговор сделан по человеческой милости, Самуил приказал бросить жребий» (Толк. на 1 Цар, вопр. 22).

10:22  И вопросили еще Господа — чрез какое-либо знамение. Если же выражение 17 стиха «к Господу в Массифу» понимать в том смысле, что к этому времени в Массифу была перенесена скиния, то вопросить Господа евреи могли и иным путем, — через посредство первосвященника и вверенного ему таинственного наперсника.

10:23  От плеч своих выше всего народа, т. е. выше всех головой.

10:24 Физические достоинства человека в древности ставились очень высоко; по ним нередко измерялись и его внутренне достоинства (16:7). Там, где главное назначение того или иного человека усматривалось в обязанности защищать вверенные ему интересы путем применения физической силы, вышеотмеченные достоинства человека имели, конечно, решающее значение. По свидетельству Геродота (III, 20; VII, 187), ефиопляне избирали своим царем того, кто был выше других ростом. Того же физического соответствия своему предполагаемому назначению хотели видеть в своем царе и евреи (VIII, 20). Увидев рослую, могучую фигуру Саула, народ с восторгом закричал: Да живет царь!

Господь попустил совершиться избранию Саула, дабы евреи осязательно убедились в том, что для теократического государя (см. прим. к 8:6) грубая физическая сила не составляет главного требуемого качества (16:1,7); дабы опытно осведомившись о том, каким не может быть их царь, сознательнее отнеслись к божественному указанию в лице преемника Саула (16:1,7) о том, каким он должен быть.

10:25  Права царства, записанные Самуилом и положенные пред ковчегом Господним, нужно отличать от изображенной им пред народом картины обычного в то время на Востоке поведения царя (8:11-18). В противоположность означенной картине и в соответствии с Втор 17:14-20 Самуил, по всей вероятности, изобразил в «Правах царя» тот желательный, с теократической точки зрения (см. прим. к 8:6), идеал царя, которому должен следовать царь евреев.

Впрочем, действительное содержание этого важного документа не дошло до нас.

10:26 Город Гива Вениаминова расположен к югу от Рамы Самуиловой и к северу от Иерусалима.

Которых сердца коснулся Бог, т. е. сердце которых радостно отозвалось на избрание царем богатыря Саула.

10:27  И не поднесли ему даров, по случаю избрания в цари. Предполагается, что другие сделали эти дары и тем выразили свое почтительное приветствие новоизбранному.

Но он как бы не замечал этого: простое благоразумие требовало отнестись спокойно к частичной вспышке неудовольствия, иначе она могла перейти в пожар междоусобия.

11:1  Спустя около месяца — после избрания Саула на царство.

Наас аммонитянин — царь аммонитян. Аммонитяне жили в южных пределах восточного Заиорданья.

Иавис Галаадский — город, находившийся в средней части восточного Заиорданья, Галааде.

11:2 Кроме наносимого бесчестия Израилю, лишение покоренных правого глаза могло иметь и иную цель. Лишая жителей Иависа именно правого глаза, Наас «хотел сделать их неспособными к войне, потому что держащий в левой руке щит закрывает им левый глаз, правый же смотрит на врагов». Поэтому лишение правого глаза легко может повести к поражению тех, кто лишены его (блаж. Феодорит. Толк. на 1 Цар, вопр. 23; ср. Иосиф Флавий. Иуд. древн. VI, 5, §1).

11:3  Выйдем к тебе, чтобы исполнить твое требование.

11:5  И вот пришел Саул позади волов с поля. Очевидно, он продолжал еще вести ту трудовую земледельческую жизнь, которую вел до своего избрания в цари. Царский быт и царская обстановка явились позднее.

11:6  И сошел на Саула Дух Божий — дух благородной решимости идти и освободить невинно угнетаемых, в полной уверенности, что Господь не оставит его своей помощью.

11:7 «Для уразумения какой-нибудь мысли, для ее полного усвоения, древнему человеку необходим был более или менее яркий образ. Еврей, еще не испытавший, что такое царская власть, тогда только мог вполне постигнуть ее силу, когда ему сказали, что за неповиновение царю он лишится вола, самого дорогого предмета в земледельческом хозяйстве, и при этом показали, для наглядности, кусок разрубленного вола» (Я. Богородский. Еврейские цари. Казань, 1884, с. 34-35).

11:8  Везек — город в средней части западного Заиорданья, против Иависа Галаадского.

Мужи Иудины — воины из колен Иуды и Симеона; сыны Израилевы — воины из остальных колен, кроме колена Левия, освобожденного от исполнения воинских обязанностей в силу своего постоянного служения при скинии Господней.

Распадение еврейского народа на Иуду и Израиль чувствуется еще задолго до окончательного разделения еврейской монархии на царства Иудейское и Израильское. (Подробнее об этом см. в соч. Покровского «Разделение Еврейского царства на Иудейское и Израильское».)

11:11  В средину стана неприятелей.

Во время утренней стражи, т. е. во время от 2 до 6 часов утра. В древние времена ночь у евреев разделялась на три стражи, по четыре часа каждая. Первая продолжалась от 6 до 10 часов вечера, вторая — от 10 часов вечера до 2 часов утра, и третья, называвшаяся утренней стражей, от 2 до 6 часов утра. Со времени подчинения евреев римскому господству евреи усвоили деление вышеозначенных часов ночи на четыре стражи, по три часа в каждой, подобно тому, как это было принято у римлян (Мф 14:25; Мк 13:35).

11:12 Ср. 10:27. Очевидно, военный подвиг Саула сломил последнее сомнение народа в том, что он может быть желанным (8:20) царем Израиля.

11:13 Ср. гл. 10, конец 27 ст.

11:14-15 Единодушное признание Галгальским всенародным собранием Саула царем над Израилем загладило собой ту опасную раздвоенность общественного мнения, которая обнаружилась в отношении Саула при его первом избрании в Массифе (10:27). Когда власть царя была признана всем народом, пророк Самуил получал возможность беспрепятственно сложить с себя звание судии евреев.

11:15  15. И принесли там мирные жертвы: см. прим. к 7:9. Но можно допустить, что выражение «пред Господом» указывает на временное присутствие в Галгале скинии Господней (ср. 10:17,19,22).

12:1-5 Смысл речи таков: «Желание ваше исполнено, вы имеете царя, такого, какого хотели. Моя деятельность судии среди вас закончена. Не знаю, каков будет для вас царь; что же касается меня, то я не могу упрекнуть себя в какой-либо несправедливости в отношении вас». Народ засвидетельствовал правду слов Самуила, после чего пророк обратился к народу со словом назидания, вполне уверенный в том, что народ увидит в этом назидании одно лишь желание блага этому народу (6-25 ст.)

12:6-25 Смысл увещания пророка таков: «До сих пор у вас не было царя, однако Господь Бог всегда спасал вас от врагов ваших, как только вы обращались к Нему. А потом вдруг потребовали себе для защиты от врагов земного царя! Как будто Господь уже не может больше спасать вас и как будто земной царь сам по себе может доставить вам это спасение! Вы обнаружили постыдное маловерие к помощи Божией и излишнее упование на силу собственного копья и меча. Знайте же, что как без царя вы спасались от врагов только тогда, когда не уклонялись от Господа и служили Ему от всего сердца вашего, так точно будет и при царе. Царская власть будет бессильна спасти вас, как скоро в вас самих не будет внутренней нравственной силы. Если вы и царь ваш будете ходить вслед Господа-Бога вашего, то вас не постигнет зло; если же станете противиться повелениям Господа, то ведайте: погибнете вы и царь ваш. А что все, сказанное мною, справедливо, Господь подтвердит сейчас знамением» (ст. 16-18).

12:17  Не жатва ли пшеницы ныне? Но я воззову к Господу, и пошлет Он гром и дождь. В Палестине бывает в году два периода дождей — ранний и поздний (Втор 11:14): ранний (применительно к началу гражданского года евреев с сентября месяца) — это осенний период дождей, падающий на октябрь и ноябрь месяцы; поздний — весенний, падающий на конец февраля, март и начало апреля. В мае же и начале июня, когда совершается уборка пшеницы, дождя совсем не бывает: ханаанский дождь в это время был бы так же странен, как, по выражению Премудрого, свет летом (Притч 26:1).

13:1  Год был по воцарении Саула и другой год царствовал он над Израилем, т. е. во второй год по воцарении Саула над Израилем.

Три тысячи израильтян — в качестве постоянного военного отряда.

13:2  Михмас — город на северо-восток от Гивы Вениаминовой.

Возвышенность Вефиля — на север от Гивы Вениаминовой.

13:3  Охранный отряд филистимлян, который был в Гиве — см. прим. к 9:16. Очевидно, Гива Вениаминова входила уже в район филистимских захватов, и в ней (вернее, около нее) расположен был наблюдательный и охранный отряд филистимлян. Неудивительно, что подобное соседство не могло особенно понравиться царю евреев.

13:5  Беф-Авен = Аиалон (14:23,31); расположен к юго-западу от Гаваона.

13:6-7 «Потому ли, что война была начата не по единодушному взрыву народного чувства, а по личным соображениям Саула; или потому, что гром железного оружия филистимлян наводил панический страх на евреев (см. прим. к 9:16), но вышло так, что евреи упали духом: только часть их последовала за Саулом в Галгал (для жертвоприношения Богу); наибольшая же масса спряталась в пещеры, в терновые кустарники, в ущелья гор, в башни и ямы; многие бросились даже за Иордан» (Я. Богородский. Еврейские цари. С. 41).

13:8-14 См. прим. к 7:6 и к 10:8. Не исполнив воли пророка Господня, Саул нарушил не простую формальность, а один из существеннейших законов, положенных в основу власти еврейского царя (Втор 17:14-20). И пророк Самуил, как верный страж теократии еврейского народа, не мог оставить это нарушение закона без энергичного протеста и обличения.

13:17  Офра Вениаминова — на север от Михмаса.

13:18  Вефорон (Верхний и Нижний) — на запад от Михмаса. Цевоим — к юго-востоку от Михмаса, по направлению к пустыне Иерихонской.

14:13-23 Подвергшись быстрому и ловкому нападению, филистимляне пришли в ужас и, вообразив, что по беспечности подпустили к себе целый отряд неприятеля, скрытый ущельем гор (4-6 ст.), ударились в дикое бегство, произвели страшный переполох в лагере при Михмасе и смутили прочие филистимские отряды. Смятению филистимлян содействовало еще и то обстоятельство, что в их войске было много евреев. Ободренные благоприятным оборотом дела, они обнажили мечи против своих утеснителей. К ним присоединились и те из израильтян, которые в начале филистимского нашествия в страхе попрятались было в ущелья и ямы (см. прим. к 13:6-7).

14:18-23  Тогда сказал Саул священнику (Ахии): сложи (молитвенно) руки твои (ст. 19), дабы через посредство святыни (ст. 18) уразуметь нам волю Божию. И воскликнул Саул и весь народ, бывший с ним (ст. 20): Господь дал понять евреям, что филистимляне преданы в руки их. Само собой понятно, что, удостоверившись в происшедшем смятении филистимлян, Саул бросился со своим войском довершать поражение неприятелей и преследовал их от Михмаса до Беф-Авена (Аиалона).

14:18  Кивот — в греческом переводе: ефот.

14:24-34  Саул весьма безрассудно заклял весь народ. Последствия необдуманного заклятия Саулом своих воинов сказалось очень скоро. «Первым результатом его было то, что клятва была нарушена, и именно тем, кто всего более думал о преследовании неприятелей, всего более содействовал их поражению — героем дня, царевичем Ионафаном, не знавшим о заклятии. Когда наступил вечер, изголодавшийся народ с остервенением бросился на филистимскую добычу — мелкий и крупный скот — и предался кровавой еде почти сырого, дымящегося мяса, в противность прямому постановлению закона (Втор 12:16,23 ). Так что для прекращения беспорядка Саул принужден был лично наблюдать за надлежащим приготовлением для еды каждого животного» (Я. Богородский. Еврейские цари. С. 51-52).

14:28  И просветлели глаза его, померкнувшие от утомления и голода.

14:29  Смутил отец мой землю, дав неосторожную клятву.

14:33-34  Привалите ко мне теперь большой камень (33 ст.) и затем пусть каждый приводит ко мне своего вола и каждый свою овцу и закалайте здесь (на камне) и ешьте и не грешите пред Господом, не ешьте с кровью (34 ст.).

14:35 Замечание, очень характерное для личности Саула: только теперь, восторжествовав над врагами, Саул почувствовал потребность самостоятельного жертвоприношения Господу Богу, без побуждения на то со стороны пророка Самуила (10:8; 13:8).

14:36  Приступим здесь к Богу, дабы узнать Его волю.

14:37  И вопросил Саул Бога, через посредство Святыни Господней (см. 18-19 ст.).

14:38  На ком ныне грех, препятствующий нам узнать волю Господню?

14:39-45  Но никто не отвечал ему из всего народа. Народ, несомненно, знал о нарушении Ионафаном Саулова заклятия (27-30 ст.), но, сознавая безрассудство этого заклятия (24 ст.) и питая вполне законное чувство любви и благодарности к герою дня Ионафану, которому, видимо, сам Бог помогал в одолении врагов (ст. 42,45), решил не допустить Саула до совершения другого, еще худшего, безрассудства. И освободил народ Ионафана, и не умер он (45 ст.).

14:47  Моав — на восточном берегу Мертвого моря; Аммон — в южных пределах восточного Заиорданья; Вефор — одно из неизвестных в настоящее время племен; Сова (или Сува, Цоба) — государство в Сирии; филистимляне занимали юго-западный угол Ханаана.

14:52  Брал его к себе, в ополчение.

15:2 См. Исх 17:8-16. Амаликитяне — кочевники северной части Синайского полуострова, между Идумеей и Египтом.

15:3  И Иерима (ср. ст. 8). Предполагают, что Иерим был один из предводителей амаликитян, чем-либо особенно выделявшийся среди других их начальников.

15:4  Телаим — на юге Ханаана, вблизи иудейской границы.

15:6 Кинеяне — одно из племен среди амаликитян (ср. Исх 2:15-21; Чис 10:29-33; Суд 1:16), дружественное евреям.

15:7 Точное местоположение Хавилы неизвестно. Сур — часть аравийской пустыни, прилегающая к Египту (Быт 16:7; Исх 15:22).

15:9 Новое нарушение со стороны Саула воли пророка Господня (ср. 13:8-14; 15:1-3. См. прим. к 8:6).

15:10-11 Ср. 13:8-14. И опечалился Самуил и взывал ко Господу целую ночь, прося вразумить его относительно того, как он должен поступить теперь с Саулом.

15:12 Упоминаемый здесь Кармил — город Иудина колена, расположенный на юг от Хеврона.

Поставил себе памятник (какой-либо столб с надписью) — в ознаменование и увековечение одержанной победы. Вероятно, и Агаг был пощажен (ст. 9) не ради самого Агага, а дабы увеличить его присутствием блеск триумфатора.

15:13  Когда пришел Самуил для принесения жертвы — ср. 10:8; 11:14-15; 13:8-11. См. прим. к 7:9.

Я исполнил слово Господа — см. ст. 1-3.

15:15 Девятый стих заставляет предполагать, что Саул и его войско оставили себе лучшее из достояния амаликитян далеко не по религиозным соображениям.

15:17-19 Отмечается неблагодарность Саула. Воздвигнутый из ничтожества (ст. 17) на высоту царского престола Саул не обнаружил должного подчинения воли Воздвигшего его.

15:21 См. прим. к 15 ст.

15:22-23 См. 1-3,10-11,17-19 ст.

15:24-31 Саул сознавал, что он согрешил, нарушив волю Божию, но не чувствовал этого греха, не терзался внутренним очищающим раскаянием. Внешне честолюбивую душу Саула угнетала мысль не столько о том, что его может покинуть Господь, сколько о том, что его сейчас оставит разгневанный пророк Господень и своим уходом уронит его престиж пред князьями и народом. Щадя не Саула, а честь еврейского царя, Самуил остался и совершил положенное жертвоприношение.

15:32-33 Ср. ст. 3.

15:35  Потому что Господь раскаялся, что воцарил Саула (ср. ст. 10-11; 16:1,7): человекообразное выражение, говорящее о том, что первый царь евреев не воспользовался богодарованными ему средствами для того, чтобы быть ревностным орудием воли Божией на благо свое и вверенного ему народа.

16:1  Иессей из Вифлеема Иудейского — внук Вооза, женившегося на моавитянке Руфь (см. кн. Руфь), прямой потомок Наасона, князя Иудина колена при Моисее (Чис 1:7; 1 Пар 2:10).

16:2 Опасение Самуила понятно: с одной стороны, он боялся преждевременного, насильственного прекращения не только его личной жизни, но и общественно-пророческой деятельности; с другой — тех печальных последствий, которые могли иметь место вслед за безумным поступком Саула. Насильственная смерть пророка Самуила могла вызвать взрыв народного негодования в отношении того, кто был ближайшей причиной этой смерти, и произвести гибельную анархию в еврейском государстве. Слова Господа: Возьми в руку твою телицу и пр. — не научение неправде, а указание на действительно необходимое действие: великое событие священного помазания на царство избранника Божия не могло не быть ознаменовано религиозным обрядом (ср. 9:15-27; 10:1,8). «И пророк действительно совершил жертвоприношение (ст. 5). Посему сказано ему, чтобы до времени скрыв главное дело, указал (имеющим вопросить его о приходе в город) придаточное» (Блаж. Феодорит. Толк. на 1 Цар, вопр. 36).

16:4  Мирен ли приход твой? «Потому ли, что неожиданные посещения пророка обусловливались большей частью необычайными событиями, и притом тревожного характера, или потому, что напряженное состояние, роковая борьба между пророческим и царским могуществом чувствовалась всеми, следившими за положением дел и опасавшимися тяжелых напряжений и смут, старейшины города поспешили выйти навстречу пророку и с трепетом спросили: «с миром ли идешь к нам?»» (Я. Богородский. Еврейские цари. С. 64).

16:6 «Пророк не знал избранного Богом, потому что был не Бог, а человек. Знать все — свойственно Богу; пророку же достаточно знать то, что открывает (и по мере того, как открывает) Бог. С другой стороны, неведение пророка открывало Божие определение. Если бы пророк обратился прямо к Давиду, то могли бы подозревать, что сделал сие по какому-либо предубеждению. Поелику же приступил к первому, и второму, и третьему — до седьмого, то познали, что отвергший первых и избравший последнего есть Бог. Если и по таком избрании братья дали место ненависти, увидев Давида в полку (17:28), то чего не сделали бы, если бы избрание совершилось иным образом?» (Блаж. Феодорит. Толк. на 1 Цар, вопр. 37).

16:13 «Тайное помазание не сообщало никаких внешних привилегий Давиду, которые были невозможны при существующем царе; но оно давало ему внутреннее убеждение в его праве на престол после Саула, возвышало его дух, помогало спокойно и с кротостью переносить незаслуженное преследование врагов и поощряло на дела, достойные будущего царя евреев. Дух Господень почивал на нем до сего дня : в глазах толпы он оставался обыкновенным смертным, но сам он всем своим нравственным существом чувствовал, как высоко и напряженно звучали его душевные струны, какое оживление и парение получили его мысль и чувство, возбуждаемые новой великой задачей его жизни», поставленной ему самим Богом (Я. Богородский. Еврейские цари. С. 65-66). Дух Господнего благоволения, благодатных даров и помощи почил на Давиде. Саул же, сознательно и упорно противлявшийся благому воздействию на него Духа Божия, попущен был испытать на себе приражение темных и злых сил.

16:14  И возмущал его злой дух (попущением) от Господа. «Несмотря на видимое благополучие, дух Саула (под влиянием темных сил) не был спокоен: жажда властолюбия, как и многих других страстей, не могла быть ничем насыщена; по мере ее удовлетворения она разрасталась; чувствовалась потребность обнаружить власть там, где она не была еще обнаружена, — и в большей мере, чем прежде, была обнаружена. К этому присоединялось воспоминание о грозных словах пророка (15:23, 16:28-29), которое ничем нельзя было заглушить и которое как меч висело над венчанной главой Саула. И вот, мало-помалу, он начал испытывать общее чувство недовольства и беспокойства. Затем это чувство стало переходить в раздражение, и равновесие его небогатых душевных сил нарушилось. Он стал страдать припадками настоящей душевной болезни, во время которых был не только не способен к серьезным делам, но и положительно опасен для окружавших» (Я. Богородский. Еврейские цари. С. 72-73).

16:16 Являясь выражением настроения, музыка может иногда являться и возбудителем желаемого настроения. О благодетельном влиянии умиротворяюще мелодий музыки на встревоженный и больной дух человека известно было с глубокой древности.

16:18  И Господь с ним, т. е. во всем благоуспешен.

16:20 Хлеб и вино должны были выразить почтительное приветствие Саулу ее стороны дома Иессея.

16:23  Дух (злой по попущению) от Бога (ср. ст. 14, 15 и 16). См. прим. к концу 13 ст. и к 14 ст.

17:1 Возможно предположить, что, нападая на евреев, филистимляне рассчитывали на предполагаемую неспособность больного Саула (16:14-21) оказать им умелое сопротивление. Но на этот раз филистимляне ошиблись в своих ожиданиях.

Сокхоф и Азек — города к юго-западу от Иерусалима.

17:3 Войска находились в таком положении, что нападающая сторона неизбежно рисковала потерпеть полное поражение. А так как никто себе не враг, то обе стороны стояли в бездействии, но в напряженном выжидательном положении. Неизвестно, сколько времени они простояли бы таким образом, если бы филистимлянам не пришла мысль решить дело военным поединком двух богатырей — из того и из другого лагеря. Богатырем со стороны филистимлян явился великан из города Гефа — Голиаф.

17:4  Локоть — длина руки от локтевого сустава до конца среднего пальца. Пядь — ширина в три ладони. Ладонь — ширина четырех пальцев.

17:5  Сикль, как мера веса, равнялся 3 золотникам, 34,40 дол.

17:8  Не филистимлянин ли я, а вы рабы Саула, т. е. какое может быть сравнение между мной, — могучим, свободным филистимлянином, — и вами, — жалкими рабами больного маньяка Саула?

17:11  Очень испугались и ужаснулись, не надеясь подыскать со своей стороны равносильного Голиафу соперника.

17:12  Восемь сыновей — см. 16:6-13.

17:15 Надобность в игре Давида временно прекратилась: война поглотила собой внимание и чувства Саула и тем предохраняла его от острых вспышек меланхолии.

17:18  Тысяченачальнику — в виде приветственного дара.

17:23  Те слова — см. ст. 8-10.

17:26  Свободным во Израиле, т. е. свободным от государственных повинностей.

17:28 Очевидно, первенец Иессея Елиав не мог простить своему младшему брату того предпочтения, которое было оказано этому брату пророком Божиим Самуилом (16 гл.).

17:33  Ибо ты еще юноша. «Давид был тогда юношей 15 или 16 лет, так как умер 75-ти лет, царствовал 40; почему, когда был убит Саул, имел 30 лет. А пред сим было сказано, что Саул, после двухлетнего царствования, лишился божественной благодати и потому все прочее время провел, враждуя на Давида» (блаж. Феодорит. Толк. на 1 Цар, вопр. 41).

17:36-37 Ср. ст. 45-47.

17:42  Молод, белокур и красив лицом, т. е. без внешних признаков закаленного в боях сурового воина.

17:52  Аккарон — филистимский город, на запад от Гаваона.

17:54 На вопрос о том, «как Давид, не живши еще в Иерусалиме, внес в него голову иноплеменника», блаж. Феодорит отвечает: «Правда, Иерусалим населяли еще иевусеи (2 Цар 5:6-8), но Давид, желая устрашить непобежденных иноплеменников своего отечества, указал им на голову сраженного им великого воителя», дерзко восстававшего на избранный народ Божий и полагавшего всю надежду на собственные силы (Блаж. Феодорит. Толк. на 1 Цар, вопр. 42).

17:55  Чей сын этот юноша? Занимая скромное место в толпе других придворных музыкантов, Давид мог быть и неизвестен лично Саулу. Слушая музыку Давида, Саул не обращал никакого внимания на игравшего; а если и видел его, так болезненные припадки, в период которых приглашался музыкант, могли помешать ему запомнить лицо игравшего. И только теперь, когда скромный музыкант на арфе сделался героем дня, славой Израиля, орудием божественной помощи угнетенным, Саул обратил на Давида должное внимание и, не узнав его в лицо, спросил: «Чей сын этот юноша?»

17:57 Сообщаемое в 54 стихе относится, очевидно, ко времени после данного представления победителя Давида Саулу.

18:3  Союз дружбы.

18:10 Музыка Давида потеряла для Саула, по-видимому, всякое очарование. Вид предполагаемого претендента на его престол вызывал в Сауле необузданное бешенство.

18:11 Надобно полагать, что Саул действовал здесь не совсем бессознательно, потому что вскоре затем он начал хладнокровно придумывать другие, более благовидные, способы погубить Давида.

18:12-16 Явная благоуспешность Давида во всем, его неотразимое обаяние на окружающих внушали болезненно-подозрительному царю нечто вроде суеверного страха к личности своего предполагаемого врага.

18:17 Очевидно, Саул еще не решался открыто выступить против юного народного героя.

18:21  Она будет ему сетью — см. ст. 25.

18:25  Вено — брачный дар жениха за невесту, определявшийся в своем объеме, между прочим, и важностью социального положения невесты. Вено за дочь царя не могло быть малозначительным.

Краеобрезание — обрезание крайней плоти.

18:26 Чувства Мелхолы и Давида, очевидно, были взаимными.

18:27  Еще не прошли назначенные для выступления в поход дни.

18:28-30 Заключив брак между Мелхолой и Давидом, Саул «попал, так сказать, в сети, расставленные им самим. Сделавши Давида своим зятем, он понял, что Давид стал теперь несравненно опаснее для него, так как сделался членом его царского дома» (Я. Богородский. Еврейские цари. С. 90).

19:1 Потеряв надежду погубить Давида тайно, Саул сбрасывает с себя личину последнего самообладания и открыто заявляет придворным о своих чувствах и намерениях в отношении сына Иессеева.

19:3  В поле, пользуясь благодушием царя во время прогулки.

19:6-7 Наружно Саул не мог не согласиться с разумными доводами Ионафана, но в душе, конечно, оставался по-прежнему нерасположенным к Давиду.

19:19  В Навафе, в Раме (см. прим. к 10:5). «Наваф» «переводится обыкновенно как собственное имя и, вероятно, действительно употреблялось как собственное имя; но оно, по всем признакам, заключает в себе нарицательное понятие, соответствующее тому, что у нас называется «общежитием»; некоторые толкователи слово «Наваф» переводят «пастушеский дом, гостиница», а халдейский переводчик — «дом учения». Имея в виду, что в Навафе был сонм пророков, можно думать, что Наваф был общежитием, питомником, «seminarium’ом» сынов пророческих в Раме Самуиловой» (Я. Богородский. Еврейские цари. С. 92-93, прим.).

19:20-24  И они стали пророчествовать. См. прим. к 10:5. Нет ничего невозможного в том предположении, что посланные взять Давида, всей душой принадлежали несправедливо гонимому победителю филистимлян и, быть может, немало мучились внутри себя, исполняя долг повиновения Саулу. «И вот, они приходят в Раму. Со свойственным еврею чувством благоговения, смешанного со страхом, подходят к таинственному жилищу пророков, и глазам их представляется поразительное зрелище: множество мужей и юношей, с маститым старцем во главе, в торжественной позе, с вдохновленным взором, могучим, но согласным голосом поют возвышенные гимны, прославляющие величие и чудные дела Иеговы. Глубоко пораженные воины невольно останавливаются, вспоминают о деле, за которым пришли, и ими овладевает благоговейный ужас. С поразительной ясностью они видят всю неестественность, всю греховность дела, за которым явились. С сильным волнением они начали сообщать друг другу свои мысли и чувства, прославлять подвиги и благочестие Давида и в конце концов до того воодушевились, что стали верить, насколько умели, могучему хору пророков» (Я. Богородский. Еврейские цари. С. 95-96). Обаяние сонма пророков было настолько велико, что его не избежал и сам Саул (23-24 ст., ср. 10:10-13).

20:5  Новомесячие — праздник новомесячия (Чис 10:10; 28:11-15).

20:6  Там годичное жертвоприношение всего родства его — см. прим. 7:9.

20:8  Ибо ты принял раба твоего в завет Господень с тобою — см. 18:1-4.

20:26  Нечист, т. е. находится в состоянии какого-либо очищения себя по закону (см. Лев гл. 11; 12; 13; 17; Чис гл. 5; 12; 19; 31 и др.).

20:40  В город Гиву Вениаминову.

21:1  Номва — к северо-востоку от Иерусалима. Можно полагать, что здесь находилась в настоящее время скиния Господня.

К Ахимелеху первосвященнику, в Мк 2:26 при упоминании об этом событии назван Авиафар. Предполагают, что евангелист назвал вместо отца сына, который, за старостью отца, исправлял-де первосвященнические обязанности. Но, имея в виду 2 Цар 8:17 и 1 Пар 18:16, нужно отдать предпочтение другому предположению, что как отец, так и сын носили двойное имя: Ахимелех-Авиафар.

И смутился Ахимелех: отношения между Саулом и Давидом не могли быть, конечно, неизвестны первосвященнику. Приход царского зятя без надлежащей свиты заставили предположить первосвященника, что Давид преследуем и потому небезопасен для тех, кто бы вздумал укрыть его от царя.

21:2 Вымышленный Давидом предлог посещения города Номвы, а равно и вымышленное объяснение им своего желания получить священные хлебы и меч Голиафа (ст. 3-6, 8-9) могут быть объяснены тем поистине безвыходным положением, в котором находился невинно преследуемый Давид.

21:3-6 Ср. Лк 6:1-4.

21:10  Геф — один из главных филистимских городов — к западу от Вифлеема. См. прим. к 6:17.

21:13  И изменил лицо свое, т. е. притворился безумным, дабы не возбудить в филистимлянах подозрений насчет каких-нибудь скрытых политических целей его прибытия к ним.

22:1  Адоллам — между Гефом и Вифлеемом, в пустынной части Иудиных гор.

И пришли к нему туда, считая свое вифлеемское жилище не вполне безопасным от гнева исступленного Саула. Саул мог захватить семейство Давида в качестве заложников, чтобы тем самым принудить своего мнимого врага к добровольной сдаче.

22:2  И собрались к нему все несправедливо притесненные сильнейшими их; все должники, в конце истощенные своими неумолимыми кредиторами и не нашедшие суда над ними; все огорченные душою, т. е. пострадавшие от того грубого произвола и неурядицы, которые царили в пределах монархии больного Саула.

22:3  Массифа Моавитская — в южных пределах земли моавитян.

Пусть отец мой и мать моя побудут у вас. Несомненно, что в пределах Еврейского царства безопасность семьи Давида не могла быть гарантирована так прочно, как за пределами этого царства. Притом же присутствие в дружине Давида преклонных родителей последнего могло бы оказаться, в конце концов, стеснительным для быстрых переходов и решительных действий дружины.

22:5  Не оставайся в этом убежище. «Водимый Богом ум пророков находил, что Давиду не следовало оставаться долгое время в зависимом общении с соседними языческими царями и жить вдали от своего народа, не принимая никакого деятельного участия в его судьбах» (Я. Богородский. Еврейские цари. С. 102).

Местность: Лес Херет, Зиф, Маон, Энгадди — в промежутке между Хевроном и Мертвым морем.

22:8  Строить мне ковы. В больном воображении царя действия Давида получают вид широко организованной вооруженной агитации против Саула.

22:9 См. 21:7.

22:10  И тот вопросил о нем Господа — через посредство святыни Господней, первосвященнического нагрудника. В 21-й главе об этом действии Ахимелеха не упоминается: достоверность показания Давида не стоит, однако, в противоречии с дальнейшими показаниями и самого первосвященника: «Разве теперь только я стал вопрошать для него Бога?» (гл. 21 ст. 12-15).

22:18  Носивших льняной ефод — см. прим. к 2:18.

22:20-23 Вместе с первосвященником в стан Давида был принесен и священный ефод (гл. 23). В наиболее затруднительных случаях Давид мог пользоваться теперь откровениями благой и совершенной воли Господней, являемыми через посредство Его святыни.

23:1  Кеиль — к северо-западу от Хеврона.

23:2  И вопросил Давид Господа — через посредство святыни Господней (ст. 6).

23:14  Пустыня Зиф — см. прим. к 22:5.

23:17  И Саул, отец мой, знает это — см. 20:80-31; 24:18-23.

23:19  Зифеи — жители местности Зиф. См. прим. к 22:5.

23:21  Пожалели о мне — ср. 22:7-8.

23:24  Пустыня Маон — см. прим. к 22:5.

23:28  Села-Гаммахлекоф — «скала разделений».

23:29  Эн-Гадди — дикая гористая местность на западном берегу Мертвого моря.

24:5  Больно стало сердцу Давида — при сознании того невысокого чувства, которому он только что подчинился (ср. ст. 7).

24:14  За мертвым псом, за одною блохою. Сравнения, указывающие на несоизмеримость социального положения и вооруженной силы Саула и Давида.

25:1  Пустыня Фаран — северная часть Аравийской пустыни, между Палестиной и Египтом, Идумеей и Синайским полуостровом.

25:2  Маон — см. прим. к 22:5.

Упоминаемый здесь Кармил — город на юг от Хеврона.

25:3 Имя Навал означает «Безумный». «Без сомнения, это было не подлинное его имя, а прозвище, данное народом. Навал поражал окружающих дикостью и нелепостью своего характера, и народный юмор, скрыв его настоящее, быть может, совсем к нему не подходившее имя, утвердил за ним название самодура» (Я. Богородский. Еврейские цари. С. 112).

25:5-9 «Давид рассчитывал на благодарность Навала за то, что воины Давида, по роду жизни похожие на тех праздных наездников, от которых владельцы стад терпели немало, не только ничего не похитили из стад Навала, но и оберегали их от хищников; были оградой для его пастухов, как сознавались сами пастухи. Но Навал показал, что он недаром носил свое прозвище» (Я. Богородский. Еврейские цари. С. 112).

25:13 Давид оставлял безнаказанной несправедливость Саула, щадя в его лице Помазанника Божьего и видя в своей покорности ему долг верноподданного (24:7,10-16); но не мог оставить без наказания дикую выходку Навала, так как смирение пред Навалом могло быть истолковано его сторонниками за простое бессилие защитить свою честь и права.

25:21-22 См. прим. к 13 ст.

25:24-31 Авигея извиняется пред Давидом в происшедшем недоразумении, объясняя его прирожденной, общеизвестной глупостью и самодурством Навала; умоляет Давида укротить свой гнев, предсказывая ему в будущем твердое и славное царствование, которое да не омрачится воспоминанием о несправедливо пролитой крови невменяемого Навала и его домашних.

25:36  И не сказала ему ни слова о прошедшем, так как это было бы в данное время бесполезным, а быть может, и прямо вредным, — принимая во внимание необузданный нрав Навала.

26:1  Зифеи — см. прим. к 22:5.

26:8  И не повторю удара, т. е. надеюсь, что жизнь Саула прекратится после первого же удара копьем.

26:11-12 В 15-16 ст. объясняется, для чего были взяты копье и сосуд.

26:15 Не муж ли ты, т. е. разве ты не мужчина? И кто равен тебе в Израиле по силе и отваге, а также по положению у престола родственно расположенного к тебе царя (14:50)?

26:19  Ступай, служи богам чужим, т. е. иди из земли избранного народа Господня и скитайся в землях язычников, среди поклоняющихся идолам.

26:30  Вышел искать одну блоху, гоняется за куропаткой. См. прим. к 24:15.

26:35 Ср. 24:21-22.

27:2 Филистимский город Геф — к западу от Вифлеема. Ср. 21:10-15.

27:3 Ср. 25:42-43.

27:5-11 «Анхус смотрел на Давида как на своего вассала и обязывал его вредить своим врагам, евреям. Чтобы избавить себя от этого невозможного условия и в то же время не навлечь на себя подозрения Анхуса, Давид выпросил для жилища себе удаленное от столицы местечко на южной окраине Филистимской земли Секелаг. Отсюда он предпринимал походы со своей дружиной, но не на восток, во владения Саула, а на юг для поражения хищнических племен, одинаково враждебных как филистимлянам, так и евреям» (Я. Богородский. Еврейские цари. С. 115-116).

28:1 Пребывание Давида в стане филистимлян и его мнимое служение интересам последних (27 гл.) внушало врагам евреев надежду на успех затеянного ими предприятия.

28:2  Ныне ты узнаешь, что сделает раб твой. Осторожный ответ Давида был истолкован Анхусом в благоприятном для себя смысле.

28:3 На вопрос о том, «почему священный писатель, написав выше (25:1) о кончине пророка Самуила, снова упоминает о ней», блаж. Феодорит отвечает: «Намереваясь повествовать о волшебнице (вызвавшей тень Самуила), он вынужден был упомянуть и о смерти Самуиловой» (Блаж. Феодорит. Толк. на 1 Цар, вопр. 62).

28:4 На этот раз филистимляне вторглись в землю евреев не по прямому пути — в ее южную часть, где тотчас могли встретить войско Саула, а сделали обход к северу и проникли в долину Ездрилонскую, наиболее удобную для действия их конницы.

Сонам — город Ездрилонской долины.

Гелвуй — гора к югу от Сонама.

28:5  Крепко дрогнуло сердце его. «Это был уже не тот Саул, который не знал страха на войне и не считал количества врагов своих. Года, житейские треволнения, болезнь и сознание затаенного недовольства и недоверия подданных сломили его дух, подорвали веру в себя» (Я. Богородский. Еврейские цари. С. 118).

28:7  Сыщите мне женщину волшебницу. Ср. конец 3 стиха. Очевидно, волшебство было преследуемо прежде Саулом не с полным убеждением в его суетности и, быть может, не столько из религиозных побуждений, сколько из опасений его чар против себя.

Аэндор — на север от Гелвуя, между Гелвуем и Фавором.

28:9 См. конец 3 стиха.

28:12 Грозный, обличающий вид Самуила подсказал женщине, что пред ней не кто иной, как непримиримый враг пророка — еврейский царь Саул.

28:13-14 Вопреки ожиданиям самой волшебницы, произошло не призрачное, а действительное чудо: Бог облек бесплотную душу Самуила подобием тела, дабы еще раз выразить отступнику свою непременную волю о нем и его доме (см. Блаж. Феодорит. Толк. на 1 Цар, вопр. 63).

28:16  Сделался врагом твоим, т. е. перестал быть благосклонным к тебе.

28:17 См. 13:8-14; гл. 15; 16.

28:18 См. гл. 15.

29:1  Афек — возвышенная местность северо-западнее Сонама. Низменная местность Изреел — западнее Гелвуя, к югу от Афека. Таким образом, за время отсутствия Саула в Аэндоре, позиции воюющих сторон переменились к явной невыгоде евреев: филистимляне отступили немного к северу и заняли возвышенную позицию; евреи же, оставив возвышенность Гелвуй, сошли на соседнюю низменность.

29:2  Князья филистимские — подвластные Анхусу властители отдельных филистимских областей. См. прим. к 6:17.

29:4-5 Решительное недоверие филистимских князей к доблестному победителю филистимлян и верному слуге Саула Давиду помогло последнему выйти из своего крайне щекотливого положения в лагере врагов еврейского народа.

29:8-10 Разговор, удостоверивший Давида в том, что лично Анхус не питает к нему никакого недоверия и что он может спокойно возвратиться в приютивший его Секелаг (27 гл.).

Идите на место, которое я назначил вам, т. е. в город Секелаг.

30:1  Амаликитяне — кочевой народ Синайского полуострова. Несомненно, они хотели воспользоваться тем обстоятельством, что военные силы филистимлян и Давида были отвлечены в данный момент далеко на север (см. прим. к 28:4).

30:5 Ср. 25:42-43.

30:6  Народ хотел побить его камнями, считая уход Давида в Афек одной из ближайших причин разразившегося несчастья.

30:9  Поток Восор впадает в Средиземное море, к западу от Вирсавии.

30:14  Керети — название земли филистимлян.

Часть Халева — местность около Хеврона.

30:26-31 Долговременное пребывание Давида за рубежом еврейской страны могло быть истолковано евреями в неблагоприятную для Давида сторону. Поражение давнишних врагов Израиля — амаликитян (Исх 17:8-16) и присланный старейшинам подарок должны были убедить еврейский народ в том, что в отношении своих взглядов и чувств к родине Давид остается таким же, каким был и ранее.

Кроме еврейских городов, подарки Давида были посланы и во многие зарубежные местности (вблизи южной и юго-восточной окраины еврейского государства), «где ходил Давид сам и люди его», в знак признательности за прежнее гостеприимство.

31:1 См. прим. к 29:1. И пали, пораженные на горе Гелвук. Смятые в долине, евреи бросились было на свои прежние позиции, но было уже поздно: волна филистимлян, хлынувшая с покатой возвышенности Афек, гнала их и разила нещадно.

31:7  На стороне долины Ездрилонской.

31:10  Беф-Сан — на юго-восток от Изрееля, по направлению к реке Иордан.

31:11  Иавис Галаадский — в средней части восточного Заиорданья.

31:12-13 18-13. И поднялись все люди и взяли тело Саула и тела сыновей его и погребли — в благодарность за освобождение их города Саулом от набега аммонитского царя Нааса (11 гл.).

9:13 Букв.: благословить жертву.

9:20 Или: (принадлежат) все сокровища.

9:25 Так в масоретском тексте, LXX: и Саулу постелили постель на крыше.

10:5 Или: Божьему холму.

10:12 Букв.: отец.

10:22 а) Или: придет ли.

10:22 б) Букв.: вещей.

11:11 Букв.: На следующий день.

11:14 Букв.: обновим, т.е. царствование Саула получает официальное признание.

12:1 Или: все о чем вы меня просили.

12:2 Букв.: ходил / управлял у вас на виду.

12:11 В некот. древн. переводах: Варака.

12:15 В некот. древн. переводах: и над вашим царем.

12:17 Букв.: жатва пшеницы, т.е. июнь-июль, когда дождя не бывает.

12:21 Или: не отклоняйтесь (от прямого пути) следуя за ничтожными (божествами).

12:23 Букв.: разве смогу я согрешить против Господа?

13:1 а) Рукописи расходятся относительно точного возраста Саула, в большинстве из них число лет просто пропущено.

13:1 б) Во второй части стиха: всего он царствовал над Израилем … два года - очевидно, пропущено число десятков лет, вероятнее всего, сорок.

13:4 Или: и стали созывать народ.

13:12 Или: потому я посмел принести всесожжение.

13:14 Перевод по LXX; масоретский текст: нашел Себе Господь человека по сердцу.

13:21 Здесь смысл масоретского текста не ясен.

14:1 Или: юноше; то же ниже в подобных случаях.

14:18 В некоторых рукописях: эфод.

14:19 Букв.: сказал: «Убери руку твою».

14:47 Так в LXX; в масоретском тексте: сеял беду.

15:6 См. Суд 1:16.

15:9 Или: животных, которые остались после жертвоприношения первенцев.

15:11 Или: сожалею Я, что поставил царем Саула.

15:12 Имеется в виду не горная гряда Кармил (евр. Кармель), но селение на земле колена Иуды, недалеко от Хеврона.

15:22 Букв.: голосу Господа.

15:24 Букв.: твои слова.

15:32 Или: в оковах; друг. возм. пер.: бодро.

15:32 Или: как же горька смерть!

16:7 а) Букв.: Я отверг его.

16:7 б) Букв.: глаза.

16:12 а) Или: рыжеволосым.

16:12 б) Букв.: встань и соверши.

16:14 Букв.: от Господа. Для древних израильтян было характерно такое понимание Бога, в основе которого лежит идея теоцентризма: представление о том, что Бог ответственен за всё, что происходит в мире: и худое, и доброе; ср. 18:10; 2 Цар 24:1 и последующие стихи. Выражаясь современным языком, это было допущено Богом. См. также Иак 1:13.

16:20 Или: приготовил хомер зерна.

17:4 Т.е. около 3 м.

17:5 а) Или: чешуйчатых доспехах.

17:5 б) Т.е. около 60 кг.

17:7 Т.е. около 7 кг.

17:12 Так в LXX, масоретский текст: стар среди мужей.

17:17 Эфа - мера объема, около 22 л.

17:18 Букв.: залог / поручительство; т. е. вещественное доказательство их благополучия.

17:19 Возможно, этот стих - не часть прямой речи Иессея, а замечание автора: тогда Саул и все израильтяне…

17:37 Букв.: от львиной лапы и от медвежьей лапы.

17:42 Или: рыжеволос.

17:52 Так в LXX, масоретский текст: в долину.

18:1 Или: как собственную душу; то же в ст. 3.

18:6 Или: треугольниками; перевод предположителен.

18:10 Букв.: пророчествовал.

18:13 Букв.: выходил и входил перед народом / ними; то же в ст. 16.

18:14 Или: был разумен; то же в ст. 15.

18:18 Или: моя родня.

18:27 Перевод по LXX; в масоретском тексте: двести; ср. 2 Цар 3:14.

18:29 Букв.: стал врагом Давида во все дни.

19:7 Букв.: вчера и позавчера.

19:14 Букв.: он.

19:20 а) Или: пребывавших в исступлении.

19:20 б) Или: впали в исступление; то же в ст. 21 и 23.

20:3 Букв.: жив Господь и жив ты сам - клятвенная формула.

20:17 а) Букв.: его любовью к нему.

20:17 б) Или: как собственную душу.

20:25 Так можно понять LXX, масоретский текст: встал.

20:29 Букв.: брат велел.

20:34 Или: и потому что отец унизил его.

21:5 Или: тела, букв.: сосуды.

21:7 Букв.: которого задержали пред Господом.

22:1 Букв.: оттуда.

22:14 Так в LXX; масоретский текст: поворачивает стражу.

22:17 Букв.: повернитесь; то же в ст. 18.

23:22 Букв.: кто видел его?

23:23 Букв.: среди тысяч.

23:28 Евр. села-хаммахлекот.

24:12 Букв.: Господь.

24:13 Или: нечестивые плодят нечестие.

25:2 См. примеч. к 15:12.

25:8 а) Букв.: юношам / слугам.

25:8 б) Или: в праздничный день.

25:18 В каждой мере около 7 л, т.е. около 35 л зерна.

25:22 а) Так в LXX; масоретский текст: с врагами Давида. В Пешитте: со слугами Давида.

25:22 б) Букв.: мочащийся к стене.

25:25 Игра слов: слово «безумие» (др.-евр. невала) созвучно с именем Навал.

25:26 Букв.: жив Господь и жив ты сам.

25:27 Букв.: благословение.

26:15 Букв.: один из народа приходил.

26:16 Букв.: ваших господ.

27:1 Букв.: в сердце своем; или: подумал Давид.

27:2 Или: и поднялся Давид…

27:5 Букв.: в царском городе.

28:13 Букв.: божеств, выходящих.

28:21 Или: я рисковала жизнью.

30:16 Или: танцевали.