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SOone after this Dauid ouerthrew the Philistims, which made them al∣together* 1.1 powerlesse, and vnable to make any inuasion vpon Israel in haste. For it is written, Accepit 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Amgaris è manu Philisthoeorum; which place our English Geneua conuerts in these words, And DAVID tooke the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of bondage out of the hand of the Philistims. The Latine of Iunius giueth another and a better sense; for by that bridle of Amgar was meant the strong Citie of Gath, or Geth, and so the Geneua hath it in the marginall note. This [unspec 10] Citie of Gath was the same which was afterward 〈◊〉〈◊〉, set on the frontier of Paloestina at the entrance into 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and Ephraim. From thence they made their in∣cursions, and thereinto their retrait in all their inuasions, which being taken by 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and demolished, there was left no such frontier towne of equall strength to the Philistims on that part. The hill whereon Geth or Gath stood, the Hebrewes cal Ammoe,* 1.2 whereof and of the word Gar is made Amgar, of which Plinie in his first booke, and thirteenth Chap. This exposition is made plaine and confirmed in the first of Chro. the 18.
There was no nation bordering the Iewes that so greatly afflicted them as the Phi∣listims did, who before the time of Saul, (to the end they might not sharpen any wea∣pon [unspec 20] against them) did not leaue one Smith in al their Cities & villages of that kinde, but inforst them to come downe into their territorie, for all iron worke whatsoeuer they needed; so as the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 till this time of Dauid were seldome free from pay∣ing* 1.3 tribute to the Philistims.
After this he gaue them foure other ouerthrowes: but the war of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and Arabians came betweene. In the first of which he was indangered by 〈◊〉〈◊〉, the head of whose speare weighed 300. shickles of brasse, which make nine pound three quarters of our poizes: at which time 〈◊〉〈◊〉 succoured Dauid and slew the Philistim, whereupon the Councellors and Captaines of Dauid (lest the light of Israel might* 1.4 by his losse be quenched) vowed that he should not thencefoorth hazard himself in [unspec 30] any battaile. The second and third incounter and ouerthrow of the Philistims was at Gob a place neere Gesar, and the last at Gath or Geth. And being now better assu∣red of the Philistims by the taking of Geth, hee inuaded Moab, from whom notwith∣standing in his aduersitie hee sought succour and left his parents with him in trust. But whether it were the same King or no it is not knowne.
The Rabines 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that Moab slew those kinsfolkes of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, which liued vnder his protection in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 time, but questionlesse 〈◊〉〈◊〉 well knew how that Nation had bin alwayes enemies to Israel, and tooke all the occasions to vexe them that were offered. And he also remembred that in the 23. of Deuter. God commaunded Israel not to seeke the peace or 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, which Dauid well obserued, for he de∣stroyed [unspec 40] two parts of all the people, leauing a third to till the ground. This victorie obtained, he led his armie by the border of Ammon towards 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Zobah, the region of Adadezer the sonne of Rehob King thereof. The place is set downe in the descrip∣tion of the holy Land: to which I referre the Reader.