A learned and very useful commentary on the whole epistle to the Hebrews wherein every word and particle in the original is explained ... : being the substance of thirty years Wednesdayes lectures at Black-fryers, London / by that holy and learned divine Wiliam Gouge ... : before which is prefixed a narrative of his life and death : whereunto is added two alphabeticall tables ...

§. 216. Of David's priviledges.

THe fourth point about David, concerneth those priviledges which in way of recompence God bestowed on him. In particular they were these.

• 1. His preferment before, and above others. For
  • 1. The Tribe of Judah, (whereof he was) was accounted the chief of the Tribes, Psal. 78. 67, 68.
  • 2. His Fathers house was much advanced, 1 Sam. 16. 1. with this doth David beat down Michols pride, 2 Sam. 6. 21.
  • 3. David himself was preferred before all his elder brethren, 1 Sam. 16. 11. Davids preferments are much amplified by a due consideration of the two terms of motion, from what, to what: from a Shephard to a* 1.1 King, 2 Sam. 7. 8. Ps. 78. 70, 71. Gods recompences are to admiration.
• 2. The favour which he had of all sorts.
  • 1. Jonathan loved him, 1 Sam. 18. 1.
  • 2. Mcihol, Saul's daughter loved him also, 1 Sam. 13. 20.
  • 3. He was accepted in the sight of all the people; yea, and of Sauls ser∣vants, 1 Sam. 18. 5, 16.
  • 4. Samuel the Prophet and Ahimelech the Priest, even when Saul per∣secuted him, much respected him, and succoured him, 1 Sam. 19. 18. and 21. 6, 9.
  • 5. Achish, King of Gath bare good will towards him, 1 Sam. 27. 6.
  • ...

    6. Other enemies sought his favour, 2 Sam. 8. 10.

    Thus God can turn the hearts of all sorts, even of enemies towards his Saints.

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  3. Preservation against the attempts of all that sought his hurt: as against Saul, Achish, his own Souldiers, 1 Sam. 30. 6. Absolon his Son, Sheba and others.

  To this head may be referred such recoveries he had from deadly distresses, whether by sicknesse, or other wayes, Psal. 6. 1. and 31. 21. and Psal. 116. 3.

  Such were the foresaid deliverances as David penned many Psalms in me∣morial of them, witnesse the titles of Psal. 3. and 18, and 34, and 56, and 57, and 59.

  In David, see how safe they are whom the Lord doth keep.

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  4. The puissant Armies and brave Commanders in War, which he had for multitude, he had fifteen hundred thousand, and seventy thousand men of War, in ten of his Tribes: for the number of two Tribes was not given up, 1 Chron. 21. 5. we count 30, or 40 thousand a very great Army, 50 thousand is counted a Camp royal. What then a hundred thousand? what an hundred thousand multi∣plied fifteen times, and seventy thousand added to them. Wise Solomon accounts it an honour to a King to have a multitude of people, (Prov. 14. 28.) what is it then to have a multitude of such people as are men of War, able to defend their King and Kingdom. This must needs be a great honour, safety, and security. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 these there were very many such worthies, as never any Prince, or State had: one of the least could resist an hundred, and one of the greatest a thousand, 1 Chron. 12. 14. So as in his time was accomplished that promise which is made, Josh. 23. 10. For particular instances observe, 1 Chron. 11. 11, 18 20, 22 23, and •…•…0. 4, &c.

  Where the Lord setteth a man apart to great matters, he will raise up answer∣able means.

• ...

• 5. Victories over all his enemies. Never the like from Joshua's dayes to his; he was never put to flight in any pitcht-battle. Indeed he sled from Saul and from Absolon: but not as overcome, but as a prudent man, to prevent danger, and avoid effusion of the bloud of Gods people. David by himself alone over∣threw Goliah: so did sundry of his Worthies destroy other Giants: by Davids victories the peace of the land was settled, and the safety of Gods people se∣cured. Thereby Solomon his Son became such a man of Peace, as he himself was of War; so many and so great were his victories, as he is accounted one of the nine Worthies of the World. The glory, fame, and triumph, arising from conquest over enemies, hath ever been accounted one of the greatest.
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  6. A great and a good name, and that while he lived, and after he was dead among Jews and Christians to this very day. Upon the first shewing of him∣self against the enemy, his name was extolled above the Kings, 1 Sam. 18. 7. His fame was spread abroad, not onely throughout all Israel, but also in other Countreys, even among the enemies, 1 Sam. 21. 11, and 29. 5. yea, it is said that his name was much set by, 1 Sam. 18. 30.

  The Lord himself saith, I have made thee a great name, &c. 2 Sam. 7. 9. No mans name after his death was more famous than Davids. If any were of good name, or note, they were said to be like David, 2 Kings 18. 3. and 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 2. If any of his posterity degenerated, they were said to be unlike David, as 1 Kings 11. 46. and 14. 8. and 15. 3. Yea, the Royal Throne and Citie was stiled the Throne and Citie of David, 1 Kings 8. 1. The Sepulchers, where Kings were buried, Sepulchers of David, Neh. 3. 16. & the promises concerning Christ, are called the sure mercies of David, Isai 55. 3. Acts 13. 34. When God speak∣eth of him, he ordinarily giveth him this Title, David my servant, 1 Kings 11: 18. and God is stiled the God of David, 2 Chr. 34▪ 4. The Lord God of David, Isai 38. 5. and David is called the man of God, Neh. 12. 36.

  They who desire a good name, let them endeavour to be like David.

• 7. A stock of the regal line. One King there was before David, namely Saul: but he and his posterity were cut off. Davids posterity continued to sit on his Throne, so long as there was any King of Ierusalem. Herein a diffe∣rence is made betwixt Saul and David, 2 Sam. 7. 15, 16. Though many of his posterity deserved to be cut off, yet for Davids sake God continued them, 1 King. 11 11, 12 13, 34, 35▪ and 15. 4. 2 Chr. 21, 7.
• 8. A stock of Christs Kingdom. In this respect Davids Kingdom is said to endure for ever, 1 Sam. 7. 16. Ier. 23. 5, 6. Therefore the Evangelist Mat∣thew, who s•…•…ts down the legal Pedigree of Christ, begins with David, Mat∣thew 1. 1.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Terminus a quo, ad quem.