Annotations upon the Holy Bible. Vol. I wherein the sacred text is inserted, and various readings annex'd, together with parallel scriptures, the more difficult terms in each verse are explained, seeming contradictions reconciled, questions and doubts resolved, and the whole text opened / by the late reverend and learned divine Mr. Matthew Poole.

CHAP. XIII.

SAul ‡ 1.1 reigned one year a 1.2, and when he had reigned two years over Israel,

2 Saul chose b 1.3 him three thousand men of Is∣rael c 1.4: whereof two thousand were with Saul in Michmash d 1.5, and in mount Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin: and the rest of the people he sent every man to his tent▪

3 And Jonathan smote the * 1.6 garison of the Philistines e 1.7 that was in ‖ 1.8 Geba f 1.9, and the Phi∣listines heard of it: and Saul blew the trumpet thorowout all the land, saying, Let the Hebrews hear g 1.10.

4 And all Israel heard say, that Saul h 1.11 had smit∣ten a garison of the Philistines, and that Israel also ‡ 1.12 was had in abomination with the Philistines: and the people were called together after Saul to Gilgal i 1.13.

5 ¶ And the Philistines gathered themselves together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand cha∣rets k 1.14, and six thousand horsmen, and people as the s•…•…nd which is on the sea shore in multitude, and they came up and pitched in Michmash, eastward from * 1.15 Beth-aven.

6 When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait l 1.16: (for the people were distressed m 1.17) then the people did * 1.18 hide themselves in caves n 1.19, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits.

7 And some of the Hebrews went over Jordan, to the land of Gad and Gilead: as for Saul, he was yet in Gilgal, and all the people o 1.20 ‡ 1.21 followed him trembling.

8 ¶ * 1.22 And he tarried seven days p 1.23, according to the set time that Samuel had appointed: but Samuel came not to Gilgal, and the people were scattered from him.

9 And Saul said, Bring hither a burnt-offering to me, and peace offerings. And he offered the burnt-offering q 1.24.

10 And it came to pass, that assoon as he had made an end of offering the burnt-offering, behold, Samuel came r 1.25, and Saul went out to meet him, that he might ‡ 1.26 salute him s 1.27.

11 ¶ And Samuel said, What hast thou done t 1.28? And Saul said, Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that thou camest not with∣in the days appointed u 1.29, and that the Philistines gathered themselves together to Michmash:

12 Therefore said I, The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not ‡ 1.30 made supplication unto the LORD x 1.31; I forced my self therefore, and offered a burnt-offering y 1.32.

13 And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly z 1.33: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God a 1.34, which he commanded thee: for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever b 1.35.

14 But now thy kingdom shall not continue: * 1.36 the LORD hath sought c 1.37 him a man after his own heart d 1.38, and the LORD hath command∣ed e 1.39 him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee f 1.40.

15 And Samuel arose, and gat him up from Gilgal, unto Gibeah of Benjamin g 1.41. And Saul num∣bred the people that were ‡ 1.42 present with him, * 1.43 a∣bout six hundred men.

16 And Saul, and Jonathan his son, and the people that were present with them, abode in Gibe∣ah of Benjamin: but the Philistines encamped in Michmash.

17 And the spoilers came out of the camp of the Philistines in three companies h 1.44; one company turned unto the way that leadeth to Ophrah i 1.45, unto the land of Shual.

18 And another company turned the way to Beth-horon k 1.46, and another company turned to the way of the border that looketh to the valley of Zeboim toward the wilderness l 1.47.

19 ¶ Now there was no smith found throughout all the land of Israel m 1.48: (for the Philistines said, ‡ 1.49 Lest the Hebrews make them swords or spears.

20 But all the Israelites went down to the Phi∣listines n 1.50 to sharpen every man his share, and his coulter, and his axe, and his mattock.

21 Yet they had ‡ 1.51 a file for the mattocks, and for the coulters, and for the forks, and for the axes o 1.52, and ‡ 1.53 to sharpen the goads.

22 So it came to pass in the day of battel, that there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people, that were with Saul and Jonathan p 1.54, but with Saul and with Jonathan his son was there found.

23 And the ‖ 1.55 garison of the Philistines went out to the passage of Michmash q 1.56.

Notes

• ‡ 1.1

  Heb. the son of one year in his reigning.
• a 1.2

  i. e. Had now Reigned one Year, from his first Election at Mizpeh, in which time these things were done, which are Recorded chap. 11. and 12. to wit, Peaceably, or Righteous∣ly. Compare 2 Sam. 2. 10.
• b 1.3

  Heb. And (i. e. Then, as that Adverb is oft used, as Gen. 3. 5. and 18. 10, &c.) Saul chose.
• c 1.4

  Which he thought sufficient for constant Attendance and Service, intending to Summon the rest when need should be.
• d 1.5

  A Tract of Ground near Ramah and Bethel, in the Border of Benjamin, and near to the Philistines.
• * 1.6

  Chap. 10. 5.
• e 1.7

  The first Design of Saul and Ionathan, was to Free their Land from the Garisons which the Philistines had in it; and they first begin to clear their own Country of Benjamin.
• ‖ 1.8

  Or, the hill.
• f 1.9

  Not the same place called Gibeah, v. 2. (for if the place were the same, why should he vary the Name of it in the same Story, and in the next Verse? Nor is it likely that Iona∣than would chuse that place for his Camp, where the Phili∣stines had a Garison): but another place in the same Tribe, in which there were two distinct places, Gebah and Gibeah, Iosh. 18. 24, 28.
• g 1.10

  i. e. He sent Messengers to tell them all what Ionathan had done, and how the Philistines were en∣raged at it, and made great preparations for War; and there∣fore what necessity there was of gathering themselves to∣gether, and coming to him, for his and their own De∣fence.
• h 1.11

  i. e. Ionathan by Saul's direction and encouragement. The Actions of an Army are commonly ascribed to their General.
• ‡ 1.12

  Heb. did stink.
• i 1.13

  The place before appointed by Samuel, chap. 1•…•…. 8.
• k 1.14

  This number seems incredible to Infidels. To whom it may be sufficient to reply, That it is far more rational to ac∣knowledge a mistake in him that Copied out the Sacred Text in such Numeral or Historical passages, wherein the Doctrine of Faith and Good Life is not directly concerned, than upon such a pretence to question the Truth and Divinity of the Holy Scriptures, which are so fully Attested, and evidently Demonstrated. And the mistake is not great in the Hebrew, Schalosh for Schelishim; and so indeed those two Ancient Translators, the Syriack and Arabick Translate it, and are sup∣posed to have read in their Hebrew Copies, Three thousand. Nor is it necessary that all these should be Military Charets, but many of them might be for Carriage of things belong∣ing to so great an Army; For such a distinction of Charets we find, Exod. 14. 7. But there is no need of this Reply. Charets here may very well be put for the Men that rode up∣on them, and Fought out of them, by a Figure called a Me∣tonymy, of the Subject for the Adjunct; or the thing con∣taining, for the thing contained in it, than which none more frequent. In the very same manner, and by the very same Figure, the Basket is put for the Meat in it, Deut. 28. 5, 17. the Wilderness, for the wild Beasts of the Wilderness, Psal. 29. 8. the Nest, for the Birds in it, Deut. 32. 11. the Cup, for the Drink in it, Ier. 49. 12. 1 Cor. 10. 21. And, to come more closely to the point, an Horse is put for an Horse-load of Wares laid upon it, 1 King. 10. 28. and an Asse of Bread, is put for an Asse load of Bread, both in the Hebrew Text of 1 Sam. 16. 20. and in an Ancient Greek Poet. And, yet nearer, the word Charets, is manifestly put, either for the Horses belonging to them; or rather, for the Men that Fought out of them, as 2 Sam. 10. 18. where it is said in the Hebrew, that David slew Seven hundred Charets; that is, Se∣ven thousand Men, which Fought in Charets, as it is ex∣plained, 1 Chron. 19. 18. and 1 King. 20. 21. where Ahab is said to smite Horses and Charets; and 1 Chron. 18. 4. and Psal. 76. 6. where the Charet and Horse (i. e. the Men that Ride and Fight in Charets, or upon Horses) are said to be cast into a dead sleep: and Ezek. 39. 20. where it is said, ye shall be filled at my Table with Horses and Charets (i. e. with Men belonging to the Charets, for surely the Charets of Iron had been very improper Food), with mighty Men, &c. And let any cavilling Infidel produce a Wise reason, why it may not, and ought not to be so understood here also? Add to all this, that the Philistines were not alone in this expe∣dition, but had the help of the Canaanites, and the Tyrians, as is very credible, both from Ecclesiast. 40. 20. and from the Nature of the thing. If it be further inquired, Why the Philistines should raise so great an Army at this time▪ The Answer is Obvious; That not onely their Old and Formida∣ble Enemy Samuel was yet alive, but a New Enemy was risen, even King Saul, who was lately Confirmed in his Kingdom, and had been flushed with his good success against the Ammonites, and was likely to grow more and more po∣tent, if not timely prevented; and they thought that now the Israelitish affairs were come to some Consistency, being put into the hands of a King; and therefore they thought fit once for all to put forth all their strength to suppress the Is∣raelites, and to prevent that ruin which otherwise threatned them.
• * 1.15

  Josh. 7. 2. and 18. 12, 13.
• l 1.16

  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 all Carnal confidence in Men; and that they did not one jotless need the help and favour of God now, than they did before, when they had no King.
• m 1.17

  They were not mistaken in their apprehensions of Danger, as men oft are, for they were really in great Danger, their Enemies Host far exceeding theirs, both in Number, and Order, and Courage, and Arms.
• * 1.18

  Judg. 6. •…•….
• n 1.19

  Whereof there were divers in those parts for this very use, as we read in Iosephus, and in the Holy Scripture.
• o 1.20

  To wit, his whole Army, opposed to the common Peo∣ple, v. 6.
• ‡ 1.21

  Heb. trem∣bled after him▪
• * 1.22

  Chap. 1•…•…. 8.
• p 1.23

  Not seven compleat days; for that the last day was not fi∣nished, plainly appears from Samuel's reproof, which had then been groundless and absurd, and he had falsly changed Saul with breaking Gods command therein, v. 13. And as Sa∣muel came on the seventh day, and that with intent to Sa∣crifice; so doubtless he came in due time, for that Work which was to be done before Sun-setting, Exod. 29. 38, 39. So Saul waited onely six compleat days, and part of the seventh, which is here called seven days: for the word Day, is oft used for a part of the Day, as among Lawyers, so also in Sa∣cred Scripture, as Matth. 12. 40. where Christ is said to be in the heart of the Earth three days and three nights, i. e. one whole day, and part of the other two days. Moreover this place may be thus rendred: He tarried until the seventh day, (as this same Phrase is used Gen. 7. 10. Heb. until the se∣venth of the days) (as the Hebrew Lamed is oft taken) the set time that Samuel had appointed.
• q 1.24

  Either himself; or rather by the Priest, as Solomon is said to offer, 1 King. 3. 4. Compare 1 Sam. 1. 3.
• r 1.25

  i. e. It was told Saul, Behold Samuel is coming.
• ‡ 1.26

  Heb. bless him.
• s 1.27

  i. e. Congratulate his coming. This he did, partly out of custom; and partly, that by this Testimony of his affection and re∣spect to Samuel, he might prevent that rebuke which his guilty Conscience made him expect.
• t 1.28

  He suspected that Saul had transgressed; either by his dejected countenance, or some words uttered by him, though not here expressed: but he asks him, that he might be more fully and certainly informed, and that Saul might be brought to an ingenuous Confession of his Sin, and true Repentance for it.
• u 1.29

  i. e. When the seventh day was come, and a good part of it past, whence I concluded thou wouldst not come that day, and that thou hadst forgotten thy appointment, or been hindred by some extraordinary occasion.
• ‡ 1.30

  Heb. intreat∣ed the face.
• x 1.31

  Hence it appears, that Sacrifices were accompanied with Solemn Prayers.
• y 1.32

  I did it against my own mind and incli∣nation. My Conscience told me I should forbear it, and punctually obey God's Command delivered to me by Samuel, but my necessity urged me to make haste.
• z 1.33

  In that very thing wherein thou thinkest thou hast done wisely and politickly, in disobeying my express Command upon a pretended necessity, or reason of State.
• a 1.34

  Not one∣ly upon common grounds, as thou art his Creature, and one of his People; but in a special manner, who hath confer∣red peculiar Favours and Honours upon thee: which is an aggravation of thy sin.
• b 1.35

  Que. How could this be true, when the Kingdom was promised to Iudah, Gen. 49. 10. and con∣sequently must necessarily be taken away from Saul, and from his Tribe? Ans. First, The Phrase, for ever, in Scripture use, oft-times signifies onely a long time, as Gen. 43. 9. Exod. 21. 6. 1 Sam. 28. 2. 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 Iudah. Secondly, Though the Kingdom had been pro∣mised to Saul, and to his Posterity for ever in a larger sence, yet that was upon condition of his Obedience. And there∣fore God might well promise the Kingdom to Iudah, because at that time, and before, he foresaw that Saul would by his disobedience forfeit that promise, and that he would take the forfeiture, and transfer the Kingdom to Iudah.
• * 1.36

  Psal. 89. 20. •…•…ct. 13. 22.
• c 1.37

  i. e. Hath found or discovered, as men do by seeking. An Anthropopathy.
• d 1.38

  i. e. Such a man as I desire, one who will fulfil all the desires of my heart, and not oppose them, as thou dost.
• e 1.39

  i. e. Hath appointed or decreed, as the word command is sometimes used▪ for it was not yet actually done.
• f 1.40

  Quest. First, What was Saul's sin? Ans. Either, First, That Saul Invaded the Priests Office, and Offered the Sacrifice himself: which is not probable, both because he had Priests with him, and among others an eminent one, Ahiah, chap. 14. 3. and therefore had no occasion nor pre∣tence for that presumption. Or rather, Secondly, That Saul did not wait the full time for Samuel's coming; for that is the thing which God commanded, chap. 10. 8. and the breach of this command is the onely thing for which Saul makes an Apology, v. 11, 12. Quest. Secondly, Why did God so severely punish Saul for so small an offence, and that occasioned by great necessity, and done with an honest intention? Ans. First, Men are very incompetent Iudges of Gods Judgments, because they see but very little, either of the Majesty of the offended God, or of the hainous nature and aggravations of the Offence. For instance, men see no∣thing but Saul's outward act, which seems small; but God saw with how wicked a mind and heart he did this, with what Rebellion against the Light of his own Conscience, as his own words imply; with what gross infidelity and distrust of Gods Providence; with what contempt of Gods Autho∣rity, and Justice, and many other wicked principles and mo∣tions of his heart, unknown to men. Besides, God clearly saw all that wickedness that yet lay hid in his heart, and foresaw all his other Crimes; and therefore had far more grounds for his Sentence against him, than we can imagine. Secondly, God doth sometimes punish small sins severely, and that for divers weighty reasons, as that all men may see what the least sin deserves, and how much they owe to Gods free and rich Mercy, for passing by their great Offences; and what need they have not to indulge themselves in any small sin, as men are very prone to do, upon vain presumptions of Gods Mercy, whereby they are easily and commonly drawn on to hainous Crimes; and for many other reasons: so that some such instances of Gods severity, are necessary Discipline and Caution to all mankind in the present and future Ages; and therefore there is far more of mercy and kindness in such actions, than of rigour and harshness, since this is but parti∣cular to one Person, and the other is an universal good. Thirdly, It must be remembred, that the Kingdom of Saul, and of Israel, was now in its Infancy; and that this was the first command which he received from God. And it hath been ever held a piece of Wisdom in all Law-givers, severe∣ly to punish the first Violations of their Laws, to secure their Honour and Obedience, and to affright and caution Offenders for the future. And accordingly God dealt with Cain the first Murderer; with Israel, for their first Idolatty with the Calf; with the first miscarriage of the Priests, Levit. 10. 1. with the first profaner of the Sabbath, Numb. 15. 32. with the first gross Hypocrites in the Christian Church, Act. 5. 5, 10. And therefore it is neither strange nor unjust, if he deal with Saul after the same manner, and upon the same grounds. Fourthly, Though God threaten Saul with the loss of his Kingdom for this sin; yet it is not improbable, that there was a tacit condition implied, as is usual in such cases, as Ionah 3. 4. to wit, if he did not heartily 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. 15. 11, 23, 26, 28, 29. and till that second Offence, neither the Spirit of the Lord departed from him, nor was David a∣nointed in his stead, chap. 16. 13, 14.
• g 1.41

  Whither Saul also followed him; as appears from the next Verse: either, because it was better fortified than Gilgal: or, because he expected a greater increase of his Army there, it being in his own Tribe, and nearer the heart of his King∣dom: or, because he hoped for Samuel's Assistance there.
• ‡ 1.42

  Heb. found.
• * 1.43

  Chap. 14. 2.
• h 1.44

  That they might March several ways, and so waste se∣veral parts of the Countrey.
• i 1.45

  A City of Benjamin, Ios. 18. 23. South-west from Michmash.
• k 1.46

  A City of Ephraim, Ios. 16. 3. Northwest from Mich∣mash.
• l 1.47

  i. e The Wilderness of Iordan, Eastward.
• m 1.48

  This was a Politick course of the Philistines, which also other Nations have used. So the Chaldeans took away their Smiths, 2 King. 24. 14. Ier. 24. 1. and 29. 2. And Porsenna obliged the Romans by Covenant, That they should use no Iron but in the Tillage of their Lands.
• ‡ 1.49

  We must take them away.
• n 1.50

  Not to the Land of the Philistines, for it is not said so, and that was too remote; but to the Stations and Garisons which the Philistines yet retained in several parts of Israels 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 here following.
• ‡ 1.51

  Hebr. a file with mouths.
• o 1.52

  So the sense is, They allowed them some small helps to make their Mattocks, and in some sort to serve their present use. But these words may be otherwise Translated, and are so by some Learned, both Ancient and Modern, Translators; thus, Therefore the mouths or edges of the mattocks, and coulters, &c. were dull or blunt. Or rather thus, When (Heb. and put for when, as the Particle, and, is sometimes rendred, as Mar. 15. 25.) the mouths or edges of the mattocks, &c. were blunt. So this passage very well agrees both with the foregoing and following words; and the whole sence of the place is in∣tirely thus, They went to the Philistines to sharpen their shares, and mattocks, and coulters, and axes, when they were blunt, and (which was more strange, They were forced to go to them, even) to sharpen their goads.
• ‡ 1.53

  Heb. to set.
• p 1.54

  Qu. How could the Israelites smite either the Garison of the Philistines above, v. 3. or the Host of the Ammonites, Chap. 11. 11. without Arms? And when they had Conquer∣ed them, Why did they not take away their Arms, and re∣serve them to their own use? Answ. 1. This want of Swords and Spears is not affirmed concerning all Israel, but is re∣strained unto those 600. who were with Saul and Ionathan? whom God by his Providence might suffer to be without those Arms, that the glory of the following Victory might be wholly ascribed to God; as for the very same reason God would have but 300 men left with Gideon, and those Armed onely with Trumpets, and Pitchers, and Lamps, Iudg. 7. 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 suffici∣ent to prevent the making of new Arms; knowing that the old ones would shortly be decayed, and useless. 2. There were other Arms more common in those times and places, than Swords and Spears; to wit, Bows and Arrows, and Slings and Stones; as appears from Iudg. 20. 16. 2 Sam. 1. 18, 22. 2 King. 3. 25. 1 Chron. 12. 1, 2. besides Clubs, and Instruments of Agriculture, which might easily be turned into weapons of War. 3. God so governed the Affairs of the Israelites, that they had no great number of Swords, or Spears, Iudg. 5. 8. that so they might be kept in more de∣pendence upon, and subjection unto God, wherein their safety and happiness consisted. And therefore, that famous Victory obtained against the Philistines in Samuel's days, was not got by the Sword of Men, but onely by Thunder from Heaven, Chap. 7. 10.
• ‖ 1.55

  Or, standing Camp.
• q 1.56

  A place so called, because it was near to Michmash, and led towards Gibeah, which, it seems, they designed to Besiege; and in the mean time, to wast the adjoyning Country.