Annotations upon the remaining historicall part of the Old Testament. The second part. to wit, the books of Joshua, Judges, the two books of Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles, and the books of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther : wherein first, all such passages in the text are explained as were thought likely to be questioned by any reader of ordinary capacity : secondly, in many clauses those things are discovered which are needfull and usefull to be known ... and thirdly, many places that might at first seem to contradict one another are reconciled ... / by Arthur Jackson.

CHAP. XVI.

Vers. 1. ANd the Lord said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel?] That it was a sinne in Samuel to mourn for Saul, when God had rejected him from being king, we cannot say; for it is a work of charity well-pleasing to God, to mourn for wic∣ked men that lie under Gods wrath, and yet mourn not for themselves; especially in Gods Prophets and Messengers, whose duty it is to interpose themselves when God is angry with his people, & by their prayers and tears to sue for mercy for them. And therefore we see the Lord complains of these prophets, Ezek. 13.5. that had not gone up into the gaps, neither made up the hedge for the house of Israel, to stand in the battell in the day of the Lord. And besides, Samuel might well fear, that if Saul were cut off, a great deal of trouble and confusion might happen amongst the peo∣ple. In which case he had just cause to mourn in their behalf. And why then did the Lord expostulate with Samuel▪ How long wilt thou mourn for Saul? &c. Surely, to make known to Samuel, that all his mourning for Saul was in vain, partly because he continued still obstinate and impenitent, and partly because God had absolutely rejected him from being king. In which case though Samuel might bewail Sauls condition (for all mourning for that which we know God hath de∣creed is not unlawfull; when we loose deare friends, we know it is Gods will, and yet may mourn for their death) yet he might not bewail it so as might imply an un∣willingnesse to submit to the will of God; and therefore we see it is not for his mourn∣ing, but for his mourning so long, that God expostulates with him, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from being king.

Fill thine horn with oyl, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided me a king among his sonnes.] Though the Lord intended not that Saul should be presently deposed from being king (and therefore David after he was anointed, did alwayes acknowledge Saul to be his Lord and Sovereigne, chap. 24.6. The Lord forbid that I should do this thing unto my Master, the Lords anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the Lord,) yet

he would have him anointed before-hand that was to succeed Saul. 1. For the com∣fort of Samuel and others, that knew the Lord had forsaken and cast off Saul; who by this might be assured, that for all this God intended not to cast off the care of his people. 2. That David being anointed, when he was in the eye of reason so unlike∣ly to come to the Crown, it might be the more evident when it came to passe, that it was of God. 3. That hereby David might be supported in his many following troubles. And 4. That the same hand that had anointed Saul, might testifie Gods rejecting Sauls posterity, by anointing one of another family, to succeed him in the throne: for Samuel drawing now to his end, had therefore this businesse now impo∣sed upon him, and was sent to Jesse the Bethlehemite, who was the sonne of Obed▪ and grandchild of Boaz and Ruth, the Lord making known to him, that one of his sonnes was to be anointed king. The expression the Lord useth in making this known to Samuel, is very observable, because it implies that the king that was now to be anointed, was in a peculiar manner the Lords king: for (saith he) I have pro∣vided me a king among his sonnes. Saul was chosen by the Lord to be the king of Israel, but it was upon the importunity of the people, who would needs have it so, and could not be beaten off from it; so that Saul was the peoples king rather then Gods, given them because of the peoples preposterous and unruly desires, and there∣fore his government being abortive, continued not, nor thrived well for the best things whilest it did continue: but how when David was anointed king, there was no such matter, but he was merely chosen of God, there was no body desired, or spake the least word for the erecting of his government; yea, even Samuel himself by his desire after Saul, and mourning for him, did unwittingly what he could to oppose the advancing of David; onely God did then of his own freewill, when no body thought any thing of it, send Samuel to anoint David; and so he was a king of Gods own providing, the king in whose seed the kingdome was to be established, Gen. 49.10. The Scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a Law-giver from be∣tween his feet, untill Shiloh come; and who would in his government carefully perform the will of God, chap. 13.14. The Lord hath sought him a man after his own heart. And indeed in all these things David was a notable type of Christ: for first, he was the Sonne of David, Matth. 1.1. and the king of Israel, Joh. 1.49. upon whom the kingdome was settled for ever, Luke 1.33. And he shall reigne over the house of Israel for ever, and of his kingdome there shall be no end: second∣ly, he was given of God to be the king of his Church, that he might save them out of the hands of their enemies when no man desired it; when we thought not of any such mercy, nor begged it of God, he of his own free grace gave us his sonne to be our king. I have set my king upon my holy hill of Sion, saith the Lord, Psal. 2.6. Thou hast loved righteousnesse and hated iniquity, therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oyl of gladnesse above thy fellows, Heb. 1.9. and third∣ly, he doth administer this kingdome according to Gods own heart: Psal 40▪7 8. Then said I, Lo I come, in the volume of the book it is written of me, I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy Law is within my heart: which the Apostle doth plainly apply to Christ, Heb. 10.6, 7. So that besides the reasons formerly given, why the Lord appointed the kings of Israel to be anointed with oyl, chap. 10.1. this also may be added concerning David and his posterity, to wit, that they were

anointed to shadow forth that there was a Messiah to come, whom God had anoint∣ed to be king over his Church, even the Lord Christ, upon whom the Spirit of God, and the true oyl of anointing, was poured forth without measure; whence it was that Christ did apply to himself that prophesie, Isa. 61.1. The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the Gospel, &c. Luke 14.18. It is much argued amongst expositours, whether David and so his posterity also, if not all the kings of Israel too, were not anointed with the holy oyl of the Tabernacle wherewith the Preists were anointed: and there are many, who though they think it altogether improbable, that the Prophets would use the sacred oyl of the Taber∣nacle in anointing the idolatrous kings of Israel, yet they hold that David and his successours were anointed with that oyl: first▪ because it is said, that David was anointed with holy oyle, Psal. 89.20. I have found David my servant, with my holy oyl have I anointed him. And secondly, because it is expressely said of Solomon, 1. King. 1.39. that Zadok took an horn of oyl out of the Tabernacle, and anointed Solomon. But now on the other side, first, because that Law of the Preists oyl, Exod. 30.32. seems to imply, that it was not to be used for any other but the Priests onely: secondly, because we find no command that this service should be performed with that sacred oyl; and thirdly, because when David was anointed the second time by the men of Judah, 2. Sam. 2.4. the Tabernacle was then at Gibeon, & that was under the power of Ishbosheth the sonne of Saul, and so David could not then be an∣ointed with that oyl of the Tabernacle; therefore it is judged most probable by many other Expositours, that neither David nor Solomon were anointed with that oyl; but, say they, because the office and imployment of the supreme Magistrate, who sits in Gods seat, and executes Gods judgements, may be called holy, as the Seat of Justice is called the holy place, Eccles. 8.10. therefore it is said that David was anointed with holy oyl. And for that place 1. Kings 1.39. they answer, that it may well be that this horn of oyl wherewith Samuel was now sent to anoint David, was afterwards laid up in the Tabernacle, and so Solomon was anointed therewith. But however, there was much oyl in the Tabernacle, besides that which was made for the Priests anointing, which Zadok might take thence for the anointing of Solomon.

Vers. 2. And Samuel said, How can I go? If Saul heare it, he will kill me.] This question might well proceed both from a fearfull apprehension of the danger of this act, & a desire to be instructed, how with least danger this businesse might be carried.

And the Lord said, Take an heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice unto the Lord.] Thus the Lord advised him to conceal the principall cause of his coming, and to alledge onely that businesse which he had to do there, that might be safely made known; which was not unlawfull.

Vers. 3. And call Jesse to the sacrifice, &c.] That is, invite him to the feast thou makest with thy peace-offerings.

Vers. 4. And the Elders of the town trembled at his coming, &c.] Bethlehem was but a little obscure town, Micah 5.2. And thou Bethlehem-Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, &c. Either therefore because it was such news to see Samuel there, they feared he came, as a Prophet, with some heavy message of Gods displeasure against them; or else, because he came so unexpectedly,

and withall so privately, and without attendance; they feared he had fled from Saul (as having happely heard of that which had passed betwixt him and the king, related in the former chapter) and so were troubled for him: and withall perhaps afraid, lest Saul should be enraged against them for entertaining him.

Vers. 5. And he sanctified Jesse and his sonnes, and called them to the sacri∣fice.] That is, he appointed them to prepare and sanctifie themselves both legally and spiritually, that they might eat of the sacrifices. See the note on Josh. 3.5.

Vers. 6. And it came to passe when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, &c.] Somewhat is here left to be supposed, as necessarily following upon that which is expressed, to wit, that Samuel had acquainted Jesse with the cause of his coming: and that hereupon Jesse brought in his sonnes one by one into some private place, whither before they sat down to eat of the sacrifice, they had retired themselves for that purpose, that he might be anointed whom God had chosen: and so when Sa∣muel beheld Eliab the first-born, he said to himself, Surely this is the man: The comelinesse of his person made him think, this was he whom God had chosen: but herein he was led by his own spirit: as Nathan in a like case was, when he encou∣raged David to build a Temple, 2. Sam. 7.3. And Nathan said to the King, Go, do all that is in thy heart; for the Lord is with thee: and hereby it was the more manifest, that it was not Samuel, but God that chose David to be King.

Vers. 7. But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, &c.] To wit, by a secret voice of his spi••it within him.

Vers. 8. Then Jesse called Abinadab.] To wit, after Samuel had told him that Eliab was not he whom God had chosen.

Vers. 9. Then Jesse made Shammah to passe by.] Called also Shumma, 1. Chron. 2.13.

Vers. 10. Again Jesse made seven of his sonnes, to passe before Samuel.] Here∣by it is manifest that Jesse had eight sonnes, as it is also expressed chap. 17.12. Now David was the sonne of that Ephrathite of Bethlehem-Judah, whose name was Jesse, and he had eight sonnes, &c. though there be but seven mentioned, 1. Chron. 2.13, 14, 15. because happely one of these died immediately after this; and onely those are mentioned there, that were men of fame in after-times: for it hath no probability in it which some say, that he had amongst these brought one of his grandchildren to Samuel, since we see that as yet he had not brought David his youngest sonne.

Vers. 11. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children?] Jesse had omitted to bring his youngest sonne, as concluding that it could not be he of all the rest whom God had chosen; which was doubtlesse so ordered by the speciall providence of God, that Samuel being brought to this demurre, it might be the more evident that David was truely chosen of God.

Vers. 13. Then Samuel took the horn of oyl, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren.] That is, amongst all the sonnes of Jesse, Samuel by Gods appoint∣ment anointed David, from amongst the rest of his brethren he was taken and an∣ointed to succeed Saul in the kingdome. The phrase is not unlike that, Deut. 18.15. The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, &c. The meaning is not therefore, that his brethren stood about him

when he was anointed: For though it be evident that Samuel acquainted Jesse with that which God had commanded him to do, and that he was an eye-witnesse of Da∣vids anointing; yet it is not likely that his brethren stood by, and looked on when this was done, and heard what Samuel said unto him; who no doubt made it known to David why he anointed him, as may seem to be implyed in that place, 2. Sam, 5.2. And the Lord said to thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and shalt be a Cap∣tain over Israel: For first, though Jesse might be enjoyned secresie, yet it is not like∣ly that his envious brethren, seeing him anointed by Samuel that famous Prophet, should either not suspect any thing thereby, or not blazon it abroad. And to what end was Samuel sent so secretly, under the colour of a solemne sacrifice, if David were to be anointed so openly, amongst so many witnesses that might publish it wheree∣ver they came? & secondly, how can we think that Davids brethren (had they known of Samuels anointing him) would have used him so scornfully as after this they did; chap. 17.28. And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men, and Eliabs anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wildernesse? I know thy pride and the naughtinesse of thine heart, &c. Surely they would never have used him with such scorn, had they known he was anointed by Samuel, yea though we should suppose what some affirm, that they imagined that he was anointed to be a Prophet, not a King: Many Expositours indeed answer, that either they understood not, or believed not Gods purpose in the anointing of David: But Samuel was a prophet of such fame in those dayes, that me thinks such a solemne action of his should not so be sleighted.

And the spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward.] That is, the Lord gave him an extraordinary measure of the gifts and graces of his holy spirit, whereof his anointing was an outward signe: and so he was moved and led on by the spirit of God, to undertake great and noble enterprises, such as was that of his killing the lion and the bear, mentioned in the following chapter, vers. 34, 35, 36. Whence it was that he became so famous, that Sauls Courtiers could say of him, vers. 18. that he was a mighty valiant man, and a man of warre, and prudent in mat∣ters. Yea, and besides it may well be, that from that time forward he had also a spi∣rit of prophecy, and the gift of Poetry and Musick conferred upon him, wherein he became afterward exceeding eminent.

Vers. 14. But the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord troubled him.] That is, the Lord bereaved him of those gifts he had for∣merly bestowed upon him, and then by degrees he began to be troubled with melan∣cholly and frantick fits, as is evident, chap. 28.10.11. And that by means of an evil spirit sent from God (for even the devils stirre not without Gods allowance.) Doubt∣lesse he was tormented with the terrours of an evil and guilty conscience; & oppres∣sed with grief and sadnesse of heart for the losse of his kingdome; and then Sathan making use of this distemper both of body and mind, drove him into fits of phren∣sie and rage, that he was for the time as one possessed with a devil. He had preferred his own reason before Gods directions in the businesse of the Amalekites, and so made an idole of his own wisdom and reason; and now God deprives him of the use of his reason, and brake (as it were) this his idole in pieces.

Vers. 15. And Sauls servants said unto him, &c.] That is, his Physicians who were called to advise about this distemper of Saul.

Vers. 16. And it shall come to passe, when the evil spirit from God is upon thee, that he shall play with his hand, and thou shalt be well.] Not that Musicall sounds have any force to drive away devils, but because they conceived that his sad heart, his dead and pensive spirits (which were the instruments of Sathans working) might be cheared and revived hereby, and his melancholly passions much allayed, and so be the lesse subject to the devils operations. And indeed, so as they said it fell out, vers. 23. And it came to passe, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand; so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him: yet not so much I conceive through the virtue or na∣turall power of musick, as by the speciall hand of God, who was pleased extraordi∣narily to cause it thus to work upon Saul: however, herein we may well look upon David as a type of Christ who cast out many devils out of men possessed; and now by the glad tidings of the Gospel, doth daily cast them out of the hearts of naturall men, and quiets those souls that are distempered with greif or fear: working peace unspeakable in those that lie under the greatest terrours of conscience by reason of sinne.

Vers. 18. Behold, I have seen a sonne of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man.] Which he had approved in killing the Ly∣on and the Beare, chap. 17.34, and perhaps by some other such exployts perform∣ed by him, since the Spirit of God came upon him, vers. 13.

Vers. 19. Send me David thy sonne which is with the sheep.] This last clause, which is with the sheep, is added, to imply what an advancement it would be to him to be taken from keeping sheep to attend upon Saul at the court. With such con∣tempt could Saul speak now of keeping sheep, that had himself been formerly in as mean a condition.

Vers. 20. And Jesse took an asse laden with bread, and a bottle of wine, and a kid, and sent them by David.] Jesse knowing God had anointed him to succeed Saul in the kingdome, might well fear to put him into Sauls hands, but his faith over∣came his fear herein.

Vers. 21. And he became his Armour-bearer.] See the note upon chap. 17.55.

Vers. 23. So Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.] That is, for a time his fits left him. See the former note, vers. 16.