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. XXII.

Vers. 1. DAvid therefore departed thence and went to the cave of Adullam.] Which was in the Tribe of Judah, Josh. 15.21, 35. a place of good strength, as appears, 2. Sam. 23.13. and thither no doubt David went, hoping to find relief and comfort in his own tribe, and here perhaps he made the 142. Psalme; for that was made when he was in a cave, as appears by the title, Maschil of Da∣vid a prayer when he was in the cave.

And when his brethren and his fathers house heard it, they went down thither

to him.] To wit, as being or fearing to be persecuted and oppressed by Saul for Davids sake; and this no doubt added much to his affliction, not onely because it must needs greive him to see them forced to flie from their lands, houses, and estates for his sake; but also, because it may well be, that his brethren, who did formerly cast an envious eye upon him, and upbraided him with the pride and naughtinesse of his heart, would now perhaps, upbraid him with the miseries he had brought upon them; telling how much better it had been for them, if he had contented him∣self with that meaner condition wherein before he lived in his fathers family. But besides, in that which Davids brethren suffered for Davids sake, Christians may see what they must look to suffer for Christs sake; they are dear and precious to Christ as his mother and brethren▪ Luke 8.21. My mother and my brethren are these, which hear the word of God▪ and do it: But because of this, therefore doth the world hate them: Matth. 10.22. Ye shall be hated of all men for my names sake: See also, John 15.19▪ 20, 21.

Vers. 2. And every one that was in distresse, and every one that was in debt, &c.] These doubtlesse aimed at the sheltring themselves, though they strengthened David by coming in to him. But was it well done in David to entertain such as these? I answer, that what David did herein, he might do it by a speciall instinct of the spi∣rit of God, and so that might be lawfull in him, which would not be lawfull in an ordinary way: but then besides, much may be said in defence of David herein, even in an ordinary way. For first, David might not know of the severall ingage∣ments by debt, or otherwise, of those that came in to him. Secondly, he had no pur∣pose to shelter them against any that should demand justice against them. Thirdly, he meant not to make use of them against Saul, or to make a prey of the people, but onely for his own just defence; we see what a testimony Nabals servants gave of Davids souldiers, Chap. 25.15. The men were very good unto us, and we were not hurt neither missed we any thing, as long as we were conversant with them when we were in the fields. And fourthly, It is probable, that by this time it came to be generally known, that Saul persecuted David because he was anointed of God by Samuel to succeed him in the throne; and if they came, pretending this for their coming, the cause they alledged was just, and how could David then reject them? It is likely indeed, that the mouths of many were opened against him, because of those that followed him▪ alledging that they were a company of needy and discon∣tented people, men that had exhausted their states, and durst not before shew their heads, the very scumme and dregs of the people, fit onely to prey upon the estates of others; and that David shewed now what love he bare to his countrey, and what loyalty to his Prince, in giving entertainment to such as these. But so long as Da∣vids cause was just, and that he did not undertake to defend them in any evil, nor made use of them to oppresse others, these reproches were unjustly cast upon him; yea in this, as in other things, David was a notable type of Christ. For such as these that came into David, were whilest Christ lived upon earth, and still are usually the disciples of Christ; to wit, first, poore and despised men and women, whence was that of the Pharisees, Joh. 7.48. Have any of the Rulers, or of the Pharisees, be∣lieved on him? Ye see your calling brethren, (saith the Apostle, 1. Cor. 1.26.) how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble are

called, &c. and chap. 14.13. We are made as the filth of the world, and are the off-scouring of all things unto this day: and secondly, men and women that lay under the burden of a grievous debt of sinnes; for publicans and harlots followed Christ, when the self-righteous Pharisees, and many of the civiler sort of people were ene∣mies to him, Matth. 21.31, 32. and at this the world took great offence: Why eat∣eth your Master with Publicans and sinners, Matth. 9.11. and again, Matth. 11.19. the sonne of man came eating and drinking, and they said behold a man gluttonous, and a wine-bibber, a friend of Publicans and sinners, and hence is that too, in the same chapter, vers. 5.6. The poore have the Gospell preached to them, and blessed is he whosoever shall not be offended in me: some are of opinion, that it was when Da∣vid was in this hold of Adullam, that those worthies came to him also, that are spo∣ken of, 1. Chron. 12.16. &c. but of that see the note there.

Vers. 3. And David went thence to Mizpeh of Moab, and he said unto the King of Moab, &c.] Because his parents, by reason of age, were not able well to endure the hardnesse of being with him in the cave, therefore David went to Miz∣peh of Moab, to provide them a place there to stay a while in; hoping that the king of Moab would favour him out of hatred to Saul, who had made warre against Moab: 1. Sam. 14.47. Let, saith he, my father and my mother come forth, that is, out of the land of Israel, and be with you, &c.

Vers. 4. And they dwelt with him all the while that David was in the hold.] That is, in the cave of Adullam. Most Expositours indeed understand this of a hold in Mizpeh of Moab: but first, there is no such hold mentioned in the foregoing words; and secondly, had David been in Mizpeh of Moab, why should it be said he left his father and mother, with the king of that countrey.

Vers 5. And the Prophet Gad said unto David, Abide not in the hold, depart, and get thee into the land of Judah.] The cave, or hold of Adullam, was indeed in the tribe of Judah; but the Lord appoints him not to hide himself any longer there, but to go forth abroad and to shew himself openly in the land of Judah, and that no doubt partly for the triall of his faith, that it might be seen, that his confidence was in the Lords protection, and partly that he might by degrees gain esteem and respect amongst the people.

Vers. 6. Now Saul abode in Gibeah, under a tree in Ramah, &c.] This may be translated under a tree in a high place (as it is in the margin of our Bibles) and then the meaning of the words is clear, to wit, that Saul was in some hill or high place in Gibeah, but according to that translation which is here in our Bibles, Saul abode in Gibeah, under a tree in Ramah: it may be questioned how it can be said, that he was in Gibeah, and in Ramah too; and no other answer can be given, but that Ramah, or the land about it, was in the territories of Gibeah, and so because he was under a tree in, or near unto Ramah, it is said that he was in Gibeah, under a tree in Ramah; as for that clause which next follows, having his spear in his hand, this is added either, first, to imply how full of iealousies and fears Saul was, as one that had scarce any confidence, in any that were about him, he had still his Javelin or his spear in his hand; or secondly, to intimate that he had mustered his forces, and was ready to go forth in the pursuit of David, or thirdly, because in those times, kings were wont to use spears in stead of Sceptres, as the Ensigne of their

Regall powers, which is indeed expressely affirmed in many humane Authours.

Vers. 7. Heare now ye Benjamites, Will the sonne of Jesse give every one of you fields and vineyards, &c.] To wit, as I have done, and am ready still to do; and thus he puts them in mind that David was not able to preferre them as he was, nor yet likely to do it if he were able, because David was not of their tribe as he was.

Vers. 8. There is none that sheweth me that my sonne hath made a league with the sonne of Jesse, &c.] Because David (as he had heard) was returned into the land, and Jonathan since that displeasure taken, chap. 20.24. had perhaps forborn to come into his presence; he suspects there was some conspiracie betwixt David and him (as thinking that David durst not else have entered the land, having no greater a power then he had) and condemnes his followers for not revealing it to him, inti∣mating the more therewith to affect them, what an odious thing it was, that his own sonne and servant, should conspire against him.

Vers. 9. Then answered Doeg the Edomite, which was set over the servants of Saul, &c.] That is, over his herdmen: see the note chap. 21.7. the bait of prefer∣ment, which Saul had cast forth in the foregoing verses, this profane Edomite quick∣ly snapped at, and thereupon accused Ahimelech to Saul.

Vers. 10. And he enquired of the Lord for him, and gave him victuals, &c.] Which Ahimelech acknowledged, vers, 15, but whilest Doeg told Saul this, like a malicious wretch, he spoke not a word to him of Davids excuse, wherewith Ahime∣lech was deceived, whence are those words of David, Psal. 52.2, 3. Thy tongue deviseth mischief like a sharp Rasour, working deceitfully, thou lovest evil more then good, and lying rather then to speak righteousnesse:) for that Psalme was composed upon this occasion, as is evident by the title: A psalme of David, when Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul, and said unto him, David is come to the house of Ahimelech.

Vers. 12. And Saul said, Heare now thou sonne of Ahitub.] So he calls him by way of contempt, as when they called David the son of Jesse, in a way of sleighting him.

Vers. 15, Did I then begin to enquire of God for him? Be it ••arre from me. &c.] That is, this was not the first time that I have enquired of the Lord for him; and what I have done without blame at other times, what cause had I to question the do∣ing of it now? so that it is clear that I intended no such evil in this as is now suspected; had I done it now onely (when it seems there was some jealousie of David) it had been another matter; but to intend the aiding of one that should rise up against my Lord and Sovereigne, was never in my heart, be it farre from me, saith he, that is, God forbid I should have such a thought in my heart.

Vers. 16. And the king said, Thou shalt surely die Ahimelech, thou and all thy fathers house.] Thus he that was so pitifull, that he would needs spare Agag, whom God had commanded him to destroy, was now so hard hearted, that he could com∣mand eighty and five of the Lords Priests to be slain in his sight: and afterwards the citie to be destroyed, and all that was in it, old and young, and never be troubled at it.

Vers. 18. And Doeg the Edomite turned, and he fell upon the Priests, and slew on that day fourescore and five persons that did wear a linen Ephod.] Thus that which the Lord had threatened against the house of Ely, chap. 2.31, 32. was in part fulfilled; for of that family these priests were.

Vers. 19. And Nob the city of the Priests smote he with the edge of the sword, &c.] The Tabernacle was at this time in Nob, as is before noted, ver. 1. and there∣fore it is probable, that upon the occasion of destroying this city at this time, the Ta∣bernacle was removed from hence to Gibeon, where it continued to the dayes of So∣lomon. 2. Chron. 1.3. So Solomon, and all the congregation that was with him, went unto the high place that was in Gibeon: for there was the Tabernacle of the congre∣gation of God, &c.

Vers. 20. And one of the sonnes of Ahimelech the sonne of Ahitub, named A∣biathar, escaped and fled after David.] To wit, to Keilah, chap. 23.6. This Abia∣thar was he that succeeded his father Ahimelech in the place of high Priest, and con∣tinued in that place and office, till he was removed by Solomon, 1. Kings 2.27.

Vers. 22. And David said unto Abiathar, I knew it that day when Doeg the Edomite was there, &c.] The meaning of this is, that his heart misgave him, that it would be so, when he saw Doeg there.