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. XXIIII.

Vers. 2. ANd went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats.] That is, high, steep, and craggy rocks▪ such as wild goats do usually delight in, and this is thus expressed▪ to shew the violence of Sauls rage, and how greedily he thirsted after the destruction of David: We may see that he resolved to leave no place unsearched, when he looked up and down for him in these rocky pla∣ces, which could not but be very tedious both to himself and his souldiers to march in.

Vers. 3. And Saul went in to cover his feet.] Concerning this phrase of Sauls covering his feet, see the note, Judg. 3.24.

And David and his men remained in the sides of the cave.] It may seem strange that David and his six hundred men chap. 23 13. could be in this cave, and yet Saul when he came into it should not perceive it; but it is well known by the testimony of many writers, that in some countreys there are such huge caves, that many souldiers may lie within them; as also that those that are in such caves, may see what is done in the mouth of those caves, when they which are at the entrance, perceive not what is within, and such a cave was this, wherein David and his men had hid themselves, that Saul might not find them out.

Vers. 4. Behold the day of which the Lord said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thy hand, &c.] There might be some particular promise, though it be no where expressed in the story, which David had received from Gad, or Samuel, or which God had immediately by his spirit given him, concerning Sauls falling in∣to Davids hands, of which his followers did now put him in mind; but because such a promise might imply, that the Lord intended David should cut off Saul, it seems most probable that this word of the Lord which they spake of, was onely either that promise which Samuel had made him concerning the kingdome; or else some generall promise, that he should prevail over all his enemies, which they now reach∣ed further then God intended them; as if the promise of conferring the kingdome upon David did by consequence imply, that he might take away his life that now stood in his way to keep him from it; or the promise of prevailing over his enemies, did include this of putting him to death, if God should deliver him into his power. At least from this act of Gods providence in bringing Saul into his power, they sought to perswade David that God intended he should be cut off, and that David should wilfully despise Gods favour to him, if he should not do it.

Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Sauls garment privily.] To wit, that he might thereby afterward make it evident to Saul, that he could as well have killed him. But how could he do this and Saul not perceive it? I answer, first, considering the tumult of the souldiers without might drown the noise within, it is probable e∣nough that David might in this dark cave steal behind Saul, and cut off the outward lap of his garment, without being felt or perceived: Secondly, if Saul came in to ease himself, it is likely he had laid aside his upper robe or garment, to which David might go closely, and unespied might cut off the skirt of it: but thirdly, if we under∣stand those foregoing words, that Saul went into the cave to cover his feet, of his going in to lie down and sleep there, then there can be no more question made how David should cut off the lap of his garment and yet Saul never feel him.

Vers. 6. And he said unto his men, The Lord forbid that I should do this thing unto my Master, &c.] To wit, when they provoked him to lay hands upon Saul, ver. 10. which indeed was a great proof of his sincerity, that rather then he would do this, he would venture the displeasing and enraging of all his followers; who were like doubtlesse to be highly offended, that he would wilfully neglect this opportuni∣ty to put an end to all their dangers and fears.

Vers. 9. Wherefore hearest thou mens words, saying, Behold David seeketh thy hurt?] Thus David did with great wisdome, cast the blame of Sauls violence a∣gainst him, rather upon Sauls wicked counsel, and those flatterers about him, that did daily incense him against David by their false slanders, then upon Saul himself.

Vers. 11. Moreover, my father, See, &c.] David calls Saul father, either be∣cause he had indeed married his daughter, or because it was a title usually given to kings, as the fathers of the people.

Vers. 12. The Lord judge between me and thee, &c.] Thus David referred his cause to God, and hereby also it is evident, that this it was that did comfort David against Sauls injuries, and made him patiently bear the wrong he did him, and re∣strained him at this time from avenging himself upon Saul, namely, that he consi∣dered that God was the judge of all; and that he would therefore certainly plead

his cause and take occasion sooner or later to revenge the injuries that he had suffered.

Vers. 13. As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickednesse proceedeth from the wicked, but mine hand shall not be upon thee.] By alledging this proverb, David in∣timated: first, that a good man could not allow himself to do that which a wicked wretch would make no conscience to do: secondly, that though wicked men may counsel & advise to do that which is evil, yet a good man would not hearken to that counsel: and thirdly, that though unconscionable men deal wickedly with the righ∣teous servants of God, yet the righteous will not thence take liberty to deal wicked∣ly with them: So that summarily this is the drift of this proverb, that no example, nor perswasion, nor provocation of wicked men, should winne the servants of God to draw the same guilt upon themselves.

Vers 14. After whom dost thou pursue, after a dead dog, after a flea?] That is, after a man of no estimation, nor power, one not worthy thy jealousies and fears; but besides, it may be that David had also respect in these words to his humble deportment of himself, hitherto free from all ambition: had he made a partie a∣mongst the Nobles or Elders of Israel▪ there had been some pretence of suspecting him; but considering his lowly carriage of himself all the time he had been in Sauls court, Sauls proceeding against him in that manner he did, was as if a man should have come with an army of souldiers against a flea, or against a dead dog.

Vers. 22. And Saul went home: But David and his men gat them up unto the hold.] Namely of Engedi, vers. 1. having found David and his men hemmed up in a cave, it was much that Saul would overslip such an opportunitie to put an end to his fears; but his conscience was strongly convinced, and thereby God carried him away, and hereby David found, that his confidence in God manifested in the 57. Psalme, was not in vain; for that Psalme was penned, as is most probable, when he hid himself in this cave, as we may gather from the title, Michtam of David, when he fled from Saul in the cave.