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. XXVII.

Vers. 1. THere is nothing better for me, then that I should speedily escape into the land of the Philistines, &c.] This was no warrantable course which David here pitched upon for his preservation; for first, God had once before commanded him to abide in the land of Judah, by the Prophet Gad, chap. 22.5. secondly, having been such a deadly enemy to the Philistines, and so hardly once be∣fore escaped with his life, when he sought for shelter amongst them; there was no like∣lihood he should be now entertained by them upon any other terms, then that he and his souldiers should turn to the Philistines, and become enemies to the king and peo∣ple of Israel: and thirdly, to the great grief of those that were righteous in the land, the enemies of David would exceedingly triumph in this, alledging that now he had discovered what he was, in deserting his people, and religion, and joyning himself to their uncircumcised enemies: but thus it is usually with men when their hearts sink through infidelity, as Davids now did; they will seek to help themselves by any unlawfull means, as men ready to sink in the water, will be catching at any thing to save themselves from drowning.

Vers. 2. And David arose, and he passed over with the six hundred men that were with him, unto Achish, &c. To Achish king of Gath David fled once before, chap. 21.10. (yet some think that this was not the same Achish, and that to distin∣guish this from him, formerly mentioned, this is said to be the sonne of Maoch) but David went in another manner now then he went before; then he went secretly, and alone by himself, hoping to have lived there unknown: now he went openly, at∣tended with six hundred followers, and their severall housholds, ver. 3. and there∣fore now it is likely that he had beforehand procured from Achish assurance, that he and his should live safely in the land, to which indeed policy might perswade him, in regard of the hatred wherewith Saul, that made continuall warres with the Phi∣listines, was known to prosecute David.

Vers. 5. Let them give me a place in some town in the countrey, &c.] Davids aim in this request might be: first, that he might have the more freedome for the service of God, and the exercise of his religion; and might keep his souldiers from being corrupted with the sinnes of the Philistines, especially of their Court-sinnes: secondly, that he might avoid the better the envie of the Philistines: for being reti∣red to some obscure corner of the countrey, where he should be lesse in their eye, there would not be so frequent occasio•• of offence and stirring their spirits against him; and besides, all suspicion would be taken away of his affecting any advancement, or place of eminency in their Court or State: and thirdly, that he might thence prey upon the enemies of Gods people secretly, without having any notice taken of it: but all he pretends was onely, as out of modesty, that it was not fit for him a stranger to live with the king in the royall citie, especially having so much people with him, who must needs be burdensome, and might prove sometime offensive, both 〈◊〉〈◊〉 him, and to the inhabitants.

Vers. 6. Then Achish gave him Ziklag that day.] Policie would have advised to place him for the better assurance in some town in the midst of the land, and not in a town that bordered upon his own countrey, as Ziklag did; but this sheweth that God had blinded Achish for Davids good.

Wherefore Ziklag pertaineth unto the kings of Judah, unto this day.] Ziklag was long since allotted to the tribe of Judah, Josh. 15.31. and afterwards was gi∣ven to Simeon, Josh. 19.5. though ever since detained by the Philistines; but now it came into the possession of those to whom God had given it, and was not onely joyned to Judahs portion, but was also upon this occasion designed to be for ever after, a part of the Grown-land of the kings of Judah.

Vers. 8. And David and his men went up, and invaded the Geshurites, and the Gezrites, and the Amalekites, &c.] Under a pretence of invading Judea, he bent his forces another way, and smote the Amalekites, and others, which are thought to be the remainders of the Canaanites, to wit, the Geshurites, that is, those that dwelt formerly in Geshur in Gilead, Josh. 12.15. and the Gezrites, that had dwelt in Gezer, which belonged to Ephraim, Josh. 16.3, who perhaps at the first coming of the Israelites, fled thence to the Amalekites, and had ever since dwelt amongst them. And thus he not onely provided for the maintenance of his army, by the spoils he took, and deluded Achish, who thought he had pillaged the land of Israel; but with∣all he destroyed those accursed nations, whom God had at first appointed to be root∣ed out, and continued still enemies to the Israelites.

Vers. 10. And David said, Against the south of Judah, and against the south of the Jerahmeelites, and against the south of the Kenites.] It cannot be concei∣ved that David pretended the invasion of so many places in one day. The mean∣ing therefore of this passage must needs be this, That when ever Achish asked him that question; Whither have ye made a rode to day? he answered, sometimes that he made a rode against the south of Judah; and sometimes again, that he had made a rode against the south of Jerahmeelites (who were a particular family of the tribe of Judah, 1. Chron. 2.9.25.) and sometimes also against the south of the Kenites; and thus he either told Achish again and again many deliberate lies, to secure him∣self and his from danger; or at least he purposely deceived Achish with the ambigu∣ity of his words (which ill-became so good a man) intending that Achish should understand him, that he had invaded the south parts of Judah, &c. whereas he meant he had invaded those bordering countreys that lay south-ward of Judah, and of the Jerahmeelites, and of the Kenites.

Vers. 11. Lest they should tell on us, &c.] To wit, because these nations were tri∣butaries to Achish, or at least his confederates and neighbours. It is strange indeed how these things could be concealed from the Philistines: but first, we must consider that the people smitten dwelt somewhat farre from the Philistines, and scattered in severall places of a solitary wildernesse; and secondly, there might be some spe∣ciall hand of God in concealing these things for Davids safety.