A compleat history and mystery of the Old and New Testament logically discust and theologically improved : in four volumes ... the like undertaking (in such a manner and method) being never by any author attempted before : yet this is now approved and commended by grave divines, &c. / by Christopher Ness ...

1 Sam. CHAP. XIX.

THIS Chapter, the Nineteenth, Relateh a Double Banishment of David again; The first was from Saul's Court, and the second was from his own House. The first History hereof is from v. 1. to v. 10. the second is from thence to the end. Remarks upon the First Part are,

First, David's first Banishment from the Court is spoke of in the former Chapter, when Saul made him Collonel over a Regiment, lest his Courtiers should be too much Enamoured with him; how be was called back to the Court again from the Army, no reason is Recorded, as is of that in this Chapter: But it may well be supposed from what is said there, That it came to pass, not from any good will of Saul to David, but from his design to entrap him by Marrying him to his Daughter: When he saw how David won ground daily in his Honour among the Army, therefore did Saul send for him from the Camp to the Court, to put this Project in∣to practice, &c.

The Second Remark is, David's Banishment from the Court the first time here, was after a sort voluntary: Saul in a pang of Passion blabs out his Bloody design to Murther David; what he had been plotting privately hitherto against the Life of David, and was blasted in all his secret projects; this enraged him, and now he re∣solves to prosecute him more Publickly, as is apparent in this and the following Chap∣ters.

In order hereunto he commands his Son and his Servants to kill David, v. 1. Behold here Saul's infatuation, as to his Courtiers, those Aiones and Negones (as one calls them) who say Yea and Nay to whatever the King saith yea and nay to, and what∣ever pleaseth the King pleaseth them, &c. He might possibly confide in them to keep his Counsel, yet even those had been but a while before great Admirers of David, Chap. 18.5. but as for Jonathan, who so dearly delighted in David, Saul could by no means expect that he could see him Murthered; therefore Jonathan tells him of it, v. 2. saying, [Take heed to thy self until the Morning, and hide thy self in some secret place, lest my Father surprize thee, &c.] Hereupon David, upon his own accord, and according to the Counsel of his Covenanted Friend, withdrew from the Court, and hid himself in the Field, nigh to Saul's usual Walk, where he commonly took some turns to Compose his Discomposed Mind in his Morning walk. And according as Jonathan promised David, v. 3. He doth expostulate with his Father as they two walked to∣gether according to custome, about reconciling him to David, v. 4.

N. B. Note well here; 1. Though Saul's Courtiers had professed a great Veneration for David, Chap. 18.5, 22. yet not one of them interpose when they saw Saul resolve to kill David, to speak one word for him; though not a few of them were ready enough afterwards to Act against him. Vide hic aulicorum persidiam; see here the inconstant kindness of Courtiers.

N. B. Note well; 2. Jonathan's Fidelity; when all the Courtiers proved perfidious, Jonathan had Cut a Covenant (as the Hebrew is) with David, Chap. 18.3. wherein the Covenanters did first Swear, and then cut a Beast in twain, and passing between the parts thereof, they wished so to be cut in pieces if ever they falsified their Faith∣fulness each to other, Jer. 34.18. Jonathan here feels the weight of this solemn League of Love, which extended not only to their Persons, but to their Poste∣rities also.

N. B. Note well; 3. Jonathan's Prudence; in saying nothing at present, in the pre∣sence of Saul's Servants; partly, lest he should seem to oppose his Father too publickly, which he well knew would not be born; and partly, lest he should mistime his Good Advice, seeing his Father was now in a Phrenzy Fit; so not in a case to receive Wholesom Counsel. Seeds-Men sow not their Seed in a Storm, nor do Physicians Administer Potions in a Paroxysm or Fit. Jonathan hopes to find his Father in a better Temper next Morning.

N. B. Note well; 4. Jonathan's Self-denyal, though he was Heir-apparent to the Crown, and the next Successor to the Kingdom; this was enough (one would think) to make another Man an Enemy to David whom he knew was likely to Succeed his Father; yet Good Jonathan willingly waves his own Interest, to be true to his Cove∣nant. He Swears to his own hurt, Psal. 15.4.

N. B. Note well; 5. Jonathan's Piety; in chusing rather to Obey God than Man: His Father said, [Son, kill David,] but he knew God had said [Thou shalt not kill,] Exod. 20.13. More especially when Saul rendred no reason, why his Son must kill David: Nor is the Son to be blamed here for betraying his Fathers secrets to David, seeing it was no Disservice, much less Treachery to Saul; but he is rather to be highly applauded for his Faithful and Religious Respect both to God, to his Friend, to his Countrey, and to his Father, in hindring him from imbruing his hands in Innocent Blood hereby.

N. B. Note well; 6 Jonathan's Powerful and Prevalent Oratory, v. 4, 5, 6. As Saul and he walked alone together to take the Fresh Air, nigh to the Cave where David lay hid; His First Argument is, his calling Saul King, whereby he minded him of his Duty, that he must use the Sword of Justice only to punish Evil-doers, but to protect those that do well. His Second Argument is, His calling David Saul's Ser∣vant, minding him thereby, that a Servant, while he doth his Duty, may not be de∣serted, much less destroyed by his Master. His Third Argument is, His pleading David's Merit, wherein he appeals to his Fathers own Conscience, that himself rejoyced to see David Discomfit Goliah, and ever since hath deserved so well of thee and the whole Kingdom, that thou hast made him thy Son as well as thy Servant, not only one Innocent as to Evil, but also one most Eminent in all Goodness and Heroick Actions, &c.

N. B. Note well; If Jonathan plead thus effectually for David with his Father, &c. How much more doth our Jesus plead with God for reconciling us to him, &c!

The third Remark is, David's Return to the Court through his dear Friend Jona∣than's irresistible intercession, ver. 6, 7. the Conclusion of Jonathan's cogent Arguments, to wit [therefore He who hath so highly merited, ought not to be so basely murthered,] had a mighty influence, and made a deep impression upon, Saul's Spirit, so that he was convinced of his folly, and when he felt both Jonathan's Oratory, and David's Innocency to Triumph together in his own Conscience, he is willing to be reconciled to David, and ordered his return to the Court again; and that his Order might the better be be∣lieved he confirms it with a most Sacred Oath: and 'tis not improbable Saul spake as he thought here, but this great change, flowing not from any true Repentance, so much as from a Wor••dly interest ••seeing David could not be kill'd without shame, if not worse to himself) was of a short continuance; these good thoughts did indeed look into Saul's wicked heart, but they would not long stay there, for they did not like their lodging, and therefore, though David was Restored hereby to Lodge with his Wife nigh the Court again, yet when those good thoughts disloged themselves out of Saul's bosom, David (notwithstanding Saul's Oath to the contrary) must be dislog'd out of the Court also.

The Fourth Remark is, David's Banishment again from the Court, not as his former, voluntary and out of Choice, but now forced and by way of compulsion, ver. 8, 9, 10. Wherein is described (1.) The Cause of Saul's renewed rage against David, namely, his wonderful Victory he again obtained over the ••hilistines, who waged war against If∣rael, Chap. 18 30. Not only to revenge their former losses when David slew their Champion, &c. But more especially because David had most highly provoked them in slaying two hundred of their men, and Circumcising them, and carrying their fore∣skins to Saul as a Dowry for his Daughter David's Wife, Chap. 18.27 Now was the Battle fought wherein David became a most glorious Conquerour of them here, ver. 8. And whereas David's happy Successes over the Enemie sof Israel should have cheared Saul's Spirit, it had a quite contrary effect upon him, and sadned Saul's Soul, looking upon all David's Victories as so many degrees or steps whereby he was now climbing up to his Throne, and the Devil watching his opportunity to improve Saul's melancholly, as before he had done. (2.) Here is described David's desperate danger again, notwithstanding Saul's Promise and Oath for his safety; such slippery hold and slender assurance had he of that Hypocrites favour, &c. And now Satan by Divine permission that he might be Saul's tormentor for his sin) comes upon him from the Lord, and causeth him to cast his Javelin (which the Tyrant had ever beside him to secure him from his unceslant fears) again at David as he was playing upon his Harp, to mollifie his frantick fits, that he might slay him, ver. 9, 10. quite contrary to his solemn Oath, ver. 6. So little trust or truth is there in the Oaths of Envious Hypo∣crites, especially in c••mmen Swearers, (such an one as Saul seems to be,) as Saul was a King, the bare word of a King should have been as irreversible as the Law of the Medes and Persians, Dan. 6.8. How much more, when it was confirmed so by an Oath.

N. B. Note well; May it not be said that this Cursed Spirit of Saul hath possessed the Papists as by a Pythogorical Transmigration, that keep no Faith with Hereticks, &c. as they call the Protestants, &c. (3.) Here is described David s deliverance from this desperate danger [he slip'd out of Saul's presence, ver. 10. as he had done before, Chap. 18.11. through the same watchful providence of God for David's preservation, that his promise of the Kingdom might be performed to him.

Now the second part of this Chapter contains David's second Banishment from his own house, whither he now fled from Saul's Court to see if he might be safer where he dwelt with Saul's Daughter, not far from Saul's Court, ver. 11, 12. &c. Remarks upon this are,

First, Saul sent his Pursivants to watch him, and to slay him in the Morning, ver. 11. and why not in the Night, the Learned render many Reasons; as,

First, It would have been barbarous and below a King to break into his Subjects house by night, and to murther the man in his Bed.

Secondly, Lest the darkness of the Night might give David an opportunity to escape, which the day would prevent, and therefore was it judged sufficient to set a watch about his house all the Night, until the Morning.

Thirdly, Josephus renders this Reason, that Saul had appointed Judges to sit upon him next morning, and to Condemn him for a Traytor, and this seems the more pro∣bable

that Saul must have some colour of Justice for executing David, lest he should have too much disgusted the People who generally loved David.

Fourthly, Lavater saith, such was Saul's implacable malice against David, that he set this time for slaying him, that he might himself be present, and so be sure in see∣ing him slain.

Fifthly, But the principle Reason was the singular providence of God in sending this sublime infatuation upon Saul's mind to pitch upon the worst time, that David might be delivered from his bloody hands.

The Second Remark is, The Instrument the Lord used to work David's deliverance, namely, Michal Saul's Daughter, and David's Wife, ver. 11, 12. who, though she had little Religion in her (as appeareth by her deriding David's Devotion, 2 Sam. 6.16.20. &c.) yet had learned by the light and law of Nature to prefer an Husband for good, before a Father for evil: Her Conjugal affections made her more faithful to the former for his preservation, than any filial fear could oblige her to the latter to become an Abbettor to her Father for her Husband's destruction. She knew so much out of Moses's Writings, that the Man and the Wife are but one flesh, and so closed together as to make but one piece, so in preserving of David, she sought her own preservation.

The Third Remark is, The means whereby Michal did deliver David, she wrought wilily in deceiving, (1.) Saul's Pursivants, and (2.) Saul himself, after she had dismiss'd David down through a Window, ver. 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17. Wherein first her faithfulness to David is demonstrated two ways,

First. In her Advice to him, [If thou save not thy life this Night, to Morrow thou shalt be slain, ver. 11.] Some say, Jonathan, David's dear and faithful Friend, and Michals Brother, sent Tidings to her of Saul's Murthering Design, or she might observe the Sergeants hovering about the House in the Night; and David having told her how narrowly he had escaped his death before he came home to her, she might prudently gather that her Fathers fury would not so end, but pursue him to his House.

Her Second demonstration of fidelity to David was her assistance of him to escape after her Advice to him, to flee from his danger, ver. 12. Love is laborious, she most lo∣vingly bestirs her self to let David down at the Casement, because the Doors had Centinels set at them by Saul to secure David whensoever he should come forth there: so David fled.

Secondly, Now Michal's difficulty remained, how to delude her Fathers Messengers, and how to deceive her Father himself that she discharged the duty of a Daughter to him. In both which Michal is hardly held to her shifts of wit.

N. B. We usually say, [a Womans wit at a pinch is more Mercurial and riper than that of a Man, who must have more time for deliberation.] As is above observed, upon Judges 13.23, &c.

First, Michals crafty wit is set at work to deceive Saul's Serjeants sent to Arrest David; in order hereunto she takes her Teraphim Hebr. (some superstitious Image which she had kept secretly, David knowing nothing of it, as Rachel had her Mawmets whereof Jacob was ignorant) and dressing this similitude of a Man with Goats hair about its head, she laid it down in the Bed to represent David with his hair on the Pillow, as if he had been sick in his Bed, and Curtains drawn close, nothing but a glimmering light left (as is commonly done for a sick person) that the deceit might not over-easily be discovered, ver. 13. Now when Saul received no account how his first Messengers had sped, the Morning being come, he doubted they proved perfidious to him, tho' they only stood waiting still for Davids coming out at the door. He hereupon sent other Messengers in the Morning, to whom Michal said that David was sick in Bed, ver. 24. Whereupon they departed with these Tidings to Saul, as not daring to suspect the truth of what their Superiour (the King's Daughter) said to them, and they looking upon it as a gross piece of rude incivility to break into a sick Mans Cham∣ber, to give him any unmannerly disturbance, and so trie the truth of Michal's Allegations.

Hereupon Sanguinary Saul (who so greedily sought to suck David's blood) sent o∣ther Messengers the third time, ver. 15. with a larger Commission than either of the former, (not only to watch the doors (as the first were impowered only to do) nor only to enquire what was become of David, seeing he came not out of doors, but also to break in, and bring him away sick, or well, that He, for his better security, might himself slay him, or see it done: His Envy was thus full of Jealousie, he suspected that either his former Messengers had been Bribed with Gifts or Promises by Michal,

or that Michal made these Excuses, only to preserve her Husband out of her Fathers furious hands; so being impatient of this delay, he chargeth his last Messengers to se∣cure him, but when they had broke in, they found nothing in the Bed but an Image instead of a sick Man.

N. B. Oh how blank they look'd, when they saw their bloody hopes so handsomly frustrated, ver. 16. But more blank assuredly was Saul's look, when they told him that the Bird was flown, when he had thought to have made his Breakfast that Morning of him. Hereupon he comes in a rage, and lets flye at his Daughter, saying, [Why hast thou deceived me so, and sent away my Enemy?] ver. 17. To which Michal an∣swered, [David threatned to kill me, &c.]

N. B. Note well, upon this whole History. First, That Michal thus far is to be both commended, and imitated by all good Wives, so far as her Loyal Love to her Husband in seeking his preservation extended, yea, and her wily Wit in deceiving deceivers ought not too rashly to be condemned. 'Tis an old Adage, Fallere fallentem non est Fraus. To deceive a Deceiver is no deceit; if any sinful means be not made use of thereunto: Bloody Persecutors have been frequently frustrated by some lawful means, as those that sought after Jeremy, and Barach, Jerem. 36.26. Athanasius, Luther, and others, the Lord hid them as he did David here.

N. B. How God's Providence and God's Promise seem contrary and contradictory as to David (as before to Joseph,) a Crown is promis'd him, yet a Javelin is twice cast at him; he is hunted as a Partridge, &c. 1 Sam. 24.11. and 26.20. He must pass through manifold dangers, yet hath he as manifold deliverances; God by his Providence made good his promise to David, so that Providence may not be judged of by piece∣meal, when all ends of it meet; much Beauty may be beheld in all its parts, &c.

N. B. N••te well, Secondly, Nor is Michal to be blamed for thus deluding those Mes∣sengers as to the matter of it, for her cunning contrivance manag'd her Matters so, as that Saul's sending three times about one and the same business, must needs become delatory work, which was as designedly pleasing to the loving Daughter, as it was des∣perately displeasing to her impatient Father, for it was the Daughters design to beget delays, that her dear David might have time enough to escape far enough, before Saul sent pursuers after him.

N. B. Note well, Thirdly, Nor is Michal much blame-worthy, tho' she did, what deserved the Character wherewith the grandest Cheats are branded with, namely, in deceiving her own Father; but if it be considered how she did no more herein, than to take away the Sword out of a Mad Man's hand, and so prevented his great Ini∣quity, in embruing his hands with the blood of her innocent Husband, she is rather to be praised for it.

N. B. Note well, Fourthly, Michal (notwithstanding all the aforesaid,) cannot be excused for telling her first Lie, [that David was sick, ver. 14.] which likely she look'd upon as no sin at all, or at least a very little sin, according to her ignorant Education under so bad a Father, and in so blind a Family (otherwise she would never have mocked at David's dancing before the Lord, 2 Sam. 6.16.) It was her ignorance to take the liberty of telling an Officious Lie, looking upon it as lawful, seeing it was for the saving of the life of her Husband; but she had not learnt that Lesson, [We may not do the least evil, no not for procuring the greatest good,] Rom. 3.8.

N. B. Note well, Fifthly, Much less can Michal be acquitted for her latter Lye, ver. 17. which was a down-right pernicious Lye, not only in transferring the blame (Saul did charge her with) upon her Husband, but also adding a gross untruth [that David threatned to kill her, &c.] Wherein she both notoriously scandaliz'd so good a Man, that abhor'd it, (which scandal) (it is believed) might have done David much damage among the People, who had so high a veneration for him; to say nothing how she by this sinful shift bewrayed her distrust in God, no doubt but she had done better had she followed her Brother Jonathan's Example, and spoken boldly to her Father in defence of her Husbands innocency, relying upon God's Providence without telling a Lie to save her own life from the rage of her furious Father.

N. B. This sheweth how usual it is for Liars to lay one Lye upon another, the les∣ser Lye making way for the louder; her Officious Lye, ver. 14. prepared her for this pernicious Lye, here, ver. 17. the little Thief opens the door for great ones.

The Fourth Remark is, David's taking Sanctuary with Samuel, when he was thus Persecuted by Saul, ver. 18, 19, &c. Here we may stand, and wonder at the wonder∣ful

Providence of God towards David; while Saul was watching and searching David's House, David was got (as we say) out of Saul's Gun-shot, and was composing and singing the 59th Psalm, [Deliver me from mine Enemies, O God,] as the Title of that Psalm expresseth, and where could Banish'd David expect both Protection and Direction better than with Samuel, and with a Colledge of Prophets?

N. B. A place so sacred, that the very Philistines durst not molest it, looking upon those Sons of the Prophets (over whom Samuel was President) as Sacred and Priviledg'd Persons, chap. 10.5. though David thought those Prophets would protect him from bloody Saul, and therefore fled he thither; yet so blood thirsty was Saul, and more savage than the very Uncircumcised Philistines, that he sent his Blood-Hounds even thither also to take David, v. 20. while he was seeking Direction (as well as Protection) from Samuel, how to get his Faith confirmed in God's Promise of the Kingdom, which now began to waver, as Chap. 27.1. Psal. 116.11, 12. Seeing Saul so barbarous, that neither Sanctuary nor the presence of holy and highly esteemed Prophets could protect him against Saul's Rage and Malice.

The Last Remark is, The prodigious deliverance the Lord wrought for David. (1.) From Saul's Messengers. And (2.) From Saul himself, v. 20, 21, 22, 23, 24.

First, From his Messengers: Saul's Malice was so bloody and barbarous, as he was re∣solv'd to be reveng'd of David, and of all that protected him, not sparing the very Prophets, no nor Samuel himself, but would put them all to the Sword, as he did A∣himelech, and Eighty five Priests afterwards, chap. 22. in order hereunto he sends his Blood-Hounds to execute his Bloody Decree; they come among the Prophets, and instead of falling on them with their Weapons, they let them fall out of their hands, and fall down themselves (putting off their Military Habit) and fall a singing Sacred Songs with the Prophets, quite forgetting the purpose they came about.

N. B. So good a thing it is for bad Men to be in good Company; as here, and this was done to three sorts of Saul's Savage Pursivants, to convince Saul of his sin, that it was in vain to persecute David, whom the Lord thus protected by a Miracle, as he did Christ after the like manner afterwards, John 7.45, 46.

Secondly, From Saul himself, who when he saw his Messengers fail'd him (one Company after another) went himself to make sure work, as if resolv'd to Wrestle a Fall with the Most High God, and to try it out with him, possibly thinking himself priviledg'd from the good Spirit of Prophecy, (that had inspired his Messengers) seeing an Evil Spirit from God, was sent to possess him: But it fell out contrary to his Ex∣pectations much more; for whereas his Messengers did not Prophesie, until they came in∣to the Company of Prophets. He fell into his Raptures in the way thither, to shew, that the Hearts of Kings, are in the Hands of the Lord, Prov. 21.1. and the more he har∣dened himself against God, the more God hamper'd him by his power upon him; God makes him strip himself both of his Martial and of his Royal Robes, to Prophesie before Samuel (who had laid aside his Judgeship, yet was not idle, but exercised himself in his Prophetical Office still) and his Extasie bereav'd him of Sense and Motion, so that he fell down upon the ground, and there lay like an ordinary Fellow, [all that Day, and all that Night,] so long did the Lord hold this Worrying Wolf in a Chain, that David might have time enough to make his Escape; insomuch that the People now jeared him, saying [Is Saul among the Prophets?] Not as before, chap. 10.12. wherewith he was there Honoured; but the meaning now was, [What, Is the Tygar-like Tyrant so tied up, so manacl'd, maugre all his Malice and Madness?] Surely God hath done this for David's safety: God makes Saul a Prophet in some sort, that he may make David a King in the best manner, &c.

N. B. Note well, 1. Samuel came no more to see Saul till the day of his death, chap. 15.35. that is, to do Homage to him (after his sparing Amalek) as a King, for the Lord had then rejected him, yet Saul meets Samuel here, not with a design to see him, but to slay David; nor do we read that Samuel said any thing to him in owning him as King, and some suppose that Saul knew not Samuel, because his Extasie took away his Senses.

N. B. And notwithstanding, Saul Prophesied as Wicked Balaam did, and those Work∣ers of Iniquity, Matth. 7.22, 23.