1 Sam. CHAP. XXXI.
THIS Chapter contains the last War that Saul waged with the Philistines and the Event thereof. The Parts of it are, (1.) What happened while Saul was Liv∣ing. And (2.) What likewise when he was Dead. Remarks upon the First Part are,
First, Much about the same time that David did discomfit the Amalekites, and sent the spoils of them to the Men of Judah (his own Tribe,) were the Philistines Fighting against Israel, and putting them to a shameful flight.
N. B. Josephus saith those two Occurrences were contemporary, though they be set down in a way of Digression, that the History of David's exploits might not be interrupted, 1 Chron 10.1. Which declareth how God gave different and contrary dispensations to Saul and to David at one and the same time: Wicked Saul was fleeing before the Philistines, just at that Instant when Holy David was Triumphing over the Amalekites.
N. B, Note well. 'Tis fair wheather with them that fear God when 'tis exceeding foul (with a showre of Fire) upon the heads of those that fear him not, Mal. 4 1, 2. The Sun arose and shone upon (Zoar, (Lots Sanctuary) at the same time when Fire fell down upon Sodom, Gen. 19.23, 24. Both these Abraham beheld upon an Hill, ver. 28. and admired.
The Second Remark is, God had given to Israel many Victories over the Philistines formerly, according to his Promise to them upon their obedience; but how the Phi∣listines have the Victory over Israel, so that [They fled and fell down slain upon Mount Gilboa,] v. 1. and 6. because God's Wrath was against them, as he had threatned for their disobedience, Levit. 26.36. Deut. 28.25. For as they were guilty of many other Sins; so now more especially of that heinous wickedness by conspiring with Saul in persecuting Innocent David, and in shewing no dislike of his most horrible Butchery of the Lord's holy Priests; Nor would they take any warning at Samuel's Sermon▪ saying to them, [If you do wickedly still, ye shall be consumed both you and your King,] chap. 12.25. Therefore they partaking with Saul in his Sins, partake with him also in his punishments.
The Third Remark is, the Death of Jonathan (David's dear friend) and of other two of Saul's Sons, v. 2. 'Tis a wonder Saul would thus hazard so many of his Sons in a Battle which he was foretold would prove fatal to Him and to his Sons [To Morrow thou and thy Sons shall be with me,] chap. 28.19. But more especially that he ventered Jona∣than, who was Heir Apparent of the Crown, and whom he might have left at home to manage publick matters there instead of Ishbosheth who was not present in the Bat∣tle. But as Saul had not signified the fate of that Fight to any of his Sons lest it should have disanimated their Courage, so the Divine Decree was unchangable for David's advantage. That the other two of Saul's obscure Sons did Die in the Fight for their Father's sins, no body doth admire; and Saul must still be alive to see them slain before his Eyes for the aggravation of his misery for his hateful Hypocrisie: But that good Jonathan should be slain with them, Who can but commiserate his case? Seeing he was a most Pious, Noble, Vertuous and Valorous Prince, and undoubtedly very dear to God; yet this peerless-Prince, the glory of Martial Chievalry (that Lumen & Columen Patriae, the Brightest Honour and Chiefest Pillar of his Country) Dieth among the rest, and had his share in the common Calamity.
N. B. Note well. The Reasons rendred for it may be these: The First is, To shew the Truth of Solomon's saying, [There is one event to the Righteous and to the wicked, &c.] Page 333Eccles. 9.1, 2. in this world: As the Harvest-man cutteth down his Good Corn and the Weeds together, but for a differing purpose, the Weeds he casts away and burns them, but the Corn he carries into his Barn: Thus God makes the Righteous and the Wicked to differ, and Men shall see the difference in a better World, Mal. 3.8.
The Second Reason, God ordered Jonathan's Death here, that David might be taught to depend upon God alone for his Crown and Kingdom, and not upon Jonathan, who (had he lived) out of a submission to God's declared will, and out of his most endeared love to David, would have speedily settled David upon his Father's Throne: For he loved him as his own Soul, chap. 18.1. and had promised To do for him, whatever he desired, Chap. 20.4. and had sworn it once and again, v. 16, 42. and chap. 23.18. yea and twice he had heard Saul's consent, chap. 24.20. and 26.5. So that David might depend too much upon this Interest in his sworn Brother Jonathan for settling the Crown upon his Head after Saul's Death: No, saith God, thou shalt have it solely from my self, and not from Jonathan who shall Die that my Glory may not be darken∣ed by the interposition not Jonathan's.
The Third Reason, Jonathan Dies here, to make way for a Accomplishment of Jacob's Patriarchal and Prophetical Benediction, that the Scepter might be established in the Tribe of Judah until Shilo came, Gen 49.10. that is, till the comming of Christ: Now had Jonathan succeeded Saul his Father, then the Scepter had continued in the Tribe of Benjamin; therefore he Dies, and gives place to David who was of the Tribe of Judah.
The Fourth Reason, God ordered good Jonathan's Death, that he might be thereby freed from that shrew'd Temptation, which unavoidably he had met with had he still lived after his Father's Fall. For if after Saul's Death the Ten Tribes and Abner (to Head them) were so mad to set up Ishbosheth (a weak and worthless Man) in opposition to David for Saul's Successor, 2. Sam. 2.8, 9. How much more mad might this People have been to Espouse and Advance Jonathan's Title to the Crown, who was a Man of such Transcendent Worth in himself, and had meritted so much from all Israel in Fighting the Lord's Battels for them; more especially, in working that wonderful Deliverance for Israel, only by Himself and his Armour-Bearer, chap. 14.15. this endeared him to the People so, as to Rescue him at that time, v. 45. And had he now been alive, they would undoubtedly have Promoted him to the Crown; and their pressing him to Ac∣cept the Promotion, must needs have been a strong Temptation to Jonathan, notwith∣standing his Love, &c. to David: Then Vox Popull, might seem Vox Dei, The Voice of the People would seem the Voice of God, &c. No Humane strength had been able to resist it.
In the Fifth place, Nor may it be said by any that God did deal over Austerely with Jonathan here, because he was cut off amongst such Notorious Sinners; (which David deprecates from himself, Psal. 26.9, 10.) though this seem hard Measure to so good a Man, and too much severity in God; yet must it be considered that instead of rewarding his goodness with an Earthly Kingdom (full of cares and troubles) God gave him a present possession of an Heavenly Kingdom, Eternal, Glorious, and filled with such unconceiveable Joys as admit not of the least mixture of Sorrow: Thus God deny'd to Moses an Earthly Canaan, but gave him Heaven, of which Canaan was a Type and shadow. Oh! happy Creditor who hath God his Debtor, that pays in Gold of Glory, when not in Silver of a lower Life.
The Fourth Remark is, The Death of Saul himself, v. 3, 4, 5, 6. The Philistines followed hard upon Saul, as their Capital Enemy, and their Archers sorely wounded him; yet God lets him Live to see his Army Routed, his Friends Killed, and his dear Sons Slaughtered before his Face; this could not but be a very great Heart-grief to him, who was already sore wounded, and so hemmed in with the Enemy that he saw no way to escape. And now after a most Wicked Life, he is hurried head long to make choice of a most Desperate Death, and desired his Armour-Bearer to dispatch him.
N. B. The Rabbins and other Expositors do unanimously affirm that this Man was Doeg. whom Saul had employed in slaying the Lord's Priests; and now would he em∣ploy the same Dogged fellow to slay himself, saying, [Lest the Ʋncircumcised take me, and put me to a more shameful and painful Death.] Thus he acted the part of an Hypo∣c•••e to his last, in despising the Philistines for their Ʋncircumcision, yet never bewailed his own Ʋncircumcised Heart, in his being all his Life-time and now at his Death so desperately wicked, Jer. 17.9. Gal. 5.6. and 6.15. When Doeg had deny'd him, Page 334he desperately dispatcheth himself by falling upon his own Weapon, even the same Javelin (some say) which he had twice cast at David and once at his dear Jonathan; though he mist them both, yet now he surely hits himself and thrust it into his own Bowels, and so he Died even in a Damnable state. Exit Tyrannus.
N. B. Note well. First, Josephus and the Rabbins make Saul a Martyr in Dying thus Valourously by his own Hands to avoid disgrace, &c. But surely he Dyed the Devil's Martyr not God's, whose express command is, [Thou shalt not kill.]
Secondly, Saul had spared Agag contrary to God's command, and now from a Righteous Judgement of God he will not spare himself; but is Felo de se, a Self-murder∣er, destroying God's Image in himself.
Thirdly, He Dyed in his Sin, Joh. 8.21. and in the worst sort of sin, the sin of Witchcraft whereof he was guilty in Consulting with a Witch, &c. A Man had better Die in a Ditch or in a Dungeon, than Die in Sin, Unrepented of, or Un∣pardoned.
Fourthly, Not one hint have we of his Repentance, but 'tis said the Lord slew him for his Sins, 1 Chron. 10.14.
The Second part of this Chapter is what happened after Saul's Death. The Remarks hereupon are,
First, If Saul's Armour-Bearer were Doeg, (following his Master's Evil Example of Self-Murther,) when he saw his Master Dead, whom he would not over-live because of his over-love, as Brethren in Iniquity: Hereby God justly Revenged upon him the Blood of the Lord's Priests (which he had slain) in his being his own Executioner.
The Second Remark is, Saul's Death and his Army Routed, put the Parts Adjacent to the Valley of Jezreel (the place of this Defeat) into such a Consternation, that they fled from their Cities, and the Philistines came and dwelt in them, v. 7. Thus the Philistines prudently pursued their Victory; and had not God raised up David at this time to put a stop to their Proceedings, in all likelihood, Israel had lost Canaan hereby.
The Third Remark is, The Philistines Triumph over Slain Saul, ver. 8, 9, 10. All Saul's care was for his Body that it might not be Abused, ver. 4. but no care he took for his Soul; and his Body was abused nevertheless. They cut off his Head (as David had done to Goliah) and devoted it to Dagon for this Victory: His Armour they De∣dicated to Ashtaroth, another Idol: And they Hung up his Carcase as on a Gibbet in Bethshan for scorn.
The Fourth Remark is, The Men of Jabesh-Gilead (hearing of it, and remembring the old kindness Saul had done them, Chap. 11.11.) Marched all Night, as he had done for their Deliverance: Though they were far Remote beyond Jordan, yet they Zealously Marched thither, and took down the Bodies of Saul and his Sons (now Putrified by Hanging so long in the Sun and Wind) by stealth; carried them away, Burnt their Flesh and Buried their Bones under an Oak in Jabesh for a Monument thereof, v. 11, 12. and then Lamented the Publick Calamity with Fasting and Prayer for Seven Days, which was the very Term of Truce Nahash had given them in chap. 11.3. So long here, v. 13. they seek God's Love of Israel.
