8 And Saul was very wroth, and the saying *displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom? 9 And Saul eyed David from that day and forward. 10 And it came to pass on the morrow, that the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as at other times: and there was a javelin 'in Saul's hand. 11 And Saul cast the javelin; for he said, I will smite David even to the wall with it. And David avoided out of his presence twice. 12 And Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him, and was departed from Saul. 13 Therefore Saul removed him from him, and made him his captain over a thousand: and he went out and came in before the people. take notice of such a reflection upon his personal honour, when it appeared that the glory of the public was sincerely intended. But Saul was very wroth, and presently suspected some treasonable design at the bottom of it: What can he have more but the kingdom? This made him eye David, as one he was jealous of, and sought advantages against, (v. 9;) his countenance was not toward him as it had been. Proud men cannot endure to hear any praised but themselves, and think all the honour lost that goes by themselves. It is a sign that the Spirit of God is departed from men, if they be peevish in their resentment of affronts, envious and suspicious of all about them, and ill-natured in their conduct; for the wisdom from above makes us quite otherwise. III. In his fury he aimed to kill David, v. 10, 11. Jealousy is the rage of a man; it made Saul outrageous against David, and impatient to get him out of the way. 1. His fits of phrensy returned upon him. The very next day after he conceived malice against David, the evil spirit from God, that had formerly haunted him, seized him again. Those that indulge themselves in envy and uncharitableness, give place to the devil, and prepare for the re-entry of the unclean spirit, with seven others more wicked. Where envy is, there is confusion. Saul pretended a religious ecstasy; he prophesied in the midst of the house; that is, he had the gestures and motions of a prophet, and humoured the thing well enough to decoy David into a snare, and that he might be fearless of any danger, and off his guard; and, perhaps, designing, if he could but kill him, to impute it to a divine impulse, and to charge it upon the spirit of prophecy with which he seemed to be animated; but really it was a hellish fury that actuated bim. 2. David, though advanced to a much higher post of honour, disdained not, for his master's service, to return to his harp; he played with his hand, as at other times. Let not the highest think any thing below them, whereby they may do good, and be serviceable to those they are obliged to. 3. He took this opportunity to endeavour the death of David. A sword in a madman's hand is a dangerous thing, especially such a madman as Saul was, that was mad with malice. Yet he had a javelin or dart in his hand, with which he projected and endeavoured to slay David; not in a sudden passion, but deliberately; I will smite David to the wall with it; with such a desperate force did he throw it. Justly does David complain of his enemies, that they hated him with a cruel hatred, Ps. 25. 19. No life is thought too precious to be sacrificed to malice. If a grateful sense of the great service David had done to the public could not assuage Saul's fury, yet one would think he should have allowed himself to consider the kindness he was now doing to himself, relieving him, so as no one else could, against the worst of troubles. Those are possessed with a devilish spirit indeed, that render evil for good. Compare David, with his harp in his hand, aiming to serve Saul, and Saul, with his javelin in his hand, aiming to slay David; and observe the sweetness and usefulness of God's persecuted people, and the brutishness and barbarity of their persecutors. The bloodthirsty hate 14 And David 'behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the LORD was with him. 15 Wherefore, when Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely, he was afraid of him. 16 But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out and came in before them. 17 And Saul said to David, Behold my elder daughter Merab, her will I give thee to wife; only be thou valiant for me, and fight the LORD's battles: for Saul said, Let not mine hand be upon him, but let the hand of the Philistines be upon him. 18 And David said unto Saul, Who am I? and what is my life, or my father's family in Israel, that I should be son-in-law to the king? 19 But it came to pass, at the time when Merab, Saul's daughter, should have been given to David, that she was given unto Adriel the Meholathite 'to wife. 20 And Michal, Saul's daughter, loved David: and they told Saul, and the thing pleased § him. " Num. 27. 17. 2 Sam. 5. 2. 1 Kings 3. 7. o c. 17. 25. a son of valour. rver. 23. c. 9. 21. 2 Sam. 7. 18. in his eyes. I. See how Saul expressed his malice against David. 1. He was afraid of him, v. 12. Perhaps he pretended to be afraid that David would do him mischief, to force his way to the crown. Those that design ill against others, are commonly willing to have it thought that others design ill against them: but David's withdrawing, (v. 11,) was a plain evidence that he was far from such a thought. However, he really stood in awe of him, as Herod feared John, Mark 6. 20. Saul was sensible that he had lost the favourable presence of God himself, and that David had it, and for this reason, he feared him. Note, Those are truly great and to be reverenced that have God with them. The more wisely David behaved himself, the more Saul feared him, v. 15, and again, v. 29. Men think the way to be feared, is to hector and threaten, which makes them feared by fools only, but despised by the wise and good; whereas the way to be both feared and loved, feared by those to whom we would wish to be a terror, and loved by those to whom we would wish to be a delight, is to behave ourselves wisely. Wisdom makes the face to shine, and commands respect. 2. He removed him from court, and gave him a regiment in the country, v, 13. He made him captain over a thousand, that he might be from under his eye, because he hated the sight of him; and that he might not secure the interest of the courtiers. Yet herein he did impolitically; for he gave David an opportunity of ingratiating himself with the people, who therefore loved him, (v. 16,) because he went out and came in before them; that is, he presided in the business of his country, civil as well as military, and gave universal satisfaction. 3. He stirred him up to take all occasions of quarrelling with the Philistines and engaging them, (v. 17,) insinuating to him, that hereby he would do good service to his prince, Be thou valiant for me; and good service to his God, Fight the Lord's battles; and a kindness to himself too, for hereby he would qualify himself for the honour he designed him, which was, to marry his eldest daughter to him. This he had merited by killing Goliath, for it was promised by proclamation to him that should do that exploit, (ch. 17. 25,) but David was so modest, as not to demand it, and now, when Saul proposed it, it was with design of mischief to him, to make him venture upon hazardous attempts, saying in his heart, Let the hand of the Philistines be upon him, hoping they would some time or other be the death of him; yet how could he expect this, when he saw that God was with him? 4. He did what he could to provoke him to discontent and mutiny, by breaking his promise with him, and giving his daughter to another, when the time was come that she should have been given to him, v. 19. This was as great an affront as he could possibly put upon him, and touched him both in his honour and in his love; he therefore thought David's resentments of it would break out in some indecency or other, in word or deed, which might give him an advantage against him to take him off by course of law. Thus evil men seek mischief. 5. When he was disappointed in this, he proffered him his other daughter, (who it seems had a secret kindness for David, v. 20,) but with this design, that she might be a snare to him, v. 21. (1.) Perhaps he hoped that she would, even after her the upright, but the just seek his soul, Prov. 29. 10. 4. David happily avoided the blow twice, namely, now, and afterward, ch. 19. 10. He did not throw the javelin at Saul again; he withdrew, not fighting, but flying for his own preser-marriage to David, take part with her father against her husvation. Though he had both strength and courage enough, and colour of right, to make resistance and revenge the injury, yet he did no more than secure himself, by getting out of the way of it. David, no doubt had a watchful eye upon Saul's hand, and the javelin in it, and did as bravely in running from it, as he did lately in running upon Goliath. Yet his safety must be ascribed to the watchful eye of God's providence upon him, saving his servant from the hurtful sword; and by this narrow escape it seemed he was designed for something extraordinary. V. 12-30. Saul had now, in effect, proclaimed war with David; he began in open hostility, when he threw the javelin at him; now we are here told, how his enmity proceeded, and how David received the attacks of it. band, and give him an opportunity of doing him an unkindness. However, (2.) The conditions of the marriage, he hoped, would be his destruction; for (so zealous will Saul seem against the Philistines) the conditions of the marriage must be, that he killed a hundred Philistines, and, as proofs that those he had slain were uncircumcised, he must bring in their foreskins cut off; this would be a just reproach upon the Philistines, who hated circumcision, as it was an ordinance of God; and perhaps David, in doing this, would the more exasperate them against him, and make them seek to be revenged on him, which was the thing that Saul desired and designed, much more than to be avenged on the Philistines: For Saul thought to make David fall by the Philistines, v. 25. See here, [1.] What cheats bad 21 And Saul said, I will give him her, that she, men, and slew of the Philistines two hundred men ; may be a "snare to him, and that the hand of the and David brought their foreskins, and they gave Philistines may be against him. Wherefore Saul them in full tale to the king, that he might be the said to David, Thou shalt this day be my son-in- king's son-in-law, And Saul gave him Michal his law in the one of the twain. daughter to wife. 22 And Saul commanded his servants, saying, Commune with David secretly, and say, Behold, the king hath delight in thee, and all his servants love thee: now, therefore, be the king's son-in-law. 23 And Saul's servants spake those words in the ears of David. And David said, Seemeth it to you a light thing to be a king's son-in-law, seeing that I am a poor man, and fightly esteemed? 24 And the servants of Saul told him, saying, *On this manner spake David, 28 And Saul saw and knew that the LORD was with David, and that Michal, Saul's daughter, loved him. 29 And Saul was yet the more afraid of David; and Saul became David's enemy continually. 30 Then the princes of the Philistines went "forth: and it came to pass, after they went forth, that David behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul; so that his name was much set by. CHAPTER XIX. 25 And Saul said, Thus shall ye say to David, The king desireth not any dowry, but an hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to be avenged of the inatly after David's marriage, which should have secured him Saul's affec king's enemies. But Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines. 26 And when his servants told David these words, it pleased David well to be the king's sonin-law and the days were not expired. tion, we find his troubles coming upon him faster than ever, and Saul's enmity to him the cause of all. His death was vowed, and four fair escapes of his from the hurtful sword of Saul, we have an account of in this chapter. The first by the prudent mediation of Jonathan, v. 1-7. The second by his own quickness, v. 8-10. The third by Michal's fidelity, v. 11-17. The fourth by Samuel's protection, and a change, for the present, wrought upon Saul, v. 18-24. Thus God has many ways of preserving his people. Providence is never at a loss. 27 Wherefore David arose, and went, he and his AND Saul spake to Jonathan his son, and to all Ex. 10. 7. Prov. 29. 5. ver. 17. 1 John 3. 1. Ps. 119. 141. according to these words. y Ex. 22. 17. c. 14. 24. ↑ fulfilled. a ver. 13. men put upon themselves. Saul's conscience would not suffer him, except when the evil spirit was actually upon him, to aim at David's life himself, for even he could not but conceive horror at the thought of murdering such an innocent and excellent person; but he thought that to expose him to the Philistines had nothing bad in it; Let not my hand be upon him, but the hand of the Philistines; whereas that malicious design against him was as truly murder before God, as if he had slain him with his own hands. [2.] What cheats they put upon the world. Saul pretended extraordinary kindness for David, even then when he aimed at his ruin, and was actually plotting it: Thou shalt be my son-in-law, says he, (v. 21,) notwithstanding he hated him implacably. Perhaps David refers to this, when (Ps. 55, 21,) he speaks of his enemy, as one whose words were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart. It is probable that Saul's employing his servants to persuade David to enter into a treaty of a match with his daughter Michal, (v. 22,) arose from an apprehension that either his having cheated him about his elder daughter, (v. 19,) or the hardness of the terms he intended now to propose, would make him decline it. II. See how David conducted himself, when the tide of Saul's displeasure ran thus high against him. 1. He behaved himself wisely in all his ways, v. 14. He perceived Saul's jealousy of him, which made him very cautious and circumspect in every thing he said and did, and careful to give no offence. He did not complain of hard measure, nor make himself the head of a party, but managed all the affairs he was intrusted with, as one that made it his business to do real service to his king and country, looking upon that to be the end of his preferment. And then the Lord was with him to give him success in all his undertakings. Though he contracted Saul's ill will by it, yet he obtained God's favour. Compare this with Ps. 101. 2, where it is David's promise, I will behave myself wisely; and that promise he here performed; and it is his prayer, Q! when wilt thou come unto me? And that prayer God here answered, the Lord was with him. However blind Fortune may seem to favour fools, God will own and bless those that behave themselves wisely. 2. When it was proposed to him to be son-in-law to the king, he once and again received the proposal with all possible modesty and humility. When Saul proposed his eldest daughter to him, (v. 18,) he said, Who am I, and what is my life? When the courtiers proposed the younger, he took no notice of the affront Saul had given him in disposing of the elder from him, but continued in the same mind; (v. 23,) Seemeth it a light thing to you to be a king's son-in-law, seeing that I am a poor man and lightly esteemed? He knew Michal loved him, and yet did not offer to improve his interest in her affections, for the gaining of her without her father's consent, but waited till it was proposed to him. And then see, (1.) How highly he speaks of the honour offered him, To be son-in-law to the king! Though the king was but an upstart, in his original as mean as himself, in his management no better than he should be, yet, being a crowned head, he speaks of him and the royal family with all due respect. Note, Religion is so far from teaching us, that it does not allow us, to be rude and unmannerly. We must render honour to whom honour is due. (2.) How humbly he speaks of himself. Who am I? This did not proceed from a mean, abject, sneaking spirit, for when there was occasion, he made it appear that he had as high a sense of honour as most men; nor was it from his jealousy of Saul, (though he had reason enough to fear a snake under the green grass,) but from his true and deep humility. Who am I? A poor man, and lightly esteemed! David had as much reason as any man to value himself. He was of an ancient and honourable family of Judah, a comely person, a great statesman and soldier; his achievements were great, for he had won Goliath's head and Michal's heart; he knew him his servants, that they should kill David. b 2 Sam. 3. 14. P. 37. 12, 14. d 2 Sam. 11. 1. e ver. 5. Ps. 119. 99. precious. c. 26. 21. 2 Kings 1. 13. Ps. 116. 15. 1 Pet. 2. 7. self destined by the divine counsels to the throne of Israel, and yet, Who am I, and what is my life? Note, It well becomes us, however God has advanced us, always to have low thoughts of ourselves. He that humbleth himself shall be exalted. And if David thus magnified the honour of being son-in-law to the king, how should we magnify the honour of being sons (not in law, but in Gospel) to the King of kings! Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us! Who are we, that we should be thus dignified? 3. When the slaying of an hundred Philistines was made the condition of David's marrying Saul's daughter, he readily closed with it; (v. 26,) It pleased David well to be the king's son-inlaw upon those terms; and before the time given him for the action was expired, he doubled the demand, and slew two hundred, v. 27. He would not seem to suspect that Saul designed his hurt by it, (though he had reason enough,) but rather, he would act as if Saul had meant to consult his honour, and therefore cheerfully undertook it, as became a brave soldier and a true lover, though we may suppose it uneasy to Michal. David hereby discovered likewise, (1.) A great confidence in the divine protection; he knew God was with him, and therefore, whatever Saul hoped, David did not fear falling by the Philistines, though he must needs expose himself much by such an undertaking as this. (2.) A great zeal for the good of his country, which he would not decline any occasion of doing service to, though with the hazard of his life. (3.) A right notion of honour, which consists not so much in being preferred, as in deserving to be so. David was then pleased with the thoughts of being the king's son-in-law, when he found the honour set at this high price; being more solicitous how to merit it, than how to obtain it; nor could he wear it with satisfaction, till he had won it. 4. Even after he was married, he continued his good services to Israel. When the princes of the Philistines began to move towards another war, David was ready to oppose them, and behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul, v. 30. The law dispensed with men from going to war the first year after they were married, (Deut. 24. 5,) but David loved his country too well to make use of that dispensation. Many that have showed themselves forward to serve the public when they have been in pursuit of preferment, have declined it when they have gained their point; but David acted from more generous principles. Lastly, Observe how God brought good to David out of Saul's projects against him. 1. Saul gave him his daughter to be a snare to him, but, in this respect, that marriage was a kindness to him, that his being Saul's son-in-law, made his succeeding him much the less invidious, especially when so many of his sons were slain with him, ch. 31. 2. 2. Saul thought, by putting him upon dangerous services, to have him taken off, but that very thing confirmed his interest in the people; for the more he did against the Philistines, the better they loved him, so that his name was much set by, (v. 30,) which would make his coming to the crown the more easy. Thus God makes even the wrath of man to praise him, and serves his designs of kindness to his own people by it, NOTES TO CHAPTER XIX. V. 1-7. Saul and Jonathan appear here in their different characters, with reference to David. I. Never was enemy so unreasonably cruel as Saul. He spake to his son and all his servants, that they should kill David, v. 1, His projects to take him off had failed, and therefore he proclaims him an outlaw, and charges all about him, upon their allegiance, to take the first opportunity to kill David. It is strange that he was not ashamed thus to avow his malice, when he could give no reason for it; and that, knowing that all his 2 But Jonathan, Saul's son, delighted much in David and Jonathan told David, saying, Saul my father seeketh to kill thee. Now, therefore, I pray thee, take heed to thyself until the morning, and abide in a secret place, and hide thyself: 3 And I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where thou art, and I will commune with my father of thee; and what I see, that I will tell thee. 4 And Jonathan spake good of David unto Saul his father, and said unto him, Let not the king sin against his servant, against David; because he hath not sinned against thee, and because his works have been to thee-ward very good.d 6 And Saul hearkened unto the voice of Jonathan: and Saul sware, As the LORD liveth, he shall not be slain. 7 And Jonathan called David, and Jonathan showed him all those things: and Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence as *in times past.* 8 And there was war again: and David went out, and fought with the Philistines, and slew them with a great slaughter; and they fled from him. 9 And the evil spirit from the LORD was upon Saul, as he sat in his house with his javelin in his hand: and David played with his hand. h c. 20. 32. 10 And Saul sought to smite David even to the 5 For he did put his life in his hand, and slew wall with the javelin; but he slipped away out of the Philistine, and the LORD wrought a great sal-Saul's presence, and he smote the javelin into the vation for all Israel: thou sawest it, and didst re- wall: and David fled, and escaped "that night. joice: wherefore then wilt thou sin against innocent 11 Saul also sent "messengers unto David's blood, to slay David without a cause? house, to watch him, and to slay him in the morni Prov. 26. 24, 25. ⚫ yesterday third day. kc. 16. 21. 18. 2, 13. c. 16. 14. 18. 10, 11. m Pa. 124. 7. Matt. 10. 23. n Ps. 59. title. think so ill of him; and therefore we suppose that he spake as he thought, for the present, but the convictions soon wore off, and his corruptions prevailed and triumphed over them. [2.] He renewed the grant of his place at court. Jonathan brought him to Saul, and he was in his presence as in times past, (v. 7,) hoping that now the storm was over, and that his friend Jonathan would be instrumental to keep his father always in this good mind. V. 8-10. Here, a c. 18. 1. b Prov. 31. 8. 9. e Gen. 42. 22. d Ps. 35. 12. 109. 5. Prov. 17. 13. e Judg. 12. 3. c. 28. 21. Ps. 119. 109. fc. 17. 49, 50. g c. 11. 13. 1 Chr. 11. 14. servants loved him, (for so he had said himself, ch. 18. 22,) he was not afraid of provoking them to rebel by this bloody order. Either malice was not then so politic, or justice was not so corrupted, as it has been since, or else Saul would have had him indicted, and have suborned witnesses to swear treason against him, and so have had him taken off, as Naboth was, by colour of law: but there is least danger from this undisguised malice. It was strange that he who knew how well Jonathan loved him, should expect him to kill him; but he thought, because he was heir to the crown, he must needs be as envious at David as himself was. And Providence ordered it thus, that he might befriend David's safety. II. Never was friend so surprisingly kind as Jonathan. A friend in need is a friend indeed: such a one Jonathan was to David. He not only continued to delight much in him, though David's glory eclipsed his, but bravely appeared for him now that the stream ran so strong against him. 1. He took care for his present security, by letting him know his danger; (v. 2,) "Take heed to thyself, and keep out of harm's way. Jonathan knew not but some of the servants might be either so obsequious to Saul, or so envious at David, as to put the orders in execution which Saul had given, if they could light on David. 1. David continues his good services to his king and country. Though Saul had requited him evil for good, and even his usefulness was the very thing for which Saul envied him, yet he did not therefore retire in sullenness, and decline public service. Those that are ill paid for doing good, yet must not be weary in well doing, remembering what a bountiful Benefactor our heavenly Father is, even to the froward and unthankful. Notwithstanding the many affronts Saul had given to David, yet we find him, (I.) As bold as ever in using his sword for the service of his country, v. 8. The war broke out again with the Philistines, which gave David occasion again to signalize himself: it was with a great deal of bravery that he charged them; he came off victorious, slaying many, and putting the rest to flight. (2.) As cheerful as ever in using his harp for the service of his prince. When Saul was disturbed with his former fits of melancholy, David played with his hand, v. 9. He might have pleaded that that was a piece of service now below him; but an humble good man will think nothing below him by which he may do good. He might have objected the danger he was in the last time he did this office for Saul, ch. 18. 10. But he had learned to render good for evil, and to trust God with his safety in the way of his duty. See how David was affected when his enemy was sick, (Ps. 35. 13, 14;) which, perhaps, refers to Saul's sickness. 2. He took pains to pacify his father and reconcile him to David. The next morning, he ventured to commune with him concerning David, (v. 3;) not that night, either because he observed Saul to be drunk, and not fit to be spoken to, or because he hoped that, when he had slept upon it, he would himself revoke the order, or because he could not have an opportunity of speaking to him till morning. His intercession for David was, (1.) Very prudent. It was managed with a great deal of the meekness of wisdom; and he showed himself faithful to his friend by speaking good of him, though he was in danger of incurring his father's displeasure by it. A rare instance 2. Saul continues his malice against David. He that but the of valuable friendship! He pleads, [1.] The good services other day had sworn by his Maker that he should not be slain, David had done to the public, and particularly to Saul; His now endeavours to slay him himself. So implacable, so incurawork has been to thee-ward very good, v. 4. Witness the relief ble, is the enmity of the seed of the serpent against that of the he had given him against his distemper with his harp; and his woman; so deceitful and desperately wicked is the heart of bold encounter with Goliath, that memorable action, which did, man without the grace of God, Jer. 17. 9. The fresh honours in effect, save Saul's life and kingdom: he appeals to himself David had won in this last war with the Philistines, instead of concerning that, Thou thyself sawest it, and didst rejoice. In extinguishing Saul's ill will to him, and confirming his reconthat and other instances, it appeared that David was a favour-ciliation, revived his envy and exasperated him yet more. And ite of Heaven and a friend to Israel, as well as a good servant when he indulged this wicked passion, no marvel that the evil to Saul, for by him the Lord wrought a great salvation for all spirit came upon him, (v. 9;) for when we let the sun go down Israel; so that to order him to be slain, was not only base upon our wrath, we give place to the devil, (Eph. 4. 26, 27,) we ingratitude to so good a servant, but a great affront to God, make room for him and invite him. Discomposures of mind, and a great injury to the public. [2.] He pleads his innocency: though helped forward by the agency of Satan, commonly owe though he had formerly done many good offices, yet if he had their original to men's own sins and follies. Saul's fear and now been chargeable with any crimes, it had been another jealousy made him a torment to himself, so that he could not sit matter, but he has not sinned against thee, (v. 4;) his blood is in his house without a javelin in his hand, pretending it was for innocent, (v. 5,) and if he be slain, it is without cause. And his preservation, but designing it for David's destruction; for Jonathan had therefore reason to protest against it, because he he endeavoured to nail him to the wall, running at him so viocould not entail any thing upon his family more pernicious than lently, that he struck the javelin into the wall, v. 10. So strong the guilt of innocent blood. (2.) His intercession, being thus was the devil in him, so strong his own rage and passion. Perprudent, was prevalent. God inclined the heart of Saul to haps he thought, if he had killed him now, he had been excusahearken to the voice of Jonathan. Note, We must be willing ble both before God and man, as being non compos mentis-not to hear reason, and to take all reproof and good advice even from in his right mind, and that it would have been imputed to his our inferiors; parents from their own children. How forcible distraction. But God cannot be deceived by pretences, whatare right words! Saul was, for the present, so far convinced of ever men may be. the unreasonableness of his enmity to David, that, [1. He recalled the bloody warrant for his execution; (v. 6,) As the Lord liveth, he shall not be slain. Whether Saul swore here with due solemnity or no, does not appear; perhaps he did, and the matter was of such moment as to deserve it, and of such uncertainty as to need it; but, at other times, Saul swore rashly and profanely, which made the sincerity of this oath justly questionable: for it may be feared that those who can so far jest with an oath as to make a by-word of it, and prostitute it to a trifle, have not such a due sense of the obligation of it, but that, to serve a turn, they will prostitute it to a lie. Some suspect that Saul said and swore this with a malicious design to bring David within his reach again, intending to take the first opportunity to slay him: but as bad as Saul was, we can scarcely 3. God continues his care of David, and still watches over him for good. Saul missed his blow; David was too quick for him, and fled, and by a kind providence escaped that night. To these preservations, among others, David often refers in his psalms, when he speaks of God's being his Shield and Buckler, his Rock and Fortress, and delivering his soul from death. V. 11-17. Here is, I. Saul's further design of mischief to David. When he had escaped the javelin, supposing he went straight to his own house, as indeed he did, he sent some of his guards after him to lay wait at the door of his house, and to assassinate him in the morning as soon as he stirred out, v. 11. Josephus says, the design was to seize him, and to hurry him before a court of justice that was ordered to condemn him, and put him to death, as a ing and Michal, David's wife, told him, saying, If thou save not thy life to-night, to-morrow thou shalt be slain. 12 So Michal let David down through a window and he went, and fled, and escaped. 13 And Michal took an image, and laid it in the bed, and put a pillow of goats' hair for his bolster, and covered it with a cloth. 14 And when Saul sent messengers to take David, she said, He is sick. 15 And Saul sent the messengers again to see David, saying, Bring him up to me in the bed, that I may slay him. 16 And when the messengers were come in, behold, there was an image in the bed, with a pillow of goats' hair for his bolster. 17 And Saul said unto Michal, Why hast thou deceived me so, and sent away mine enemy, that he is escaped? And Michal answered Saul, He said unto me, Let me go; why should I kill thee? o Ps. 31. 19. p Josh. 2. 15. Acts 9. 24, 25. 2 Cor. 11. 32, 33. 31. 19. Judg. 17. 5. teraphim. Gen. traitor; but we are here told, it was a shorter way they were to take with him, they were ordered to slay him. Well might David complain that his enemies were bloody men, as he did in the psalm which he penned at this time, and upon this occasion, (Ps. 59.) when Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him. See v. 2, 3, and 7. He complains that swords were in their lips. II. David's wonderful deliverance out of this danger; Michal was the instrument of it, whom Saul gave him to be a snare to him, but she proved his protector and helper; often is the devil outshot with his own bow. How Michal came to know the danger he was in, does not appear; perhaps she had notice sent her from court, or, rather, was herself aware of the soldiers about the house, when they were going to bed, though they kept so still and silent, that they said, Who does hear? as David takes notice of this in that Psalm, v. 7. She, knowing her father's great indignation at David, soon suspected the design, and bestirred herself for her husband's safety. appear, did so. 1. She got David out of the danger. She told him how imminent the peril was, (v. 11,) To-morrow thou wilt be slain. She told him, as Josephus paraphrases it, that if the sun saw him there next morning it would never see him more; and then put him in a way of escape. David himself was better versed in the art of fighting than of flying, and had it been lawful, it would have been easy for him to have cleared his house, by dint of sword, from those that haunted it, but Michal let him down through a window, (v. 12,) all the doors being guarded; and so he fled, and escaped. And now it was, that, either in his own closet before he went, or in the hiding-place to which he fled, he penned that fifty-ninth Psalm, which shows that, in his fright and hurry, his mind was composed, and, in this great danger, his faith was strong and fixed on God; and whereas the plot was to slay him in the morning, he speaks there with the greatest assurance, (v. 16,) I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning. 2. She practised a deception upon Saul and those whom he employed to be the instruments of his cruelty. When the doors of the house were opened in the morning, and David did not the messengers would search the house for him; and But Michal told them he was sick in bed, (v. 14,) and if they would not believe her, they might see; for (v. 13) she had put a wooden image in the bed, and wrapped it up close and warm as if it had been David asleep, not in a condition to be spoken to: the goat's hair about the image was to resemble David's hair, the better to impose upon them. Michal can by no means be justified in telling a lie, and covering it thus with a cheat; God's truth needed not her lie: but she intended hereby to keep Saul in suspense for a while, that David might have time to secure himself, not doubting but those messengers would pursue him, if they found he was gone. The messengers had so much humanity as not to offer him any disturbance, when they heard he was sick; for to them that are in that misery, pity should be shown; but Saul, when he heard it, gave positive orders that he should be brought to him, sick or well; (v. 15,) Bring him to me in the bed, that I may slay him. It was base and barbarous thus to triumph over a sick man; and to vow the death of one who, for aught he knew, was dying by the hand of nature. So earnestly did he thirst after his blood, and so greedy was his revenge, that he could not be pleased to see him dead, unless he himself was the death of him; though a while ago he said, Let not mine hand be upon him. Thus when men lay the reins on the neck of their passions, they grow more and more outrageous. When the messengers were sent again, the cheat was discovered, v. 16. But by this time it was to be hoped that David was safe, and therefore Michal was not then much concerned at the discovery. Saul chid her for helping David to escape; (v. 17,) Why hast thou deceived me so? What a base spirit was Saul of, to expect that because Michal was his daughter, she must therefore betray her own husband to him unjustly! Ought she not to forsake and forget her father and her father's house, to cleave to her husband? Those that themselves will be held by no 18 So David fled, and escaped, and came to Samuel to Ramah, and told him all that Saul had done to him: and he and Samuel went and dwelt in Naioth. 19 And it was told Saul, saying, Behold, David is at Naioth in Ramah. 20 And Saul sent messengers to take David: and 'when they saw the company of the prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing as appointed over them, the Spirit of God was upon the messengers of Saul, and they "also prophesied. 21 And when it was told Saul, he sent other messengers, and they prophesied likewise. And Saul sent messengers again the third time, and they prophesied also. 22 Then went he also to Ramah, and came to a great well that is in Sechu: and he asked, and said, Where are Samuel and David? And one said, Behold, they be at Naioth in Ramah. 23 And he went thither to Naioth in Ramah: 2 Sam. 17. 20. r 2 Sam. 2. 22. John 7. 32, 45. tc. 10.5, 6. 1 Cor. 14. 24, 25. Num. 11. 25. Joel 2. 28. bonds of reason or religion, are ready to think that others should as easily break those bonds. In answer to Saul's chiding, Michal is not so careful of her husband's reputation as she had been of his person, when she makes this her excuse, He said, Let me go, why should I kill thee? As her insinuating that she would have hindered his flight was false, (it was she that put him upon it and furthered it,) so it was an unjust unworthy reflection upon him, to suggest that he threatened to kill her, if she would not let him go, and might confirm Saul in his rage against him. David was far from being so barbarous a man and so imperious a husband, so brutish in his resolves, and so haughty in his menaces, as she here represented him. But David suffered both from friends and foes, and so did the Son of David. V. 18-24. Here is, I. David's place of refuge. Being got away in the night from his own house, he fled not to Bethlehem to his relations, or to any of the cities of Israel that had caressed and cried him up, to make an interest in them for his own preservation; but he ran straight to Samuel, and told him all that Saul had done to him, v. 18. 1. Because Samuel was the man that had given him assurance of the crown; and his faith in that assurance now beginning to fail, and he being ready to say in his haste, (or, in his flight, as some read it, Ps. 116. 11,) All men are liars, ("not only Saul that promised me my life, but Samuel himself that promised me the throne,") whither should he go but to Samuel, for such encouragements, in this day of distress, as would support his faith? In flying to Samuel, he made God his Refuge, trusting in the shadow of his wings; where else can a good man think himself safe? 2. Because Samuel, as a prophet, was best able to advise him what to do in this day of his distress. In the psalm he penned the night before, he had lifted up his prayer to God; and now he takes the first opportunity of waiting upon Samuel, to receive direction and instruction from God, If we expect answers of peace to our prayers, we must have our ears open to God's word, v. 3. Because with Samuel there was a college of prophets with whom he might join in praising God, and the pleasure of that would be the greatest relief imaginable to him in his present distress, he met with little rest or satisfaction in Saul's court, and therefore went to seek it in Samuel's church. And doubtless, what little pleasure is to be had in this world, they have it, that live a life of communion with God; so that David retired in the time of trouble, Ps. 27. 4-6. II. David's protection in this place. He and Samuel went and dwelt (or lodged) in Naioth, where the school of the prophets was, in Ramah, as in a privileged place, for the Philistines themselves would not disturb that meeting, ch. 10. 10. But Saul, having notice of it by some of his spies, (v. 19,) sent officers to seize David, v. 20. When they did not bring him, he sent more; when they returned not, he sent the third time, (v. 21;) and hearing no tidings of these, he went himself, v. 22. So impatient was he in his thirst after David's blood, so restless to compass his design against him, though baffled by one providence after another, that he could not perceive that David was under the special protection of Heaven. It was below the king, to go himself on such an errand as this; but persecutors will stoop to any thing, and stick at nothing, to gratify their malice. Saul lays aside all public business to hunt David. David delivered, now that he was just ready to fall (like his own lamb formerly) into the mouth of the lion! Not as he delivered his lamb, by slaying the lion, or, as Elijah was delivered, by consuming the messengers with fire from heaven, but by turning the lions for the present into lambs. How was 1. When the messengers came into the congregation where David was among the prophets, the Spirit of God came upon them, and they prophesied; that is, they joined with the rest in Instead of seizing David, they themselves were praising God. seized. And thus, (1.) God secured David: for either they were put into such an ecstasy by the spirit of prophecy, that they could not think of any thing else, and so forgot their errand, and the Spirit of God was upon him also, and he | why should my father hide this thing from me? it went on, and prophesied, until he came to Naioth is not so. in Ramah. 24 And he stripped off his clothes also, and prophesied before Samuel in like manner, and lay down naked all that day, and all that night. Wherefore they say, Is Saul "also among the prophets? CHAPTER XX. David, having several times narrowly escaped Saul's fury, begins to consider at last, whether it were not necessary for him to retire into the country, and to take up arms in his own defence. But he will not do so daring a thing, without con tween them, we have an account in this chapter, where we have as surprising sulting his faithful friend Jonathan; how that was done, and what passed be instances of supernatural love, as we had in the chapter before of unnatural hatred. I. David complains to Jonathan of his present distress, and engages him to be his friend, v. 1-9. II. Jonathan faithfully promises to get and give of friendship with him, v. 9-23. III. Jonathan, upon trial, finds, to his grief, that his father was implacably euraged against David, v. 24-34. IV. He gives him intelligence how his father stood affected to him, and renews the covenant David notice of this, according to the appointment between them, v. 35-42. 3 And David sware moreover, and said, Thy father certainly knoweth that I have found grace in thine eyes; and he saith, Let not Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved: but truly, as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, there is but a step between me and death. 4 Then said Jonathan unto David, Whatsoevert thy soul desireth, I will even do it for thee. 5 And David said unto Jonathan, Behold, tomorrow is the new 'moon, and I should not fail to hide myself in the field unto the third day at even. sit with the king at meat; but let me go, that I may 6 If thy father at all miss me, then say, David earnestly asked leave of me, that he might run to Beth-lehem his city; for there is a yearly sacrifice there for all the family. 7 If he say thus, It is well; thy servant shall AND David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and have peace; but if he be very wroth, then be sure came and said before Jonathan, What have I done? what is mine iniquity? and what is my sin before thy father, that he seeketh my life? 2 And he said unto him, God forbid thou shalt not die: behold, my father will do nothing, either great or small, but that he will show it me: and Is. 20. 2. fell. Num. 24. 4. to c. 10. 10, 12. ⚫ uncover mine ear. ver. 12. c. 9. 15. a c. 27.1. 2 Cor. 1.9, 10. †or, say what is thy mind, and I will do. and never minded David; or they were by it put, for the present, into so good a frame, that they could not entertain the thought of doing so bad a thing. (2.) He put an honour upon the sons of the prophets, and the communion of saints, and showed how he can, when he pleases, strike an awe upon the worst of men, by the tokens of his presence in the assemblies of the faithful, and force them to acknowledge, that God is with them of a truth, 1 Cor. 14. 24, 25. See also the benefit of religious societies, and what good impressions may be made by them on minds that seemed unapt to receive such impressions. And where may the influence of the Spirit be expected, but in the congregations of the saints? (3.) He magnified his power over the spirits of men. He that made the heart and tongue, can manage both to serve his own purposes. Balaam prophesied of the happiness of Israel, whom he would have cursed; and some of the Jewish writers think these messengers prophesied of the advancement of David to the throne of Israel. that evil is determined by him. 8 Therefore thou shalt deal kindly with thy servant; for thou hast brought thy servant into a covenant of the LORD with thee: notwithstanding, if there be in me iniquity, slay me thyself; for why shouldest thou bring me to thy father? I speaketh, or, thinketh. b Num. 10. 10. 28. 11. e c. 19. 2. or, feast. c. 9. 12. dc. 25. 17. Esth. 7. 7. e Josh. 2. 14. f ver. 16. c. 18. 3. 23. 19. 2 Sam. 14. 32. to David. Charity is not forward to think evil of any, especially of a parent, 1 Cor. 13. 5. David therefore gives him the assurance of an oath concerning his own danger; swears the peace upon Saul, that he was in fear of his life by him; "As the Lord liveth, than which nothing more sure in itself; and as thy soul liveth, than which nothing more certain to thee; whatever thou thinkest, there is but a step between me and death," v. 3. And as for Saul's concealing it from Jonathan, it was easy to account for that, he knew the friendship between him and David; and therefore, though in other things he advised with him, yet not in that. None more fit than Jonathan to serve him in every design that was just and honourable; but he knew him to be a man of more virtue than to be his confidant in so base a design as the murder of David. II. Jonathan generously offers him his service; (v. 4,) Whatsoever thou desirest, he needed not insert the proviso of lawful and honest, (for he knew David too well to think he would ask any thing that was otherwise,) I will even do it for thee. This is true friendship. Thus Christ testifies his love to us, Ask, and it shall be done for you; and we must testify ours to him, by keeping his commandments. III. David only desires him to satisfy himself, and then to satisfy him, whether Saul did really design his death or no. Perhaps David proposed this, more for Jonathan's conviction than his own, for he himself was well satisfied. 2. Saul himself was likewise seized with the spirit of prophecy, before he came to the place. One would have thought that so bad a man as he, had been in no danger of being turned into a prophet; yet, when God will take this way of protecting David, even Saul is no sooner come (as Bishop Hall expresses it) within smell of the smoke of Naioth, but he prophesies, as his messengers did, v. 23. He stripped off his royal robe and warlike habiliments, because they were either too fine, or too heavy, for this service, and fell into a trance, as it should seem, 1. The method of trial he proposes, was very natural, and or into a rapture, which continued all that day and night. The would certainly discover how Saul stood affected to him. The saints at Damascus were delivered from the rage of the New-two next days, Saul was to dine publicly, upon occasion of the Testament Saul, by a change wrought on his spirit, but of solemnities of the new moon, when extraordinary sacrifices another nature from this. This was only amazing, but that were offered, and feasts made upon the sacrifices. Saul was sanctifying. This for a day, that for ever. Note, Many have rejected of God, and the Spirit of the Lord was departed from great gifts, and yet no grace, prophesy in Christ's name, and him, and yet he kept up his observance of the holy feasts. yet are disowned by him, Matt. 7. 22. Now the proverb There may be the remains of external devotion, where there recurs, Is Saul among the prophets? See ch. 10. 12. Then it is nothing but the ruins of real virtue. At these solemn feasts, was different from what it had been, but now contrary. He is Saul had either all his children to sit with him, and David had rejected of God, and actuated by an evil spirit, and yet among a seat as one of them; or all his great officers, and David had the prophets. a seat as one of them. However it was, David resolved his seat should be empty (and that it never used to be at a sacred feast) those two days, (v. 5,) and he would abscond till the solemnity was over, and put it upon this issue; if Saul admitted an excuse for his absence, and dispensed with it, he would conclude he had changed his mind, and was reconciled to him; but if he resented it, and was put into a passion by it, it was easy to conclude he designed him a mischief, since it was certain he did not love him so well as to desire his presence for any other end, than that he might have an opportunity to do him a mischief, v. 7. V. 1-8. Here, NOTES TO CHAPTER XX. I. David makes a representation to Jonathan of his present troubles. While Saul lay bound by his trance at Naioth, David escaped to the court, and got to speak with Jonathan. And it was happy for him, that he had such a friend at court, when he had such an enemy on the throne. If there be those that hate and despise us, let us not be disturbed at that, for there are those also that love and respect us; God hath set the one over against the other, and so must we. Jonathan was a friend that loved at all times; loved David as well now in distress, and bid him as welcome into his arms, as he had done when he was in his triumph, (ch. 18. 1;) and he was a brother that was born for adversity, Prov. 17. 17. Now, 1. David appeals to Jonathan himself concerning his innocency, and he needed not say much to him for the proof of that, only desires him, that if he knew of any just offence he had given his father, he would tell him, that he might humble himself, and beg his pardon. What have I done? v. 1. 2. He endeavours to convince him, that, notwithstanding his innocency, Saul sought his life. Jonathan, from a principle of filial respect to his father, was very loath to believe that he designed, or would ever do, so wicked a thing, v.2. He the rather hoped so, because he knew nothing of any such design; and he had usually been made privy to all his counsels. Jonathan, as became a dutiful son, endeavoured to cover his father's shame, as far as was consistent with justice and fidelity 2. The excuse he desires Jonathan to make for his absence, we have reason to think, was true; that he was invited by his elder brother to Bethlehem, his own city, to celebrate this new moon with his relations there, because beside the monthly solemnity, in which they held communion with all Israel, they had now a yearly sacrifice, and a holy feast upon it, for all the family, v. 6. They kept a day of thanksgiving in their family for the comforts they enjoyed, and a prayer, for the continuance of them. By this it appears that the family David was of, was a very religious family, a house that had a church in it. 3. The arguments he uses with Jonathan, to persuade him to do this kindness for him, are very pressing, v. 8. (1.) That he had entered into a league of friendship with him, and it was Jonathan's own proposal. Thou hast brought thy servant into a covenant of the Lord with thee. (2.) That he would by no means urge him to espouse his cause, if he were not sure that it was a righteous cause; "If there be iniquity in me, I am so |
