mh_parser/vol_split/9 - 1Samuel/Chapter 27.xml

<div2 id="iSam.xxviii" n="xxviii" next="iSam.xxix" prev="iSam.xxvii" progress="37.59%" title="Chapter XXVII">
<h2 id="iSam.xxviii-p0.1">F I R S T   S A M U E L</h2>
<h3 id="iSam.xxviii-p0.2">CHAP. XXVII.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="iSam.xxviii-p1">David was a man after God's own heart, and yet he
had his faults, which are recorded, not for our imitation, but for
our admonition; witness the story of this chapter, in which,
though, I. We find, to his praise, that he prudently took care of
his own safety and his family's (<scripRef id="iSam.xxviii-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.27.2-1Sam.27.4" parsed="|1Sam|27|2|27|4" passage="1Sa 27:2-4">ver. 2-4</scripRef>) and valiantly fought Israel's
battles against the Canaanites (<scripRef id="iSam.xxviii-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.27.8-1Sam.27.9" parsed="|1Sam|27|8|27|9" passage="1Sa 27:8-9">ver.
8-9</scripRef>), yet, II. We find, to his dishonour, 1. That he
began to despair of his deliverance, <scripRef id="iSam.xxviii-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.27.1" parsed="|1Sam|27|1|0|0" passage="1Sa 27:1">ver. 1</scripRef>. 2. That he deserted his own country,
and went to dwell in the land of the Philistines, <scripRef id="iSam.xxviii-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.27.1 Bible:1Sam.27.5-1Sam.27.7" parsed="|1Sam|27|1|0|0;|1Sam|27|5|27|7" passage="1Sa 27:1,5-7">ver. 1, 5-7</scripRef>. 3. That he imposed
upon Achish with an equivocation, if not a lie, concerning his
expedition, <scripRef id="iSam.xxviii-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.27.10-1Sam.27.12" parsed="|1Sam|27|10|27|12" passage="1Sa 27:10-12">ver.
10-12</scripRef>.</p>
<scripCom id="iSam.xxviii-p0.1_1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.27" parsed="|1Sam|27|0|0|0" passage="1Sa 27" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="iSam.xxviii-p0.2_1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.27.1-1Sam.27.7" parsed="|1Sam|27|1|27|7" passage="1Sa 27:1-7" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:1Sam.27.1-1Sam.27.7">
<h4 id="iSam.xxviii-p1.8">David Returns to Gath. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.xxviii-p1.9">b. c.</span> 1055.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iSam.xxviii-p2">1 And David said in his heart, I shall now
perish one day by the hand of Saul: <i>there is</i> nothing better
for me than that I should speedily escape into the land of the
Philistines; and Saul shall despair of me, to seek me any more in
any coast of Israel: so shall I escape out of his hand.   2
And David arose, and he passed over with the six hundred men that
<i>were</i> with him unto Achish, the son of Maoch, king of Gath.
  3 And David dwelt with Achish at Gath, he and his men, every
man with his household, <i>even</i> David with his two wives,
Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the Carmelitess, Nabal's
wife.   4 And it was told Saul that David was fled to Gath:
and he sought no more again for him.   5 And David said unto
Achish, If I have now found grace in thine eyes, let them give me a
place in some town in the country, that I may dwell there: for why
should thy servant dwell in the royal city with thee?   6 Then
Achish gave him Ziklag that day: wherefore Ziklag pertaineth unto
the kings of Judah unto this day.   7 And the time that David
dwelt in the country of the Philistines was a full year and four
months.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.xxviii-p3">Here is, I. The prevalency of David's fear,
which was the effect of the weakness of his faith (<scripRef id="iSam.xxviii-p3.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.27.1" parsed="|1Sam|27|1|0|0" passage="1Sa 27:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>): <i>He said to his
heart</i> (so it may be read), in his communings with it concerning
his present condition, <i>I shall now perish one day by the hand of
Saul.</i> He represented to himself the restless rage and malice of
Saul (who could not be wrought into a reconciliation) and the
treachery of his own countrymen, witness that of the Ziphites, once
and again; he looked upon his own forces, and observed how few they
were, and that no recruits had come in to him for a great while,
nor could he perceive that he got any ground; and hence, in a
melancholy mood, he draws this dark conclusion: <i>I shall one day
perish by the hand of Saul.</i> But, <i>O thou of little faith!
wherefore dost thou doubt?</i> Was he not anointed to be king? Did
not that imply an assurance that he should be preserved to the
kingdom? Though he had no reason to trust Saul's promises, had he
not all the reason in the world to trust the promises of God? His
experience of the particular care Providence took of him ought to
have encouraged him. He that has delivered does and will. But
unbelief is a sin that easily besets even good men. When <i>without
are fightings, within are fears,</i> and it is a hard matter to get
over them. <i>Lord, increase our faith!</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.xxviii-p4">II. The resolution he came to hereupon. Now
that Saul had, for this time, returned to his place, he determined
to take this opportunity of retiring into the Philistines' country.
Consulting his own heart only, and not the ephod or the prophet, he
concludes, <i>There is nothing better for me than that I should
speedily escape into the land of the Philistines.</i> Long trials
are in danger of tiring the faith and patience even of very good
men. Now, 1. Saul was an enemy to himself and his kingdom in
driving David to this extremity. He weakened his own interest when
he expelled from his service, and forced into the service of his
enemies, so great a general as David was, and so brave a regiment
as he had the command of. 2. David was no friend to himself in
taking this course. God had appointed him to set up his standard
<i>in the land of Judah,</i> <scripRef id="iSam.xxviii-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.22.5" parsed="|1Sam|22|5|0|0" passage="1Sa 22:5"><i>ch.</i> xxii. 5</scripRef>. There God had wonderfully
preserved him, and employed him sometimes for the good of his
country; why then should he think of deserting his post? How could
he expect the protection of the God of Israel if he went out of the
borders of the land of Israel? Could he expect to be safe among the
Philistines, out of whose hands he had lately escaped so narrowly
by feigning himself mad? Would he receive obligations from those
now whom he knew he must not return kindness to when he should come
to be king, but be under an obligation to make war upon? Hereby he
would gratify his enemies, who bade him go and serve other gods
that they might have wherewith to reproach him, and very much
weaken the hands of his friends, who would not have wherewith to
answer that reproach. See what need we have to pray, <i>Lord, lead
us not into temptation.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.xxviii-p5">III. The kind reception he had at Gath.
Achish bade him welcome, partly out of generosity, being proud of
entertaining so brave a man, partly out of policy, hoping to engage
him for ever to his service, and that his example would invite many
more to desert and come over to him. No doubt he gave David a
solemn promise of protection, which he could rely upon when he
could not trust Saul's promises. We may blush to think that the
word of a Philistine should go further than the word of an
Israelite, who, if an Israelite indeed, would be without guile, and
that the city of Gath should be a place of refuge for a good man
when the cities of Israel refuse him a safe abode. David, 1.
Brought his men with him (<scripRef id="iSam.xxviii-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.27.2" parsed="|1Sam|27|2|0|0" passage="1Sa 27:2"><i>v.</i>
2</scripRef>) that they might guard him, and might themselves be
safe where he was, and to recommend himself the more to Achish, who
hoped to have service out of him. 2. He brought his family with
him, his <i>wives</i> and <i>his household,</i> so did all <i>his
men,</i> <scripRef id="iSam.xxviii-p5.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.27.2-1Sam.27.3" parsed="|1Sam|27|2|27|3" passage="1Sa 27:2,3"><i>v.</i> 2, 3</scripRef>.
Masters of families ought to take care of those that are committed
to them, to protect and provide for those of their own house, and
to <i>dwell with them as men of knowledge.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.xxviii-p6">IV. Saul's desisting from the further
prosecution of him (<scripRef id="iSam.xxviii-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.27.4" parsed="|1Sam|27|4|0|0" passage="1Sa 27:4"><i>v.</i>
4</scripRef>): <i>He sought no more again for him;</i> this
intimates that notwithstanding the professions of repentance he had
lately made, if he had had David in his reach, he would have aimed
another blow. But, because he dares not come where he is, he
resolves to let him alone. Thus many seem to leave their sins, but
really their sins leave them; they would persist in them if they
could. Saul sought no more for him, contenting himself with his
banishment, since he could not have his blood, and hoping, it may
be (as he had done, <scripRef id="iSam.xxviii-p6.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.18.25" parsed="|1Sam|18|25|0|0" passage="1Sa 18:25"><i>ch.</i> xviii.
25</scripRef>), that he would, some time or other, <i>fall by the
hand of the Philistines;</i> and, though he would rather have the
pleasure of destroying him himself, yet, if they do it, he will be
satisfied, so that it be done effectually.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.xxviii-p7">V. David's removal from Gath to Ziklag.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.xxviii-p8">1. David's request for leave to remove was
prudent and very modest, <scripRef id="iSam.xxviii-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.27.5" parsed="|1Sam|27|5|0|0" passage="1Sa 27:5"><i>v.</i>
5</scripRef>. (1.) It was really prudent. David knew what it was to
be envied in the court of Saul, and had much more reason to fear in
the court of Achish, and therefore declines preferment there, and
wishes for a settlement in the country, where he might be private,
more within himself, and less in other people's way. In a town of
his own he might have the more free exercise of his religion, and
keep his men better to it, and not have his righteous soul vexed,
as it was at Gath, with the idolatries of the Philistines. (2.) As
it was presented to Achish it was very modest. He does not
prescribe to him what place he should assign him, only begs it may
be in some town in the country, where he pleased (beggars must not
be choosers); but he gives this for a reason, "<i>Why should thy
servant dwell in the royal city,</i> to crowd thee, and disoblige
those about thee?" Note, Those that would stand fast must not covet
to stand high; and humble souls aim not to dwell in royal
cities.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.xxviii-p9">2. The grant which Achish made to him, upon
that request, was very generous and kind (<scripRef id="iSam.xxviii-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.27.6-1Sam.27.7" parsed="|1Sam|27|6|27|7" passage="1Sa 27:6,7"><i>v.</i> 6, 7</scripRef>): <i>Achish gave him
Ziklag.</i> Hereby, (1.) Israel recovered their ancient right; for
Ziklag was in the lot of the tribe of Judah (<scripRef id="iSam.xxviii-p9.2" osisRef="Bible:Josh.15.31" parsed="|Josh|15|31|0|0" passage="Jos 15:31">Josh. xv. 31</scripRef>), and afterwards, out of that
lot, was assigned, with some other cities, to Simeon, <scripRef id="iSam.xxviii-p9.3" osisRef="Bible:Josh.19.5" parsed="|Josh|19|5|0|0" passage="Jos 19:5">Josh. xix. 5</scripRef>. But either it was never
subdued, or the Philistines had, in some struggle with Israel, made
themselves masters of it. Perhaps they had got it unjustly, and
Achish, being a man of sense and honour, took this occasion to
restore it. <i>The righteous God judgeth righteously.</i> (2.)
David gained a commodious settlement, not only at a distance from
Gath, but bordering upon Israel, where he might keep up a
correspondence with his own countrymen, and whither they might
resort to him at the revolution that was now approaching. Though we
do not find that he augmented his forces at all while Saul lived
(for, <scripRef id="iSam.xxviii-p9.4" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.30.10" parsed="|1Sam|30|10|0|0" passage="1Sa 30:10"><i>ch.</i> xxx. 10</scripRef>,
he had but his <i>six hundred men</i>), yet, immediately after
Saul's death, that was the rendezvous of his friends. Nay, it
should seem, while he kept himself close because of Saul,
multitudes resorted to him, at least to assure him of their sincere
intentions, <scripRef id="iSam.xxviii-p9.5" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.12.1-1Chr.12.22" parsed="|1Chr|12|1|12|22" passage="1Ch 12:1-22">1 Chron. xii.
1-22</scripRef>. And this further advantage David gained, that
Ziklag was annexed to the crown, at least the royalty of it
pertained to the kings of Judah, ever after, <scripRef id="iSam.xxviii-p9.6" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.27.6" parsed="|1Sam|27|6|0|0" passage="1Sa 27:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>. Note, There is nothing lost by
humility and modesty, and a willingness to retire. Real advantages
follow those that flee from imaginary honours. Here David continued
for some days, even <i>four months,</i> as it may very well be read
(<scripRef id="iSam.xxviii-p9.7" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.27.7" parsed="|1Sam|27|7|0|0" passage="1Sa 27:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>), or some days
above four months: the LXX. reads it, <i>some months;</i> so long
he waited for the set time of his accession to the throne; for
<i>he that believeth shall not make haste.</i></p>
</div><scripCom id="iSam.xxviii-p0.3" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.27.8-1Sam.27.12" parsed="|1Sam|27|8|27|12" passage="1Sa 27:8-12" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:1Sam.27.8-1Sam.27.12">
<h4 id="iSam.xxviii-p9.9">David Smites the Amalekites. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.xxviii-p9.10">b. c.</span> 1055.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iSam.xxviii-p10">8 And David and his men went up, and invaded the
Geshurites, and the Gezrites, and the Amalekites: for those
<i>nations were</i> of old the inhabitants of the land, as thou
goest to Shur, even unto the land of Egypt.   9 And David
smote the land, and left neither man nor woman alive, and took away
the sheep, and the oxen, and the asses, and the camels, and the
apparel, and returned, and came to Achish.   10 And Achish
said, Whither have ye made a road to day? And David said, Against
the south of Judah, and against the south of the Jerahmeelites, and
against the south of the Kenites.   11 And David saved neither
man nor woman alive, to bring <i>tidings</i> to Gath, saying, Lest
they should tell on us, saying, So did David, and so <i>will be</i>
his manner all the while he dwelleth in the country of the
Philistines.   12 And Achish believed David, saying, He hath
made his people Israel utterly to abhor him; therefore he shall be
my servant for ever.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.xxviii-p11">Here is an account of David's actions while
he was in the land of the Philistines, a fierce attack he made upon
some remains of the devoted nations, his success in it, and the
representation he gave of it to Achish. 1. We may acquit him of
injustice and cruelty in this action because those people whom he
cut off were such as heaven had long since doomed to destruction,
and he that did it was one whom heaven had ordained to dominion; so
that the thing was very fit to be done, and he was very fit to do
it. It was not for him that was anointed to fight the Lord's
battles to sit still in sloth, however he might think fit, in
modesty, to retire. He desired to be safe from Saul only that he
might expose himself for Israel. He avenged an old quarrel that God
had with these nations, and at the same time fetched in provisions
for himself and his army, for by their swords they must live. The
Amalekites were to be all cut off. Probably the Geshurites and
Gezrites were branches of Amalek. Saul was rejected for sparing
them, David makes up the deficiency of his obedience before he
succeeds him. He smote them, and <i>left none alive,</i> <scripRef id="iSam.xxviii-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.27.8-1Sam.27.9" parsed="|1Sam|27|8|27|9" passage="1Sa 27:8,9"><i>v.</i> 8, 9</scripRef>. The service paid
itself, for they carried off abundance of spoil, which served for
the subsistence of David's forces. 2. Yet we cannot acquit him of
dissimulation with Achish in the account he gave him of this
expedition. (1.) David, it seems, was not willing that he should
know the truth, and therefore spared none to carry tidings to Gath
(<scripRef id="iSam.xxviii-p11.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.27.11" parsed="|1Sam|27|11|0|0" passage="1Sa 27:11"><i>v.</i> 11</scripRef>), not
because he was ashamed of what he had done as a bad thing, but
because he was afraid, if the Philistines knew it, they would be
apprehensive of danger to themselves or their allies by harbouring
him among them and would expel him from their coasts. It would be
easy to conclude, <i>If so he did, so will be his manner,</i> and
therefore he industriously conceals it from them, which, it seems,
he could do by putting them all to the sword, for none of their
neighbours would inform against him, nor perhaps would soon come to
the knowledge of what was done, intelligence not being so readily
communicated then as now. (2.) He hid it from Achish with an
equivocation not at all becoming his character. Being asked which
way he had made his sally, he answered, <i>Against the south of
Judah,</i> <scripRef id="iSam.xxviii-p11.3" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.27.13" parsed="|1Sam|27|13|0|0" passage="1Sa 27:13"><i>v.</i> 13</scripRef>.
It was true he had invaded those countries that lay south of Judah,
but he made Achish believe he had invaded those that lay south in
Judah, the Ziphites for example, that had once and again betrayed
him; so Achish understood him, and thence inferred that he <i>had
made his people Israel to abhor him,</i> and so riveted himself in
the interest of Achish. The fidelity of Achish to him, his good
opinion of him, and the confidence he put in him, aggravate his sin
in deceiving him thus, which, with some other such instances, David
seems penitently to reflect upon when he prays, <i>Remove from me
the way of lying.</i></p>
</div></div2>