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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1708)
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<CENTER>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>F I R S T S A M U E L</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. XVI.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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</CENTER>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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At this chapter begins the story of David, one that makes as great a
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figure in the sacred story as almost any of the worthies of the Old
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Testament, one that both with his sword and with his pen served the
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honour of God and the interests of Israel as much as most ever did, and
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was as illustrious a type of Christ. Here
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I. Samuel is appointed and commissioned to anoint a king among the sons
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of Jesse at Bethlehem,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+16:1-5">ver. 1-5</A>.
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II. All his elder sons are passed by and David the youngest is pitched
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upon and anointed,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+16:6-13">ver. 6-13</A>.
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III. Saul growing melancholy, David is pitched upon to relieve him by
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music,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+16:14-23">ver. 14-23</A>.
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Thus small are the beginnings of that great man.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="1Sa16_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Sa16_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Sa16_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Sa16_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Sa16_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Samuel Goes to Bethlehem.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1065.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 And the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for
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Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill
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thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the
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Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.
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2 And Samuel said, How can I go? if Saul hear <I>it,</I> he will
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kill me. And the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> said, Take a heifer with thee, and say, I
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am come to sacrifice to the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>.
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3 And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will shew thee what
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thou shalt do: and thou shalt anoint unto me <I>him</I> whom I name
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unto thee.
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4 And Samuel did that which the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> spake, and came to
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Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and
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said, Comest thou peaceably?
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5 And he said, Peaceably: I am come to sacrifice unto the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>:
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sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice. And he
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sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Samuel had retired to his own house in Ramah, with a resolution not to
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appear any more in public business, but to addict himself wholly to the
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instructing and training up of the sons of the prophets, over whom he
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presided, as we find,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+19:20"><I>ch.</I> xix. 20</A>.
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He promised himself more satisfaction in young prophets than in young
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princes; and we do not find that, to his dying day, God called him out
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to any public action relating to the state, but only here to anoint
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David.</P>
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<P>
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I. God reproves him for continuing so long to mourn for the rejection
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of Saul. He does not blame him for mourning on that occasion, but for
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exceeding in his sorrow: <I>How long wilt thou mourn for Saul?</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+16:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>.
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We do not find here that he mourned at all for the setting aside of his
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own family and the deposing of his own sons; but for the rejecting of
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Saul and his seed he mourns without measure, for the former was done by
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the people's foolish discontent, this by the righteous wrath of God.
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Yet he must find time to recover himself, and not go mourning to his
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grave,
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1. Because God has rejected him, and he ought to acquiesce in the
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divine justice, and forget his affection to Saul; if God will be
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glorified in his ruin, Samuel ought to be satisfied. Besides, to what
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purpose should he weep? The decree has gone forth, and all his prayers
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and tears cannot prevail for the reversing of it,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+12:22,23">2 Sam. xii. 22, 23</A>.
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2. Because Israel shall be no loser by it, and Samuel must prefer the
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public welfare before his own private affection to his friend. "Mourn
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not for Saul, for I <I>have provided me a king.</I> The people provided
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themselves a king and he proved bad, now I will provide myself one,
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<I>a man after my own heart.</I>" See
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+89:20,Ac+13:22">Ps. lxxxix. 20; Acts xiii. 22</A>.
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"If Saul be rejected, yet Israel shall not be <I>as sheep having no
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shepherd.</I> I have another in store for them; let thy joy of him
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swallow up thy grief for the rejected prince."</P>
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<P>
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II. He sends him to Bethlehem, to anoint one of the sons of Jesse, a
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person probably not unknown to Samuel. <I>Fill thy horn with oil.</I>
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Saul was anointed with a glass vial of oil, scanty and brittle, David
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with a horn of oil, which was more plentiful and durable; hence we read
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of a <I>horn of salvation in the house of his servant David,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+1:69">Luke i. 69</A>.</P>
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<P>
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III. Samuel objects the peril of going on this errand
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+16:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>):
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<I>If Saul hear it, he will kill me.</I> By this it appears.
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1. That Saul had grown very wicked and outrageous since his rejection,
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else Samuel would not have mentioned this. What impiety would he not be
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guilty of who durst kill Samuel?
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2. That Samuel's faith was not so strong as one would have expected,
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else he would not have thus feared the rage of Saul. Would not he that
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sent him protect him and bear him out? But the best men are not perfect
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in their faith, nor will fear be wholly cast out any where on this side
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heaven. But this may be understood as Samuel's desire of direction from
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heaven how to manage this matter prudently, so as not to expose
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himself, or any other, more than needed.</P>
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<P>
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IV. God orders him to cover his design with a sacrifice: <I>Say, I have
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come to sacrifice;</I> and it was true he did, and it was proper that
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he should, when he came to anoint a king,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+11:15"><I>ch.</I> xi. 15</A>.
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As a prophet, he might sacrifice when and where God appointed him; and
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it was not all inconsistent with the laws of truth to say he came to
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sacrifice when really he did so, thought he had also a further end,
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which he thought fit to conceal. Let him give notice of a sacrifice,
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and invite Jesse (who, it is probable, was the principal man of the
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city) and his family to come to the feast upon the sacrifice; and, says
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God, <I>I will show thee what thou shalt do.</I> Those that go about
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God's work in God's way shall be directed step by step, wherever they
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are at a loss, to do it in the best manner.</P>
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<P>
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V. Samuel went accordingly to Bethlehem, not in pomp, or with any
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retinue, only a servant to lead the heifer which he was to sacrifice;
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yet <I>the elders of Bethlehem trembled at his coming,</I> fearing it
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was an indication of God's displeasure against them and that he came to
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denounce some judgment for the iniquities of the place. Guilt causes
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fear. Yet indeed it becomes us to stand in awe of God's messengers, and
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to tremble at his word. Or they feared it might be an occasion of
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Saul's displeasure against them, for probably they knew how much he was
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exasperated at Samuel, and feared he would pick a quarrel with them for
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entertaining him. They asked him, "<I>Comest thou peaceably?</I> Art
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thou in peace thyself, and not flying from Saul? Art thou at peace with
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us, and not come with any message of wrath?" We should all covet
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earnestly to stand upon good terms with God's prophets, and dread
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having the word of God, or their prayers, against us. When the Son of
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David was born king of the Jews all Jerusalem was troubled,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+2:3">Matt. ii. 3</A>.
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Samuel kept at home, and it was a strange thing to see him so far from
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his own house: they therefore concluded it must needs be some
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extraordinary occasion that brought him, and feared the worst till he
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satisfied them
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+16:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>):
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"<I>I come peaceably,</I> for <I>I come to sacrifice,</I> not with a
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message of wrath against you, but with the methods of peace and
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reconciliation; and therefore you may bid me welcome and need not fear
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my coming; therefore <I>sanctify yourselves,</I> and prepare to join
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with me in the sacrifice, that you may have the benefit of it." Note,
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Before solemn ordinances there must be a solemn protestation. When we
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are to offer spiritual sacrifices it concerns us, by sequestering
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ourselves from the world and renewing the dedication of ourselves to
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God, to sanctify ourselves. When our Lord Jesus came into the world,
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though men had reason enough to tremble, fearing that his errand was to
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condemn the world, yet he gave full assurance that he came peaceably,
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for he came to sacrifice, and he brought his offering along with him:
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<I>A body hast thou prepared me.</I> Let us sanctify ourselves, that we
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may have an interest in his sacrifice. Note, Those that come to
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sacrifice should come peaceably; religious exercises must not be
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performed tumultuously.</P>
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<P>
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VI. He had a particular regard to Jesse and his sons, for with them his
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private business lay, with which, it is likely, he acquainted Jesse at
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his first coming, and took up his lodging at his house. He spoke to all
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the elders to <I>sanctify themselves,</I> but he <I>sanctified Jesse
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and his sons</I> by praying with them and instructing them. Perhaps he
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had acquaintance with them before, and it appears
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+20:29"><I>ch.</I> xx. 29</A>,
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where we read of the sacrifices that family had) that it was a devout
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religious family. Samuel assisted them in their family preparations
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for the public sacrifice, and, it is probable, chose out David, and
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anointed him, at the family-solemnities, before the sacrifice was
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offered or the holy feast solemnized. Perhaps he offered private
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sacrifices, like Job, <I>according to the number of them all</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+1:5">Job i. 5</A>),
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and, under colour of that, called for them all to appear before him.
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When signal blessings are coming into a family they ought to sanctify
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themselves.</P>
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<A NAME="1Sa16_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Sa16_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Sa16_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Sa16_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Sa16_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Sa16_11"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Sa16_12"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Sa16_13"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>David Anointed by Samuel.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1065.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>6 And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on
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Eliab, and said, Surely the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>'s anointed <I>is</I> before him.
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7 But the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance,
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or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for
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<I>the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> seeth</I> not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward
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appearance, but the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> looketh on the heart.
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8 Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel.
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And he said, Neither hath the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> chosen this.
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9 Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath
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the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> chosen this.
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10 Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel.
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And Samuel said unto Jesse, The L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> hath not chosen these.
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11 And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all <I>thy</I> children? And
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he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he
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keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch
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him: for we will not sit down till he come hither.
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12 And he sent, and brought him in. Now he <I>was</I> ruddy, <I>and</I>
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withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the
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L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> said, Arise, anoint him: for this <I>is</I> he.
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13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the
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midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> came upon David
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from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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If the sons of Jesse were told that God would provide himself a king
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among them (as he had said,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+16:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>),
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we may well suppose they all made the best appearance they could, and
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each hoped he should be the man; but here we are told,</P>
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<P>
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I. How all the elder sons, who stood fairest for the preferment, were
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passed by.</P>
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<P>
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1. Eliab, the eldest, was privately presented first to Samuel, probably
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none being present but Jesse only, and Samuel thought he must needs be
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the man: <I>Surely this is the Lord's anointed,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+16:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>.
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The prophets themselves, when they spoke from under the divine
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direction, were as liable to mistake as other men; as Nathan,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+7:3">2 Sam. vii. 3</A>.
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But God rectified the prophet's mistake by a secret whisper to his
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mind: <I>Look not on his countenance,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+16:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>.
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It was strange that Samuel, who had been so wretchedly disappointed in
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Saul, whose countenance and stature recommended him as much as any
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man's could, should be so forward to judge of a man by that rule. When
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God would please the people with a king he chose a comely man; but,
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when he would have one after his own heart, he should not be chosen by
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the outside. Men judge by the sight of the eyes, but God does not,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+11:3">Isa. xi. 3</A>.
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<I>The Lord looks on the heart,</I> that is,
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(1.) He knows it. We can tell how men look, but he can tell what they
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are. Man looks on the eyes (so the original word is), and is pleased
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with the liveliness and sprightliness that appear in them; but God
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looks on the heart, and sees the thoughts and intents of that.
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(2.) He judges of men by it. The good disposition of the heart, the
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holiness or goodness of that, recommends us to God, and is <I>in his
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sight of great price</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Pe+3:4">1 Pet. iii. 4</A>),
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not the majesty of the look, or the strength and stature of the body.
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Let us reckon that to be true beauty which is within, and judge of men,
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as far as we are capable, by their minds, not their mien.</P>
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<P>
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2. When Eliab was set aside, Abinadab and Shammah, and, after them,
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four more of the sons of Jesse, seven in all, were presented to Samuel,
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as likely for his purpose; but Samuel, who not attended more carefully
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than he did at first to the divine direction, rejected them all: <I>The
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Lord has not chosen these,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+16:8,10"><I>v.</I> 8, 10</A>.
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Men dispose of their honours and estates to their sons according to
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their seniority of age and priority of birth, but God does not. <I>The
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elder shall serve the younger.</I> Had it been left to Samuel, or
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Jesse, to make the choice, one of these would certainly have been
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chosen; but God will magnify his sovereignty in passing by some that
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were most promising as well as in fastening on others that were less
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so.</P>
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<P>
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II. How David at length was pitched upon. He was the youngest of all
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the sons of Jesse; his name signifies <I>beloved,</I> for he was a type
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of the beloved Son. Observe,
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1. How he was in the fields, <I>keeping the sheep</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+16:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>),
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and was left there, though there was a sacrifice and a feast at his
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father's house. The youngest are commonly the fondlings of the family,
|
|
but, it should seem, David was least set by of all the sons of Jesse;
|
|
either they did not discern or did not duly value the excellent spirit
|
|
he was of. Many a great genius lies buried in obscurity and contempt;
|
|
and God often exalts those whom men despise and gives <I>abundant
|
|
honour to that part which lacked.</I> The Son of David was he whom men
|
|
despised, <I>the stone which the builders refused,</I> and yet he has
|
|
<I>a name above every name.</I> David was taken <I>from following ewes
|
|
to feed Jacob</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+78:71">Ps. lxxviii. 71</A>),
|
|
|
|
as Moses from keeping the flock of Jethro, an instance of his humility
|
|
and industry, both which God delights to put honour upon. We should
|
|
think a military life, but God saw a pastoral life (which gives
|
|
advantage for contemplation and communion with heaven), the best
|
|
preparative for kingly power, at least for those graces of the Spirit
|
|
which are necessary to the due discharge of that trust which attends
|
|
it. David was keeping sheep, though it was a time of sacrifice; for
|
|
there is mercy that takes precedence of sacrifice.
|
|
|
|
2. How earnest Samuel was to have him sent for: "<I>We will not sit
|
|
down</I> to meat" (perhaps it was not the feast upon the sacrifice, but
|
|
a common meal) "<I>till he come hither;</I> for, if all the rest be
|
|
rejected, this must be he." He that designed not to sit at table at all
|
|
is now waited for as the principal guest. If God will exalt those of
|
|
low degree, who can hinder?
|
|
|
|
3. What appearance he made when he did come. No notice is taken of his
|
|
clothing. No doubt that was according to his employment, mean and
|
|
coarse, as shepherds' coats commonly are, and he did not change his
|
|
clothes as Joseph did
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+41:14">Gen. xli. 14</A>),
|
|
|
|
but he had a very honest look, not stately, as Saul's, but sweet and
|
|
lovely: <I>He was ruddy, of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look
|
|
to</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+16:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>),
|
|
|
|
that is, he had a clear complexion, a good eye, and a lovely face; the
|
|
features were extraordinary, and there was something in his looks that
|
|
was very charming. Though he was so far from using any art to help his
|
|
beauty that his employment exposed it to the sun and wind, yet nature
|
|
kept its own, and, by the sweetness of his aspect, gave manifest
|
|
indications of an amiable temper and disposition of mind. Perhaps his
|
|
modest blush, when he was brought before Samuel, and received by him
|
|
with surprising respect, made him look much the handsomer.
|
|
|
|
4. The anointing of him. The Lord told Samuel in his ear (as he had
|
|
done,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+9:15"><I>ch.</I> ix. 15</A>)
|
|
|
|
that this was he whom he must anoint,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+16:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>.
|
|
|
|
Samuel objects not the meanness of his education, his youth, or the
|
|
little respect he had in his own family, but, in obedience to the
|
|
divine command, took his horn of oil and <I>anointed him</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+16:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>),
|
|
|
|
signifying thereby,
|
|
|
|
(1.) A divine designation to the government, after the death of Saul,
|
|
of which hereby he gave him a full assurance. Not that he was at
|
|
present invested with the royal power, but it was entailed upon him, to
|
|
come to him in due time.
|
|
|
|
(2.) A divine communication of gifts and graces, to fit him for the
|
|
government, and make him a type of him who was to be the Messiah, the
|
|
anointed One, who received the Spirit, not by measure, but without
|
|
measure. He is said to be anointed <I>in the midst of his brethren,</I>
|
|
who yet, possibly, did not understand it as a designation to the
|
|
government, and therefore did not envy David (as Joseph's brethren did
|
|
him), because they saw no further marks of dignity put upon him, no,
|
|
not so much as a coat of divers colours. But bishop Patrick reads it,
|
|
<I>He anointed him from the midst of his brethren,</I> that is, he
|
|
singled him out from the rest, and privately anointed him, but with a
|
|
charge to keep his own counsel, and not to let his own brethren know
|
|
it, as by what we find
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+17:28"><I>ch.</I> xvii. 28</A>),
|
|
|
|
it should seem, Eliab did not. It is computed that David now was about
|
|
twenty years old; if so, his troubles by Saul lasted ten years, for he
|
|
was thirty years old when Saul died. Dr. Lightfoot reckons that he was
|
|
about twenty-five, and that his troubles lasted but five years.
|
|
|
|
5. The happy effects of this anointing: <I>The Spirit of the Lord came
|
|
upon David from that day forward,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+16:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>.
|
|
|
|
The anointing of him was not an empty ceremony, but a divine power went
|
|
along with that instituted sign, and he found himself inwardly advanced
|
|
in wisdom, and courage, and concern for the public, with all the
|
|
qualifications of a prince, though not at all advanced in his outward
|
|
circumstances. This would abundantly satisfy him that his election was
|
|
of God. The best evidence of our being predestinated to the kingdom of
|
|
glory is our being sealed with the Spirit of promise, and our
|
|
experience of a work of grace in our own hearts. Some think that his
|
|
courage, by which he slew the lion and the bear, and his extraordinary
|
|
skill in music, were the effects and evidences of the Spirit's coming
|
|
upon him. However, this made him the sweet psalmist of Israel,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+23:1">2 Sam. xxiii. 1</A>.
|
|
|
|
Samuel, having done this, went to Ramah in safety, and we never read of
|
|
him again but once
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+19:18"><I>ch.</I> xix. 18</A>),
|
|
|
|
till we read of his death; now he retired to die in peace, since his
|
|
eyes had seen the salvation, even the sceptre brought into the tribe of
|
|
Judah.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="1Sa16_14"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Sa16_15"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Sa16_16"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Sa16_17"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Sa16_18"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Sa16_19"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Sa16_20"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Sa16_21"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Sa16_22"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Sa16_23"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Saul Troubled by an Evil Spirit.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1065.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>14 But the Spirit of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> departed from Saul, and an evil
|
|
spirit from the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> troubled him.
|
|
15 And Saul's servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil
|
|
spirit from God troubleth thee.
|
|
16 Let our lord now command thy servants, <I>which are</I> before
|
|
thee, to seek out a man, <I>who is</I> a cunning player on a harp:
|
|
and it shall come to pass, when the evil spirit from God is upon
|
|
thee, that he shall play with his hand, and thou shalt be well.
|
|
17 And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that
|
|
can play well, and bring <I>him</I> to me.
|
|
18 Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have
|
|
seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, <I>that is</I> cunning in
|
|
playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent
|
|
in matters, and a comely person, and the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> <I>is</I> with him.
|
|
19 Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said, Send me
|
|
David thy son, which <I>is</I> with the sheep.
|
|
20 And Jesse took an ass <I>laden</I> with bread, and a bottle of
|
|
wine, and a kid, and sent <I>them</I> by David his son unto Saul.
|
|
21 And David came to Saul, and stood before him: and he loved
|
|
him greatly; and he became his armourbearer.
|
|
22 And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, Let David, I pray thee,
|
|
stand before me; for he hath found favour in my sight.
|
|
23 And it came to pass, when the <I>evil</I> spirit from God was
|
|
upon Saul, that David took a harp, and played with his hand: so
|
|
Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed
|
|
from him.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
We have here Saul falling and David rising.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. Here is Saul made a terror to himself
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+16:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>The Spirit of the Lord departed from him.</I> He having forsaken God
|
|
and his duty, God, in a way of righteous judgment, withdrew from him
|
|
those assistances of the good Spirit with which he was directed,
|
|
animated, and encouraged in his government and wars. He lost all his
|
|
good qualities. This was the effect of his rejecting God, and an
|
|
evidence of his being rejected by him. Now God took his mercy from Saul
|
|
(as it is expressed,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sam+7:15">2 Sam. vii. 15</A>);
|
|
|
|
for, when the Spirit of the Lord departs from us, all good goes. When
|
|
men grieve and quench the Spirit, by wilful sin, he departs, and will
|
|
not always strive. The consequence of this was that <I>an evil spirit
|
|
from God troubled him.</I> Those that drive the good Spirit away from
|
|
the do of course become prey to the evil spirit. If God and his grace
|
|
do not rule us, sin and Satan will have possession of us. The devil, by
|
|
the divine permission, troubled and terrified Saul, by means of the
|
|
corrupt humours of his body and passions of his mind. He grew fretful,
|
|
and peevish, and discontented, timorous and suspicious, ever and anon
|
|
starting and trembling; he was sometimes, says Josephus, as if he had
|
|
been choked or strangled, and a perfect demoniac by fits. This made him
|
|
unfit for business, precipitate in his counsels, the contempt of his
|
|
enemies, and a burden to all about him.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. Here is David made a physician to Saul, and by this means brought
|
|
to court, a physician that helped him against the worst of diseases,
|
|
when none else could. David was newly appointed privately to the
|
|
kingdom. It would be of use to him to go to court and see the world;
|
|
and here his doing so is brought about for him without any contrivance
|
|
of his own or his friends. Note, Those whom God designs for any service
|
|
his providence shall concur with his grace to prepare and qualify for
|
|
it. Saul is distempered; his servants have the honesty and courage to
|
|
tell him what his distemper is
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+16:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>an evil spirit,</I> not by chance but <I>from God</I> and his
|
|
providence, <I>troubleth thee.</I> Now,
|
|
|
|
1. The means they all advised him to for his relief was music
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+16:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>):
|
|
|
|
"Let us have a <I>cunning player on the harp</I> to attend thee." How
|
|
much better friends had they been to him if they had advised him, since
|
|
the evil spirit was from the Lord, to give all diligence to make his
|
|
peace with God by true repentance, to send for Samuel to pray with him
|
|
and to intercede with God for him! then might he not only have had some
|
|
present relief, but the good Spirit would have returned to him. But
|
|
their project is to make him merry, and so cure him. Many whose
|
|
consciences are convinced and startled are for ever ruined by such
|
|
methods as these, which drown all care of the soul in the delights of
|
|
sense. Yet Saul's servants did not amiss to send for music as a help to
|
|
cheer up the spirits, if they had but withal sent for a prophet to give
|
|
him good counsel. And (as bishop Hall observes) it was well they did
|
|
not send for a witch or diviner, by his enchantments to cast out the
|
|
evil spirit, which has been the abominably wicked practice of some that
|
|
have worn the Christian name, who consult the devil in their distresses
|
|
and make hell their refuge. It will be no less than a miracle of divine
|
|
grace if those who thus agree with Satan ever break off from him again.
|
|
|
|
2. One of his servants recommended David to him, as a fit person to be
|
|
employed in the use of these means, little imagining that he was the
|
|
man whom Samuel meant when he told Saul of a neighbour of his, better
|
|
than he, who should have the kingdom,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+15:28"><I>ch.</I> xv. 28</A>.
|
|
|
|
It is a very high character which the servant of Saul's here gives of
|
|
David
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+16:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>),
|
|
|
|
that he was not only fit for his purpose as a comely person and skilful
|
|
in playing, but a man of courage and conduct, a mighty valiant man, and
|
|
prudent in all matters, fit to be further preferred, and (which crowned
|
|
his character) <I>the Lord is with him.</I> By this it appears that
|
|
though David, after he was anointed, returned to his country business,
|
|
and there remained on his head no marks of the oil, so careful was he
|
|
to keep that secret, yet the workings of the Spirit signified by the
|
|
oil could not be hid, but made him shine in obscurity, so that all his
|
|
neighbours observed with wonder the great improvements of his mind on a
|
|
sudden. David, even in his shepherd's garb, has become an oracle, a
|
|
champion, and every thing that is great. His fame reached the court
|
|
soon, for Saul was inquisitive after such young men,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+14:52"><I>ch.</I> xiv. 52</A>.
|
|
|
|
When the Spirit of God comes upon a man he will make his face to shine.
|
|
|
|
3. David is hereupon sent for to court. And it seems,
|
|
|
|
(1.) His father was very willing to part with him, sent him very
|
|
readily, and a present with him to Saul,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+16:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>.
|
|
|
|
The present was, according to the usage of those times, bread and wine
|
|
(compare,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+10:3,4"><I>ch.</I> x. 3, 4</A>),
|
|
|
|
therefore acceptable because expressive of the homage and allegiance of
|
|
him that sent it. Probably Jesse, who knew what his son David was
|
|
designed for, was aware that Providence was herein fitting him for it,
|
|
and therefore he would not force Providence by sending him to court
|
|
uncalled, yet he followed Providence very cheerfully when he saw it
|
|
plainly putting him into the way of preferment. Some suggest that when
|
|
Jesse received that message, <I>Send me David thy son,</I> he began to
|
|
be afraid that Saul had got some intimation of his being anointed, and
|
|
sent for him to do him a mischief, and therefore Jesse sent a present
|
|
to pacify him; but it is probable that the person, whoever he was, that
|
|
brought the message, gave him an account on what design he was sent
|
|
for.
|
|
|
|
(2.) Saul became very kind to him
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+16:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>loved him greatly,</I> and designed to <I>make him his
|
|
armour-bearer,</I> and (contrary to the manner of the king,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+8:11"><I>ch.</I> viii. 11</A>)
|
|
|
|
asked his father's leave to keep him in his service
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+16:22"><I>v.</I> 22</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Let David, I pray thee, stand before me.</I> And good reason he had
|
|
to respect him, for he did him a great deal of service with his music,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+16:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>.
|
|
|
|
Only his instrumental music with his harp is mentioned, but it should
|
|
seem, by the account Josephus gives, that he added vocal music to it,
|
|
and sung hymns, probably divine hymns, songs of praise, to his harp.
|
|
David's music was Saul's physic.
|
|
|
|
[1.] Music has a natural tendency to compose and exhilarate the mind,
|
|
when it is disturbed and saddened. Elisha used it for the calming of
|
|
his spirits,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+3:15">2 Kings iii. 15</A>.
|
|
|
|
On some it has a greater influence and effect than on others, and,
|
|
probably, Saul was one of those. Not that it charmed the evil spirit,
|
|
but it made his spirit sedate, and allayed those tumults of the animal
|
|
spirits by which the devil had advantage against him. The beams of the
|
|
sun (it is the learned Bochart's comparison) cannot be cut with a
|
|
sword, quenched with water, or blown out with wind, but, by closing the
|
|
window-shutters, they may be kept out of the chamber. Music cannot work
|
|
upon the devil, but it may shut up the passages by which he has access
|
|
to the mind.
|
|
|
|
[2.] David's music was extraordinary, and in mercy to him, that he
|
|
might gain a reputation at court, as one that had the Lord with him.
|
|
God made his performances in music more successful, in this case, than
|
|
those of others would have been. Saul found, even after he had
|
|
conceived an enmity to David, that no one else could do him the same
|
|
service
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+19:9,10"><I>ch.</I> xix. 9, 10</A>),
|
|
|
|
which was a great aggravation of his outrage against him. It is a pity
|
|
that music, which may be so serviceable to the good temper of the mind,
|
|
should ever be abused by any to the support of vanity and luxury, and
|
|
made an occasion of drawing the heart away from God and serious things:
|
|
if this be to any the effect of it, it drives away the good Spirit, not
|
|
the evil spirit.</P>
|
|
|
|
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