mh_parser/vol_split/10 - 2Samuel/Chapter 1.xml

<div2 id="iiSam.ii" n="ii" next="iiSam.iii" prev="iiSam.i" progress="39.37%" title="Chapter I">
<h2 id="iiSam.ii-p0.1">S E C O N D   S A M U E L</h2>
<h3 id="iiSam.ii-p0.2">CHAP. I.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="iiSam.ii-p1">In the close of the foregoing book (with which
this is connected as a continuation of the same history) we had
Saul's exit; he went down slain to the pit, though he was the
terror of the mighty in the land of the living. We are now to look
towards the rising sun, and to enquire where David is, and what he
is doing. In this chapter we have, I. Tidings brought him to Ziklag
of the death of Saul and Jonathan, by an Amalekite, who undertook
to give him a particular narrative of it, <scripRef id="iiSam.ii-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.1.1-2Sam.1.10" parsed="|2Sam|1|1|1|10" passage="2Sa 1:1-10">ver. 1-10</scripRef>. II. David's sorrowful reception
of these tidings, <scripRef id="iiSam.ii-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.1.11-2Sam.1.12" parsed="|2Sam|1|11|1|12" passage="2Sa 1:11,12">ver. 11,
12</scripRef>. III. Justice done upon the messenger, who boasted
that he had helped Saul to dispatch himself, <scripRef id="iiSam.ii-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.1.13-2Sam.1.16" parsed="|2Sam|1|13|1|16" passage="2Sa 1:13-16">ver. 13-16</scripRef>. IV. An elegy which David
penned upon this occasion, <scripRef id="iiSam.ii-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.1.17-2Sam.1.27" parsed="|2Sam|1|17|1|27" passage="2Sa 1:17-27">ver.
17-27</scripRef>. And in all this David's breast appears very
happily free from the sparks both of revenge and ambition, and he
observes a very suitable demeanour.</p>
<scripCom id="iiSam.ii-p0.1_1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.1" parsed="|2Sam|1|0|0|0" passage="2Sa 1" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="iiSam.ii-p0.2_1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.1.1-2Sam.1.10" parsed="|2Sam|1|1|1|10" passage="2Sa 1:1-10" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:2Sam.1.1-2Sam.1.10">
<h4 id="iiSam.ii-p1.7">David's Concern at Saul's
Fate. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iiSam.ii-p1.8">b. c.</span> 1055.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iiSam.ii-p2">1 Now it came to pass after the death of Saul,
when David was returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, and
David had abode two days in Ziklag;   2 It came even to pass
on the third day, that, behold, a man came out of the camp from
Saul with his clothes rent, and earth upon his head: and <i>so</i>
it was, when he came to David, that he fell to the earth, and did
obeisance.   3 And David said unto him, From whence comest
thou? And he said unto him, Out of the camp of Israel am I escaped.
  4 And David said unto him, How went the matter? I pray thee,
tell me. And he answered, That the people are fled from the battle,
and many of the people also are fallen and dead; and Saul and
Jonathan his son are dead also.   5 And David said unto the
young man that told him, How knowest thou that Saul and Jonathan
his son be dead?   6 And the young man that told him said, As
I happened by chance upon mount Gilboa, behold, Saul leaned upon
his spear; and, lo, the chariots and horsemen followed hard after
him.   7 And when he looked behind him, he saw me, and called
unto me. And I answered, Here <i>am</i> I.   8 And he said
unto me, Who <i>art</i> thou? And I answered him, I <i>am</i> an
Amalekite.   9 He said unto me again, Stand, I pray thee, upon
me, and slay me: for anguish is come upon me, because my life
<i>is</i> yet whole in me.   10 So I stood upon him, and slew
him, because I was sure that he could not live after that he was
fallen: and I took the crown that <i>was</i> upon his head, and the
bracelet that <i>was</i> on his arm, and have brought them hither
unto my lord.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.ii-p3">Here is, I. David settling again in Ziklag,
his own city, after he had rescued his family and friends out of
the hands of the Amalekites (<scripRef id="iiSam.ii-p3.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.1.1" parsed="|2Sam|1|1|0|0" passage="2Sa 1:1"><i>v.</i>
1</scripRef>): He <i>abode in Ziklag.</i> Thence he was now sending
presents to his friends (<scripRef id="iiSam.ii-p3.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.30.26" parsed="|1Sam|30|26|0|0" passage="1Sa 30:26">1 Sam. xxx.
26</scripRef>), and there he was ready to receive those that came
into his interests; not men in distress and debt, as his first
followers were, but persons of quality in their country, <i>mighty
men, men of war,</i> and <i>captains of thousands</i> (as we find,
<scripRef id="iiSam.ii-p3.3" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.12.1 Bible:1Chr.12.8 Bible:1Chr.12.20" parsed="|1Chr|12|1|0|0;|1Chr|12|8|0|0;|1Chr|12|20|0|0" passage="1Ch 12:1,8,20">1 Chron. xii. 1, 8,
20</scripRef>); such came day by day to him, God stirring up their
hearts to do so, till he had a <i>great host, like the host of
God,</i> as it is said, <scripRef id="iiSam.ii-p3.4" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.12.22" parsed="|1Chr|12|22|0|0" passage="1Ch 12:22">1 Chron. xii.
22</scripRef>. The secret springs of revolutions are unaccountable,
and must be resolved into that Providence which turns all hearts as
the rivers of water.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.ii-p4">II. Intelligence brought him thither of the
death of Saul. It was strange that he did not leave some spies
about the camp, to bring him early notice of the issue of the
engagement, a sign that he desired not Saul's woeful day, nor was
impatient to come to the throne, but willing to wait till those
tidings were brought to him which many a one would have sent more
than half-way to meet. He that believes does not make haste, takes
good news when it comes and is not uneasy while it is in the
coming. 1. The messenger presents himself to David as an express,
in the posture of a mourner for the deceased prince and a subject
to the succeeding one. He came with his clothes rent, and made
obeisance to David (<scripRef id="iiSam.ii-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.1.2" parsed="|2Sam|1|2|0|0" passage="2Sa 1:2"><i>v.</i>
2</scripRef>), pleasing himself with the fancy that he had the
honour to be the first that did him homage as his sovereign, but it
proved he was the first that received from him sentence of death as
his judge. He told David he came from the camp of Israel, and
intimated the bad posture it was in when he said he had escaped out
of it, having much ado to get away with his life, <scripRef id="iiSam.ii-p4.2" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.1.3" parsed="|2Sam|1|3|0|0" passage="2Sa 1:3"><i>v.</i> 3</scripRef>. 2. He gives him a general
account of the issue of the battle. David was very desirous to know
how the matter went, as one that had more reason than any to be
concerned for the public; and he told him very distinctly that the
army of Israel was routed, many slain, and, among the rest, Saul
and Jonathan, <scripRef id="iiSam.ii-p4.3" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.1.4" parsed="|2Sam|1|4|0|0" passage="2Sa 1:4"><i>v.</i> 4</scripRef>.
He named only Saul and Jonathan, because he knew David would be
most solicitous to know their fate; for Saul was the man whom he
most feared and Jonathan the man whom he most loved. 3. He gives
him a more particular account of the death of Saul. It is probable
that David had heard, by the report of others, what the issue of
the war was, for multitudes resorted to him, it should seem, in
consequence; but he was desirous to know the certainty of the
report concerning Saul and Jonathan, either because he was not
forward to believe it or because he would not proceed upon it to
make his own claims till he was fully assured of it. He therefore
asks, <i>How knowest thou that Saul and Jonathan are dead?</i> in
answer to which the young man tells him a very ready story, putting
it past doubt that Saul was dead, for he himself had been not only
an eye-witness of his death, but an instrument of it, and therefore
David might rely upon his testimony. He says nothing, in his
narrative, of the death of Jonathan, knowing how ungrateful that
would be to David, but accounts only for Saul, thinking (as David
understood it well enough, <scripRef id="iiSam.ii-p4.4" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.4.10" parsed="|2Sam|4|10|0|0" passage="2Sa 4:10"><i>ch.</i>
iv. 10</scripRef>) that he should be welcome for that, and rewarded
as one that brought good tidings. The account he gives of this
matter is, (1.) Very particular. That he happened to go to the
place where Saul was (<scripRef id="iiSam.ii-p4.5" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.1.6" parsed="|2Sam|1|6|0|0" passage="2Sa 1:6"><i>v.</i>
6</scripRef>) as a passenger, not as a soldier, and therefore an
indifferent person, that he found Saul endeavouring to run himself
through with his own spear, none of his attendants being willing to
do it for him; and, it seems, he could not do it dexterously for
himself: his hand and heart failed him. The miserable man had not
courage enough either to live or die; he therefore called this
stranger to him (<scripRef id="iiSam.ii-p4.6" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.1.7" parsed="|2Sam|1|7|0|0" passage="2Sa 1:7"><i>v.</i>
7</scripRef>), enquired what countryman he was, for, provided he
was not a Philistine, he would gladly receive from his hand the
<i>coup de grace</i> (as the French call it concerning those that
are broken on the wheel)—<i>the merciful stroke,</i> that might
dispatch him out of his pain. Understanding that he was an
Amalekite (neither one of his subjects nor one of his enemies), he
begs this favour from him (<scripRef id="iiSam.ii-p4.7" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.1.9" parsed="|2Sam|1|9|0|0" passage="2Sa 1:9"><i>v.</i>
9</scripRef>): <i>Stand upon me, and slay me.</i> He is now sick of
his dignity and willing to be trampled upon, sick of his life and
willing to be slain. Who then would be inordinately fond of life or
honour? The case may he such, even with those that have no hope in
their death, that yet they may <i>desire to die, and death flee
from them,</i> <scripRef id="iiSam.ii-p4.8" osisRef="Bible:Rev.9.6" parsed="|Rev|9|6|0|0" passage="Re 9:6">Rev. ix. 6</scripRef>.
<i>Anguish has come upon me;</i> so we read it, as a complaint of
the pain and terror his spirit was seized with. If his conscience
now brought to mind the javelin he had cast at David, his pride,
malice, and perfidiousness, and especially the murder of the
priests, no marvel that anguish came upon him: moles (they say)
open their eyes when they are dying. Sense of unpardoned guilt will
make death indeed the king of terrors. Those that have baffled
their convictions will perhaps, in their dying moments, be
overpowered by them. The margin reads it as a complaint of the
inconvenience of his clothes; that his coat of mail which he had
for defence, or his embroidered coat which he had for ornament,
hindered him, that he could not get the spear far enough into his
body, or so straitened him, now that his body swelled with anguish,
that he could not expire. Let no man's clothes be his pride, for it
may so happen that they may be his burden and snare. "Hereupon,"
saith our young man, "<i>I stood upon him, and slew him</i>"
(<scripRef id="iiSam.ii-p4.9" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.1.10" parsed="|2Sam|1|10|0|0" passage="2Sa 1:10"><i>v.</i> 10</scripRef>) at which
word, perhaps, he observed David look upon him with some show of
displeasure, and therefore he excuses himself in the next words:
"<i>For I was sure he could not live;</i> his life was whole in him
indeed, but he would certainly have fallen into the hands of the
Philistines or given himself another thrust." (2.) It is doubtful
whether this story be true. If it be, the righteousness of God is
to be observed, that Saul, who spared the Amalekites in contempt of
the divine command, received his death's wound from an Amalekite.
But most interpreters think that it was false, and that, though he
might happen to be present, yet he was not assisting in the death
of Saul, but told David so in expectation that he would reward him
for it, as having done him a piece of good service. Those who would
rejoice at the fall of an enemy are apt to measure others by
themselves, and to think that they will do so too. But a man after
God's own heart is not to be judged of by common men. I am not
clear whether this young man's story was true or no: it may consist
with the narrative in the chapter before, and be an addition to it,
as Peter's account of the death of Judas (<scripRef id="iiSam.ii-p4.10" osisRef="Bible:Acts.1.18" parsed="|Acts|1|18|0|0" passage="Ac 1:18">Acts i. 18</scripRef>) is to the narrative, <scripRef id="iiSam.ii-p4.11" osisRef="Bible:Matt.27.5" parsed="|Matt|27|5|0|0" passage="Mt 27:5">Matt. xxvii. 5</scripRef>. What is there called
<i>a sword</i> may here be called <i>a spear,</i> or when he fell
upon his sword he leaned on his spear. (3.) However he produced
that which was proof sufficient of the death of Saul, the crown
that was upon his head and the bracelet that was on his arm. It
should seem Saul was so foolishly fond of these as to wear them in
the field of battle, which made him a fair mark for the archers, by
distinguishing him from those about him; but as <i>pride</i> (we
say) <i>feels no cold,</i> so it fears no danger, from that which
gratifies it. These fell into the hands of this Amalekite. Saul
spared the best of their spoil, and now the best of his came to one
of that devoted nation. He brought them to David, as the rightful
owner of them now that Saul was dead, not doubting but by his
officiousness herein to recommend himself to the best preferments
in his court or camp. The tradition of the Jews is that this
Amalekite was the son of Doeg (for the Amalekites were descendants
from Edom), and that Doeg, who they suppose was Saul's
armour-bearer, before he slew himself gave Saul's crown and
bracelet (the ensigns of his royalty) to his son, and bade him
carry them to David, to curry favour with him. But this is a
groundless conceit. Doeg's son, it is likely, was so well known to
Saul that he needed not ask him as he did this Amalekite (<scripRef id="iiSam.ii-p4.12" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.1.8" parsed="|2Sam|1|8|0|0" passage="2Sa 1:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>), <i>Who art thou?</i>
David had been long waiting for the crown, and now it was brought
to him by an Amalekite. See how God can serve his own purposes of
kindness to his people, even by designing (ill-designing) men, who
aim at nothing but to set up themselves.</p>
</div><scripCom id="iiSam.ii-p0.3" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.1.11-2Sam.1.16" parsed="|2Sam|1|11|1|16" passage="2Sa 1:11-16" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:2Sam.1.11-2Sam.1.16">
<p class="passage" id="iiSam.ii-p5">11 Then David took hold on his clothes, and rent
them; and likewise all the men that <i>were</i> with him:   12
And they mourned, and wept, and fasted until even, for Saul, and
for Jonathan his son, and for the people of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiSam.ii-p5.1">Lord</span>, and for the house of Israel; because they
were fallen by the sword.   13 And David said unto the young
man that told him, Whence <i>art</i> thou? And he answered, I
<i>am</i> the son of a stranger, an Amalekite.   14 And David
said unto him, How wast thou not afraid to stretch forth thine hand
to destroy the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiSam.ii-p5.2">Lord</span>'s anointed?
  15 And David called one of the young men, and said, Go near,
<i>and</i> fall upon him. And he smote him that he died.   16
And David said unto him, Thy blood <i>be</i> upon thy head; for thy
mouth hath testified against thee, saying, I have slain the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiSam.ii-p5.3">Lord</span>'s anointed.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.ii-p6">Here is, I. David's reception of these
tidings. So far was he from falling into a transport of joy, as the
Amalekite expected, that he fell into a passion of weeping, <i>rent
his clothes</i> (<scripRef id="iiSam.ii-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.1.11" parsed="|2Sam|1|11|0|0" passage="2Sa 1:11"><i>v.</i>
11</scripRef>), <i>mourned and fasted</i> (<scripRef id="iiSam.ii-p6.2" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.1.12" parsed="|2Sam|1|12|0|0" passage="2Sa 1:12"><i>v.</i> 12</scripRef>), not only for his people Israel
and Jonathan his friend but for Saul his enemy. This he did, not
only as a man of honour, in observance of that decorum which
forbids us to insult over those that are fallen, and requires us to
attend our relations to the grave with respect, whatever we lost by
their life or got by their death, but as a good man and a man of
conscience, that had forgiven the injuries Saul had done him and
bore him no malice. He knew it, before his son wrote it (<scripRef id="iiSam.ii-p6.3" osisRef="Bible:Prov.24.17-Prov.24.18" parsed="|Prov|24|17|24|18" passage="Pr 24:17,18">Prov. xxiv. 17, 18</scripRef>), that if we
<i>rejoice when our enemy falls the Lord sees it, and it displeases
him;</i> and that <i>he who is glad at calamities shall not go
unpunished,</i> <scripRef id="iiSam.ii-p6.4" osisRef="Bible:Prov.17.5" parsed="|Prov|17|5|0|0" passage="Pr 17:5">Prov. xvii.
5</scripRef>. By this it appears that those passages in David's
psalms which express his desire of, and triumph in, the ruin of his
enemies, proceeded not from a spirit of revenge, nor any irregular
passion, but from a holy zeal for the glory of God and the public
good; for by what he did here, when he heard of Saul's death, we
may perceive that his natural temper was very tender, and that he
was kindly affected even to those that hated him. He was very
sincere, no question, in his mourning for Saul, and it was not
pretended, or a copy of his countenance only. His passion was so
strong, on this occasion, that it moved those about him; <i>all
that were with him,</i> at least in complaisance to him, <i>rent
their clothes,</i> and they <i>fasted till even,</i> in token of
their sorrow; and probably it was a religious fast: they humbled
themselves under the hand of God, and prayed for the repairing of
the breaches made upon Israel by this defeat.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.ii-p7">II. The reward he gave to him that brought
him the tidings. Instead of preferring him, he put him to death,
judged him out of his own mouth, as a murderer of his prince, and
ordered him to be forthwith executed for the same. What a surprise
was this to the messenger, who thought he should have favour shown
him for his pains. In vain did he plead that he had Saul's order
for it, that it was a real kindness to him, that he must inevitably
have died; all those pleas are overruled: "<i>Thy mouth has
testified against thee, saying, I have slain the Lord's
anointed</i> (<scripRef id="iiSam.ii-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.1.16" parsed="|2Sam|1|16|0|0" passage="2Sa 1:16"><i>v.</i>
16</scripRef>), therefore thou must die." Now,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.ii-p8">1. David herein did not do unjustly. For,
(1.) The man was an Amalekite. This, lest he should have mistaken
it in his narrative, he made him own a second time, <scripRef id="iiSam.ii-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.1.13" parsed="|2Sam|1|13|0|0" passage="2Sa 1:13"><i>v.</i> 13</scripRef>. That nation, and all
that belonged to it, were doomed to destruction, so that, in
slaying him, David did what his predecessor should have done and
was rejected for not doing. (2.) He did himself confess the crime,
so that the evidence was, by the consent of all laws, sufficient to
convict him; for every man is presumed to make the best of himself.
If he did as he said, he deserved to die for treason (<scripRef id="iiSam.ii-p8.2" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.1.14" parsed="|2Sam|1|14|0|0" passage="2Sa 1:14"><i>v.</i> 14</scripRef>), doing that which, it
is probable, he heard Saul's own armour-bearer refuse to do; if
not, yet by boasting that he had done it he plainly showed that if
there had been occasion he would have done it, and would have made
nothing of it; and, by boasting of it to David, he showed what
opinion he had of him, that he would rejoice in it, as one
altogether like himself, which was an intolerable affront to him
who had himself once and again refused to <i>stretch forth his hand
against the Lord's anointed.</i> And his lying to David, if indeed
it was a lie, was highly criminal, and proved, as sooner or later
that sin will prove, lying against his own head.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.ii-p9">2. He did honourably and well. Hereby he
demonstrated the sincerity of his grief, discouraged all others
from thinking by doing the like to ingratiate themselves with him,
and did that which might probably oblige the house of Saul and win
upon them, and recommend him to the people as one that was zealous
for public justice, without regard to his own private interest. We
may learn from it that to give assistance to any in murdering
themselves, directly or indirectly, if done wittingly, incurs the
guilt of blood, and that the lives of princes ought to be, in a
special manner, precious to us.</p>
</div><scripCom id="iiSam.ii-p0.4" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.1.17-2Sam.1.27" parsed="|2Sam|1|17|1|27" passage="2Sa 1:17-27" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:2Sam.1.17-2Sam.1.27">
<h4 id="iiSam.ii-p9.2">David's Lamentation for
Jonathan. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iiSam.ii-p9.3">b. c.</span> 1055.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iiSam.ii-p10">17 And David lamented with this lamentation over
Saul and over Jonathan his son:   18 (Also he bade them teach
the children of Judah <i>the use of</i> the bow: behold, <i>it
is</i> written in the book of Jasher.)   19 The beauty of
Israel is slain upon thy high places: how are the mighty fallen!
  20 Tell <i>it</i> not in Gath, publish <i>it</i> not in the
streets of Askelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice,
lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.   21 Ye
mountains of Gilboa, <i>let there be</i> no dew, neither <i>let
there be</i> rain, upon you, nor fields of offerings: for there the
shield of the mighty is vilely cast away, the shield of Saul, <i>as
though he had</i> not <i>been</i> anointed with oil.   22 From
the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of
Jonathan turned not back, and the sword of Saul returned not empty.
  23 Saul and Jonathan <i>were</i> lovely and pleasant in
their lives, and in their death they were not divided: they were
swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.   24 Ye
daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet,
with <i>other</i> delights, who put on ornaments of gold upon your
apparel.   25 How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the
battle! O Jonathan, <i>thou wast</i> slain in thine high places.
  26 I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very
pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful,
passing the love of women.   27 How are the mighty fallen, and
the weapons of war perished!</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.ii-p11">When David had rent his clothes, mourned,
and wept, and fasted, for the death of Saul, and done justice upon
him who made himself guilty of it, one would think he had made full
payment of the debt of honour he owed to his memory; yet this is
not all: we have here a poem he wrote on that occasion; for he was
a great master of his pen as well as of his sword. By this elegy he
designed both to express his own sorrow for this great calamity and
to impress the like on the minds of others, who ought to lay it to
heart. The putting of lamentations into poems made them, 1. The
more moving and affecting. The passion of the poet, or singer, is,
by this way, wonderfully communicated to the readers and hearers.
2. The more lasting. Thus they were made, not only to spread far,
but to continue long, from generation to generation. Those might
gain information by poems that would not read history. Here we
have,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.ii-p12">I. The orders David gave with this elegy
(<scripRef id="iiSam.ii-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.1.18" parsed="|2Sam|1|18|0|0" passage="2Sa 1:18"><i>v.</i> 18</scripRef>): <i>He bade
them teach the children of Judah</i> (his own tribe, whatever
others did) <i>the use of the bow,</i> either. 1. The bow used in
war. Not but that the children of Judah knew how to use the bow (it
was so commonly used in war, long before this, that the sword and
bow were put for all weapons of war, <scripRef id="iiSam.ii-p12.2" osisRef="Bible:Gen.48.22" parsed="|Gen|48|22|0|0" passage="Ge 48:22">Gen. xlviii. 22</scripRef>), but perhaps they had of
late made more use of slings, as David in killing Goliath, because
cheaper, and David would have them now to see the inconvenience of
these (for it was the archers of the Philistines that bore so hard
upon Saul, <scripRef id="iiSam.ii-p12.3" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.21.3" parsed="|1Sam|21|3|0|0" passage="1Sa 21:3">1 Sam. xxi. 3</scripRef>),
and to return more generally to the use of the bow, to exercise
themselves in this weapon, that they might be in a capacity to
avenge the death of their prince upon the Philistines, and to outdo
them at their own weapon. It was a pity but those that had such
good heads and hearts as the children of Judah should be well
armed. David hereby showed his authority over and concern for the
armies of Israel, and set himself to rectify the errors of the
former reign. But we find that the companies which had now come to
David to Ziklag were armed with bows (<scripRef id="iiSam.ii-p12.4" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.12.2" parsed="|1Chr|12|2|0|0" passage="1Ch 12:2">1 Chron. xii. 2</scripRef>); therefore, 2. Some
understand it either of some musical instrument called <i>a bow</i>
(to which he would have the mournful ditties sung) or of the elegy
itself: <i>He bade them teach the children of Judah Kesheth, the
bow,</i> that is, this song, which was so entitled for the sake of
Jonathan's bow, the achievements of which are here celebrated.
Moses commanded Israel to learn his song (<scripRef id="iiSam.ii-p12.5" osisRef="Bible:Deut.31.19" parsed="|Deut|31|19|0|0" passage="De 31:19">Deut. xxxi. 19</scripRef>), so David his. Probably he
bade the Levites teach them. It is <i>written in the book of
Jasher,</i> there it was kept upon record, and thence transcribed
into this history. That book was probably a collection of
state-poems; what is said to be written in that book (<scripRef id="iiSam.ii-p12.6" osisRef="Bible:Josh.10.13" parsed="|Josh|10|13|0|0" passage="Jos 10:13">Josh. x. 13</scripRef>) is also poetical, a
fragment of an historical poem. Even songs would be forgotten and
lost if they were not committed to writing, that best conservatory
of knowledge.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.ii-p13">II. The elegy itself. It is not a divine
hymn, nor given by inspiration of God to be used in divine service,
nor is there any mention of God in it; but it is a human
composition, and therefore was inserted, not in the book of Psalms
(which, being of divine original, is preserved), but in the book of
Jasher, which, being only a collection of common poems, is long
since lost. This elegy proves David to have been,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.ii-p14">1. A man of an excellent spirit, in four
things:—</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.ii-p15">(1.) He was very generous to Saul, his
sworn enemy. Saul was his father-in-law, his sovereign, and the
anointed of the Lord; and therefore, though he had done him a great
deal of wrong, David does not wreak his revenge upon his memory
when he is in his grave; but like a good man, and a man of honour,
[1.] He conceals his faults; and, though there was no preventing
their appearance in his history, yet they should not appear in this
elegy. Charity teaches us to make the best we can of every body and
to say nothing of those of whom we can say no good, especially when
they are gone. <i>De mortuis nil nisi bonum</i>—<i>Say nothing but
good concerning the dead.</i> We ought to deny ourselves the
satisfaction of making personal reflections upon those who have
been injurious to us, much more drawing their character thence, as
if every man must of necessity be a bad man that has done ill by
us. Let the corrupt part of the memory be buried with the corrupt
part of the man—earth to earth, ashes to ashes; let the blemish be
hidden and a veil drawn over the deformity. [2.] He celebrates that
which was praiseworthy in him. He does not commend him for that
which he was not, says nothing of his piety or fidelity. Those
funeral commendations which are gathered out of the spoils of truth
are not at all to the praise of those on whom they are bestowed,
but very much the dispraise of those who unjustly misplace them.
But he has this to say in honour of Saul himself, <i>First,</i>
That he was <i>anointed with oil</i> (<scripRef id="iiSam.ii-p15.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.1.21" parsed="|2Sam|1|21|0|0" passage="2Sa 1:21"><i>v.</i> 21</scripRef>), the sacred oil, which
signified his elevation to, and qualification for, the government.
Whatever he was otherwise, the <i>crown of the anointing oil of his
God was upon him,</i> as is said of the high priest (<scripRef id="iiSam.ii-p15.2" osisRef="Bible:Lev.21.12" parsed="|Lev|21|12|0|0" passage="Le 21:12">Lev. xxi. 12</scripRef>), and on that account he
was to be honoured, because God, the fountain of honour, had
honoured him. <i>Secondly,</i> That he was a man of war, a
<i>mighty man</i> (<scripRef id="iiSam.ii-p15.3" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.1.19-2Sam.1.21" parsed="|2Sam|1|19|1|21" passage="2Sa 1:19-21"><i>v.</i>
19-21</scripRef>), that he had often been victorious over the
enemies of Israel and <i>vexed them whithersoever he turned,</i>
<scripRef id="iiSam.ii-p15.4" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.14.47" parsed="|1Sam|14|47|0|0" passage="1Sa 14:47">1 Sam. xiv. 47</scripRef>. His
<i>sword returned not empty,</i> but satiated with blood and spoil,
<scripRef id="iiSam.ii-p15.5" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.1.22" parsed="|2Sam|1|22|0|0" passage="2Sa 1:22"><i>v.</i> 22</scripRef>. His disgrace
and fall at last must not make his former successes and services to
be forgotten. Though his sun set under a cloud, time was when it
shone brightly. <i>Thirdly,</i> That take him with Jonathan he was
a man of a very agreeable temper, that recommended himself to the
affections of his subjects (<scripRef id="iiSam.ii-p15.6" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.1.23" parsed="|2Sam|1|23|0|0" passage="2Sa 1:23"><i>v.</i>
23</scripRef>): <i>Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant.</i>
Jonathan was always so, and Saul was so as long as he concurred
with him. Take them together, and in the pursuit of the enemy,
never were men more bold, more brave; they were <i>swifter than
eagles and stronger than lions.</i> Observe, Those that were most
fierce and fiery in the camp were no less sweet and lovely in the
court, as amiable to the subject as they were formidable to the
foe; a rare combination of softness and sharpness they had, which
makes any man's temper very happy. It may be understood of the
harmony and affection that for the most part subsisted between Saul
and Jonathan: they were lovely and pleasant one to another,
Jonathan a dutiful son, Saul an affectionate father; and therefore
dear to each other in their lives, and <i>in their death they were
not divided,</i> but kept close together in the stand they made
against the Philistines, and fell together in the same cause.
<i>Fourthly,</i> That he had enriched his country with the spoils
of conquered nations, and introduced a more splendid attire. When
they had a king like the nations, they must have clothes like the
nations; and herein he was, in a particular manner, obliging to his
female subjects, <scripRef id="iiSam.ii-p15.7" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.1.24" parsed="|2Sam|1|24|0|0" passage="2Sa 1:24"><i>v.</i>
24</scripRef>. The <i>daughters of Israel</i> he <i>clothed in
scarlet,</i> which was their delight.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.ii-p16">(2.) He was very grateful to Jonathan, his
sworn friend. Besides the tears he shed over him, and the encomiums
he gives of him in common with Saul, he mentions him with some
marks of distinction (<scripRef id="iiSam.ii-p16.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.1.25" parsed="|2Sam|1|25|0|0" passage="2Sa 1:25"><i>v.</i>
25</scripRef>): <i>O Jonathan! thou wast slain in thy high
places!</i> which (compared with <scripRef id="iiSam.ii-p16.2" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.1.19" parsed="|2Sam|1|19|0|0" passage="2Sa 1:19"><i>v.</i> 19</scripRef>) intimates that he meant him by
<i>the beauty of Israel,</i> which, he there says, was slain upon
the high places. He laments Jonathan as his particular friend
(<scripRef id="iiSam.ii-p16.3" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.1.26" parsed="|2Sam|1|26|0|0" passage="2Sa 1:26"><i>v.</i> 26</scripRef>): <i>My
brother, Jonathan;</i> not so much because of what he would have
been to him if he had lived, very serviceable no doubt in his
advancement to the throne and instrumental to prevent those long
struggles which, for want of his assistance, he had with the house
of Saul (had this been the only ground of his grief it would have
been selfish), but he lamented him for what he had been: "<i>Very
pleasant hast thou been unto me;</i> but that pleasantness is now
over, and <i>I am distressed for thee.</i>" He had reason to say
that Jonathan's love to him was wonderful; surely never was the
like, for a man to love one who he knew was to take the crown over
his head, and to be so faithful to his rival: this far surpassed
the highest degree of conjugal affection and constancy. See here,
[1.] That nothing is more delightful in this world than a true
friend, that is wise and good, that kindly receives and returns our
affection, and is faithful to us in all our true interests. [2.]
That nothing is more distressful than the loss of such a friend; it
is parting with a piece of one's self. It is the vanity of this
world that what is most pleasant to us we are most liable to be
distressed in. The more we love the more we grieve.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.ii-p17">(3.) He was deeply concerned for the honour
of God; for this is what he has an eye to when he fears lest <i>the
daughters of the uncircumcised,</i> that are out of covenant with
God, should triumph over Israel, and the God of Israel, <scripRef id="iiSam.ii-p17.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.1.20" parsed="|2Sam|1|20|0|0" passage="2Sa 1:20"><i>v.</i> 20</scripRef>. Good men are touched in
a very sensible part by the reproaches of those that reproach
God.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.ii-p18">(4.) He was deeply concerned for the public
welfare. It was the beauty of Israel that was slain (<scripRef id="iiSam.ii-p18.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.1.19" parsed="|2Sam|1|19|0|0" passage="2Sa 1:19"><i>v.</i> 19</scripRef>) and the honour of the
public that was disgraced: The <i>mighty have fallen</i> (this is
three times lamented, (<scripRef id="iiSam.ii-p18.2" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.1.19 Bible:2Sam.1.25 Bible:2Sam.1.27" parsed="|2Sam|1|19|0|0;|2Sam|1|25|0|0;|2Sam|1|27|0|0" passage="2Sa 1:19,25,27"><i>v.</i>
19, 25, 27</scripRef>), and so the strength of the people is
weakened. Public losses are most laid to heart by men of public
spirit. David hoped God would make him instrumental to repair those
losses and yet laments them.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.ii-p19">2. A man of a fine imagination, as well as
a wise and holy man. The expressions are all excellent, and
calculated to work upon the passions. (1.) The embargo he would
fain lay upon Fame is elegant (<scripRef id="iiSam.ii-p19.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.1.20" parsed="|2Sam|1|20|0|0" passage="2Sa 1:20"><i>v.</i> 20</scripRef>): <i>Tell it not in Gath.</i> It
grieved him to the heart to think that it would be proclaimed in
the cities of the Philistines, and that they would insult over
Israel upon it, and the more in remembrance of the triumphs of
Israel over them formerly, when they sang, <i>Saul has slain his
thousands;</i> for this would now be retorted. (2.) The curse he
entails on the mountains of Gilboa, the theatre on which this
tragedy was acted: <i>Let there be no dew upon you, nor fields of
offerings,</i> <scripRef id="iiSam.ii-p19.2" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.1.21" parsed="|2Sam|1|21|0|0" passage="2Sa 1:21"><i>v.</i>
21</scripRef>. This is a poetical strain, like that of Job, <i>Let
the day perish wherein I was born.</i> Not as if David wished that
any part of the land of Israel might be barren, but, to express his
sorrow for the thing, he speaks with a seeming indignation at the
place. Observe, [1.] How the fruitfulness of the earth depends upon
heaven. The worst thing he could wish to the mountains of Gilboa
was barrenness and unprofitableness to man: those are miserable
that are useless. It was the curse Christ pronounced on the
fig-tree, <i>Never fruit grow on thee more,</i> and that took
effect—the fig-tree withered away: this, on the mountains of
Gilboa, did not. But, when he wished them barren, he wished there
might be no rain upon them; and, if the heavens be brass, the earth
will soon be iron. [2.] How the fruitfulness of the earth must
therefore be devoted to heaven, which is intimated in his calling
the fruitful fields <i>fields of offerings.</i> Those fruits of
their land that were offered to God were the crown and glory of it:
and therefore the failure of the offerings is the saddest
consequent of the failure of the corn. See <scripRef id="iiSam.ii-p19.3" osisRef="Bible:Joel.1.9" parsed="|Joel|1|9|0|0" passage="Joe 1:9">Joel i. 9</scripRef>. To want that wherewith we should
honour God is worse than to want that wherewith we should sustain
ourselves. This is the reproach David fastens upon the mountains of
Gilboa, which, having been stained with royal blood, thereby
forfeited celestial dews. In this elegy Saul had a more honourable
interment than that which the men of Jabesh-Gilead gave him.</p>
</div></div2>