mh_parser/vol_split/9 - 1Samuel/Chapter 24.xml

<div2 id="iSam.xxv" n="xxv" next="iSam.xxvi" prev="iSam.xxiv" progress="35.95%" title="Chapter XXIV">
<h2 id="iSam.xxv-p0.1">F I R S T   S A M U E L</h2>
<h3 id="iSam.xxv-p0.2">CHAP. XXIV.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="iSam.xxv-p1">We have hitherto had Saul seeking an opportunity
to destroy David, and, to his shame, he could never find it. In
this chapter David had a fair opportunity to destroy Saul, and, to
his honour, he did not make use of it; and his sparing Saul's life
was as great an instance of God's grace in him as the preserving of
his own life was of God's providence over him. Observe, I. How
maliciously Saul sought David's life, <scripRef id="iSam.xxv-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.24.1-1Sam.24.2" parsed="|1Sam|24|1|24|2" passage="1Sa 24:1,2">ver. 1, 2</scripRef>. II. How generously David saved
Saul's life (when he had him at an advantage) and only cut off the
skirt of his robe, <scripRef id="iSam.xxv-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.24.3-1Sam.24.8" parsed="|1Sam|24|3|24|8" passage="1Sa 24:3-8">ver.
3-8</scripRef>. III. How pathetically he reasoned with Saul, upon
this to bring him to a better temper towards him, <scripRef id="iSam.xxv-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.24.9-1Sam.24.15" parsed="|1Sam|24|9|24|15" passage="1Sa 24:9-15">ver. 9-15</scripRef>. IV. The good impression
this made upon Saul for the present, <scripRef id="iSam.xxv-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.24.16-1Sam.24.22" parsed="|1Sam|24|16|24|22" passage="1Sa 24:16-22">ver. 16-22</scripRef>.</p>
<scripCom id="iSam.xxv-p0.1_1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.24" parsed="|1Sam|24|0|0|0" passage="1Sa 24" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="iSam.xxv-p0.2_1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.24.1-1Sam.24.8" parsed="|1Sam|24|1|24|8" passage="1Sa 24:1-8" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:1Sam.24.1-1Sam.24.8">
<h4 id="iSam.xxv-p1.7">David Spares Saul in the
Cave. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.xxv-p1.8">b. c.</span> 1057.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iSam.xxv-p2">1 And it came to pass, when Saul was returned
from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying,
Behold, David <i>is</i> in the wilderness of Engedi.   2 Then
Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to
seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats.   3
And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where <i>was</i> a cave;
and Saul went in to cover his feet: and David and his men remained
in the sides of the cave.   4 And the men of David said unto
him, Behold the day of which the <span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.xxv-p2.1">Lord</span> said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver
thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall
seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of
Saul's robe privily.   5 And it came to pass afterward, that
David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt.
  6 And he said unto his men, The <span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.xxv-p2.2">Lord</span> forbid that I should do this thing unto my
master, the <span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.xxv-p2.3">Lord</span>'s anointed, to
stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he <i>is</i> the
anointed of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.xxv-p2.4">Lord</span>.   7 So
David stayed his servants with these words, and suffered them not
to rise against Saul. But Saul rose up out of the cave, and went on
<i>his</i> way.   8 David also arose afterward, and went out
of the cave, and cried after Saul, saying, My lord the king. And
when Saul looked behind him, David stooped with his face to the
earth, and bowed himself.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.xxv-p3">Here, I. Saul renews his pursuit of David,
<scripRef id="iSam.xxv-p3.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.24.1-1Sam.24.2" parsed="|1Sam|24|1|24|2" passage="1Sa 24:1,2"><i>v.</i> 1, 2</scripRef>. No sooner
had he come home safely from chasing the Philistines, in which it
should seem he had good success, than he enquired after David to do
him a mischief, and resolved to have another thrust at him, <i>as
if he had been delivered to do all these abominations,</i>
<scripRef id="iSam.xxv-p3.2" osisRef="Bible:Jer.7.10" parsed="|Jer|7|10|0|0" passage="Jer 7:10">Jer. vii. 10</scripRef>. By the
frequent incursions of the Philistines, he might have seen how
necessary it was to recall David from his banishment and restore
him to his place in the army again; but so far is he from doing
this that now more than ever he is exasperated against him, and,
hearing that he is <i>in the wilderness of En-gedi,</i> he draws
out 3000 choice men, and goes with them at his feet in pursuit of
him <i>upon the rocks of the wild goats,</i> where, one would
think, David should not have been envied a habitation nor Saul
desirous of disturbing him; for what harm could he fear from one
who was no better accommodated? But it is not enough for Saul that
David is thus cooped up; he cannot be easy while he is alive.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.xxv-p4">II. Providence brings Saul alone into the
same cave wherein David and his men had hidden themselves,
<scripRef id="iSam.xxv-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.24.3" parsed="|1Sam|24|3|0|0" passage="1Sa 24:3"><i>v.</i> 3</scripRef>. In those
countries there were very large caves in the sides of the rocks or
mountains, partly natural, but probably much enlarged by art for
the sheltering of sheep from the heat of the sun; hence we read of
places where the flocks did rest at noon (<scripRef id="iSam.xxv-p4.2" osisRef="Bible:Song.1.7" parsed="|Song|1|7|0|0" passage="So 1:7">Cant. i. 7</scripRef>), and this cave seems to be spoken
of as one of the sheep-cotes. In the sides of this cave David and
his men remained, perhaps not all his men, the whole 600, but only
some few of his particular friends, the rest being disposed of in
similar retirements. Saul, passing by, turned in himself alone, not
in search of David (for, supposing him to be an aspiring ambitious
man, he thought to find him rather climbing with the wild goats
upon the rocks than retiring with the sheep into a cave), but
thither he turned aside to <i>cover his feet,</i> that is, to sleep
awhile, it being a cool and quiet place, and very refreshing in the
heat of the day; probably he ordered his attendants to march
before, reserving only a very few to wait for him at the mouth of
the cave. Some by the covering of the feet understand the easing of
nature, and think that this was Saul's errand into the cave: but
the former interpretation is more probable.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.xxv-p5">III. David's servants stir him up to kill
Saul now that he has so fair an opportunity to do it, <scripRef id="iSam.xxv-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.24.4" parsed="|1Sam|24|4|0|0" passage="1Sa 24:4"><i>v.</i> 4</scripRef>. They reminded him that
this was the day which he had long looked for, and of which God had
spoken to him in general when he was anointed to the kingdom, which
should put a period to his troubles and open the passage to his
advancement. Saul now lay at his mercy, and it was easy to imagine
how little mercy he would find with Saul and therefore what little
reason he had to show mercy to him. "By all means" (say his
servants) "give him the fatal blow now." See how apt we are to
misunderstand, 1. The promises of God. God had assured David that
he would deliver him from Saul, and his men interpret this as a
warrant to destroy Saul. 2. The providences of God. Because it was
now in his power to kill him, they concluded he might lawfully do
it.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.xxv-p6">IV. David <i>cut off the skirt of his
robe,</i> but soon repented that he had done this: <i>His heart
smote him</i> for it (<scripRef id="iSam.xxv-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.24.5" parsed="|1Sam|24|5|0|0" passage="1Sa 24:5"><i>v.</i>
5</scripRef>); though it did Saul no real hurt, and served David
for a proof that it was in his power to have killed him (<scripRef id="iSam.xxv-p6.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.24.11" parsed="|1Sam|24|11|0|0" passage="1Sa 24:11"><i>v.</i> 11</scripRef>), yet, because it was
an affront to Saul's royal dignity, he wished he had not done it.
Note, It is a good thing to have a heart within us smiting us for
sins that seem little; it is a sign that conscience is awake and
tender, and will be the means of preventing greater sins.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.xxv-p7">V. He reasons strongly both with himself
and with his servants against doing Saul any hurt. 1. He reasons
with himself (<scripRef id="iSam.xxv-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.24.6" parsed="|1Sam|24|6|0|0" passage="1Sa 24:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>):
<i>The Lord forbid that I should do this thing.</i> Note, Sin is a
thing which it becomes us to startle at, and to resist the
temptations to, not only with resolution, but with a holy
indignation. He considered Saul now, not as his enemy, and the only
person that stood in the way of his preferment (for then he would
be induced to hearken to the temptation), but as God's anointed
(that is, the person whom God had appointed to reign as long as he
lived, and who, as such, was under the particular protection of the
divine law), and as his master, to whom he was obliged to be
faithful. Let servants and subjects learn hence to be dutiful and
loyal, whatever hardships are put upon them, <scripRef id="iSam.xxv-p7.2" osisRef="Bible:1Pet.2.18" parsed="|1Pet|2|18|0|0" passage="1Pe 2:18">1 Pet. ii. 18</scripRef>. 2. He reasons with his
servants: <i>He suffered them not to rise against Saul,</i>
<scripRef id="iSam.xxv-p7.3" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.24.7" parsed="|1Sam|24|7|0|0" passage="1Sa 24:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>. He would not
only not do this evil thing himself, but he would not suffer those
about him to do it. Thus did he render good for evil to him from
whom he had received evil for good, and was herein both a type of
Christ, who saved his persecutors, and an example to all Christians
not to be <i>overcome of evil, but to overcome evil with
good.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.xxv-p8">VI. He followed Saul out of the cave, and,
though he would not take the opportunity to slay him, yet he wisely
took the opportunity, if possible, to slay his enmity, by
convincing him that he was not such a man as he took him for. 1.
Even in showing his head now he testified that he had an honourable
opinion of Saul. He had too much reason to believe that, let him
say what he would, Saul would immediately be the death of him as
soon as he saw him, and yet he bravely lays aside that jealousy,
and thinks Saul so much a man of sense as to hear his reasoning
when he had so much to say in his own vindication and such fresh
and sensible proofs to give of his own integrity. 2. His behaviour
was very respectful: He <i>stooped with his face to the earth, and
bowed himself,</i> giving honour to whom honour was due, and
teaching us to order ourselves lowly and reverently to all our
superiors, even to those that have been most injurious to us.</p>
</div><scripCom id="iSam.xxv-p0.3" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.24.9-1Sam.24.15" parsed="|1Sam|24|9|24|15" passage="1Sa 24:9-15" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:1Sam.24.9-1Sam.24.15">
<h4 id="iSam.xxv-p8.2">David Expostulates with
Saul. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.xxv-p8.3">b. c.</span> 1057.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iSam.xxv-p9">9 And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou
men's words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt?   10
Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the <span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.xxv-p9.1">Lord</span> had delivered thee to day into mine hand in
the cave: and <i>some</i> bade <i>me</i> kill thee: but <i>mine
eye</i> spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth mine hand
against my lord; for he <i>is</i> the <span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.xxv-p9.2">Lord</span>'s anointed.   11 Moreover, my father,
see, yea, see the skirt of thy robe in my hand: for in that I cut
off the skirt of thy robe, and killed thee not, know thou and see
that <i>there is</i> neither evil nor transgression in mine hand,
and I have not sinned against thee; yet thou huntest my soul to
take it.   12 The <span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.xxv-p9.3">Lord</span> judge
between me and thee, and the <span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.xxv-p9.4">Lord</span>
avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.   13
As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from
the wicked: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.   14 After
whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue?
after a dead dog, after a flea.   15 The <span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.xxv-p9.5">Lord</span> therefore be judge, and judge between me
and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thine
hand.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.xxv-p10">We have here David's warm and pathetic
speech to Saul, wherein he endeavours to convince him that he did
him a great deal of wrong in persecuting him thus and to persuade
him therefore to be reconciled.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.xxv-p11">I. He calls him <i>father</i> (<scripRef id="iSam.xxv-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.24.11" parsed="|1Sam|24|11|0|0" passage="1Sa 24:11"><i>v.</i> 11</scripRef>), for he was not only,
as king, the father of his country, but he was, in particular, his
father-in-law. From a father one may expect compassion and a
favourable opinion. For a prince to seek the ruin of any of his
good subjects is as unnatural as for a father to seek the ruin of
his own children.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.xxv-p12">II. He lays the blame of his rage against
him upon his evil counsellors: <i>Wherefore hearest thou men's
words?</i> <scripRef id="iSam.xxv-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.24.9" parsed="|1Sam|24|9|0|0" passage="1Sa 24:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>. It
is a piece of respect due to crowned heads, if they do amiss, to
charge it upon those about them, who either advised them to it or
should have advised them against it. David had reason enough to
think that Saul persecuted him purely from his own envy and malice,
yet he courteously supposes that others put him on to do it, and
made him believe that David was his enemy and sought his hurt.
Satan, the great accuser of the brethren, has his agents in all
places, and particularly in the courts of those princes that
encourage them and give ear to them, who make it their business to
represent the people of God as enemies to Caesar and hurtful to
kings and provinces, that, being thus dressed up in bear-skins,
they may "be baited."</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.xxv-p13">III. He solemnly protests his own
innocence, and that he is far from designing any hurt or mischief
to Saul: "<i>There is neither evil nor transgression in my
hand,</i> <scripRef id="iSam.xxv-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.24.11" parsed="|1Sam|24|11|0|0" passage="1Sa 24:11"><i>v.</i> 11</scripRef>. I
am not chargeable with any crime, nor conscious of any guilt, and,
had I a window in my breast, thou mightest through it see the
sincerity of my heart in this protestation: <i>I have not sinned
against thee</i> (however I have sinned against God), <i>yet thou
huntest my soul,</i>" that is, "my life." Perhaps it was about this
time that David penned the seventh psalm, concerning the affair of
Cush the Benjamite (that is, Saul, as some think), wherein he thus
appeals to God (<scripRef id="iSam.xxv-p13.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.24.3-1Sam.24.5" parsed="|1Sam|24|3|24|5" passage="1Sa 24:3-5"><i>v.</i>
3-5</scripRef>): <i>If there be iniquity in my hands, then let the
enemy persecute my soul and take it,</i> putting in a parenthesis,
with reference to the story of this chapter, <i>Yea, I have
delivered him that without cause is my enemy.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.xxv-p14">IV. He produces undeniable evidence to
prove the falsehood of the suggestion upon which Saul's malice
against him was grounded. David was charged with seeking Saul's
hurt: "<i>See,</i>" says he, "<i>yea, see the skirt of thy
robe,</i> <scripRef id="iSam.xxv-p14.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.24.11" parsed="|1Sam|24|11|0|0" passage="1Sa 24:11"><i>v.</i> 11</scripRef>.
Let this be a witness for me, and an unexceptionable witness it is;
had that been true of which I am accused, I should now have had thy
head in my hand and not the skirt of thy robe, for I could as
easily have cut off that as this." To corroborate this evidence he
shows him, 1. That God's providence had given him opportunity to do
it: <i>The lord delivered thee,</i> very surprisingly, <i>to day
into my hand,</i> whence many a one would have gathered an
intimation that it was the will of God he should now give the
determining blow to him whose neck lay so fair for it. When Saul
had but a very small advantage against David he cried out, <i>God
has delivered him into my hand</i> (<scripRef id="iSam.xxv-p14.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.23.7" parsed="|1Sam|23|7|0|0" passage="1Sa 23:7"><i>ch.</i> xxiii. 7</scripRef>), and resolved to make
the best of that advantage; but David did not so. 2. That his
counsellors and those about him had earnestly besought him to do
it: <i>Some bade me kill thee.</i> He had blamed Saul for
hearkening to men's words and justly; "for," says he, "if I had
done so, thou wouldest not have been alive now." 3. That it was
upon a good principle that he refused to do it; not because Saul's
attendants were at hand, who, it may be, would have avenged his
death; no, it was not by the fear of them, but by the fear of God,
that he was restrained from it. "He is my lord, and the Lord's
anointed, whom I ought to protect, and to whom I owe faith and
allegiance, and therefore I said, I will not touch a hair of his
head." Such a happy command he had of himself that his nature, in
the midst of the greatest provocation, was not suffered to rebel
against his principles.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.xxv-p15">V. He declares it to be his fixed
resolution never to be his own avenger: "<i>The Lord avenge me of
thee,</i> that is, deliver me out of thy hand; but, whatever comes
of it, <i>my hand shall not be upon thee</i>" (<scripRef id="iSam.xxv-p15.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.24.12" parsed="|1Sam|24|12|0|0" passage="1Sa 24:12"><i>v.</i> 12</scripRef>), and again (<scripRef id="iSam.xxv-p15.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.24.13" parsed="|1Sam|24|13|0|0" passage="1Sa 24:13"><i>v.</i> 13</scripRef>), for <i>saith the proverb of
the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked.</i> The wisdom
of the ancients is transmitted to posterity by their proverbial
sayings. Many such we receive by tradition from our fathers; and
the counsels of common persons are very much directed by this, "As
the old saying is." Here is one that was in use in David's time:
<i>Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked,</i> that is, 1. Men's own
iniquity will ruin them at last, so some understand it. Forward
furious men will cut their own throats with their own knives. Give
them rope enough, and they will hang themselves. In this sense it
comes in very fitly as a reason why <i>his hand should not be upon
him.</i> 2. Bad men will do bad things; according as men's
principles and dispositions are, so will their actions be. This
also agrees very well with the connexion. If David had been a
wicked man, as he was represented, he would have done this wicked
thing; but he durst not, because of the fear of God. Or thus:
Whatever injuries bad men do us (which we are not to wonder at; he
that lies among thorns must expect to be scratched), yet we must
not return them; never render railing for railing. Though
<i>wickedness proceed from the wicked,</i> yet let it not therefore
proceed from us by way of retaliation. Though the dog bark at the
sheep, the sheep does not bark at the dog. See <scripRef id="iSam.xxv-p15.3" osisRef="Bible:Isa.32.6-Isa.32.8" parsed="|Isa|32|6|32|8" passage="Isa 32:6-8">Isa. xxxii. 6-8</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.xxv-p16">VI. He endeavours to convince Saul that as
it was a bad thing, so it was a mean thing, for him to give chase
to such an inconsiderable person as he was (<scripRef id="iSam.xxv-p16.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.24.14" parsed="|1Sam|24|14|0|0" passage="1Sa 24:14"><i>v.</i> 14</scripRef>): <i>Whom does the king of
Israel pursue</i> with all this care and force? <i>A dead dog; a
flea; one flea,</i> so it is in the Hebrew. It is below so great a
king to enter the lists with one that is so unequal a match for
him, one of his own servants, bred a poor shepherd, now an exile,
neither able nor willing to make any resistance. To conquer him
would not be to his honour, to attempt it was his disparagement. If
Saul would consult his own reputation, he would slight such an
enemy (supposing he were really his enemy) and would think himself
in no danger from him. David was so far from aspiring that he was,
in his own account, as a dead dog. Mephibosheth thus calls himself,
<scripRef id="iSam.xxv-p16.2" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.9.8" parsed="|2Sam|9|8|0|0" passage="2Sa 9:8">2 Sam. ix. 8</scripRef>. This humble
language would have wrought upon Saul if he had had any spark of
generosity in him. <i>Satis est prostrasse leoni—Enough for the
lion that he has laid his victim low.</i> What credit would it be
to Saul to trample upon a dead dog? What pleasure could it be to
him to hunt a flea, a single flea, which (as some have observed),
if it be sought, is not easily found, if it be found, is not easily
caught, and, if it be caught, is a poor prize, especially for a
prince. <i>Aquila non captat muscas—The eagle does not dart upon
flies.</i> David thinks Saul had no more reason to fear him than to
fear a flea-bite.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.xxv-p17">VII. He once and again appeals to God as
the righteous Judge (<scripRef id="iSam.xxv-p17.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.24.12 Bible:1Sam.24.15" parsed="|1Sam|24|12|0|0;|1Sam|24|15|0|0" passage="1Sa 24:12,15"><i>v.</i> 12
and <i>v.</i> 15</scripRef>): <i>The Lord judge between me and
thee.</i> Note, The justice of God is the refuge and comfort of
oppressed innocence. If men wrong us, God will right us, at
furthest, in the judgment of the great day. With him David leaves
his cause, and so rests satisfied, waiting his time to appear for
him.</p>
</div><scripCom id="iSam.xxv-p0.4" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.24.16-1Sam.24.22" parsed="|1Sam|24|16|24|22" passage="1Sa 24:16-22" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:1Sam.24.16-1Sam.24.22">
<h4 id="iSam.xxv-p17.3">Saul Relents at David's
Reproof. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.xxv-p17.4">b. c.</span> 1057.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iSam.xxv-p18">16 And it came to pass, when David had made an
end of speaking these words unto Saul, that Saul said, <i>Is</i>
this thy voice, my son David? And Saul lifted up his voice, and
wept.   17 And he said to David, Thou <i>art</i> more
righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have
rewarded thee evil.   18 And thou hast shewed this day how
that thou hast dealt well with me: forasmuch as when the <span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.xxv-p18.1">Lord</span> had delivered me into thine hand,
thou killedst me not.   19 For if a man find his enemy, will
he let him go well away? wherefore the <span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.xxv-p18.2">Lord</span> reward thee good for that thou hast done
unto me this day.   20 And now, behold, I know well that thou
shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be
established in thine hand.   21 Swear now therefore unto me by
the <span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.xxv-p18.3">Lord</span>, that thou wilt not cut off
my seed after me, and that thou wilt not destroy my name out of my
father's house.   22 And David sware unto Saul. And Saul went
home; but David and his men gat them up unto the hold.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.xxv-p19">Here we have,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.xxv-p20">I. Saul's penitent reply to David's speech.
It was strange that he had patience to hear him out, considering
how outrageous he was against him, and how cutting David's
discourse was. But God restrained him and his men; and we may
suppose Saul struck with amazement at the singularity of the event,
and much more when he found how much he had lain at David's mercy.
His heart must have been harder than a stone if this had not
affected him. 1. He melted into tears, and we will not suppose them
to have been counterfeit but real expressions of his present
concern at the sight of his own iniquity, so plainly proved upon
him. He speaks as one quite overcome with David's kindness: <i>Is
this thy voice, my son David?</i> And, as one that relented at the
thought of his own folly and ingratitude, he <i>lifted up his voice
and wept,</i> <scripRef id="iSam.xxv-p20.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.24.16" parsed="|1Sam|24|16|0|0" passage="1Sa 24:16"><i>v.</i>
16</scripRef>. Many mourn for their sins that do not truly repent
of them, weep bitterly for them, and yet continue in love and
league with them. 2. He ingenuously acknowledges David's integrity
and his own iniquity (<scripRef id="iSam.xxv-p20.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.24.17" parsed="|1Sam|24|17|0|0" passage="1Sa 24:17"><i>v.</i>
17</scripRef>): <i>Thou art more righteous than I.</i> Now God made
good to David that word on which he had caused him to hope, that he
would <i>bring forth his righteousness as the light,</i> <scripRef id="iSam.xxv-p20.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.37.6" parsed="|Ps|37|6|0|0" passage="Ps 37:6">Ps. xxxvii. 6</scripRef>. Those who take care to
keep a good conscience may leave it to God to secure them the
credit of it. This fair confession was enough to prove David
innocent (even his enemy himself being judge), but not enough to
prove Saul himself a true penitent. He should have said, <i>Thou
are righteous, but I am wicked;</i> but the utmost he will own is
this: <i>Thou art more righteous than I.</i> Bad men will commonly
go no further than this in their confessions; they will own they
are not so good as some others are; there are those that are better
than they, and more righteous. He now owns himself under a mistake
concerning David (<scripRef id="iSam.xxv-p20.4" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.24.18" parsed="|1Sam|24|18|0|0" passage="1Sa 24:18"><i>v.</i>
18</scripRef>): "<i>Thou hast shown this day</i> that thou art so
far from seeking my hurt <i>that thou hast dealt well with me.</i>"
We are too apt to suspect others to be worse affected towards us
then really they are, and than perhaps they are proved to be; and
when, afterwards, our mistake is discovered, we should be forward
to recall our suspicions, as Saul does here. 3. He prays God to
recompense David for this his generous kindness to him. He owns
that David's sparing him, when he had him in his power, was an
uncommon and unparalleled instance of tenderness to an enemy; no
man would have done the like; and therefore, either because he
thought himself not able to give him a full recompence for so great
a favour, or because he found himself not inclined to give him any
recompence at all, he turns him over to God for his pay: <i>The
Lord reward thee good,</i> <scripRef id="iSam.xxv-p20.5" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.24.19" parsed="|1Sam|24|19|0|0" passage="1Sa 24:19"><i>v.</i>
19</scripRef>. Poor beggars can do no less than pray for their
benefactors, and Saul did no more. 4. He prophesies his advancement
to the throne (<scripRef id="iSam.xxv-p20.6" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.24.20" parsed="|1Sam|24|20|0|0" passage="1Sa 24:20"><i>v.</i>
20</scripRef>): I <i>know well that thou shalt surely be king.</i>
He knew it before, by the promise Samuel had made him of it
compared with the excellent spirit that appeared in David, which
highly aggravated his sin and folly in persecuting him as he did;
he had as much reason to say concerning David as David concerning
him, <i>How can I put forth my hand against the Lord's
anointed?</i> But now he knew it by the interest he found David had
in the people, the special providence of God in protecting him, and
the generous kingly spirit he had now given a proof of in sparing
his enemy. Now he knew it, that is, now that he was in a good
temper he was willing to own that he knew it and to submit to the
conviction of it. Note, Sooner or later, God will force even those
that are of the synagogue of Satan to know and own those that he
has loved, and to worship before their feet; for so is the promise,
<scripRef id="iSam.xxv-p20.7" osisRef="Bible:Rev.3.9" parsed="|Rev|3|9|0|0" passage="Re 3:9">Rev. iii. 9</scripRef>. This
acknowledgement which Saul made of David's incontestable title to
the crown was a great encouragement to David himself and a support
to his faith and hope. 5. He binds David with an oath hereafter to
show the same tenderness of his seed and of his name as he had now
shown of his person, <scripRef id="iSam.xxv-p20.8" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.24.21" parsed="|1Sam|24|21|0|0" passage="1Sa 24:21"><i>v.</i>
21</scripRef>. David had more reason to oblige Saul by an oath that
he would not destroy him, yet he insists not on that (if the laws
of justice and honour would not bind him, an oath would not), but
Saul knew David to be a conscientious man, and would think his
interests safe if he could get them secured by his oath. Saul by
his disobedience had ruined his own soul, and never took care by
repentance to prevent that ruin, and yet is very solicitous that
his name might not be destroyed nor his seed cut off. However,
<i>David swore unto him,</i> <scripRef id="iSam.xxv-p20.9" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.24.22" parsed="|1Sam|24|22|0|0" passage="1Sa 24:22"><i>v.</i> 22</scripRef>. Though he might be tempted,
not only in revenge, but in prudence, to extirpate Saul's family,
yet he binds himself not to do it, knowing that God could and would
establish the kingdom to him and his, without the use of such
bloody methods. This oath he afterwards religiously observed; he
supported Mephibosheth, and executed those as traitors that slew
Ishbosheth. The hanging up of seven of Saul's posterity, to atone
for the destruction of the Gibeonites, was God's appointment, not
David's act, and therefore not the violation of this oath.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.xxv-p21">II. Their parting in peace. 1. Saul, for
the present, desisted from the persecution. He went home convinced,
but not converted; ashamed of his envy of David, yet retaining in
his breast that root of bitterness; vexed that, when at last he had
found David, he could not at that time find in his heart to destroy
him, as he had designed. God has many ways to tie the hands of
persecutors, when he does not turn their hearts. 2. David continued
to shift for his own safety. He knew Saul too well to trust him,
and therefore <i>got him up into the hold.</i> It is dangerous
venturing upon the mercy of a reconciled enemy. We read of those
who believed in Christ, and yet he <i>did not commit himself to
them because he knew all men.</i> Those that like David are
innocent as doves must thus like him be <i>wise as
serpents.</i></p>
</div></div2>