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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1>
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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<TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="TOP">
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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. XX.</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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David, having several times narrowly escaped Saul's fury, begins to
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consider at last whether it may not be necessary for him to retire into
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the country and to take up arms in his own defence. But he will not do
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so daring a thing without consulting his faithful friend Jonathan; how
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he did this, and what passed between them, we have an account in this
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chapter, where we have as surprising instances of supernatural love as
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we had in the chapter before of unnatural hatred.
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I. David complains to Jonathan of his present distress, and engages him
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to be his friend,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+20:1-8">ver. 1-8</A>.
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II. Jonathan faithfully promises to get and give him intelligence how
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his father stood affected to him, and renews the covenant of friendship
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with him,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+20:9-23">ver. 9-23</A>.
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III. Jonathan, upon trial, finds, to his grief, that his father was
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implacably enraged against David,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+20:24-34">ver. 24-34</A>.
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IV. He gives David notice of this, according to the appointment between
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them,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+20:35-42">ver. 35-42</A>.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="1Sa20_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Sa20_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Sa20_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Sa20_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Sa20_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Sa20_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Sa20_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Sa20_8"> </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>David Consults Jonathan.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1058.</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 David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and came and said before
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Jonathan, What have I done? what <I>is</I> mine iniquity? and what
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<I>is</I> my sin before thy father, that he seeketh my life?
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2 And he said unto him, God forbid; thou shalt not die: behold,
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my father will do nothing either great or small, but that he will
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shew it me: and why should my father hide this thing from me? it
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<I>is</I> not <I>so.</I>
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3 And David sware moreover, and said, Thy father certainly
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knoweth that I have found grace in thine eyes; and he saith, Let
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not Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved: but truly <I>as</I> the
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L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> liveth, and <I>as</I> thy soul liveth, <I>there is</I> but a step
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between me and death.
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4 Then said Jonathan unto David, Whatsoever thy soul desireth,
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I will even do <I>it</I> for thee.
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5 And David said unto Jonathan, Behold, to morrow <I>is</I> the new
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moon, and I should not fail to sit with the king at meat: but let
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me go, that I may hide myself in the field unto the third <I>day</I>
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at even.
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6 If thy father at all miss me, then say, David earnestly asked
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<I>leave</I> of me that he might run to Bethlehem his city: for <I>there
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is</I> a yearly sacrifice there for all the family.
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7 If he say thus, <I>It is</I> well; thy servant shall have peace:
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but if he be very wroth, <I>then</I> be sure that evil is determined
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by him.
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8 Therefore thou shalt deal kindly with thy servant; for thou
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hast brought thy servant into a covenant of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> with thee:
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notwithstanding, if there be in me iniquity, slay me thyself; for
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why shouldest thou bring me to thy father?
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Here,
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I. David makes a representation to Jonathan of his present troubles.
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While Saul lay bound by his trance at Naioth David escaped to the
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court, and got to speak with Jonathan. And it was happy for him that he
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had such a friend at court, when he had such an enemy on the throne. If
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there be those that hate and despise us, let us not be disturbed at
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that, for there are those also that love and respect us. God hath set
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the one over against the other, and so must we. Jonathan was a friend
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that loved at all times, loved David as well now in his distress, and
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bade him as welcome into his arms, as he had done when he was in his
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triumph
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+18:1"><I>ch.</I> xviii. 1</A>),
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and he was <I>a brother that was born for adversity,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+17:17">Prov. xvii. 17</A>.
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Now,
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1. David appeals to Jonathan himself concerning his innocency, and he
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needed not say much to him for the proof of it, only he desired him
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that if he knew of any just offence he had given his father he would
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tell him, that he might humble himself and beg his pardon: <I>What have
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I done?</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+20:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>.
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2. He endeavors to convince him that, notwithstanding his innocency,
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Saul sought his life. Jonathan, from a principal of filial respect to
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his father, was very loth to believe that he designed or would ever do
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so wicked a thing,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+20:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>.
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He the rather hoped so because he knew nothing of any such design, and
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he had usually been made privy to all his counsels. Jonathan, as became
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a dutiful son, endeavored to cover his father's shame, as far as was
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consistent with justice and fidelity to David. Charity is not forward
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to think evil of any, especially of a parent,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+13:5">1 Cor. xiii. 5</A>.
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David therefore gives him the assurance of an oath concerning his own
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danger, swears the peace upon Saul, that he was in fear of his life by
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him: "<I>As the Lord liveth,</I> than which nothing more sure in
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itself, and as <I>thy soul liveth,</I> than which nothing more certain
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to thee, whatever thou thinkest, <I>there is but a step between me and
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death,</I>"
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+20:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>.
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And, as for Saul's concealing it from Jonathan, it was easy to account
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for that; he knew the friendship between him and David, and therefore,
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though in other things he advised with him, yet not in that. None more
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fit than Jonathan to serve him in every design that was just and
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honourable, but he knew him to be a man of more virtue than to be his
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confidant in so base a design as the murder of David.</P>
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<P>
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II. Jonathan generously offers him his service
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+20:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>):
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<I>Whatsoever thou desirest,</I> he needed not insert the proviso of
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lawful and honest (for he knew David too well to think he would ask any
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thing that was otherwise), <I>I will even do it for thee.</I> This is
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true friendship. Thus Christ testifies his love to us: <I>Ask, and it
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shall be done for you;</I> and we must testify ours to him by keeping
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his commandments.</P>
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<P>
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III. David only desires him to satisfy himself, and then to satisfy him
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whether Saul did really design his death or no. Perhaps David proposed
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this more for Jonathan's conviction than his own, for he himself was
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well satisfied.
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1. The method of trial he proposed was very natural, and would
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certainly discover how Saul stood affected to him. The two next days
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Saul was to dine publicly, upon occasion of the solemnities of the new
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moon, when extraordinary sacrifices were offered and feasts made upon
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the sacrifices. Saul was rejected of God, and the Spirit of the Lord
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had departed from him, yet he kept up his observance of the holy
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feasts. There may be the remains of external devotion where there is
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nothing but the ruins of real virtue. At these solemn feasts Saul had
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either all his children to sit with him, and David had a seat as one of
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them, or all his great officers, and David had a seat as one of
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<I>them.</I> However it was, David resolved his seat should be empty
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(and that it never used to be at a sacred feast) those two days
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+20:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>),
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and he would abscond till the solemnity was over, and put it upon this
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issue: if Saul admitted an excuse for his absence, and dispensed with
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it, he would conclude he had changed his mind and was reconciled to
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him; but if he resented it, and was put into a passion by it, it was
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easy to conclude he designed him a mischief, since it was certain he
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did not love him so well as to desire his presence for any other end
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than that he might have an opportunity to do him a mischief,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+20:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>.
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2. The excuse he desired Jonathan to make for his absence, we have
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reason to think, was true, that he was invited by his elder brother to
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Bethlehem, his own city, to celebrate this new moon with his relations
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there, because, besides the monthly solemnity in which they held
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communion with all Israel, they had now a yearly sacrifice, and a holy
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feast upon it, for <I>all the family,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+20:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>.
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They kept a day of thanksgiving in their family for the comforts they
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enjoyed, and of prayer for the continuance of them. By this it appears
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that the family David was of was a very religious family, a house that
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had a church in it.
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3. The arguments he used with Jonathan to persuade him to do this
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kindness for him were very pressing,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+20:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>.
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(1.) That he had entered into a league of friendship with him, and it
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was Jonathan's own proposal: <I>Thou hast brought thy servant into a
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covenant of the Lord with thee.</I>
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(2.) That he would by no means urge him to espouse his cause if he was
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not sure that it was a righteous cause: "<I>If there be iniquity in
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me,</I> I am so far from desiring or expecting that the covenant
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between us should bind thee to be a confederate with me in that
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iniquity that I freely release thee from it, and wish that my hand may
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be first upon me: <I>Slay me thyself.</I>" No honest man will urge his
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friend to do a dishonest thing for his sake.</P>
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<A NAME="1Sa20_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Sa20_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Sa20_11"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Sa20_12"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Sa20_13"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Sa20_14"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Sa20_15"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Sa20_16"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Sa20_17"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Sa20_18"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Sa20_19"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Sa20_20"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Sa20_21"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Sa20_22"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Sa20_23"> </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>Jonathan's Covenant with David.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1058.</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>9 And Jonathan said, Far be it from thee: for if I knew
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certainly that evil were determined by my father to come upon
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thee, then would not I tell it thee?
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10 Then said David to Jonathan, Who shall tell me? or what <I>if</I>
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thy father answer thee roughly?
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11 And Jonathan said unto David, Come, and let us go out into
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the field. And they went out both of them into the field.
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12 And Jonathan said unto David, O L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> God of Israel, when I
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have sounded my father about to morrow any time, <I>or</I> the third
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<I>day,</I> and, behold, <I>if there be</I> good toward David, and I then
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send not unto thee, and shew it thee;
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13 The L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> do so and much more to Jonathan: but if it please
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my father <I>to do</I> thee evil, then I will shew it thee, and send
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thee away, that thou mayest go in peace: and the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> be with
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thee, as he hath been with my father.
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14 And thou shalt not only while yet I live shew me the
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kindness of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, that I die not:
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15 But <I>also</I> thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house
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for ever: no, not when the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> hath cut off the enemies of David
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every one from the face of the earth.
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16 So Jonathan made <I>a covenant</I> with the house of David,
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<I>saying,</I> Let the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> even require <I>it</I> at the hand of David's
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enemies.
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17 And Jonathan caused David to swear again, because he loved
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him: for he loved him as he loved his own soul.
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18 Then Jonathan said to David, To morrow <I>is</I> the new moon:
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and thou shalt be missed, because thy seat will be empty.
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19 And <I>when</I> thou hast stayed three days, <I>then</I> thou shalt go
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down quickly, and come to the place where thou didst hide thyself
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when the business was <I>in hand,</I> and shalt remain by the stone
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Ezel.
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20 And I will shoot three arrows on the side <I>thereof,</I> as
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though I shot at a mark.
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21 And, behold, I will send a lad, <I>saying,</I> Go, find out the
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arrows. If I expressly say unto the lad, Behold, the arrows <I>are</I>
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on this side of thee, take them; then come thou: for <I>there is</I>
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peace to thee, and no hurt; <I>as</I> the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> liveth.
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22 But if I say thus unto the young man, Behold, the arrows
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<I>are</I> beyond thee; go thy way: for the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> hath sent thee away.
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23 And <I>as touching</I> the matter which thou and I have spoken
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of, behold, the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> <I>be</I> between thee and me for ever.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Here,
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I. Jonathan protests his fidelity to David in his distress.
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Notwithstanding the strong confidence David had in Jonathan, yet,
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because he might have some reason to fear that his father's influence,
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and his own interest, should make him warp, or grow cool towards him,
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Jonathan thought it requisite solemnly to renew the professions of his
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friendship to him
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+20:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>):
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"<I>Far be it from thee</I> to think that I suspect thee of any crime
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for which I should either slay thee myself or deliver thee to my
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father; no, if thou hast any jealousy of that, <I>Come let us go into
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the field</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+20:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>),
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and talk it over more fully." He did not challenge him to the field to
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fight him for an affront, but to fix him in his friendship. He
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faithfully promised him that he would let him know how, upon trial, he
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found his father affected towards him, and would make the matter
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neither better nor worse than it was. "If there be <I>good towards
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thee,</I> I will <I>show it thee,</I> that thou mayest be easy
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+20:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>),
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if evil, I will <I>send thee away,</I> that thou mayest be safe"
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+20:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>);
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and thus he would help to deliver him from the evil if it were real and
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from the fear of evil if it were but imaginary. For the confirmation of
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his promise he appeals to God,
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1. As a witness
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+20:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>):
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"<I>O Lord God of Israel,</I> thou knowest I mean sincerely, and think
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as I speak." The strength of his passion made the manner of his
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speaking concise and abrupt.
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2. As a judge: "<I>The Lord do so and much more to Jonathan</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+20:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>),
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if I speak deceitfully, or break my word with my friend." He expressed
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himself thus solemnly that David might be abundantly assured of his
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sincerity. And thus God has confirmed his promises to us, that we might
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have <I>strong consolation,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+6:17,18">Heb. vi. 17, 18</A>.
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Jonathan adds to his protestations his hearty prayers: "<I>The Lord be
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with thee,</I> to protect and prosper thee, <I>as he has been</I>
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formerly <I>with my father,</I> though now he has withdrawn." Thus he
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imitates his belief that David would be in his father's place, and his
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good wishes that he might prosper in it better than his father now
|
|
did.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. He provides for the entail of the covenant of friendship with David
|
|
upon his posterity,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+20:14-16"><I>v.</I> 14-16</A>.
|
|
|
|
He engages David to be a friend to his family when he was gone
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+20:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Thou shalt</I> promise that thou wilt <I>not cut off thy kindness
|
|
from my house for ever.</I> This he spoke from a natural affection he
|
|
had to his children, whom he desired it might go well with after his
|
|
decease, and for whose future welfare he desired to improve his present
|
|
interest. It also intimates his firm belief of David's advancement, and
|
|
that it would be in the power of his hand to do a kindness or
|
|
unkindness to his seed; for, in process of time, <I>the Lord would cut
|
|
off his enemies,</I> Saul himself was not expected; then "<I>Do not
|
|
thou cut off thy kindness from my house,</I> nor revenge my father's
|
|
wrongs upon my children." The house of David must likewise be bound to
|
|
the house of Jonathan from generation to generation; he <I>made a
|
|
covenant</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+20:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>)
|
|
|
|
<I>with the house of David.</I> Note, True friends cannot but covet to
|
|
transmit to theirs after them their mutual affections. <I>Thy own
|
|
friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not.</I> This kindness,
|
|
|
|
1. He calls <I>the kindness of the Lord,</I> because it is such
|
|
kindness as God shows to those he takes into covenant with himself; for
|
|
he is a God to them and to their seed; they are <I>beloved for the
|
|
fathers' sakes.</I>
|
|
|
|
2. He secures it by an imprecation
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+20:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>The Lord require it at the hand of David's seed</I> (for of David
|
|
himself he had no suspicion) if they prove so far David's enemies as to
|
|
deal wrongfully with the posterity of Jonathan, David's friend. He
|
|
feared lest David, or some of his, should hereafter be tempted, for the
|
|
clearing and confirming of their title to the throne, to do by his seed
|
|
as Abimelech had done by the sons of Gideon
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+9:5">Judg. ix. 5</A>),
|
|
|
|
and this he would effectually prevent; but the reason given
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+20:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>)
|
|
|
|
why Jonathan was so earnest to have the friendship entailed is purely
|
|
generous, and has nothing of self in it; it was because <I>he loved him
|
|
as he loved his own soul,</I> and therefore desired that he and his
|
|
might be beloved by him. David, though now in disgrace at court and in
|
|
distress, was as amiable in the eyes of Jonathan as ever he had been,
|
|
and he loved him never the less for his father's hating him, so pure
|
|
were the principles on which his friendship was built. Having himself
|
|
sworn to David, he caused David to swear to him, and (as we read it)
|
|
<I>to swear again,</I> which David consented to (for he that bears an
|
|
honest mind does not startle at assurances), to swear by his love to
|
|
him, which he looked upon as a sacred thing. Jonathan's heart was so
|
|
much upon it that, when they parted this time, he concluded with a
|
|
solemn appeal to God: <I>The Lord be between me and thee for ever</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+20:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>),
|
|
|
|
that is, "God himself be judge between us and our families for ever, if
|
|
on either side this league of friendship be violated." It was in
|
|
remembrance of this covenant that David was kind to Mephibosheth,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+9:7,21:7">2 Sam. ix. 7; xxi. 7</A>.
|
|
|
|
It will be a kindness to ourselves and ours to secure an interest in
|
|
those whom God favours and to make his friends ours.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. He settles the method of intelligence, and by what signs and
|
|
tokens he would give him notice how his father stood affected towards
|
|
him. David would be missed the first day, or at least the second day,
|
|
of the new moon, and would be enquired after,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+20:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>.
|
|
|
|
On the third day, by which time he would have returned from Bethlehem,
|
|
he must be at such a place
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+20:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>),
|
|
|
|
and Jonathan would come towards that place with his bow and arrows to
|
|
shoot for diversion
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+20:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>),
|
|
|
|
would send his lad to fetch his arrows, and, if they were shot short of
|
|
the lad, David must take it for a signal of safety, and not be afraid
|
|
to show his head
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+20:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>);
|
|
|
|
but, if he shot beyond the lad, it was a signal of danger, and he must
|
|
shift for his safety,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+20:22"><I>v.</I> 22</A>.
|
|
|
|
This expedient he fixed lest he should not have the opportunity, which
|
|
yet it proved he had, of talking with David, and making the report by
|
|
word of mouth.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="1Sa20_24"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Sa20_25"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Sa20_26"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Sa20_27"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Sa20_28"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Sa20_29"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Sa20_30"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Sa20_31"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Sa20_32"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Sa20_33"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Sa20_34"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Jonathan Excuses David to Saul.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1058.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>24 So David hid himself in the field: and when the new moon was
|
|
come, the king sat him down to eat meat.
|
|
25 And the king sat upon his seat, as at other times, <I>even</I>
|
|
upon a seat by the wall: and Jonathan arose, and Abner sat by
|
|
Saul's side, and David's place was empty.
|
|
26 Nevertheless Saul spake not any thing that day: for he
|
|
thought, Something hath befallen him, he <I>is</I> not clean; surely
|
|
he <I>is</I> not clean.
|
|
27 And it came to pass on the morrow, <I>which was</I> the second
|
|
<I>day</I> of the month, that David's place was empty: and Saul said
|
|
unto Jonathan his son, Wherefore cometh not the son of Jesse to
|
|
meat, neither yesterday, nor to day?
|
|
28 And Jonathan answered Saul, David earnestly asked <I>leave</I> of
|
|
me <I>to go</I> to Bethlehem:
|
|
29 And he said, Let me go, I pray thee; for our family hath a
|
|
sacrifice in the city; and my brother, he hath commanded me <I>to
|
|
be there:</I> and now, if I have found favour in thine eyes, let me
|
|
get away, I pray thee, and see my brethren. Therefore he cometh
|
|
not unto the king's table.
|
|
30 Then Saul's anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said
|
|
unto him, Thou son of the perverse rebellious <I>woman,</I> do not I
|
|
know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own
|
|
confusion, and unto the confusion of thy mother's nakedness?
|
|
31 For as long as the son of Jesse liveth upon the ground, thou
|
|
shalt not be established, nor thy kingdom. Wherefore now send and
|
|
fetch him unto me, for he shall surely die.
|
|
32 And Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said unto him,
|
|
Wherefore shall he be slain? what hath he done?
|
|
33 And Saul cast a javelin at him to smite him: whereby
|
|
Jonathan knew that it was determined of his father to slay David.
|
|
34 So Jonathan arose from the table in fierce anger, and did
|
|
eat no meat the second day of the month: for he was grieved for
|
|
David, because his father had done him shame.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Jonathan is here effectually convinced of that which he was so loth to
|
|
believe, that his father had an implacable enmity to David, and would
|
|
certainly be the death of him if it were in his power; and he had like
|
|
to have paid very dearly himself for the conviction.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. David is missed from the feast on the first day, but nothing is said
|
|
of him. <I>The king sat upon his seat,</I> to feast upon the
|
|
peace-offerings <I>as at other times</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+20:25"><I>v.</I> 25</A>),
|
|
|
|
and yet had his heart as full of envy and malice against David as it
|
|
could hold. He should first have been reconciled to him, and then have
|
|
come and offered his gift; but, instead of that, he hoped, at this
|
|
feast, to drink the blood of David. What an abomination was that
|
|
sacrifice which was brought with such a wicked mind as this!
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+21:27">Prov. xxi. 27</A>.
|
|
|
|
When the king came to take his seat Jonathan arose, in reverence to him
|
|
both as a father and as his sovereign; every one knew his place, but
|
|
David's was empty. It did not use to be so. None more content than he
|
|
in attending holy duties; nor had he been absent now but that he must
|
|
have come at the peril of his life; self-preservation obliged him to
|
|
withdraw. In imminent peril present opportunities may be waived, nay,
|
|
we ought not to throw ourselves into the mouth of danger. Christ him
|
|
self absconded often, till he knew that his hour had come. But that day
|
|
Saul took no notice that he missed David, but said within himself,
|
|
"<I>Surely he is not clean,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+20:26"><I>v.</I> 26</A>.
|
|
|
|
Some ceremonial pollution has befallen him, which forbids him to eat of
|
|
the holy things till he has <I>washed his clothes, and bathed his flesh
|
|
in water, and been unclean until the evening.</I>" Saul knew what
|
|
conscience David made of the law, and that he would rather keep away
|
|
from the holy feast than come in his uncleanness. Blessed be God, no
|
|
uncleanness is now a restraint upon us, but what we may by faith and
|
|
repentance be washed from in the fountain opened,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+26:6">Ps. xxvi. 6</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. He is enquired for the second day,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+20:27"><I>v.</I> 27</A>.
|
|
|
|
Saul asked Jonathan, who he knew was his confidant, <I>Wherefore cometh
|
|
not the son of Jesse to meat?</I> He was his own son by marriage, but
|
|
he calls him in disdain, <I>the son of Jesse.</I> He asks for him as if
|
|
he were not pleased that he should be absent from a religious feast;
|
|
and so it should be example to masters of families to see to it that
|
|
those under their charge be not absent from the worship of God, either
|
|
in public or in the family. It is a bad thing for us, except in case
|
|
of necessity, to omit an opportunity of statedly attending on God in
|
|
solemn ordinances. Thomas lost a sight of Christ by being once absent
|
|
from a meeting of the disciples. But that which displeased Saul was
|
|
that hereby he missed the opportunity he expected of doing David a
|
|
mischief.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. Jonathan makes his excuse,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+20:28,29"><I>v.</I> 28, 29</A>.
|
|
|
|
1. That he was absent upon a good occasion, keeping the feast in
|
|
another place, though not here, sent for by his elder brother, who was
|
|
now more respectful to him than he had been
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+17:28"><I>ch.</I> xvii. 28</A>),
|
|
|
|
and that he had gone to pay his respects to his relations, for the
|
|
keeping up of brotherly love; and no master would deny a servant
|
|
liberty to do that in due time. He pleads,
|
|
|
|
2. That he did not go without leave humbly asked and obtained from
|
|
Jonathan, who, as his superior officer, was proper to be applied to for
|
|
it. Thus he represents David as not wanting in any instance of respect
|
|
and duty to the government.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
IV. Saul hereupon breaks out into a most extravagant passion, and rages
|
|
like a lion disappointed of his prey. David was out of his reach, but
|
|
he falls upon Jonathan for his sake
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+20:30,31"><I>v.</I> 30, 31</A>),
|
|
|
|
gives him base language, not fit for a gentleman, a prince, to give to
|
|
any man, especially his own son, heir apparent to his crown, a son that
|
|
served him, the greatest stay and ornament of his family, before a
|
|
great deal of company, at a feast, when all should be in good humour,
|
|
at a sacred feast, by which all irregular passions should be mortified
|
|
and subdued; yet he does in effect call him,
|
|
|
|
1. A bastard: <I>Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman;</I> that
|
|
is, according to the foolish filthy language of men's brutish passion
|
|
now a day, "Thou son of a whore." He tells him he was born <I>to the
|
|
confusion of his mother,</I> that is, he had given the world cause to
|
|
suspect that he was not the legitimate son of Saul, because he loved
|
|
him whom Saul hated and supported him who would be the destruction of
|
|
their family.
|
|
|
|
2. A traitor: <I>Thou son of a perverse rebellion</I> (so the word is),
|
|
that is, "thou perverse rebel." At other times he reckoned no
|
|
counsellor or commander that he had more trusty and well-beloved than
|
|
Jonathan; yet now in this passion he represents him as dangerous to his
|
|
crown and life.
|
|
|
|
3. A fool: <I>Thou hast chosen the son of Jesse</I> for thy friend
|
|
<I>to thy own confusion,</I> for while he lives <I>thou shalt never be
|
|
established.</I> Jonathan indeed did wisely and well for himself and
|
|
family to secure an interest in David, whom Heaven had destined to the
|
|
throne, yet, for this, he is branded as most impolitic. It is good
|
|
taking God's people for our people and going with those that have him
|
|
with them. It will prove to our advantage at last, however for the
|
|
present it may be thought a disparagement, and a prejudice to our
|
|
secular interest. It is probable Saul knew that David was anointed to
|
|
the kingdom by the same hand that anointed him, and then not Jonathan,
|
|
but himself, was the fool, to think to defeat the counsels of God. Yet
|
|
nothing will serve him but David must die, and Jonathan must fetch him
|
|
to execution. See how ill Saul's passion looks, and let it warn us
|
|
against the indulgence of any thing like it in ourselves. Anger is
|
|
madness, and <I>he that hates his brother is a murderer.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
V. Jonathan is sorely grieved and put into disorder by his father's
|
|
barbarous passion, and the more because he had hoped better things,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+20:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>.
|
|
|
|
He was troubled for his father, that he should be such a brute,
|
|
troubled for his friend, whom he knew to be a friend of God, that he
|
|
should be so basely abused; he was <I>grieved for David</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+20:34"><I>v.</I> 34</A>),
|
|
|
|
and troubled for himself too, because <I>his father had done him
|
|
shame,</I> and, though most unjustly, yet he must submit to it. One
|
|
would pity Jonathan to see how he was put,
|
|
|
|
1. Into the peril of sin. Much ado that wise and good man had to keep
|
|
his temper, upon such a provocation as this. His father's reflections
|
|
upon himself made no return to; it becomes inferiors to bear with
|
|
meekness and silence the contempts put upon them in wrath and passion.
|
|
<I>When thou art the anvil lie thou still.</I> But his dooming David to
|
|
die he could not bear: to that he replied with some heat
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+20:32"><I>v.</I> 32</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>Wherefore shall he be slain?</I> <I>What has he done?</I> Generous
|
|
spirits can much more easily bear to be abused themselves than to hear
|
|
their friends abused.
|
|
|
|
2. Into the peril of death. Saul was now so outrageous that he threw
|
|
his javelin at Jonathan,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+20:33"><I>v.</I> 33</A>.
|
|
|
|
He seemed to be in great care
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+20:31"><I>v.</I> 31</A>)
|
|
|
|
than Jonathan should be established in his kingdom, and yet now he
|
|
himself aims at his life. What fools, what savage beasts and worse does
|
|
anger make men! How necessary it is to put a hook in its nose and a
|
|
bridle in its jaws! Jonathan was fully satisfied that evil was
|
|
determined against David, which put him out of frame exceedingly: he
|
|
<I>rose from table,</I> thinking it high time when his life was struck
|
|
at, and <I>would eat no meat,</I> for they were not to eat of the holy
|
|
things in their mourning. All the guests, we may suppose, were
|
|
discomposed, and the mirth of the feast was spoiled. <I>He that is
|
|
cruel troubles his own flesh,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+11:17">Prov. xi. 17</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="1Sa20_35"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Sa20_36"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Sa20_37"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Sa20_38"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Sa20_39"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Sa20_40"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Sa20_41"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Sa20_42"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec4"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>David Informed of His Danger.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1058.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>35 And it came to pass in the morning, that Jonathan went out
|
|
into the field at the time appointed with David, and a little lad
|
|
with him.
|
|
36 And he said unto his lad, Run, find out now the arrows which
|
|
I shoot. <I>And</I> as the lad ran, he shot an arrow beyond him.
|
|
37 And when the lad was come to the place of the arrow which
|
|
Jonathan had shot, Jonathan cried after the lad, and said, <I>Is</I>
|
|
not the arrow beyond thee?
|
|
38 And Jonathan cried after the lad, Make speed, haste, stay
|
|
not. And Jonathan's lad gathered up the arrows, and came to his
|
|
master.
|
|
39 But the lad knew not any thing: only Jonathan and David knew
|
|
the matter.
|
|
40 And Jonathan gave his artillery unto his lad, and said unto
|
|
him, Go, carry <I>them</I> to the city.
|
|
41 <I>And</I> as soon as the lad was gone, David arose out of <I>a
|
|
place</I> toward the south, and fell on his face to the ground, and
|
|
bowed himself three times: and they kissed one another, and wept
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one with another, until David exceeded.
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42 And Jonathan said to David, Go in peace, forasmuch as we
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have sworn both of us in the name of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, saying, The L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>
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be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed for
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ever. And he arose and departed: and Jonathan went into the city.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Here is,
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1. Jonathan's faithful performance of his promise to give David notice
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of the success of his dangerous experiment. He went at the time and to
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the place appointed
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+20:35"><I>v.</I> 35</A>),
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within sight of which he knew David lay hid, sent his footboy to fetch
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his arrows, which he would shoot at random
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+20:36"><I>v.</I> 36</A>),
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and gave David the fatal signal by shooting an arrow beyond the lad
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+20:37"><I>v.</I> 37</A>):
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<I>Is not the arrow beyond thee?</I> That word [<I>beyond</I>] David
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knew the meaning of better than the lad. Jonathan dismissed the lad,
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who knew nothing of the matter, and, finding the coast clear and no
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danger of a discovery, he presumed upon one minute's personal
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conversation with David after he had bidden him flee for his life.
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2. The most sorrowful parting of these two friends, who, for aught
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that appears, never came together again but once, and that was by
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stealth <I>in a wood,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+23:16"><I>ch.</I> xxiii. 16</A>.
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(1.) David addressed himself to Jonathan with the reverence of a
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servant rather than the freedom of a friend: <I>He fell on his face to
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the ground, and bowed himself three times,</I> as one deeply sensible
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of his obligations to him for the good services he had done him.
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(2.) They took leave of each other with the greatest affection
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imaginable, with kisses and tears; they wept on each other's neck
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<I>till David exceeded,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+20:41"><I>v.</I> 41</A>.
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The separation of two such faithful friends was equally grievous to
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them both, but David's case was the more deplorable; for, when Jonathan
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was returning to his family and friends, David was leaving all his
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comforts, even those of God's sanctuary, and therefore his grief
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exceeded Jonathan's, or perhaps it was because his temper was more
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tender and his passions were stronger.
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(3.) They referred themselves to the covenant of friendship that was
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between them, both of them comforting themselves with this in this
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mournful separation: "<I>We have sworn both of us in the name of the
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Lord,</I> for ourselves and our heirs, that we and they will be
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faithful and kind to each other from generation to generation." Thus,
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while we are at home in the body and absent from the Lord, this is our
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comfort, that he has <I>made with us an everlasting covenant.</I></P>
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