mh_parser/vol_split/9 - 1Samuel/Chapter 30.xml

<div2 id="iSam.xxxi" n="xxxi" next="iSam.xxxii" prev="iSam.xxx" progress="38.54%" title="Chapter XXX">
<h2 id="iSam.xxxi-p0.1">F I R S T   S A M U E L</h2>
<h3 id="iSam.xxxi-p0.2">CHAP. XXX.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="iSam.xxxi-p1">When David was dismissed from the army of the
Philistines he did not go over to the camp of Israel, but, being
expelled by Saul, observed an exact neutrality, and silently
retired to his own city Ziklag, leaving the armies ready to engage.
Now here we are told, I. What a melancholy posture he found the
city in, all laid waste by the Amalekites, and what distress it
occasioned him and his men, <scripRef id="iSam.xxxi-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.30.1-1Sam.30.6" parsed="|1Sam|30|1|30|6" passage="1Sa 30:1-6">ver.
1-6</scripRef>. II. What course he took to recover what he had
lost. He enquired of God, and took out a commission from him
(<scripRef id="iSam.xxxi-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.30.7-1Sam.30.8" parsed="|1Sam|30|7|30|8" passage="1Sa 30:7,8">ver. 7, 8</scripRef>), pursued the
enemy (<scripRef id="iSam.xxxi-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.30.9-1Sam.30.10" parsed="|1Sam|30|9|30|10" passage="1Sa 30:9,10">ver. 9, 10</scripRef>),
gained intelligence from a straggler (<scripRef id="iSam.xxxi-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.30.11-1Sam.30.15" parsed="|1Sam|30|11|30|15" passage="1Sa 30:11-15">ver. 11-15</scripRef>), attacked and routed the
plunderers (<scripRef id="iSam.xxxi-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.30.16-1Sam.30.17" parsed="|1Sam|30|16|30|17" passage="1Sa 30:16,17">ver. 16,
17</scripRef>), and recovered all that they had carried off,
<scripRef id="iSam.xxxi-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.30.18-1Sam.30.20" parsed="|1Sam|30|18|30|20" passage="1Sa 30:18-20">ver. 18-20</scripRef>. III. What
method he observed in the distribution of the spoil, <scripRef id="iSam.xxxi-p1.7" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.30.21-1Sam.30.31" parsed="|1Sam|30|21|30|31" passage="1Sa 30:21-31">ver. 21-31</scripRef>.</p>
<scripCom id="iSam.xxxi-p0.1_1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.30" parsed="|1Sam|30|0|0|0" passage="1Sa 30" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="iSam.xxxi-p0.2_1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.30.1-1Sam.30.6" parsed="|1Sam|30|1|30|6" passage="1Sa 30:1-6" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:1Sam.30.1-1Sam.30.6">
<h4 id="iSam.xxxi-p1.10">Ziklag Burnt. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.xxxi-p1.11">b. c.</span> 1055.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iSam.xxxi-p2">1 And it came to pass, when David and his men
were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had
invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, and burned it
with fire;   2 And had taken the women captives, that
<i>were</i> therein: they slew not any, either great or small, but
carried <i>them</i> away, and went on their way.   3 So David
and his men came to the city, and, behold, <i>it was</i> burned
with fire; and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters,
were taken captives.   4 Then David and the people that
<i>were</i> with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had
no more power to weep.   5 And David's two wives were taken
captives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal
the Carmelite.   6 And David was greatly distressed; for the
people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was
grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David
encouraged himself in the <span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.xxxi-p2.1">Lord</span> his
God.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.xxxi-p3">Here we have, I. The descent which the
Amalekites made upon Ziklag in David's absence, and the desolations
they made there. They surprised the city when it was left
unguarded, plundered it, burnt it, and carried all the women and
children captives, <scripRef id="iSam.xxxi-p3.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.30.1-1Sam.30.2" parsed="|1Sam|30|1|30|2" passage="1Sa 30:1,2"><i>v.</i> 1,
2</scripRef>. They intended, by this to revenge the like havoc that
David had lately made of them and their country, <scripRef id="iSam.xxxi-p3.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.27.8" parsed="|1Sam|27|8|0|0" passage="1Sa 27:8"><i>ch.</i> xxvii. 8</scripRef>. He that had made so many
enemies ought not to have left his own concerns so naked and
defenceless. Those that make bold with others must expect that
others will make as bold with them and provide accordingly. Now
observe in this, 1. The cruelty of Saul's pity (as it proved) in
sparing the Amalekites; if he had utterly destroyed them, as he
ought to have done, these would not have been in being to do this
mischief. 2. How David was corrected for being so forward to go
with the Philistines against Israel. God showed him that he had
better have staid at home and looked after his own business. When
we go abroad in the way of our duty we may comfortably hope that
God will take care of our families in our absence, but not
otherwise. 3. How wonderfully God inclined the hearts of these
Amalekites to carry the women and children away captives, and not
to kill them. When David invaded them he put all to the sword
(<scripRef id="iSam.xxxi-p3.3" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.27.9" parsed="|1Sam|27|9|0|0" passage="1Sa 27:9"><i>ch.</i> xxvii. 9</scripRef>), and
no reason can be given why they did not retaliate upon this city,
but that God restrained them; for he has all hearts in his hands,
and says to the fury of the most cruel men, <i>Hitherto thou shalt
come, and no further.</i> Whether they spared them to lead them in
triumph, or to sell them, or to use them for slaves, God's hand
must be acknowledged, who designed to make use of the Amalekites
for the correction, not for the destruction, of the house of
David.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.xxxi-p4">II. The confusion and consternation that
David and his men were in when they found their houses in ashes and
their wives and children gone into captivity. Three days' march
they had from the camp of the Philistines to Ziklag, and now that
they came thither weary, but hoping to find rest in their houses
and joy in their families, behold a black and dismal scene was
presented to them (<scripRef id="iSam.xxxi-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.30.3" parsed="|1Sam|30|3|0|0" passage="1Sa 30:3"><i>v.</i>
3</scripRef>), which made them all weep (David himself not
excepted), though they were men of war, <i>till they had no more
power to weep,</i> <scripRef id="iSam.xxxi-p4.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.30.4" parsed="|1Sam|30|4|0|0" passage="1Sa 30:4"><i>v.</i>
4</scripRef>. The mention of David's wives, <i>Ahinoam and
Abigail,</i> and their being carried captive, intimates that this
circumstance went nearer his heart than any thing else. Note, It is
no disparagement to the boldest and bravest spirits to lament the
calamities of relations and friends. Observe, 1. This trouble came
upon them when they were absent. It was the ancient policy of
Amalek to take Israel at an advantage. 2. It met them at their
return, and, for aught that appears, their own eyes gave them the
first intelligence of it. Note, When we go abroad we cannot foresee
what evil tidings may meet us when we come home again. The going
out may be very cheerful, and yet the coming in be very doleful.
<i>Boast not thyself</i> therefore <i>of to-morrow,</i> nor of
to-night either, <i>for thou knowest not what a day,</i> or a piece
of a day, <i>may bring forth,</i> <scripRef id="iSam.xxxi-p4.3" osisRef="Bible:Prov.27.1" parsed="|Prov|27|1|0|0" passage="Pr 27:1">Prov.
xxvii. 1</scripRef>. If, when we come off a journey, we find our
<i>tabernacles in peace,</i> and not laid waste as David here found
his, let the Lord be praised for it.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.xxxi-p5">III. The mutiny and murmuring of David's
men against him (<scripRef id="iSam.xxxi-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.30.6" parsed="|1Sam|30|6|0|0" passage="1Sa 30:6"><i>v.</i>
6</scripRef>): <i>David was greatly distressed,</i> for, in the
midst of all his losses, his own people spoke of stoning him, 1.
Because they looked upon him as the occasion of their calamities,
by the provocation he had given the Amalekites, and his
indiscretion in leaving Ziklag without a garrison in it. Thus apt
are we, when we are in trouble, to fly into a rage against those
who are in any way the occasion of our trouble, while we overlook
the divine providence, and have not that regard to the operations
of God's hand in it which would silence our passions, and make us
patient. 2. Because now they began to despair of that preferment
which they had promised themselves in following David. They hoped
ere this to have been all princes; and now to find themselves all
beggars was such a disappointment to them as made them grow
outrageous, and threaten the life of him on whom, under God, they
had the greatest dependence. What absurdities will not ungoverned
passions plunge men into? This was a sore trial to the man after
God's own heart, and could not but go very near him. Saul had
driven him from his country, the Philistines had driven him from
their camp, the Amalekites had plundered his city, his wives were
taken prisoners, and now, to complete his woe, his own familiar
friends, in whom he trusted, whom he had sheltered, and who did eat
of his bread, instead of sympathizing with him and offering him any
relief, <i>lifted up the heel against him</i> and threatened to
stone him. Great faith must expect such severe exercises. But it is
observable that David was reduced to this extremity just before his
accession to the throne. At this very time, perhaps, the stroke was
struck which opened the door to his advancement. Things are
sometimes at the worst with the church and people of God just
before they begin to mend.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.xxxi-p6">IV. David's pious dependence upon the
divine providence and grace in this distress: <i>But David
encouraged himself in the Lord his God.</i> His men fretted at
their loss. <i>The soul of the people was bitter,</i> so the word
is. Their own discontent and impatience added <i>wormwood and
gall</i> to the affliction and misery, and made their case doubly
grievous. But 1. David bore it better, though he had more reason
than any of them to lament it; they gave liberty to their passions,
but he set his graces on work, and by encouraging himself in God,
while they dispirited each other, he kept his spirit calm and
sedate. Or, 2. There may be a reference to the threatening words
his men gave out against him. They <i>spoke of stoning him;</i> but
he, not offering to avenge the affront, nor terrified by their
menaces, <i>encouraged himself in the Lord his God,</i> believed,
and considered with application to his present case, the power and
providence of God, his justice and goodness, the method he commonly
takes of bringing low and then raising up, his care of his people
that serve him and trust in him, and the particular promises he had
made to him of bringing him safely to the throne; with these
considerations he supported himself, not doubting but the present
trouble would end well. Note, Those that have taken the Lord for
their God may take encouragement from their relation to him in the
worst of times. It is the duty and interest of all good people,
whatever happens, to encourage themselves in God as their Lord and
their God, assuring themselves that he can and will bring light out
of darkness, peace out of trouble, and good out of evil, to all
that love him and are <i>the called according to his purpose,</i>
<scripRef id="iSam.xxxi-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:Rom.8.28" parsed="|Rom|8|28|0|0" passage="Ro 8:28">Rom. viii. 28</scripRef>. It was
David's practice, and he had the comfort of it, <i>What time I am
afraid I will trust in thee.</i> When he was at his wits' end he
was not at his faith's end.</p>
</div><scripCom id="iSam.xxxi-p0.3" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.30.7-1Sam.30.20" parsed="|1Sam|30|7|30|20" passage="1Sa 30:7-20" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:1Sam.30.7-1Sam.30.20">
<h4 id="iSam.xxxi-p6.3">David Recovers the Spoil. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.xxxi-p6.4">b. c.</span> 1055.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iSam.xxxi-p7">7 And David said to Abiathar the priest,
Ahimelech's son, I pray thee, bring me hither the ephod. And
Abiathar brought thither the ephod to David.   8 And David
enquired at the <span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.xxxi-p7.1">Lord</span>, saying, Shall
I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered
him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake <i>them,</i> and
without fail recover <i>all.</i>   9 So David went, he and the
six hundred men that <i>were</i> with him, and came to the brook
Besor, where those that were left behind stayed.   10 But
David pursued, he and four hundred men: for two hundred abode
behind, which were so faint that they could not go over the brook
Besor.   11 And they found an Egyptian in the field, and
brought him to David, and gave him bread, and he did eat; and they
made him drink water;   12 And they gave him a piece of a cake
of figs, and two clusters of raisins: and when he had eaten, his
spirit came again to him: for he had eaten no bread, nor drunk
<i>any</i> water, three days and three nights.   13 And David
said unto him, To whom <i>belongest</i> thou? and whence <i>art</i>
thou? And he said, I <i>am</i> a young man of Egypt, servant to an
Amalekite; and my master left me, because three days agone I fell
sick.   14 We made an invasion <i>upon</i> the south of the
Cherethites, and upon <i>the coast</i> which <i>belongeth</i> to
Judah, and upon the south of Caleb; and we burned Ziklag with fire.
  15 And David said to him, Canst thou bring me down to this
company? And he said, Swear unto me by God, that thou wilt neither
kill me, nor deliver me into the hands of my master, and I will
bring thee down to this company.   16 And when he had brought
him down, behold, <i>they were</i> spread abroad upon all the
earth, eating and drinking, and dancing, because of all the great
spoil that they had taken out of the land of the Philistines, and
out of the land of Judah.   17 And David smote them from the
twilight even unto the evening of the next day: and there escaped
not a man of them, save four hundred young men, which rode upon
camels, and fled.   18 And David recovered all that the
Amalekites had carried away: and David rescued his two wives.
  19 And there was nothing lacking to them, neither small nor
great, neither sons nor daughters, neither spoil, nor any
<i>thing</i> that they had taken to them: David recovered all.
  20 And David took all the flocks and the herds, <i>which</i>
they drave before those <i>other</i> cattle, and said, This
<i>is</i> David's spoil.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.xxxi-p8">Solomon observes that <i>the righteous is
delivered out of trouble</i> and <i>the wicked cometh in his
stead,</i> that <i>the just falleth seven times a-day and riseth
again;</i> so it was with David. Many were his troubles, but <i>the
Lord delivered him out of them all,</i> and particularly out of
this of which we have here an account.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.xxxi-p9">I. He enquired of the Lord both concerning
his duty—<i>Shall I pursue after this troop?</i> and concerning
the event—<i>Shall I overtake them?</i> <scripRef id="iSam.xxxi-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.30.8" parsed="|1Sam|30|8|0|0" passage="1Sa 30:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>. It was a great advantage to
David that he had the high priest with him and the breast-plate of
judgment, which, as a public person, he might consult in all his
affairs, <scripRef id="iSam.xxxi-p9.2" osisRef="Bible:Num.27.21" parsed="|Num|27|21|0|0" passage="Nu 27:21">Num. xxvii. 21</scripRef>. We
cannot think that he left Abiathar and the ephod at Ziklag, for
then he and it would have been carried away by the Amalekites,
unless we may suppose them hidden by a special providence, that
they might be ready for David to consult at his return. If we
conclude that David had his priest and ephod with him in the camp
of the Philistines, it was certainly a great neglect in him that he
did not enquire of the Lord by them concerning his engagement to
Achish. Perhaps he was ashamed to own his religion so far among the
uncircumcised; but now he begins to apprehend that this trouble is
brought upon him to correct him for that oversight, and therefore
the first thing he does is to call for the ephod. It is well if we
get this good by our afflictions, to be reminded by them of
neglected duties, and particularly to be quickened by them to
enquire of the Lord. See <scripRef id="iSam.xxxi-p9.3" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.15.13" parsed="|1Chr|15|13|0|0" passage="1Ch 15:13">1 Chron. xv.
13</scripRef>. David had no room to doubt but that his war against
these Amalekites was just, and he had an inclination strong enough
to set upon them when it was for the recovery of that which was
dearest to him in this world; and yet he would not go about it
without asking counsel of God, thereby owning his dependence upon
God and submission to him. If we thus, in all our ways, acknowledge
God, we may expect that he will direct our steps, as he did David's
here, answering him above what he asked, with an assurance that he
should recover all.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.xxxi-p10">II. He went himself in person, and took
with him all the force he had, in pursuit of the Amalekites,
<scripRef id="iSam.xxxi-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.30.9-1Sam.30.10" parsed="|1Sam|30|9|30|10" passage="1Sa 30:9,10"><i>v.</i> 9, 10</scripRef>. See how
quickly, how easily, how effectually the mutiny among the soldiers
was quelled by his patience and faith. When they <i>spoke of
stoning him</i> (<scripRef id="iSam.xxxi-p10.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.30.6" parsed="|1Sam|30|6|0|0" passage="1Sa 30:6"><i>v.</i>
6</scripRef>), if he had spoken of hanging them, or had ordered
that the ringleaders of the faction should immediately have their
heads struck off, though it would have been just, yet it might have
been of pernicious consequence to his interest in this critical
juncture; and, while he and his men were contending, the Amalekites
would have clearly carried off their spoil. But when he, as a deaf
man, heard not, smothered his resentments, and <i>encouraged
himself in the Lord his God,</i> the tumult of the people was
stilled by his gentleness and the power of God on their hearts;
and, being thus mildly treated, they are now as ready to follow his
foot as they were but a little before to fly in his face. Meekness
is the security of any government. All his men were willing to go
along with him in pursuit of the Amalekites, and he needed them
all; but he was forced to drop a third part of them by the way; 200
out of 600 were so fatigued with their long march, and so sunk
under the load of their grief, that they could not pass the brook
Besor, but staid behind there. This was, 1. A great trial of
David's faith, whether he could go on, in a dependence upon the
word of God, when so many of his men failed him. When we are
disappointed and discouraged in our expectations from second
causes, then to go on with cheerfulness, confiding in the divine
power, this is giving glory to God, by believing against hope, in
hope. 2. A great instance of David's tenderness to his men, that he
would by no means urge them beyond their strength, though the case
itself was so very urgent. The Son of David thus considers the
frame of his followers, who are not all alike strong and vigorous
in their spiritual pursuits and conflicts; but, where we are weak,
there he is kind; nay, more there he is strong, <scripRef id="iSam.xxxi-p10.3" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.12.9-2Cor.12.10" parsed="|2Cor|12|9|12|10" passage="2Co 12:9,10">2 Cor. xii. 9, 10</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.xxxi-p11">III. Providence threw one in their way that
gave them intelligence of the enemy's motions, and guided theirs; a
poor Egyptian lad, scarcely alive, is made instrumental of a great
deal of good to David. <i>God chooses the foolish things of the
world,</i> with them <i>to confound the wise.</i> Observe, 1. His
master's cruelty to him. He had got out of him all the service he
could, and when the lad fell sick, probably being over-toiled with
his work, he barbarously left him to perish in the field, when he
was in no such haste but he might have put him into some of the
carriages, and brought him home, or, at least, have left him
wherewithal to support himself. That master has the spirit of an
Amalekite, not of an Israelite, that can thus use a servant worse
than one would use a beast. <i>The tender mercies of the wicked are
cruel.</i> This Amalekite thought he should now have servants
enough of the Israelite-captives, and therefore cared not what
became of his Egyptian slave, but could willingly let him die in a
ditch for want of necessaries, while he himself was <i>eating and
drinking,</i> <scripRef id="iSam.xxxi-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.30.16" parsed="|1Sam|30|16|0|0" passage="1Sa 30:16"><i>v.</i>
16</scripRef>. Justly did Providence make this poor servant, that
was thus basely abused, instrumental towards the destruction of a
whole army of Amalekites and his master among the rest; for God
hears the cry of oppressed servants. 2. David's compassion to him.
Though he had reason to think he was one of those that had helped
to destroy Ziklag, yet, finding him in distress, he generously
relieved him, not only with <i>bread and water</i> (<scripRef id="iSam.xxxi-p11.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.30.11" parsed="|1Sam|30|11|0|0" passage="1Sa 30:11"><i>v.</i> 11</scripRef>), but with <i>figs and
raisins,</i> <scripRef id="iSam.xxxi-p11.3" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.30.12" parsed="|1Sam|30|12|0|0" passage="1Sa 30:12"><i>v.</i> 12</scripRef>.
Though the Israelites were in haste, and had no great plenty for
themselves, yet they would not <i>forbear to deliver one that was
drawn unto death,</i> nor say, <i>Behold, we knew it not,</i>
<scripRef id="iSam.xxxi-p11.4" osisRef="Bible:Prov.24.11-Prov.24.12" parsed="|Prov|24|11|24|12" passage="Pr 24:11,12">Prov. xxiv. 11, 12</scripRef>.
Those are unworthy the name of Israelites who shut up the bowels of
their compassion from persons in distress. It was also prudently
done to relieve this Egyptian; for, though despicable, he was
capable of doing them service: so it proved, though they were not
certain of this when they relieved him. It is a good reason why we
should neither do an injury nor deny a kindness to any man that we
know not but, some time or other, it may be in his power to return
either a kindness or an injury. 3. The intelligence David received
from this poor Egyptian when he had come to himself. He gave him an
account concerning his party. (1.) What they had done (<scripRef id="iSam.xxxi-p11.5" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.30.14" parsed="|1Sam|30|14|0|0" passage="1Sa 30:14"><i>v.</i> 14</scripRef>): <i>We made an
invasion,</i> &amp;c. The countries which David had pretended to
Achish to have made an incursion upon (<scripRef id="iSam.xxxi-p11.6" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.27.10" parsed="|1Sam|27|10|0|0" passage="1Sa 27:10"><i>ch.</i> xxvii. 10</scripRef>) they really had
invaded and laid waste. What was then false now proved too true.
(2.) Whither they had gone, <scripRef id="iSam.xxxi-p11.7" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.30.15" parsed="|1Sam|30|15|0|0" passage="1Sa 30:15"><i>v.</i>
15</scripRef>. This he promised David to inform him of upon
condition he would spare his life and protect him from his master,
who, if he could hear of him again (he thought), would add cruelty
to cruelty. Such an opinion this poor Egyptian had of the
obligation of an oath that he desired no greater security for his
life than this: <i>Swear unto me by God,</i> not by the gods of
Egypt or Amalek, but by the one supreme God.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.xxxi-p12">IV. David, being directed to the place
where they lay, securely celebrating their triumphs, fell upon
them, and, as he used to pray, <i>saw his desire upon his
enemies.</i> 1. The spoilers were cut off. The Amalekites, finding
the booty was rich, and having got with it (as they thought) out of
the reach of danger, were making themselves very merry with it,
<scripRef id="iSam.xxxi-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.30.16" parsed="|1Sam|30|16|0|0" passage="1Sa 30:16"><i>v.</i> 16</scripRef>. All thoughts
of war were laid aside, nor were they in any haste to house their
prey, but <i>spread themselves abroad on the earth</i> in the most
careless manner that could be, and there they were found <i>eating,
and drinking, and dancing,</i> probably in honour of their
idol-gods, to whom they gave the praise of their success. In this
posture David surprised them, which made the conquest of them, and
the blow he gave them, the more easy to him and the more dismal to
them. Then are sinners nearest to ruin when they cry, <i>Peace and
safety,</i> and <i>put the evil day far from them.</i> Nor does any
thing give our spiritual enemies more advantage against us than
sensuality and the indulgence of the flesh. <i>Eating, and
drinking, and dancing,</i> have been the soft and pleasant way in
which many have gone down to the congregation of the dead. Finding
them thus off their guard, and from their arms (many of them, it
may be, drunk, and unable to make any resistance), he put them all
to the sword, and only 400 escaped, <scripRef id="iSam.xxxi-p12.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.30.17" parsed="|1Sam|30|17|0|0" passage="1Sa 30:17"><i>v.</i> 17</scripRef>. Thus is the triumphing of the
wicked short, and wrath comes on them, as on Belshazzar, when they
are in the midst of their jollity. 2. The spoil was recovered and
brought off, and nothing was lost, but a great deal gotten. (1.)
They retrieved all their own (<scripRef id="iSam.xxxi-p12.3" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.30.18-1Sam.30.19" parsed="|1Sam|30|18|30|19" passage="1Sa 30:18,19"><i>v.</i> 18, 19</scripRef>): <i>David rescued his
two wives;</i> this is mentioned particularly, because this pleased
David more than all the rest of his achievements. Providence had so
ordered it that the Amalekites carefully preserved all that they
had taken, concluding that they kept it for themselves, though
really they preserved it for the right owners, so that there was
nothing lacking to them; so it proved, when they concluded all was
gone: so much better is God oftentimes to us than our own fears.
Our Lord Jesus was indeed the Son of David and the Son of Abraham,
in this resembling them both (Abraham, <scripRef id="iSam.xxxi-p12.4" osisRef="Bible:Gen.14.16" parsed="|Gen|14|16|0|0" passage="Ge 14:16">Gen. xiv. 16</scripRef>, and David here), that he
<i>took the prey from the mighty, and led captivity captive.</i>
But this was not all. (2.) They took all that belonged to the
Amalekites besides (<scripRef id="iSam.xxxi-p12.5" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.30.20" parsed="|1Sam|30|20|0|0" passage="1Sa 30:20"><i>v.</i>
20</scripRef>): <i>Flocks and herds,</i> either such as were taken
from the Philistines and others, which David had the disposal of by
the law of war; or perhaps he made a sally into the enemy's
country, and fetched off these flocks and herds thence, as interest
for his own. This drove was put in the van of the triumph, with
this proclamation, "<i>This is David's spoil.</i> This we may thank
him for." Those who lately spoke of stoning him now caressed him
and cried him up, because they got by him more than they had then
lost. Thus are the world and its sentiments governed by
interest.</p>
</div><scripCom id="iSam.xxxi-p0.4" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.30.21-1Sam.30.31" parsed="|1Sam|30|21|30|31" passage="1Sa 30:21-31" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:1Sam.30.21-1Sam.30.31">
<h4 id="iSam.xxxi-p12.7">David's Division of the
Spoil. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.xxxi-p12.8">b. c.</span> 1055.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iSam.xxxi-p13">21 And David came to the two hundred men, which
were so faint that they could not follow David, whom they had made
also to abide at the brook Besor: and they went forth to meet
David, and to meet the people that <i>were</i> with him: and when
David came near to the people, he saluted them.   22 Then
answered all the wicked men and <i>men</i> of Belial, of those that
went with David, and said, Because they went not with us, we will
not give them <i>ought</i> of the spoil that we have recovered,
save to every man his wife and his children, that they may lead
<i>them</i> away, and depart.   23 Then said David, Ye shall
not do so, my brethren, with that which the <span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.xxxi-p13.1">Lord</span> hath given us, who hath preserved us, and
delivered the company that came against us into our hand.   24
For who will hearken unto you in this matter? but as his part
<i>is</i> that goeth down to the battle, so <i>shall</i> his part
<i>be</i> that tarrieth by the stuff: they shall part alike.  
25 And it was <i>so</i> from that day forward, that he made it a
statute and an ordinance for Israel unto this day.   26 And
when David came to Ziklag, he sent of the spoil unto the elders of
Judah, <i>even</i> to his friends, saying, Behold a present for you
of the spoil of the enemies of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.xxxi-p13.2">Lord</span>;   27 To <i>them</i> which <i>were</i>
in Bethel, and to <i>them</i> which <i>were</i> in south Ramoth,
and to <i>them</i> which <i>were</i> in Jattir,   28 And to
<i>them</i> which <i>were</i> in Aroer, and to <i>them</i> which
<i>were</i> in Siphmoth, and to <i>them</i> which <i>were</i> in
Eshtemoa,   29 And to <i>them</i> which <i>were</i> in Rachal,
and to <i>them</i> which <i>were</i> in the cities of the
Jerahmeelites, and to <i>them</i> which <i>were</i> in the cities
of the Kenites,   30 And to <i>them</i> which <i>were</i> in
Hormah, and to <i>them</i> which <i>were</i> in Chorashan, and to
<i>them</i> which <i>were</i> in Athach,   31 And to
<i>them</i> which <i>were</i> in Hebron, and to all the places
where David himself and his men were wont to haunt.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.xxxi-p14">We have here an account of the distribution
of the spoil which as taken from the Amalekites. When the
Amalekites had carried away a rich booty from the land of Judah and
the Philistines they spent it in sensuality, in eating, and
drinking, and making merry with it; but David disposed of the spoil
taken after another manner, as one that knew that justice and
charity must govern us in the use we make of whatever we have in
this world. What God gives us he designs we should do good with,
not serve our lusts with. In the distribution of the spoil,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.xxxi-p15">I. David was just and kind to those who
abode by the stuff. They came forth to meet the conquerors, and to
congratulate them on this success, though they could not contribute
to it (<scripRef id="iSam.xxxi-p15.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.30.21" parsed="|1Sam|30|21|0|0" passage="1Sa 30:21"><i>v.</i> 21</scripRef>); for
we should rejoice in a good work done, though Providence had laid
us aside and rendered us incapable of lending a hand to it. David
received their address very kindly, and was so far from upbraiding
them with their weakness that he showed himself solicitous
concerning them. He saluted them; <i>he asked them of peace</i> (so
the word is), enquired how they did, because he had left them faint
and not well; or wished them peace, bade them be of good cheer,
they should lose nothing by staying behind; for of this they seemed
afraid, as perhaps David saw by their countenances.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.xxxi-p16">1. There were those that opposed their
coming in to share in the spoil; some of David's soldiers, probably
the same that spoke of stoning him, spoke now of defrauding their
brethren; they are called wicked men and <i>men of Belial,</i>
<scripRef id="iSam.xxxi-p16.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.30.22" parsed="|1Sam|30|22|0|0" passage="1Sa 30:22"><i>v.</i> 22</scripRef>. Let not the
best of men think it strange if they have those attending them that
are very bad and they cannot prevail to make them better. We may
suppose that David had instructed his soldiers, and prayed with
them, and yet there were many among them that were wicked men and
men of Belial, often terrified with the apprehensions of death and
yet wicked men still and men of Belial. These made a motion that
the 200 men who abode by the stuff should only have their wives and
children given them, but none of their goods. Well might they be
called <i>wicked men;</i> for this bespeaks them, (1.) Very
covetous themselves and greedy of gain; for hereby the more would
fall to their share. Awhile ago they would gladly have given half
their own to recover the other half, yet now that they have all
their own they are not content unless they can have their
brethren's too; so soon do men forget their low estate. All seek
their own, and too often more than their own. (2.) Very barbarous
to their brethren; for, to give them their wives and children, and
not their estates, was to give them the mouths without the meat.
What joy could they have of their families if they had nothing to
maintain them with? Was this to do as they would be done by? Those
are men of Belial indeed who delight in putting hardships upon
their brethren, and care not who is starved, so they may be fed to
the full.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.xxxi-p17">2. David would by no means admit this, but
ordered that those who tarried behind should come in for an equal
share in the spoils with those that went to the battle, <scripRef id="iSam.xxxi-p17.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.30.23-1Sam.30.24" parsed="|1Sam|30|23|30|24" passage="1Sa 30:23,24"><i>v.</i> 23, 24</scripRef>. This he did,
(1.) In gratitude to God. The spoil we have is that which God has
given us; we have it from him, and therefore must use it under his
direction as good stewards. Let this check us when we are tempted
to misapply that which God has entrusted us with of this world's
goods. "Nay, I must not do so with that which God has given me, not
serve Satan and a base lust with those things which are not only
the creatures of his power, but the gifts of his bounty. God has
recompensed us by <i>delivering the company that came against us
into our hand,</i> let not us then wrong our brethren. God has been
kind to us in preserving us and giving us victory, let not us be
unkind to them." God's mercy to us should make us merciful to one
another. (2.) In justice to them. It was true they tarried behind;
but, [1.] It was not for want of good-will to the cause or to their
brethren, but because they had not strength to keep up with them.
It was not their fault, but their infelicity; and therefore they
ought not to suffer for it. [2.] Though they tarried behind now,
they had formerly engaged many times in battle and done their part
as well as the best of their brethren, and their former services
must be considered now that there was something to enjoy. [3.] Even
now they did good service, for they abode by the stuff, to guard
that which somebody must take care of, else that might have fallen
into the hands of some other enemy. Every post of service is not
alike a post of honour, yet those that are in any way serviceable
to the common interest, though in a meaner station, ought to share
in the common advantages, as in the natural body every member has
its use and therefore has its share of the nourishment.
<i>First,</i> Thus David overruled the wicked men, and men of
Belial, with reason, but with a great deal of mildness; for the
force of reason is sufficient, without the force of passion. He
calls them <i>his brethren,</i> <scripRef id="iSam.xxxi-p17.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.30.23" parsed="|1Sam|30|23|0|0" passage="1Sa 30:23"><i>v.</i> 23</scripRef>. Superiors often lose their
authority by haughtiness, but seldom by courtesy and condescension.
<i>Secondly,</i> Thus he settled the matter for the time to come,
made it a statute of his kingdom (a statute of distributions,
<i>primo Davidis—in the first year of David's reign</i>), an
ordinance of war (<scripRef id="iSam.xxxi-p17.3" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.30.25" parsed="|1Sam|30|25|0|0" passage="1Sa 30:25"><i>v.</i>
25</scripRef>), that <i>as his part is that goes down to the
battle,</i> and hazards his life in the high places of the field,
so shall his be that guards the carriages. Abraham returned the
spoils of Sodom to the right owners, and quitted his title to them
<i>jure belli—derived from the laws of war.</i> If we help others
to recover their right, we must not think that this alienates the
property and makes it ours. God appointed that the spoil of Midian
should be divided between the soldiers and the whole congregation,
<scripRef id="iSam.xxxi-p17.4" osisRef="Bible:Num.31.27" parsed="|Num|31|27|0|0" passage="Nu 31:27">Num. xxxi. 27</scripRef>. The case
here was somewhat different, but governed by the same general
rule—that we are members one of another. The disciples, at first,
<i>had all things common,</i> and we should still be <i>ready to
distribute, willing to communicate,</i> <scripRef id="iSam.xxxi-p17.5" osisRef="Bible:1Tim.6.18" parsed="|1Tim|6|18|0|0" passage="1Ti 6:18">1 Tim. vi. 18</scripRef>. When <i>kings of armies did
flee apace, she that tarried at home did divide the spoil,</i>
<scripRef id="iSam.xxxi-p17.6" osisRef="Bible:Ps.68.12" parsed="|Ps|68|12|0|0" passage="Ps 68:12">Ps. lxviii. 12</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.xxxi-p18">II. David was generous and kind to all his
friends. When he had given every one his own with interest there
was a considerable overplus, which David, as general, had the
disposal of; probably the spoil of the tents of the Amalekites
consisted much in plate and jewels (<scripRef id="iSam.xxxi-p18.1" osisRef="Bible:Judg.8.24 Bible:Judg.8.26" parsed="|Judg|8|24|0|0;|Judg|8|26|0|0" passage="Jdg 8:24,26">Judg. viii. 24, 26</scripRef>), and these, because he
thought they would but make his own soldiers proud and effeminate,
he thought fit to make presents of to his friends, even the
<i>elders of Judah,</i> <scripRef id="iSam.xxxi-p18.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.30.26" parsed="|1Sam|30|26|0|0" passage="1Sa 30:26"><i>v.</i>
26</scripRef>. Several places are here named to which he sent of
these presents, all of them in or near the tribe of Judah. The
first place named is Bethel, which signifies <i>the house of
God;</i> that place shall be first served for its name's sake; or
perhaps it means not the city so called, but the place where the
ark was, which was therefore <i>the house of God.</i> Thither David
sent the first and best, to those that attended there, for his sake
who is the first and best. <i>Hebron</i> is named last (<scripRef id="iSam.xxxi-p18.3" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.30.31" parsed="|1Sam|30|31|0|0" passage="1Sa 30:31"><i>v.</i> 31</scripRef>), probably because
thither he sent the residuum, which was the largest share, having
an eye upon that place as fittest for his head-quarters, <scripRef id="iSam.xxxi-p18.4" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.2.1" parsed="|2Sam|2|1|0|0" passage="2Sa 2:1">2 Sam. ii. 1</scripRef>. In David's sending these
presents observe, 1. His generosity. He aimed not to enrich
himself, but to serve his country; and therefore God afterwards
enriched him, and set him to rule the country he had served. It
becomes gracious souls to be generous. <i>There is that scatters,
and yet increases.</i> 2. His gratitude. He sent presents to <i>all
the places where he and his men were wont to haunt</i> (<scripRef id="iSam.xxxi-p18.5" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.30.31" parsed="|1Sam|30|31|0|0" passage="1Sa 30:31"><i>v.</i> 31</scripRef>), that is, to all that
he had received kindness from, that had sheltered him and sent him
intelligence or provisions. Note, Honesty, as well as honour,
obliges us to requite the favours that have been done us, or at
least to make a real acknowledgment of them as far as is in the
power of our hand. 3. His piety. He calls his present <i>a
blessing;</i> for no present we give to our friends will be a
comfort to them but as it is made so by the blessing of God: it
intimates that his prayers for them accompanied his present. He
also sent it out of <i>the spoil of the enemies of the Lord</i> (so
he calls them, not <i>his</i> enemies), that they might rejoice in
the victory for the Lord's sake, and might join with him in
thanksgivings for it. 4. His policy. He sent these presents among
his countrymen to engage them to be ready to appear for him upon
his accession to the throne, which he now saw at hand. <i>A man's
gift maketh room for him.</i> He was fit to be a king who thus
showed the bounty and liberality of a king. Munificence recommends
a man more than magnificence. The Ziphites had none of his
presents, nor the men of Keilah; and thus he showed that, though he
was such a saint as not to revenge affronts, yet he was not such a
fool as not to take notice of them.</p>
</div></div2>