sheath and slew him and cut off his head therewith Thus David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone God using such contemptible means the more to manifest his own power and glory The Philistines seeing their Champion thus conquered and being stricken with a secret terrour from the Lord they immediately fled and the army of the Israelites with a great shout pursued after them and did great execution upon them insomuch that the wounded of the Philistines fell and were scattered all along in the way of Shaaraim a City in the Tribe of Judah even unto Gath and Ekron V. 54. David some years after when he was constituted King and had taken Zion from the Jebusites 2 Sam. 5.7 brought the head of this Giant to Jerusalem and put his armour in the Tent which he there provided for the Ark of God 1 Chron. 15.1 But Goliath's Sword was laid up in the Tabernacle of the Lord at Nob 1 Sam. 21.9 The Philistines being thus discomfited the Israelites returned and spoiled their Tents Abner now brought David before Saul with the Head of the Giant in his hands Saul asked him whose Son he was he told him he was the Son of Jesse the Bethlemite Saul had now much discourse with him and so many excellent endowments of wisdom courage zeal for the glory of God and faith and confidence in his protection and assistance appearing in him all which shewed him a person precious in the eyes of God Jonathan's heart and affections were in an extraordinary manner drawn forth towards him so that his soul was knit with the soul of David and hereby God provided David a friend in Saul's Court to plead for him and to reveal Saul's plots and evil intendments against him and to be by his true and real love a comfort and support to him in all his approaching troubles and distresses And Jonathan and he made a Covenant of entire friendship and brotherly love Saul also now resolv'd to keep him in his Court and that he should go no more home to his Father and made him a Captain over some of his Troops and David behaved himself so wisely that he was highly valued by all the people and even by Saul's servants themselves Jonathan also to testifie his true and great love to David stript himself of his own robe and gave it to him and gave him also his Sword and his Bow and his Military Girdle so that he put him both into a Courtiers and Souldiers Garb. These things being done they now march from the Camp to Gibeah where Saul dwelt As they passed along the women came forth out of all the Towns by the way as the custom * It seems it was the custom in those times that when God had given them any great victory over their enemies the women were wont with dances and songs of triumph to celebrate the praises of God See Exod. 15.20 Judg. 11.32 As women have usually the heaviest share in the calamities of a Land that is over-run by an enemy and that because they are least able to resist and are frequently taken for slaves or ravisht and abus'd in a savage manner so likewise they have the greatest cause to rejoice when the enemy is vanquished and hence it may be arose this custom of the womens triumphing at every great victory was with Instruments of Musick singing in Triumphing Songs Saul hath slain his thousands and David his ten thousands they ascribe so much to David because by his killing Goliath he was under God the cause of routing the whole army of the Philistines And so solemn and glorious was this Triumph of the Israelites that this passage in the womens song came to be repoted and known among the Philistines as we may see Ch. 21.11 and Ch. 29.5 But this thing greatly offended Saul and he said they have ascribed to David ten thousands and to me but thousands what can he have more but the Kingdom From thenceforth therefore he began to have an evil eye against David and to suspect that he was the man of whom Samuel had told him that he should be King in his room Ch. 13. v. 14. 1 Sam. Ch. 17. wh Ch. and Ch. 18. from 1 to 10. SECT CLXX SAVL's jealousie of David and his hatred against him doth now every day more and more appear and it manifested it self in these Particulars following 1. The evil spirit coming upon him he prophesied (a) Extra se rapitbatur spiritu malo incitus ita sermones actusque suos componebat ut boni Prophetae solent acti a spiritu bono in the midst of the house not as he had done before Chap. 10.10 when Samuel had newly anointed him for then being inspired with Gods Spirit and endued with common graces he prophesied and praised God together with the rest of the Prophets but now that Spirit being departed from him and an evil spirit being permitted by God to possess him he fell into strange extasies and raptures and had such kind of motions and actions as the Prophets when ravished out of themselves used to have see 2 King 9.11 and while David played on his harp to compose his spirit and allay his raging passions as he had formerly done Saul having a Javelin in his hand cast it at him intending to kill him and this he attempted two several times but David nimbly avoided the stroke Ch. 18.10 11. 2ly Saul seeing how the Lord was with David and preserved him from great dangers he feared he was the man whom God had chosen to be King in his room and therefore having failed in these violent attempts against him he resolves to try other ways to destroy him therefore he made him one of his Colonels hoping he would at one time or other meet with his death in the Battel And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways and the Lord was with him and he led forth his Souldiers bravely to Battel and as bravely brought them off again and acted all his Military affairs with such prudence and wise conduct and was so prosperous in them that the people generally loved him ver 12 13 14 15 16. 3ly Saul under pretence of performing that promise made to him of giving him his daughter if he killed Goliath he now offers him his eldest daughter Merab in marriage but with design to expose him thereby to the Sword of the Philistines (b) Incidit Saul in soveam quam Davidi fecerat nam ipse a Philistae is postea occisus est He tells him he shall have her but then he expects he shall be valiant for him and not stick to expose himself to any dangers and ready upon all occasions to fight the Lords battels Thus he hypocritically pretended zeal for Gods glory when he maliciously intended David's ruin David humbly answers What is my parentage education or condition of life * Ver. 18. est Enallage numeri 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that I should think
my self worthy to be husband to a Kings daughter So far was he from aspiring to this honour though so justly due to him But though David sufficiently approved his valour in fighting the Lords battels and contrary to Saul's expectation escaped many dangers and won much honour yet Saul perfidiously broke his promise with him and at the very time when he should have married his daughter he gave her to Adriel the Son of Barzillai the Ephraimite born at Meholah see Judg. 7.22 David bears this great indignity patiently without expressing any unbeseeming resentment of it But God to whom vengeance belongeth would not suffer the malice and wickedness of Saul exprest herein to go unpunished for all the five Sons (d) They were certainly Adriels Sons by Merab though they were brought up by Michal of which see the note on 2 Sam. 21. that Adriel had by this daughter of Saul were hanged up to satisfie the Gibeonites for the cruelties which Saul had exercised upon them as we may see 2 Sam. 21.8 17 18 19. 4ly David being thus treacherously defeated of Merab Michal Saul's youngest daughter falls in love with him This being made known to Saul he seemed to like it very well hoping by that means to bring his purpose about of destroying David So pleasing to a malicious mind is the very hope of doing mischief to a person whom he hates Saul therefore resolves to give this daughter to David to wife that she might be a snare to him and a means one way or other to run him into danger and he hoped that she being his daughter would be brought to complot and join with him in effecting his ruin but it pleased the Lord to cross his design in this also for he made Michal an instrument of preserving him from the snare which her Father had laid for him Chap. 19.11 12. But to proceed Saul carrying on this treacherous design against David in his mind he tells him that though he failed him before yet now he would make him amends he had but two daughters and one of them he resolv'd he should have and if he became his Son-in-law by marrying either of them he supposed it would be no great wrong to him though he had not the elder David was not very forward to believe Saul in this proposal nor greedy to embrace this motion having been before deceived by him Saul perceiving this set his Courtiers to perswade him as of themselves that the King very much delighted in him and that all his servants loved and highly valued him and therefore why should he not readily accept of this honour that was offered him to be the Kings Son-in-law David answers them Seemeth it to you a light and small thing to be Son-in-law to a King and do you think me worthy of it who am a poor man and not able to give a Dowry (e) In those days and long before it was the custom to give Dowâ—ies to their wives and not as now to receive portions See Gen. 34.12 Exod. 22.16 Deut. 22.29 and the Dowry was at the womans disposing and if her husband died before her served for her maintenance and education of her children if no other portion were left them fit for the Kings daughter and possibly upon that account I was slighted before when I should have had his other daughter The Courtiers relate to Saul what David had said Saul bids them go to him again and tell him that he desired not any Dowry for his daughter but only an hundred foreskins of the Philistines to take thereby some revenge on them they being his and his peoples enemies This was that which Saul hypocritically pretended whereas his great design was to make David fall in the attempt or else to provoke the surviving Philistines to revenge themselves on him if he did effect it And observable it is that he requires their foreskins not their heads the more to enrage them against David for he knew that the circumcising and cutting off the foreskins of the slain Philistines would be looked upon by their surviving brethren as a matter of the greatest scorn and disgrace that could be put upon them However David hearing on what terms he might be the Kings Son-in-law namely if he brought him so many foreskins of the Philistines within such a time and finding the time was not yet expired he accepts the terms and accordingly went out with his men and slew of the Philistines two hundred and brought their foreskins and gave them in full tale to the King and having thus perform'd double to what was required of him and within the time limited Saul had no colour or pretense to deny him his daughter and therefore forthwith gave him Michal to wife However Saul seeing and finding by continual experience that God prospered David in all his ways and blessed him in all his concernments he was the more afraid of him apprehending that he was the man whom God would set up in his stead and upon that account he became his implacable enemy The Princes of the Philistines besides former provocations being now extreamly enraged at the slaughter David had lately made among them when he kill'd two hun-hundred of them and especially at the dishonour he had put upon their Nation by cutting off their foreskins and bringing them to Saul they with their forces invade the land of Israel and David though a new married man and so by the Law Deut. 24.5 exempted from going to war this year yet it seems readily went out and behaved himself more prudently and valiantly in this expedition than any of Saul's Commanders so that his name became very precious and renowned among the Israelites from v. 20 to the end 5ly Saul now seeing that none of his secret designs against David took effect but that he prospered in all his undertakings and so gained more and more reputation among his Courtiers and all the people he now openly gives command to Jonathan and to his servants to kill him Jonathan who truly loved and much delighted in David gives him notice of his Fathers bloody purpose towards him and advises him to look to himself that night following and to hide himself in some Cave or secret place of the field where Saul was wont to walk and take the air and thither he himself would accompany him and would speak to him in his behalf and what he saw to be his temper and inclination towards him he would discover to him Jonathan accordingly waited upon his Father into the field and there spake good of David to him and though he knew he was sometimes troubled with frantick fits and might in a rage do him a mischief for it yet he resolves to hazard that rather than desert his friend in a righteous cause 'T is true whilst David was esteem'd a favourite with Saul all his Courtiers carried it fair towards him Ch. 18.5 and faun'd upon him but now when Saul had openly discovered his ill will to
justice to all his people His chief Officers were these Joab was the General of his Army Jehoshaphat Recorder and writer of the Chronicles and things that were to be registred Zadock of the stock of Eleazar 1 Chron. 6.4 8 and Ahimelech of the stock of Ithamar and Son of Abiathar (a) He fled from Saul to David 1 Sam. 22.20 and continued High-Priest till Solomon's time when for his siding with Adonijah he was deposed and Zadock put into his room the High-Priest were the two chief Priests of their several stocks and had the chief command under Abiathar of the other Priests each over the Priests of his own family For David divided the Priests into two parts according to the two families of Eleazar and Ithamar as we may see 1 Chron. 24.3 4. And Benaiah the Son of Jehojada was over two bands of select Souldiers appointed to attend upon the Kings person in their courses as his Guard see 2 Sam. 15.18 and Ch. 20.7 and 1 King 1.38 44. 'T is probable that these Cherethites * These were old expert Soldiers like the Praetorian Soldiers among the Romans were such Garrison-Souldiers of the Israelites as were placed in Chereth of the Philistines see 1 Sam. 30.14 and that the Pelethites were also such Garrison-Souldiers as quartered among the Japhlithites Josh 16.3 And David's Sons were chief about the King and chief Rulers But that policy or Paternal affection of his did not succeed well with him for two of his Sons viz. Absalom and Adonijah having their spirits thereby highly raised at last they presumptuously affected the Soveraignty 2 Sam. Ch. 8. whole Chapter 1 Chron. Ch. 18. whole Chapter 1 King Ch. 11. from 14 to 26. Psal 60. Psal 108. SECT CXC DAvid having subdued his bordering enemies and setled the affairs both of Church and State in his Kingdom he begins now to call to mind the Covenant he had made with his dear friend Jonathan wherein he had engag'd himself to shew kindness to him and his posterity It may indeed seem strange he did not long ago think of it and that he should know nothing of Mephibosheth Jonathan's Son who was but five years old when Saul and Jonathan were slain 2 Sam. 4.4 and now was come to those years that he was married and had a young Son but being hitherto busied in setling his Kingdom at home and subduing his enemies abroad and Ishbosheth Sauls Son having raised a rebellion against him pretending a right to the Crown and denying his right which God himself had given him and all that family as 't is like having sided with him in that cause for these or the like reasons David's head might possibly for some time be so fill'd with jealousie of State that he had no great mind to shew kindness to any of Saul's posterity but being now well setled in his Kingdom and freed from such jealousies he calls to mind the great love that had been formerly between him and Jonathan and the Covenant he had made with him in the presence of the Lord and confirmed by solemn Oath that he would shew kindness to him and his posterity after him 1 Sam. 18.3 20.14 15. and thereupon he inquires whither there were any remaining of the house of Saul that were fit persons for him to shew kindness unto for Jonathan's sake Ziba an old servant of Saul's informs him that Jonathan had a Son named Mephibosheth * Call'd Meribbaal 1 Chron. 8.34 that was lame of his feet who abode in the house of Machir in Lodebar a little Town in the land of Gilead beyond Jordan where he lived in a private and obscure manner desiring to be concealed as much as he could and expected nothing higher than to have his life saved David presently sends for him and when he came before the King he fell on his face and did reverence David receives him very kindly and bids him be of good courage for he did not send for him for his hurt but for his good I will surely says he shew kindness to thee for thy Father Jonathan's sake and will restore to thee all the proper (a) Which were it seems now in Davids hands and confiscated by reason of Ishbosheth's rebellion lands of thy Grandfather Saul and will repute thee as one of my own Sons and thou shalt constantly eat bread at my Table Mephibosheth ravished at this great and unexpected munificence and favour of the King he crys out What is thy servant that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog (b) David had been thus humbled himself once before Saul 1 Sam. 24.14 After whom is the King of Israel come forth after a dead dog after a flea as I am Then David calling for Ziba said to him Behold I have given to Mephibosheth all that land that pertained to Saul Thou and thy Sons and thy servants shall till the land for him and bring in the fruits that he may have food in his house for his family to eat But for himself he shall eat at my Table continually Ziba reply'd that all that the King had commanded should be done So he with his whole house viz. his fifteen Sons and twenty servants became servants to Mephibosheth After this Mephibosheth dwelt at Jerusalem having a young Son whose name was Micha (c) We find 1 Chron. 8.35 that this Micha had four Sons and those many others in whom the noble family of Jonathan was continued 2 Sam. Ch. 9. whole Chapter SECT CXCI. AS David had thus shewed himself kind to Jonathan's Son so he was also ready to shew kindness to any others who had been kind to him a particular instance whereof we have in this Chapter Nahash the King of Ammon had it seems shewed David some kindness possibly when he fled from Achish King of Gath he had entertain'd and protected him though as 't is like not so much out of love to David as hatred to Saul who had given him a great defeat before Jabesh-Gilead 1 Sam. 11. But whatever the particular kindness was Nahash now dying and Hanun his Son succeeding him David sent his Ambassadours to this new King to condole with him for the death of his Father The Princes and Courtiers of Hanun begin to be full of jealousies upon this and strangely misinterpret this kindness of David and judg it to be only counterfeit What say they to Hanun dost thou think that David by this Ambassie intends to honour thy Father Never imagin that he really intends any such thing undoubtedly he hath sent these men as spies to search and observe our Country and to discover some advantages for the conquering of it that he may serve us as he hath done other Nations Besides we have heard that by their Law they are forbidden to seek our prosperity all their days and therefore what reason have we to trust them Thus some Politicians think themselves most wise when they are most suspicious but such wisdom often proveth meer
and his house so he required David to do the like with him and his posterity being very desirous to make a sure and firm league with him whom he so dearly loved and at his motion David willingly did it as appeareth ver 42. Jonathan further said to David to morrow I suppose thou wilt be missed at the New-Moon-Feast because thy seat will be empty when therefore thou hast stayed three days at Bethlem or at some other private place come down quickly to the place where thou didst formerly hide thy self when I first gave thee notice of my Fathers resolution to kill thee Ch. 19.2 and remain by the stone Ezel viz. the stone that directs Travellers in the way they should go and this shall be a token between me and thee whereby I will shew thee what thou shouldst do If I cannot come with conveniency to speak with thee my self I will shoot three Arrows on the side of that stone as though I shot at a mark and I will send a lad to find out the Arrows and if I call to him and say the Arrows are on this side of thee take them up then come thou away for there is peace to thee and no hurt But if I say to the lad Behold the Arrows are beyond thee then go thy way for the Lord by this sign given thee by me commands thee to be gone and to shift for thy self And as touching the Covenant which we have mutually made and confirmed by Oath the Lord be a witness between us and a just avenger of either if either of us transgress that so it may stand firm and inviolable for ever The New-Moon being now come the King sat down to eat in his Chair of State by the wall and Jonathan sat down by him and Abner coming after to sit down Jonathan arose to give him honour and respect being the Kings Cousin and General of the Army and David's place was empty but Saul said nothing of it that day but supposed he absented himself by reason of some legal pollution that had befallen him which rendred him unfit to come and forbad him coming under the penalty of being quite cut off from the people Levit. 7.20 21. On the next day Saul seeing David's place empty again he asked Jonathan why the Son of Jesse by which diminishing title he intimated his displeasure and indignation against him was absent both those days Jonathan answer'd he earnestly desired leave of him to go to Bethlem telling him that their family had a Sacrifice to offer in that city and his brother having commission from his Father so to do had commanded him to be there that he might on that occasion meet his Brethren and on that account he was absent Saul hearing this his anger was kindled against Jonathan and he told him he was right his mothers * Whether Jonathans mother had deserved this censure we need not enquire for this is the property of wrathful persons to speak any evil whether right or wrong of the person against whom their spirit is stirred son for she had been perverse and rebellious against him and so was he He tells him he had chosen the Son of Jesse to be his friend and favourite to his own ruin and confusion and to the confusion of his mothers off-spring that sprang from her womb For says he thou maist assure thy self that as long as the Son of Jesse liveth thou shalt never attain the Crown and Kingdom which by right of inheritance belongs to thee Therefore I charge thee to send for him for he shall surely die Jonathan humbly replied O my Father what hath he done what is his crime that he must die Saul hearing him speak thus in a rage cast a Javelin at him to kill him but he nimbly escaped the stroke and so plainly saw what was his fathers desperate resolution against David And thus Saul by his own rage and fury frustrated his own design had he dissembled his anger he might easily have got David into his hands but by thus openly discovering it he taught him to shift for himself Jonathan seeing how things went rose from the Table in a great discontent and would not eat any thing on the second day of the Feast for he was heartily grieved for David because his fathers anger was so implacable against him and because he had in that furious manner disgraced him in that publick assembly as though he had been a Traytor and Rebel On the third day in the morning which was the day before appointed between David and him Jonathan went out into the field and a little lad with him he bad the lad run before and find out the Arrows he should shoot as the lad ran he shot an Arrow beyond him and when he was come to the place Jonathan cried out to him that the Arrow was beyond him and bad him make hast and bring him that and the other Arrows that he had since shot Jonathan and David agreed upon this secret way of giving intelligence concerning Saul's mind because they thought that some body possibly might be present in the field where David was to hide himself and they could hardly hope for an opportunity to meet and consult together without being observed But Jonathan as it seems now perceiving the coast to be clear he immediately sent away the lad with the quiver bow and arrows and then David rose out of the place where he had hid himself and bowed himself three times with his face to the ground before Jonathan and they kissed each other and wept over one another until David exceeded whose condition at this time in the eye of reason was most deplorable for now he saw he was to be separated not only from his dear friend Jonathan but from his wife and family and from prosecuting the wars against the enemies of God in which he had so often been successful and which was worst of all he saw he was now like to be banished from the House of God and all his publick Ordinances in which his soul so much delighted and this also aggravated his misery he knew not well whither to flee and betake himself Into these great straights God was pleased to bring him for the exercise of his faith and patience and to teach him to flee unto him by fervent prayer as his only rook and refuge Jonathan and he having discours'd some time together at length Jonathan embracing him wished him all happiness and desired him to be mindful of the Covenant they had both of them sworn in the name of the Lord calling upon him to be a witness and a judge between them and their seed after them and to punish those of them that did not inviolably keep that Covenant So they parted 1 Sam. Ch. 20. whole Chapter SECT CLXXII DAvid now perceiving how implacable Saul's anger was against him he concludes he must shift for himself and stand upon his Guard and accordingly taking some few faithful
God justly made use of this sword which he got of the High-Priest by lying as a means to bring him into danger The servants of Achish bringing him before their King said unto him Is not this David the King of the land that is a famous warriour and chief Commander among the Israelites and as it were another King in the esteem of the people or is not this David who is designed as we hear to be King in the land For possibly the report that David should be King and that Saul persecuted him on that account was so rife and common in Israel that it spread it self even to the land of the Philistines Further they say Is not this he of whom the women sang in their triumphant dances Ch. 18.7 Saul hath slain his thousands but David his ten thousands David was much surpriz'd to hear these words spoken of himself by the servants of Achish before their King and seeing himself in their hands and not knowing which way to help himself he resolved to behave himself before them as if he had been distracted And indeed they might well think that he that had done so much against them would not now alone have come among them if he had been in his right wits And accordingly in his gesture words and actions he carried himself as if he had been mad scrabling on the doors and letting his spittle fall on his beard (d) Non illicita prorsus haec simulatio quippe expers mendaciâ— Anonym Stultitiam simulare in loco inquit ille prudentia summa est Potest Deus suos servare per sapientiam immo per insaniam per infirmitatem Simulatio haec mendacium non erat sed silentium duntaxat vel dissimulatio veritatis justa de causa Nec illicita erat hujusmodi fictio cum fiat ad utilitatem suam sine alterius praejudicio he thought possibly that mad men were usually objects of pity and compassion not of malice or revenge and supposed that hereupon they would be the more inclin'd to spare him seeing he was not likely being in this sad case to do them any further mischief But though at present he made use of this stratagem yet he relyed not upon it but put his trust in God and relyed (e) David salutem suam non simulationi suae acceptam tulit sed misericordiae Dei on him alone for help and deliverance as appears by the two Psalms he composed on this occasion viz. the 34. and 56. And God by his alwise Providence so ordered this thing that Achish thinking him absolutely mad slighted and askt them in some kind of anger Why they had brought a mad man before him He told them he had no need of mad men neither desired they should bring such persons into his house In all probability God at present so infatuating him he thought this man was not David but some odd fellow they had pickt up in the way and with that apprehension he dismissed him 1 Sam. Ch. 21. whole Chapter 3ly David having thus got away from Achish he fled to the Cave of Adullam a City in the Tribe of Judah not far from Bethlem which being an hold of some strength see 2 Sam. 23.13 and lying in his own Tribe among his kindred and friends he expected from them favour and protection and accordingly hither his Brethren and those of his Fathers house resorted to him possibly fearing if they stayed at home they should be persecuted and oppressed by Saul for his sake And such as were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered themselves unto him and he became a Captain over them so that number of his followers now came to be about four hundred in all But some will say did David do well to entertain such as these I answer first 't is like he did not know who of them were in debt 2ly He had no purpose to shelter them against any that should demand justice against them 3ly He intended not to make use of them against Saul but only for his own defence 4ly His followers lived not upon Plunder and the spoil of the Country but were rather a Guard to the people and preserved them from the incursions of their enemies as Nabal's servants witnessed for them Ch. 25.15 16. 'T is true they were many of them men that were in a poor and afflicted condition and thinking themselves in no safety at home fled to David for protection 5ly 'T is probable that by this time it came to be generally known that Saul persecuted David because he was anointed of God by Samuel to succeed him in the Throne And if this were the ground of their coming to him how could he reject them 'T is likely indeed that the mouths of his adversaries were opened against him upon this occasion But so long as his cause was just and he did not undertake to defend his followers in any evil nor made use of them to oppress others their reproaches were unjust and not to be regarded Here probably he composed the 142 Psalm David here composes the 142 Psalm the title being Maschil of David a prayer when he was in the Cave 4ly David finding that his Parents by reason of their age were not able to endure the hardship of being with him in the Cave therefore he went to Mizpeh of Moab to provide a place for them to abide in for a while till he knew what God would do with him And here he judged that the King of Moab would favour him in his request out of hatred to Saul (f) Et forsan propâ—er cognationem Davidis cum illa gente per Ruth vid. Ruth 4.10 who had made war upon him see 1 Sam. 14.47 and so accordingly it fell out for he obtained the King of Moab's grant that they should dwell in his Country and they liv'd together in the hold or Castle of Mizpeh till the Prophet * Magnam pro Davide curam ostendit Deus eum nunc per Prophetas nunc per Urim Thummim instruens Gr. Gad (g) Davids Seer 1 Chr. 21.9 with whom he used to consult He was sent unto him by God after he had numbered the people 2 Sam. 24.11 warned David from the Lord to go back again into the land of Judah either because the King of Moab and his people were treacherous or because he intended to bring David's faith to a further trial by Saul's persecutions ver 3 4. 5ly From hence he removeth into the Forrest of Hareth in the Tribe of Judah the news of his being here is presently brought to Saul he sitting under a Tree in an high place in Gibeah having his Spear in his hand and his servants standing round about him whereupon he said Hear now ye Benjamites will the Son of Jesse give every one of you fields and vineyards and make you all Captains of thousands and Captains of hundreds that all of you have conspired against me and none of you
have shewed me that my Son hath made a league with the Son of Jesse and there is none of you that is sorry for me or discovers to me that my Son hath stirred up my servant against me to lye in wait to destroy me as you see it is at this day Then Doeg the Edomite of whom before telleth unto Saul the story of David's coming to Ahimelech at Nob and what passed between them maliciously wresting all they did to the worst sense David composes the 52 Psalm on this occasion as appears by the Title and concealing all that might any way excuse them and this caused David to charge him with lying and slandering as well as with malice and mischief and to threaten against him utter ruin and destruction Psal 52.3 4 5. which Psalm was composed on this occasion I saw says Doeg the Son of Jesse coming to Ahimelech and he inquired of the Lord for him and gave him victuals and the Sword of Goliath the Philistine but he spake not a word of David's pretence wherewith Ahimelech was deceived The King hereat was greatly enraged and sent for Ahimelech and all his Fathers house viz. the Priests that dwelt at Nob being the most of those that remained of Eli's house whom God threatned to cut off Chap. 2.31 He asks him why he had conspired with David against him and had inquir'd of the Lord for him and given him bread and a sword Ahimelech acknowledges the doing of the things Saul charges him with but utterly denieth that they were done with any treacherous mind against him but rather therein to do him service for he thought David had always approved himself faithful to the King in all his undertakings for which the King had highly honoured him and made him his Son-in-law and as far as he knew he had been ever obedient to the Kings commands going out readily on all services which he appointed him though never so full of difficulty and danger and as he understood he was a person greatly honoured in the Kings family And for his inquiring of the Lord for him he says he had often done that in former times when he was to go out on the Kings service and to lead out his forces against his enemies and that which I have done says he without blame at other times I had no reason to think would be blamed now but to aid or assist one that intended and designed to rebel against my Lord and Soveraign was never in my heart far be it from me let not the King therefore impute this as a fault to me or to my fathers house for of any conspiracy against thee thy servants knew nothing at all neither less nor more We may see by this Apology that this good man was loth to declare he had been deceived by David and drawn on to do all that he did by those untruths which he had told him He would not to excuse himself of a seeming fault accuse David of one that was real and thereby incense Saul the more against him But Saul like a bloody Tyrant shut his ears against Ahimelechs just defence and told him that not only himself but all his Fathers house should die though he had not so much as any colour of a crime to lay to their charge And whereas by the Law none were to die under two or three witnesses he condemneth so many upon the bare and single and malicious testimony of one false and flattering Sycophant Neither doth he take time further to examine the cause or the reasons or testimonies which might be produc'd in excuse of Ahimelech and the Priests but in a rage and fury from a rash sentence proceeds to a present execution without any delay And thus this wretched man that could out of a seeming pity and mercy spare Agag who was by God appointed to die now sticketh not to murder and massacre a multitude of innocent persons Accordingly he commanded his guards that were about him to slay forthwith the Lords Priests But the servants of the King that attended upon him would not do it chusing rather to obey God who had forbidden murder than this wicked King Then Saul commanded Doeg that he should fall upon them Doeg accordingly taking unto himself such persons as were alike bloody-minded with himself and so fit for his purpose fell upon them and slew on that day fourscore and five persons that wore a linnen Ephod And thus that which the Lord had threatned against the house of Eli Ch. 2.31 32. was in part fulfilled for of that family these Priests were Then Doeg having as it seems Saul's Commission for it went to Nob and there destroyed men women and children and sucklings yea the very oxen asses and sheep that belonged to that City so great an abhorrence and detestation did he manifest against all that seemed favourers of David Upon the occasion of destroying of this City at this time the Tabernacle was remov'd from hence to Gibeon where it continued to the days of Solomon 2 Chron. 1.3 1 Sam. Ch. 22. from v. 5. to 20. 6ly Keilah a City in the Tribe of Judah being now on a sudden besieged by the Philistines their neighbours and David lying with his forces not far from them in the forrest of Hareth and so in a capacity to afford them some speedier succour than Saul could do who was at a greater distance it seems some of them came to him to acquaint him with their present distress namely that the Philistines now besieged their City and that they had robbed the threshing floors of the Corn that was brought unto them they being without the City and therefore they humbly crave his speedy help David was not willing rashly to engage in such an enterprize especially with so little strength as he had about him without a special commission and promise from God therefore he inquired of the Lord probably by the Prophet Gad who was come to him before as we have seen Ch. 22.5 what he should do and the Lord encouraged him to go against the Philistines and to save and rescue Keilah David's men when they understood what enterprize he was about mightily disswaded him from it speaking to him after this manner We are afraid here in the land of Judah even among our friends and acquaintance lest we should be surprized by Saul and his Troops how much more dangerous must it needs be then for us being but a few to go against such a potent enemy as the Philistines and that in the borders of their own land David to satisfie his followers inquired again of the Lord and God bad him go for he would deliver the Philistines into his hands So David and his men went to Keilah and smote the Philistines with a great slaughter and brought away their cattel either such as they had brought out of their own Country for the provision of their armies or such as they had brought with them to carry the spoils of the
Dei dispositus hoc factum qui neque Davidi quicquam perire voluit neque aliis propter Davidem and Davids men took all the flocks and herds which the Amalekites had taken from other places besides Ziklag and drove them before those Cattel which they had taken from Ziklag which belonged to David and his followers extolling David and proclaiming this is Davids spoil that is which belongeth to him by the Souldiers free consent and gift and accordingly afterwards he bestowed it on whom he pleased David with his men now returning with the captives and spoils they had taken he came at last to the place where he left the two hundred weary men who came forth with great joy to meet David and the people that were with him When they came near him he spoke kindly and courteously to them that they might not be discouraged at the thoughts of their absence from the fight seeing it was occasion'd by their weariness They desiring to have a part in the spoils some of the four hundred who had with David vanquished the Amalekites being wicked men and sons of Belial exprest an unwillingness that they should have any share therein but only their wives and children again though it was not cowardize but meer faintness that made them stay behind and their staying behind with the carriages to defend the stuff and being in readiness to aid and assist their fellows if they had been forc'd to retire might be lookt upon as a good service David mildly speaks to these murmurers saying to them Ye shall not do so my Brethren with the spoil the Lord hath given us and which we have gotten not by our own valour and strength but by Gods gracious favour who hath preserved us and given our enemies into our hands the thing you propose is unreasonable and unjust therefore I shall decide the matter thus As his part is that goeth down to the battel so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff that is the men that tarried behind and abode with the baggage shall have their share of the prey as well as those that marched out with me unto the battel And so from that day he revived and ratified a statute formerly made by God Numb 31.27 Josh 22.8 that the spoil should be divided betwixt those that fought with the enemy and those that stayed with the stuff And when David was return'd to Ziklag he sent some of the spoils he had taken to the Elders of Judah his friends partly by way of restitution because the Amalekites had taken much of this prey from the South parts of Judah and partly by way of thankfulness for the many kindnesses he had received from them when Saul hunted him from place to place and partly in a way of prudence to make them hereby the more firm to him and more ready to give him their assistance when he should stand in need of it Thus as it is always darkest just before day dawneth so God useth to visit his servants with greatest afflictions when he intends their speedy advancement 1 Sam. Ch. 20. whole Chapter 16. We return now to the Philistines and Israelites whom we left nigh to each other Ch. 29. who joining battel at the very time as Josephus says when David was victorious over the Amalekites the Israelites were smitten and Saul's three Sons Jonathan (a) By Jonathan's death the Lord cleared the way for Davids advancement to the Kingdom For if Ishbosheth a worthless man found so many of the people ready to side with him against David what would they have done for Jonathan so brave and worthy a Prince if he had out-liv'd his Father And Jonathan was no loser by it for instead of an earthly God gave him an Heavenly Kingdom Aminadab and Melchishua slain And the battel went sore against Saul himself for the Archâ—rs hit him and sore wounded him he saw his Army routed his friends and followers slain his dear Sons killed before his face he found himself sore wounded and inviron'd with enemies and apprehending no possibility of escaping he bad his Armour-hearer take his sword and run him thorough lest the uncircumcised Philistines should take him and put him to some ignominious death but his Armour-bearer utterly refusing to do it he fell upon his own sword And thus Saul with the sword he had drawn against David slew himself and so concluded a wicked life with a desperate death the Lord in a just judgment giving him up to act this horrid murder on himself as a punishment of his former wickedness therefore 't is said 1 Chron. 10.14 that the Lord slew him His Armour-bearer seeing what he had done followed his wicked example and fell likewise upon his own sword and killed himself Thus died Saul and his three Sons and his Armour-bearer and most of his family and kindred most of his Courtiers and Commanders with a great part of his army see 1 Chron. 10.6 And when the Israelites who dwelt on each side of this valley of Jezreel where the battel was fought and they that dwelt in it 1 Ch. 10.7 saw that their army was routed and that Saul and his Sons were slain they forsook their Cities and Towns and fled for their lives and the Philistines entred into them and possessed them On the morrow after the battel was fought the Philistines coming to strip the bodies of the slain they found Saul and his three Sons fallen in mount Gilboa and they cut off Sauls head and stript off his armour His head they carried about as a Trophy and shewed it in all parts of their Country publishing their victory and the death of Saul and his Sons in a way of joy and triumph in the houses of their Idols (b) Heb. Terrors so called because they possess the minds and hearts of their superstitious worshippers with terrors and fears and do neither teach nor comfort them Hinc superstitio 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 dicitur i. e. Daemonium pavor and afterwards set it up in the house of Dagon their God thereby ascribing to him the glory of their victory as appeareth 1 Chron. 10.10 so David had before served the head of Goliath which he carried to Jerusalem Ch. 17.54 They plac'd his Armour in the house of Ashtaroth see the Note on Judg. 2.13 his body and the bodies of his Sons they fastened to the wall of Bethshan (c) A Town that belonged to the lot of Manasseh but not recovered from the Philistines in the first conquest Judg. 1.27 nor to this day as was said before of Ziklag Ch. 27.6 viz. in a street that was by the City-wall see 2 Sam. 21.12 And when the Inhabitants of Jabesh-Gilead heard what the Philistines had done to the bodies of Saul and his three Sons in gratitude to Saul who had rescued them from Nahash King of the Ammonites when he had straitly besieged their City Ch. 11.11 all the valiant men of that City arose and march'd all night and
Kingly calling so that he should not as before set his heart on Husbandry and Cattel c. but upon such things as tended to the good Government of his Kingdom both in Peace and War And Samuel tells him that if he found all these things to fall out just as he had foretold him he might from thence assure himself that he was chosen of God to be King over Israel and when any occasion or opportunity was offered him of doing any thing for the benefit of his Kingdom he need not fear to undertake it for God would be with him while he walked in his wayes to assist and prosper him Samuel also injoins him that when he was to make war against the Philistines upon such a weighty business he should go down to Gilgal and there wait for him seven days that he might offer Sacrifices for him and direct him from the Lord what he should do And 't is probable this seven days waiting was injoined because Samuel might be hindred from coming sooner by some necessary intervenient occasion or rather for the trial of Saul's faith and obedience to God in waiting his appointed time upon which condition and not otherwise he was to be established in the Kingdom and possibly Samuel expressed his Charge more fully and amply to Saul than is here related These things having passed between them Saul now took his leave of him and when he was gone from him God gave him another heart that is wrought in him a sensible change taking him off from his former thoughts and designs about private Country-affairs and endowing him with magnanimous thoughts and Heroical gifts fit for a King and the Government of a Kingdom And all the signs Samuel foretold him of exactly came to pass as particularly when he came to the Hill of God before mentioned he met a company of Prophets and the Spirit of God came upon him and he prophesied among them and spake of Divine matters above his former abilities and sang the praises of God as 't is probable with musical skill as they did and the inhabitants of Gibeah his friends and acquaintance who had known him and his education were amaz'd to see this sudden and extraordinary change in him and said one to another what is this that is come to the Son of Kish Is Saul also among the Prophets How comes Saul on a sudden to be furnished with such gifts and abilities of Musick and Prophesying who has not been trained up among the Sons of the Prophets but in his Fathers Country-affairs Unto whom one of the same place who it seems was wiser than the rest made answer by asking another question But who is their Father As if he should have said wonder not at this seeing all these whom ye hear and see thus Prophesying have not these gifts from their Parents but from God who is a free agent and inspireth whom he pleaseth and having conferred these gifts on them is alike able if he please to confer them on Saul also therefore it became a Proverb when they saw any man raised to parts and abilities above his birth and breeding to say of him Is Saul among the Prophets And when Saul had made an end of Prophesying he went to the high-place to praise God for his singular favour unto him and his high advancement and to pray to him for the further assistance and guidance of his holy Spirit and for his protection and blessing upon his endeavours Next Saul's Uncle the Father of Abner Ch. 14.15 meeting him either in this place of Religious worship or else as he was coming down from it into the City and hearing how he had Prophesied among the Prophets inquir'd of him where he had been and how he came to be endued with this extraordinary gift and understanding He had been with Samuel He askt him what he said to him He told him that Samuel acquainted him that the Asses were found but he forbear to tell him what he said to him concerning his Election to be King being unwilling as 't is like to give to his Vncle or any of his kindred any occasion to envy him the honour to which God had advanc'd him and Samuel having been so private in the carriage of the business it was an intimation to him not to discover it till God should himself openly make it known 1 Sam. Ch. 9. whole Chapter Ch. 10. from 1 to 17. SECT CLXI SAmuel now calls the people together to appear before the Lord at Mizpeh in order to the chusing of a King when they were met he spake to them after this manner Thus saith the Lord I brought you up out of Egypt and delivered you out of the hands of the Egyptians and out of the hands of all Kingdoms and Nations that oppressed you And you have this day rejected your God who himself saved you out of all your adversities and tribulations and you have rejected his Prophet and said unto him Nay but set a King over us so that by asking a King you have as it were shaken off Gods Government over you Well therefore seeing you are so bent upon it and resolved to have a King present your selves before the Lord by your Tribes and your Families (a) The Tribes of Israel were divided into certain companies each company consisting of a thousand men Mich. 5.2 this day that by casting lots it may be known whom God will make choice of for this purpose Accordingly they casting lots the Tribe of Benjamin was taken then the Family of Matri then the houshold of Kish and lastly the person of Saul Saul as it seems understanding how things went out of modesty withdrew and hid (b) Modeste prudenter fecit Saul ut apparerer eum vocante Domino non malis artibus aut ambitu ad regnum venisse Et cum audivisset Samuelem Israelitas objurganeem quod Regem postularunt inde novum quendam timorem accedendi ad regnum concepit himself so that they could not find him Therefore they inquired of the Lord either by the High-Priest and by Vrim and Thummim or possibly by Samuel whether the person chosen would come thither to them or else how they should find him The Lord answered he hath hid himself among the stuff that is among the furniture of his own Tent. Immediately they ran and fetched him thence and when he stood among the people he was higher than any of them by head and shoulders Samuâ—l then said to them Behold the person whom God hath chosen to be your King there is not so goodly and proper a person (c) Nota hic Samuelem nullis invidentiae acultis stimulari imo eâ—m laudat commendat among you all The people hereupon gave a great shout and said God save the King Then Samuel told them the manner of the Kingdom * V. 25. Aliqui intelligunt bene regnandi praetepta 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quales habet egregrias Socrates
that is all that seemeth good unto thee turn thee and go whither thou wilt I am with thee according to thy heart that is as willing and ready to follow thee in this enterprize as thy own soul can desire Now there was it seems a craggy passage between Gibeah and Michmash and he that went through that passage which had two Rocks in the way must go over both of them one after another Jonathan now with his Armour-bearer resolving to make this attempt he humbly desires a sign from God to confirm his faith that he would bless and assist him in this dangerous enterprize as Abrahams servant in a like case did Gen. 24.13 And undoubtedly by the guidance of Gods Spirit he pitched upon this particular sign viz. That if the Philistines when they first discovered themselves to them should say Tarry till we come unto you that should be to them a sign of their great courage and boldness and then they should not go up to them But if they should say come up unto us it should be a sign of their fearfulness and then they should go up for the Lord would deliver them into their hands Having obtained this sign Jonathan and his Armour-bearer present themselves before the fort of the Philistines who seeing them sayed in a scoffing manner behold the Hebrews come out of the holes where they had hid themselves then they call'd to them and said Come up to us and we will shew you a thing implying that they durst not come up or if they did they would pay them for their pains or teach them more wit than thus to hazard themselves Jonathan seeing that God had now answered his desire in giving him this sign of victory he and his Armour-bearer fetching a little compass about to another place as Josephus tells us which was not guarded by any Souldiers the Philistines thinking it sufficiently defended by nature they clambred up on all four hands and feet and so got into the Fort and God striking the Philistines with a great terrour Jonathan slew such as he first met with and his Armour-bearer having gotten a Spear or Sword from some that fell did also slay others that he met with and they two in a small compass of ground not bigger than half an acre slâ—w about twenty men The Army of the Philistines upon this take the Alarm and both they and the Garrison and the Spoilers that went out to spoil were all smitten with such a mighty terrour from the Lord and with such a dreadful fear and such giddiness and distemper of brain God also at the same time sending a terrible earthquake which encreased the astonishment that they fell upon and slew one another mistaking their friends and fellows for their enemies Sauls Scouts perceiving a great hubbub in the Army of the Philistines and that by mutual slaughters they destroyed one another they acquaint Saul therewith who thinking this might happen by some part of his Army skirmishing with them he ordered his Souldiers should be numbred to see who were wanting and they found only Jonathan and his Armour-bearer absent Saul then calls to Ahiah the High-Priest presently to put on the Ephod to enquire of the Lord what was the cause of that tumult in the Camp of the Philistines and what he should do on this occasion But he understanding again by his Spies that the Tumult went on and encreased he bad the High-Priest stay his hand (a) By the many sad effects that accompanied the following victory we may see how much God was displeased with this prophane contempt of his Ordinance and not staying to inquire of the Lord by the Ephod for there was no time for them now to stand consulting and enquiring of the Lord for the present opportunity suggested to them what they should do namely all join together and fall upon the Philistines being thus disordered with all their might which accordingly they did And when they came to the Philistines Camp they found that every mans Sword was against his fellow not being able through fear and amazement to discern friends from enemies see Judg. 7.22 2 Chron. 20.23 so that there was a great slaughter among them And the Israelites who had formerly been taken Captives and were now slaves and bondmen to the Philistines and forced to follow their Camp and attend upon their Carriages joined now with their brethren against them Also the Israelites that had hid themselves in Mount Ephraim when they heard that the Philistines fled they also came out of their holes and pursued after them so that there were divers sorts of men which joined in this Battel to work their destruction the Philistines themselves who slaughtered one another Saul's Army the Israelites that were Captives among the Philistines and the Israelites who for fear of the Philistines Army had hid themselves in Caves and Rocks Thus the Lord saved Israel that day And the pursuit after the Philistines went on to Beth-haven in the North of Benjamin Saul being hot upon the pursuit though the people were greatly distressed with hunger and faintness yet rashly charged them under the penalty of a dreadful curse and of being devoted as an accursed thing that they should not eat any food till night that so they might not be hindred from pursuing their enemies But this charge of Sauls was rash and inconsiderate and though it had a shew of zeal and good intent yet it was in many respects sinful and wicked For 1. it savoured something of pride and too eager appetite to have the glory of the victory only ascribed to himself and his policy and conduct which more duly belonged to his Son 2ly He did it of his own head without any warrant from God 3ly Though he pretended a good end yet he used ill means viz. the interdicting and forbidding of food to the people though never so faint and needing to eat 4ly He charged them under the penalty of present death v. 43. which it was unlawful for him to inflict though a King without just cause 5ly Hereby he weakned and disabled the people and so hindred them from obtaining a much more glorious victory v. 30. 6ly He was hereby an occasion of the peoples sin who afterwards being ready to die with hunger did out of greediness eat the flesh with the blood v. 32. However the people being thus severely charged by Saul and that under a curse and the penalty of present death none of them tasted any food but pursued the enemy At last they came to a Wood that lay between Michmash and Aijalon that had such pâ—â—nty of Honey that they found it upon the ground either in hollow Trees out of which it ran upon the ground or else in clefts of Rocks or else the Bees made their nests in the very hollow places of the earth But though they found such plenty of Honey there yet none of them for fear of the curse durst put his hand to take any of it
sunt si Deus velit P. Martyr seeing he did it in obedience to Gods express command and by his special commission and direction which is enough to dispence with any Oath After this Enterview between Saul and David Saul went home and David and his men betook themselves to the strong hold near Engedi of which before having no confidence †Hereupon he composed the 57 Psalm and the 63. in Saul's faithfulness who had so often after reconciliation returned to his malicious practises 1 Sam. Ch. 23. v. 29. Ch. 24. whole Chapter Samuel now dies having lived as Judge twenty years and eighteen years in the reign of Saul At this time Samuel dies unto which there are two years only wanting to make up those forty years spoken of Act. 13.21 which is likely to be the time between the death of Samuel and Saul After Samuel's death very many of all sorts and conditions assembled together to solemnize his Funeral and bewail their loss of him as of a faithful Prophet who revealed unto them Gods will as also their sin in rejecting his Government which by sad experience they had now found to be much more easie and profitable to them than that of a King and that it had been much better for them to have lived under a Judge of Gods appointing than a King of their own chosing and therefore now they sadly lamented Samuel's death and buried him at Ramah in the ancient burying place of his family 1 Sam. 25.1 10ly Samuel being dead from whom David used to receive both counsel and comfort he now flees with his men from the holds of Engedi to the Wilderness of Paran that lay on the South-border of Judah towards Idumea not far from the desert of Maon It seems there was a man who had his habitation in Maon whose lands and inheritance lay about Carmel a man of great Estate who had three thousand sheep and a thousand goats the mans name was Nabal signifying a fool he was of a churlish nature and ill conditioned and wicked in all his course and conversation though descended of the wise and vertuous and noble family of Caleb so true it is that grace is not intailed nor goeth by inheritance but is Gods free gift which he bestoweth on whom he pleaseth and often denieth to the children of virtuous and religious Parents His wifes name was Abigail signifying the Fathers joy a name well suiting her nature and conditions being a wise vertuous and beautiful woman David heard that Nabal did on such a day shear his sheep at which time it was the custom to make a great feast for their servants and friends hereupon he sent ten young men to him to salute him in his name and to wish all peace * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 pax a perfectione nomen habet omnigenam beatitudinem exprimit Glass and happiness to him and his family praying for a blessing from God upon all that he had They tell him they came from David who understood he sheared his sheep that day and it being a good day a time of mirth and feasting and plentiful provision he sent them to desire the favour of some provisions from him for himself and his Souldiers They tell him they had not injured any of his servants nor plundered any of his Cattel though it be usual with Souldiers and men of war so to do when they lay near them in Carmel therefore we pray thee say they give us that which thou hast in readiness and what thou art willing to bestow upon us After this manner spake the young men to him in the name of David without being importunate or insolent or adding any thing more than David had given them in charge Nabal churlishly replied Who is David and who is the Son of Jesse Carrying it as if he had not heard of David before who was so famous for his vertues and good parts for his victory over Goliath and others of Gods enemies for his marriage with the Kings daughter and for the high honour and esteem he had been in with the Kings servants but being now in an afflicted and low condition and out of favour with the King this rich churl in a way of contempt asks who he was And further says he there be many servants now a days that break away from their masters Covertly hereby upbraiding David first for flying from the King his master and standing out in rebellion against him And 2ly for giving entertainment to fugitive servants that were run away from their own masters Further he adds shall I take my bread and my water and my flesh that I have killed for my shearers and give it unto men whom I know not whence they be So these young men returned unto David and acquainted him with what Nabal had said David who at other times could with wonderful patience endure all the injuries which Saul had done him being now left to himself and enraged with this reproachful and contumelious answer of Nabal he breaths forth nothing but revenge wherefore he bids his Souldiers gird on their Swords as he girt on his and four hundred of his men following him he resolved to destroy Nabal and all his family Surely says he I have to very good purpose kept all that this fellow hath in the Wilderness so that nothing was missing of all that he had to be thus requited by him Let the Lord so deal with the rest of my enemies as I am resolved to deal with this wicked and ungrateful fellow and let me not prosper if I destroy not all that belong to him by the morning light not leaving him so much as a dog to piss against the wall Thus David being left to himself discovered the inward corruption of his heart and plunged himself into grievous guilt for this was a bloody and unlawful vow (a) In malejuratis fidem rescinde inquit August Nabals churlishness and covetousness though great crimes in themselves were not yet to be punished with death much less was his innocent family to be slain for his offence However David with this bloody purpose marches with his men towards Nabal's house In the mean time one of Nabal's servants fearing that mischief would ensue upon his Masters churlish answer and not daring to intimate so much to him by reason of his froward and perverse disposition he addresseth himself to his Mistress and acquaints her that David had sent messengers to salute their master but he instead of taking it kindly had used them with great contempt and reproach But says he our master had little reason so to do for Davids men were very kind to us when they quartered near us in the Wilderness we were not hurt by them neither missed we any thing of all that belonged to us they were a wall unto us both by day and night and a sure and strong guard to defend and protect us from receiving any hurt or damage either from thieves or wild
coming to Bethshan took and carried away their dead bodies and brought them to Jabesh and burnt them there that is burnt the flesh of them which having hung some days in the Sun was putrified and stinking and so could not be embalmed and the flesh being burnt from the bones they gathered up their bones and solemnly buried them under a Tree in Jabesh and there they continued till towards the end of Davids reign when he took them up and buried them in the Sepulchre of Kish the father of Saul 2 Sam. 21.12 14. Then the men of Jabesh-Gilead to express their sorrow for the death of Saul and his Sons and that they might implore mercy from God in behalf of the whole land which was now in a very sad condition they afflicted themselves with fasting for seven days together only taking still at night some small refreshment 1 Sam. Ch. 31. whole Chapter SECT CLXXIII MEphibosheth the Son of Jonathan being five years old at this time upon the dismal tidings of these disasters his Nurse catching him up and flying away with him in that great fright and consternation she let him fall out of her arms and he became lame of his feet ever after 2 Sam. 4.4 SECT CLXXIV WE are now come to the Second Book of Samuel The Second Book of Samuel so called because it containeth the History of David's reign who was chosen of God to succeed Saul in the Kingdom and anointed thereunto by Samuel and because it relates how those things which Samuel promised unto him from God were really made good unto him It contains an History of forty years from the death of Saul to the death of David As for the Author of it some think it was the office of the High-Priest to register the History of the Jewish Church and the remarkable occurrences that hapned in his time Others think it was pen'd by Nathan the Prophet and Gad the Seer as is intimated in the first of Chron. 29.29 Now the Acts of David the King first and last behold they are written in the Book of Samuel the Seer and in the Book of Nathan the Prophet and in the Book of Gad the Seer * See more concerning the Title of this Book Sect. 149. The first thing here related is how the tidings of the death of Saul and his Sons were brought to David whilst he was yet at Ziklag (a) Which was not as it seems so totally burnt down but that some of it was standing in which David thought better to remain with his men than to go to any other Town of the Philistines whether he was newly returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites and had been preparing and sending away presents to his friends in Judah of the spoils he had taken in that Expedition on the third day after a young man came out of the Camp with his clothes rent and earth upon his head to testifie the dismalness of the tidings he brought and when he came to David he fell on the earth and did obeisance David understanding he came out of the Camp of Israel askt him how matters went He told him the Israelites were vanquished many of them killed and Saul and his Son Jonathan slain David astonisht at this askt him how he knew it to be so This young man to ingratiate himself with David who was by general fame known to be the man whom Samuel had anointed to succeed Saul and apprehending that if he should carry the first tidings of Saul's death to him he should not miss of a great reward he tells him that being on mount Gilboa he found Saul leaning on his Spear * The Reader may compare this whole narration with that he will find 1 Sam. 31 4. and then judg what truth there is in the thing as not being able to stand because of the deadly wounds the Archers had given him and the Chariots and Horsemen pursuing him so fast he call'd unto him and desired him to stand over him and slay him for he was in great anguish and trouble that his life was yet whole and intire in him and accordingly he dispatcht him as Saul desired of him for he was sure he could not live after he was fallen And he took off the Coronet he wore on his head and the Bracelets which he wore on his arm and here says he I present them unto my Lord the King David then took hold of his Clothes and rent them and so did all the men that were with him and they mourned and wept and fasted unto the evening for Saul and Jonathan his Son and for the people of the Lord that were fallen in the battel and that by the hands of the Uncircumcised Philistines which was an evidence of Gods wrath against the Land David angrily askt this young man how he durst presume to stretch forth his hand against the Lords anointed 'T is like the Amalekite thought David would have been highly pleas'd with him for doing it but David upon Saul's death being come into the actual possession of the Regal rights and this man having confest the crime himself David bad one of the young men about him to fall upon him and kill him which he accordingly did and David said thy blood be upon thy own head * See Josh 2.19 for thy own mouth hath testified against thee that thou hast slain the Lords Anointed 2 Sam. Ch. 1. from v. 1. to 17. SECT CLXXV DAvid now laments the death of Saul and Jonathan and the men of Israel in a Funeral Song having first given order that the children of Judah should be taught the use of the bow and the rather because Saul and Jonathan had been overcome by the Archers among the Philistines therefore he desired they should be expert in that Art that they might match their enemies in that military skill for time to come Which order is further recorded in the Civil Annals or the General Chronicle of the Memorable Acts of the Nation called the Book of Jasher * Which Book with divers others particularly some composed by Solomon were burnt in the destruction of Jerusalem by the Chaldeans which was continued as is probable from time to time by the Prophets See Note on Josh 10.13 David begins his Funeral Elegy thus O how are Saul Jonathan and many other valiant men of Israel who were the beauty ornament and glory of the land fallen on the mountains of Gilboa O tell it not in Gath publish it not in the streets of Askalon lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph as they us'd to do in their dances and songs see Note on 1 Sam. 18.6 O if it were possible that this thing might be conceal'd from the enemies of God and his people lest they triumph and insult over them see Judg. 16.23 Mich. 1.10 ascribing the glory of this victory to their Idol-gods to the great dishonour of the only true God
fifty thousand the greatest number that came out of any one Tribe men expert in war and arm'd with all Military instruments and who could keep rank and order and were not of a divided or double heart but men of great singleness and sincerity Of Naphtali a thousand Captains and with them thirty seven thousand armed with Shield and Spear Of the Danites twenty eight thousand and six hundred expert Soldiers Of Asher forty thousand Of the Reubenites Gadites and half Tribe of Manasseh an hundred and twenty thousand furnisht with all manner of weapons and military instruments All these which are reckoned to be in all three hundred twenty two thousand two hundred twenty two being men of war who knew how to keep rank and observe Military order and discipline are said to have come with an upright heart to Hebron to make David King over all Israel and those that came not up with them yet joined in heart and affection with them therein And there they stayed with David eating and drinking and feasting three days together their brethren of Hebron making what preparations for them they could and others that were nigh unto them sending in provisions yea as far as from Issachar (a) V. 40. Usque ab Issachar c. sic Jun. Tremel Zebulon and Naphtali they brought bread and other provisions some on Asses and Camels and Mules and some drawn by Oxen and meat and meal cakes of figs and bunches of raisins wine and oyl they brought also oxen and sheep in great abundance to make the Feast for there was then great joy in Israel 2 Sam. Ch. 5. from v. 1. to 6. 1 Chron. Ch. 11. from v. 1 to 4. 1 Chron. Ch. 12. from v. 23 to the end SECT CLXXXIV DAvid having now so many of his subjects together and most of them armed he resolved to make some good use of them to the taking of Jerusalem which stood in the confines of Judah and Benjamin the men of Judah had taken that part of it which belonged unto them see Judg. 1.8 but the Children of Benjamin could not drive out the Jebusites out of their part see Judg. 1.21 no not when they had the help of their brethren the men of Judah see Josh 15.63 and therefore we read that afterwards it was a City of strangers when the Levite with his Concubine went that way Judg. 19. and so it continued to this time It was a place it seems of very great strength because the Jebusites had held it ever since Joshua had entred the land and it was even in the heart of the Country David having therefore so vast a number of his subjects that were men of war about him who on this solemn occasion had come up to him to Hebron he thought fit to take this opportunity to lead them forth against Jerusalem viz. that part of it that was held by the Jebusites resolving that the wresting of that place out of their hands should be his first enterprize after his being anointed King over all Israel and intending when he had taken it to make it the chief seat of his Kingdom Accordingly he led his Army up thither but when he had laid siege thereto the Jebusites that were within presuming upon the strength of the place in a flouting manner told him That except he could take from them their Tutelar gods that is their Idols and Images in which they put their trust though he and his people counted them and in contempt called them blind and lame gods he must not expect to come in thither And so confident they were of the power and protection of their Idols that they thought David and all Israel could never take their Fort or Castle David hereupon to encourage his Captains in the enterprize promised them that whoever with his Soldiers did first scale the walls and get into the Gutter and kill the Jebusites and destroy the lame and blind Idols they so much trusted in which his soul hated he should be chief Captain and General of his forces Joab possibly that he might recover the Kings favour whom he had highly offended by killing Abner did hereupon first scale the walls and so was made Lord General of the Kings forces see 1 Chron. 11.6 And David did the rather promise this reward to him that should take the Fort because the Jebusites had said in scorn the blind and the lame as you call them being here we need not fear that you shall ever come into this house * Some think it was used as a Proverb The blind and the lame being here he shall not come into this house that is Take heed lest your confidence prove like that of the Jebusites seeing oftentimes as it was with them that which begins in confidence ends in shame Others think that the people of Israel did thus insult over the Jebusites after they had taken the Fort Your blind and lame Idols that should have kept us out are never like to enter into this Fort again For no blind or lame or dumb Idols shall ever be tolerated in this place David having thus taken the Fort he built it round about from Millo inward that is he did at his own cost and charges build and reedifie the inside of the City from Millo and left the care of building the out-walls to Joab 1 Chron. 11.8 Millo was a deep and broad ditch that separated Mount Sion from the lower City which Solomon afterwards filled up 1 King 9.15 24. And so David dwelt in this City and it was called the City of David no less than Bethlem where he was born and he grew great and the Lord of Hosts by his especial favour was with him and blessed him And as an effect thereof at this time Hiram (b) See the like concerning Solomon 1 King 5.1 2. King of Tyre a stranger sent Ambassadours to him to congratulate his settlement in the Kingdom and upon David's request he sent him Cedar-trees and Carpenters and Masons to build him a Palace And David perceived by his own experience and the inward perswasion of Gods Spirit that it was the immediate hand of God that had establisht him King over all Israel and that God had exalted him to the Kingdom and made his Kingdom famous for the good of his Church and people And David took to him more Concubines and Wives out of Jerusalem after he was come from Hebron and this it seems he did that thereby he might multiply his friends and allies for the strengthening of him in his Kingdom But herein he shewed much humane frailty * Habuit David 8 uxores decem concubinas sed neque ex tot uxoribus libido adulterandi extincta est and weakness in making use of that as a means to establish him in his Kingdom which God had expresly forbidden to the Kings of Israel viz. the multiplying of wives See Deut. 17.7 2 Sam. Ch. 5. from 6 to 17. 1 Chron. 11. from 4 to 10.
the port and state of a Prince the people might look upon him as next heir to the Crown and give him answerable respect For the people are very apt to be taken with outward pomp and bravery and to judge those that use it to be men of brave and noble spirits David being much blinded with affection towards him takes no notice of this his ambition and popularity 2ly He cunningly insinuates himself into the hearts of the people for rising early and standing at the Kings Gate when any Suitors came to the King for justice and to do them right he would in a friendly and obliging manner inquire of their matters and where they lived When he heard their cause he would tell them their cause was good and just but the misery of it was there was none deputed by the King to hear the causes of those that repaired thither for justice that would hear them impartially and do them right Which was a base slander of a graceless Son against his Father of whom it is said Ch. 8.15 That he executed judgment and justice to all the people Then he would say O that I were made judg in the land that every one that hath any cause or suit might come unto me I would be sure to do them right 3ly When any man came nigh him and did him obeisance and paid him respect he would lovingly take him by the hand and kiss him And thus continually courting the people he stole away their hearts and drew their affections from the King to himself David all this while through the just judgment of God was so blinded that he minded it not 4ly Having by these popular ways and arts brought his business as he thought to some ripeness and maturity he now tells the King that he had made a vow when he was in Geshur that if the Lord would please to bring him back again to Jerusalem he would offer to him certain Peace-offerings and Gratulatory Sacrifices and he desired leave of him that he might go to Hebron the place where he was born and which was one of the chief high places in the Tribe of Judah about sixteen miles from Jerusalem whither in those times they resorted to offer Sacrifice there to perform that vow This was forty years (a) Being then about 22 or 23 years of age and about 7 years before he began his reign in Hebron and so about the 33 of his reign and about 7 years before his death after David was first anointed by Samuel in Bethlem and about seven years before his death David bids him go in peace Absalom accordingly went thither and it being the custom when they offered these Peace-offerings to make great feasts therewith Absalom under that colour invited many of his friends and followers and many of the people whom he hoped to win to join with the rest in his intended Conspiracy and to perswade them to make him King Then he sent spies thorough all the Tribes of Israel who at the set time agreed on when the Trumpets should sound in every Tribe and the people wonder what the matter was these spies should inform them that Absalom was anointed King in Hebron with all Regal Ceremonies and Solemnities and was so accepted and proclaimed by the people There were two hundred that were invited by Absalom to his feast of Peace-offerings at Hebron that went in the simplicity of their hearts meerly as invited guests knowing nothing of his intended Conspiracy He hoped it seems that these when they came thither and saw what the rest did would join with them However by inviting such known faithful men he thought his intended Plot would be the better concealed He sent also for Achitophel who had been formerly one of his Fathers prime Counsellors and much esteemed by him for wisdom but for some reasons as it seems was now laid aside and dwelt privately at his own City Giloh in the Tribe of Judah And thus the Conspiracy grew strong for many daily flocked in to Absalom 2 Sam. Ch. 15. from 1 to 13. SECT CXCVII THese things thus going on there came a Messenger to David from Hebron to inform him what had passed there and to acquaint him that the hearts of the people were generally for Absalom David upon this surprizing news knew not well what to do but concluded that present flying * The third Psalm is said to be penned on this occasion wherein by faith he relyed on God as his shield was the safest and securest way both for his own preservation and the good of the City He knew not what party Absalom might have in the City he thought it not safe therefore to trust himself there at present but to go out and encamp abroad in the fields and deserts He desired also to preserve the City from being spoiled and plundred which they might be exposed unto if they stood on their own defence The King therefore departing with his servants and retinue he left ten of his Concubines in his Palace taking as 't is like his other wives along with him thinking that Absalom's party would not be so barbarous and inhumane as to offer any violence to them both because they were women and also stood in so near a relation to the King But there was an over-ruling Providence in this for the bringing about that which God had threatned against David Ch. 12.11 I will take thy wives and give them to thy neighbour and he shall lye with them From Davids departure from Jerusalem for fear of Absalom there happened many remarkable things which we shall here set down in order 1. The King with his servants and guards having marched some reasonable distance from the City there they made a stand and thither to him resorted most of the Citizens that were truly loyal to him and with them six hundred Gittites (a) Sic vocantur auxiliares illorum Philistinorum quos in nuperis bellis David subegerat regno suo adjecerat born possibly at Gath or the Territories of it and who were become proselytes with Ittai their Captain who is supposed to be the King of Gaths Son and a proselyte also he was a wise and valiant man and much in the Kings favour The King seeing him there told him that he had no reason to expose himself to so much danger as they were like to meet with in their flight he being a stranger and an exile and but newly come to him it were better for him to return to Jerusalem and seek to be advanced by the new King who undoubtedly would kindly receive him and his followers seeing they were strangers Take therefore says he thy Countrymen and Souldiers and go back to him and the God of mercy and truth preserve thee Ittai replied As the Lord liveth and as my Lord the King liveth nothing shall make me leave thee but I will stick to thee both in prosperity and adversity both in life and unto death David seeing him so
generously resolved gave order that he and his men should pass over the River Kidron (b) Called Cedron Joh. 18.1 which lay between the City and mount Olivet which they accordingly did their Children whom they brought along with them following them And the people thereabout wofully lamented the sad condition they saw their King now in and the King and the people that were with him passed over the river 2 Sam. Ch. 15. from v. 17 to 24. 2ly Zadock who was next to the High-Priest Abiathar and whose course it seems it was at this time to attend upon the Ark came with many of the Levites to David bearing the Ark of God and when they came to the place where David and his Company stayed they set it down and Abiathar the High-Priest went in the forefront of the people that came out to David and led them up to Mount Olivet until all the Company that followed him were passed over the Brook Kidron David then spake to Zadock and Abiathar to carry back the Ark to Jerusalem for though he highly valued the Ark being the visible sign of Gods presence and at which they used to ask counsel of God in their difficulties yet because it could not be conveniently carried about with them in that flying posture they were now in and he could not enjoy it unless he had the Priests and Levites also with him to attend it and being unwilling to expose them to so much danger as he himself was like to be exposed unto he commanded them to carry it back into the City saying to them If I shall find favour in the eyes of the Lord he will bring me back again unto it and to the Tabernacle or Tent I have provided for it in which he uses in an especial manner to manifest his gracious presence But if he say I have no delight in thee nor will accept thee because of thy heinous sins behold here I am let him do to me as seemeth good unto him I wholly submit my self to his good pleasure Further he said to Zadock Art not thou a Seer and a Prophet whose duty it is to instruct the people Return thou therefore and Abiathar into the City in peace go and that with my love and good liking and take your two Sons Ahimaaz and Jonathan along with you You may do me great service there by inquiring into the counsels and observing the motions of the enemy and giving me intelligence thereof and this I desire you to do for me and I will tarry in the plain of the Wilderness till I hear from you Zadock and Abiathar accordingly carried the Ark back again to Jerusalem but did not take their Sons Ahimaaz and Jonathan along with them as David appointed but ordered them to stay at Enrogel in the borders of Judah and Benjamin not far from Jerusalem see Ch. 17.17 that lying there in obscurity they might receive intelligence from their Fathers and so acquaint David therewith as occasion required 2 Sam. Ch. 15. from 24 to 30. 3ly David now marches up to Mount Olivet weeping bitterly for his sins that had brought these troubles upon him and he went barefoot and with his head covered as was the custom of mourners among the Jews thereby testifying his deep humiliation and shame for so highly offending God And the people also that went up with him covered their heads and wept bitterly thereby testifying their simpathy with their King in his sorrows and sufferings ver 30. 4ly David upon this occasion composed the 3d. and 55. Psalm One comes now to David and acquaints him that Achitophel that great Politician had join'd himself to Absalom and the Conspirators with him whereupon David earnestly prayed unto the Lord to turn his counsel into foolishness Which petition the Lord was pleased graciously to grant as we shall see Ch. 17.14 23. v. 30. 5ly Being come to the top of the Mountain he there prayed and worshipped God and humbly implored his mercy towards him and to help him against his enemies and behold immediately Hushai the Archite * Of the Town of Archi in Ephraim his faithful friend and Counsellor and a great Politician came to him who was a man whom God had qualified with such a measure of wisdom that he was able to countermine and counterplot Achitophel Hushai came to him with his Coat rent and earth upon his head thereby testifying the deep sense he had of his great afflictions and sufferings David kindly receives him but tells him it would not be any advantage to him but rather a burden to take him along with him he being a Statesman and not a Souldier but he would do him much better service if he would go to Jerusalem and seemingly join with Absalom and say to him I will be thy servant O King as I have been thy Fathers servant and so by insinuating himself into his favour and being made acquainted with his counsels he might defeat them (a) Davids sending Hushai to dissemble with Absalom may teach us how prone men are in their extremities to pitch upon such courses as are not so good and right as they should be And says he thou wilt have Zadock and Abiathar there to assist thee with their best endeavours and what thou hearest from Absalom or his Council thou maist impart to them and they have with them their two Sons by whom thou maist send to me It seems David thought their Sons had gone back with them to the City and did not know that they were ordered by them to stay at Enrogel as we shew'd before Hushai being Davids sure friend complies with him herein and accordingly goes to Absalom at Jerusalem and insinuates himself into his favour 2 Sam. Ch. 15. from v. 32 to the end 6ly When David was a little past the top of the hill and was going on towards the Wilderness Ziba servant to Mephibosheth meets him with two Asses sadled and laden with two hundred loaves of bread and a hundred bunches of raisins and a hundred pieces of summer-fruits and a leather-sack of wine The King asked him what he meant by these He replied the Asses be for any of the Kings Houshold to ride upon and the bread and summer-fruits and wine for any of the young men that are his followers to refresh themselves with and he hoped the King would please graciously to accept his humble respect and duty though the things in themselves were of so small value The King then askt him where Mephibosheth was his Master Jonathan's Son and what the reason was seeing he had shewed him so great kindness that he did not come to him Ziba answer'd Behold he abides at Jerusalem for he said To day shall the house of Israel restore me the Kingdom of my Father A shameful lye and slander and very improbable if Mephibosheths lameneness and infirmities to rule be considered as also how the peoples hearts were at this time set upon Absalom However David being very
tender and jealous in matters that concerned his Crown and especially when there was any Title set up against him by those of the house of Saul he passes a rash sudden and unjust sentence Behold says he to Ziba all that pertained to Mephibosheth thy master is thine I freely give it to thee Thus David in hast deprives an innocent man of his whole estate and gives it to a wicked and treacherous Calumniator It may indeed seem strange and wonderful that so wise and good a King as David should pass such a rash and unjust sentence against the only Son of his dear friend Jonathan a person of great worth and who so intirely loved him and had done him so many favours and to whose posterity he was by solemn Oath and Covenant bound to be kind and that he should do this upon the bare suggestion of one single witness and he a servant against his master and in his masters absence who was not so much as heard what he could say for himself nor any other witness examined in the case But it seems David being highly transported with passion and state-jealousie the Crown being a thing that will admit of no copartners or corrivals he passed this sentence without considering any of these things Thus we see that the best of men are but men and apt to fail and miscarry when left to themselves Ziba like a cunning old fox thankfully accepted the Kings bounty yet pretended that he more desired and esteemed the favour of the King than the gift he had given him 2 Sam. Ch. 16. from v. 1 to 5. 7ly David now marches to Bahurim a Town not far off in the Tribe of Benjamin there one Shimei a man of the family of Saul came forth like a mad man and vented his malice and rage against him in a very high and provoking manner and going along on the hill-side over against him bitterly cursed him and threw stones at him and his followers though he was at this time guarded with valiant Souldiers both on the right hand and on the left And as if this had not been enough with the extream hazard of his own life he cried out Come out come out thou bloody man thou Son of Belial the Lord hath now brought upon thee all the blood of the house of Saul intimating that David had stirred up the Philistines to make that invasion upon the land wherein Saul and his Sons were slain And as thou hast done to others so now by the just judgment of God others do to thee Thou didst rise up against Saul and now by a just retaliation Absalom is risen up against thee thou art now taken in thy own mischief thou didst rebell against thy Father-in-law and usurp his Kingdom and now thy own Son hath rebelled against thee and usurped thine Abishai was so enraged at this that he said to the King why should this dead dog this base contemptible wretch be suffered in this shameful manner to curse and revile my Lord the King Let me go over to him I 'le cut off his head and bring it to thee Joab also it seems offered his service in the like kind David meekly replies I will take none of your counsel nor consent to your ways of revenge ye Sons of Zerviah this is no time for me to think of private revenge who am under the correcting hand of God for my sins The Lord hath for my trial and afflicton permitted this man to revile and curse me and has suffered Satan to excite him thereunto which though it be a sin in him yet it is most wisely and justly ordered * V. 10. To praecepit accipi debet pro permisit hanc maledictionem eamque positive ordinavit ad meampoenam Sic 1 Sam. 13.14 praecepit Davidi i. e. ordinavit ut regeret Israelem 1 Reg. 17.4 Corvis mandavi i. e. ordinavi ut pascerent c. vel Dominus dici potest proprie ei praecepisse tanquam lictori suo ut maledicat Davidi i. e. sua Davidi scelera exprobret publice coarguat licet Simei limites excederet mandati divini veris criminibus inter exprobrandum multa falsa admisceret Non cogitur David de causa proxima nota scil voluntate Simei sed recurrit ad Providentiam Dei ut Josephus Gen. 45. of God for my humiliation and the exercise of my patience and what reason have I to be troubled at what this man says against me you see my own Son that came out of my bowels seeketh my life how much more may I then with patience endure the reproaches of this Benjamite who being of the family of Saul is my declared and professed enemy Let him curse seeing the Lord hath permitted him as his instrument and executioner thus to afflict me And if by this means I be brought to true humiliation and repentance for my sins possibly the Lord may look down upon my affliction and reward my patient bearing of it and instead of those curses now thrown at me may please to reward me with a blessing and some special mercy Thus admirably patient was David when supported by Divine grace who a little before being left to himself was so impatient in the cause of Mephibosheth But David was not so patient but Shimei was as impudent and malicious who went on over against him on the side of the hill cursing him and casting stones at him and throwing up dust into the air in defiance of him yet so obedient were David's Commanders and Souldiers that none of them offered to stir to revenge this great injury seeing he forbad them So the King and all the people that were with him passed on to Bahurim and being weary there refreshed themselves 2 Sam. Ch. 16. from v. 5 to 15. 8ly David being now come near to the banks of Jordan where he pitched he there it seems composed the 42 and 43 Psalms 9ly Absalom being now come to Jerusalem and Achitophel with him Hushai presents himself to him and congratulates his coming to the Crown saying to him God save the King God save the King Absalom as it seems wondering he should come to him says What is this thy kindness to thy friend thou didst pretend to be a great friend to my Father and is this the part of a friend to leave his friend in his extremity Why dost thou not go along with him Hushai replies Nay but whom the Lord and the people of Israel chuse for their King his subject will I be with him will I abide and whom should I serve but thee As I have served thy Father while he was King so now I will serve his Son being advanced to the Throne Thus Hushai insinuated himself into Absalom that being near him he might come to know his counsels and so defeat them 2 Sam. Ch. 16. from v. 15 to the 20. 10ly Absalom now calls his Council together to advise him what was fittest to be done that they might carry on their
give David speedy notice thereof and advise him not to lodge that night in the plain of the Wilderness but speedily to pass over Jordan lest he should be surprized For though he had at present as he thought diverted them from following Achitophels dangerous counsel yet he knew not how soon their minds might change Jonathan and Ahimaaz of whom before stayed at Enrogel not far from Jerusalem expecting to hear from their Fathers for they durst not come into the City being suspected to be of Davids party Therefore Zadock and Abiathar sent their message to them by a young maid who was not like to be suspected that they might conveigh it speedily to David But it seems a lad accidently saw them at Enrogel and went and gave intelligence of them to Absalom who speedily sent some to surprize them But they understanding some way or other that they were discovered hasted away presently to Bahurim and betaking themselves to a friends house they hid themselves in the well which was in the Court of the house and to conceal them the more the mans wife spread a covering over the wells mouth and spread ground-corn thereon Absalom's servants pursue them thither and inquire diligently after them the woman of the house tells them they were gone over the water telling therein as they call it an officious lye to preserve them and so when they had sought them in vain and could not find them they returned to Jerusalem They being gone Ahimaaz and Jonathan came out of the well and went speedily to David to acquaint him with what Achitophel had counselled against him and shew him that he must speedily arise and pass over Jordan if he intended to preserve himself This therefore David and his followers immediately did that night and by the morning the whole army was past over And the special Providence of God appeared herein that they were all preserved in such a dangerous passage and that in the night When Achitophel saw that his counsel was not followed but Hushai's prefer'd before his and foreseeing that this counsel of Hushai would certainly be their ruin and that David by gaining this time would so strengthen himself that he would be too hard for Absalom when they came to fight it out in the field and concluding that if David prevail'd as 't was most likely he would there was no mercy for him to be expected at his hands who had been so false and treacherous to him he being greatly discontented went to his own City Giloh and there putting his house in order making his will and disposing of his estate and taking care of all things but his soul he hanged himself * Herein he was a Type of Judas and was buried in the Sepulchre of his Father 2 Sam. 17. from v. 1 to 24. David upon occasion of Achitophel's counsel against him compos'd the 55 Psalm 12ly David by this time having gathered a good Army together marched with it to Mahanaim a City in the Tribe of Gad beyond Jordan and was there furnished with provisions by three eminent persons the first was Shobi the Son of Nahash of Rabbah brother of Hanun King of Ammon whom David had deposed for abusing his Messengers and set this Shobi up in his stead in thankful remembrance whereof he now brought provisions to David The second was Machir of Lodebar who was Guardian to Mephibosheth when David came to the Crown see Ch. 9.4 who observing how much David favoured him and what kindness he shewed to him did highly esteem him ever after for it and was the readier as 't is probable to commiserate him in this time of his troubles The third was Barzillai the Gileadite of whom we shall say more when we come to the 19th Chapter These all came to comfort David †Sic solet Deus cum usitata auxilia absunt suis de improviso suecurrere in his great distress when his own unnatural Son sought his life and they brought beds and cups and earthen vessels and wheat barley meal parched corn beans lintils and parched pulse and honey butter and sheep and cheese to refresh David and the people that were with him who they thought must needs be weary and hungry and thirsty having had so long a march thorough the Wilderness where they could not but be in great want From v. 27 to the end 13ly Absalom having now gathered together a mighty Army of the Israelites as Hushai had advised he marches out with them against his Father Amasa (a) 'T is said here that Ithra an Israelite was his father and Abigail sister to Zerviah his mother In 1 Chron. 2.17 this Ithra is call'd Jether the Ishmaelite It seems therefore that he was an Ishmaelite by birth but an Israelite by profession and habitation being become a proselyte or else he was call'd an Ishmaelite because he had lived among the Ishmaelites as upon the same account some were called Hittites and Gittites 'T is said of this I hra that he went in to Abigail and begat this Amasa on her which intimates he was not then married to her 'T is also said of this Abigail that she was daughter to Nahash sister to Zerviah 1 Chron. 2.16 17. 't is evident that both this Abigail and Zerviah were daughâ—ers of Jesse and Sisters to David Either therefore Jesse had also the name of Nahash or his wifes name was Nahash who was the mother of Abigail who was Nephew to David and Cousin-german to Joab being made his General and with them he passed over Jordan and pitched in the land of Gilead 2 Sam. 17. v. 24 25 26. 14ly The Armies of David and Absalom being now near one another David drew out his Army which was at this time much increased by the resort of many out of the two Tribes and half on the other side Jordan unto him and mustering them he set Captains over hundreds and Colonels over thousands and divided his Army into three Battalions appointing three Generals over them viz. Joab Abishai and Ittai Then he told them He would go forth with them in person to encourage them and possibly he inclined the more to it that being present in the Army he might use his best endeavour for the saving of Absalom his great Commanders and Souldiers would by no means consent that he should venture his person in the battel telling him that he was worth ten thousand of them the Commonwealth should receive more damage and the enemy more advantage if he should be kill'd than if ten thousand of them should be slain alas say they if we should flee or half of us be slain the enemy will not much regard it if thou remainest alive who art the mark at which they principally aim and who they know as long as thou livest wilt be able to raise forces and make head against them and therefore we think it much better that thou remain in the City and from thence that thou send us forth succours and
back to Jerusalem with these men of Judah Shimei the Benjamite join'd himself who had before so unsufferably cursed and reviled David bringing with him a thousand Benjamites so that it seems he was a potent man in his own Tribe He took this opportunity of coming to reconcile himself to the King and obtain his pardon hoping to speed the better because the men of Judah also now came to make their peace with him Ziba also the treacherous servant of Mephibosheth who had so falsely accused his Master was very forward to come with his fifteen sons and twenty servants to meet the King hoping thereby to keep himself in the Kings favour though his falseness to his Master should be discovered All these went over Jordan to meet the King and to conduct him back And there went a Ferry-boat to bring over some of the chief of the Kings houshold as his wives and children and whom he pleased and to be imployed as he should appoint The rest passed over the fords on horses or as they could Shimei now coming before the King fell down on his face before him and said Let not my Lord impute iniquity unto me neither do thou remember what thy servant did perversely on the day that my Lord the King went out of Jerusalem neither let the King take it to his heart or regard it for thy servant doth acknowledg that he hath heinously sin'd against thee But I am come the first and before any others of the house of Joseph * The Scripture is wont ordinarily to divide the 12 Tribes into Judah and Israel Judah having Benjamin adjoin'd to it and Ephraim comprehending the other Ten Tribes which are all called by its name because it was the chief of them See Isa 7.2 Psal 80.1 Zach. 10.6 viz. of the Ten Tribes to meet my Lord the King And therefore as I have given a good example to others so if I obtain pardon others will be encouraged by my example to come in likewise to submit to the King Abishai standing by and hearing what he said What says he shall not Shimei be put to death who cursed the Lords anointed to his face If thou spare him spare all The King replied What have I to do with you ye Sons of Zerviah why should you advise me to that which is so prejudicial to me as if you were my very adversaries seeing God hath given me so signal a victory over my enemies and hath made this day a day of rejoicing to me I will not damp nor stain the joy of it by sheding any mans blood I am this day restored to my Kingdom again and as it were new-created King and what better becomes a King especially on the day of his Inauguration than clemency and mercy It will not be wisdom in me to discourage those that are willing to submit to me nor to endanger my yet unsetled State by exercising severity on them who stooped and acknowledged their faults Therefore as for Shimei I do here swear unto him before you all and pass my royal word that he shall not die (a) This must be understood in reference to his former faults if he committed any new offence this Oath did not bind to secure him from punishment therefore David 1 King 2.8 9. gave order to his Son Solomon to watch and observe him well that if his malice and wickedness did break forth any other way he should proceed against him in a way of justice Non morieris i. e. hodie vel jam vel manu mea meo jussu non propter hanc causam Nec praecepit Solomoni ut propter eum puniret eum sed solum dicit noli pati eum esse impunitum sed eo modo quo juste poteris Id ergo committit prudentiae Solomonis Among others that met the King Mephibosheth the Grandson of Saul was one who had neither washed his feet as in publick mournings they used not to do nor trimmed his beard nor wash'd his linnen from the day the King departed from the City to that day but had behaved himself as a true mourner for the Kings long absence and sore afflictions The King asks him why he came not to him sooner he answers My Lord O King my servant deceived me for I said I would have the asses sadled that I might ride to the King and behold he went away secretly with them leaving me behind a poor lame man unable to help my self And besides this he hath also horribly slandered me to the King and hath thereby as I understand gotten a grant of my lands I do protest I never spake those words he hath accused me of but my Lord the King is wise even as an Angel of God to discern between truth and falshood therefore let him do unto me what seemeth good in his eyes for I acknowledg all my fathers house were but as dead men before my Lord the King we were all in thy power thou mightest have put us all to death if thou hadst so pleased for the attempt made upon thy Royal dignity by Ishbosheth and therefore what cause have I to complain if that which was freely given me by thee be now taken from me David tells him he was full of weighty business at that time and therefore he would not have him for the present trouble him any further about that matter I have said says he and my sentence shall stand Thou and Ziba divide the land It may seem strange that so wise and just a King as David was should pass so unjust a sentence against Mephibosheth the Son of his dear friend Jonathan with whom he had made a solemn Covenant to be kind to him and his seed after him and the poor pitiful plight and condition Mephibosheth was now in might have induc'd David to think that he was far from aspiring to the Crown Besides Ziba did not offer now to justifie to his masters face what he had before accused him of But it seems David was loth to displease Ziba who had lately brought him relief in his distress and was not willing to take back from him all that he had given him especially at such a time as this when he so much desired to endear himself to all his subjects and therefore he appointed Mephibosheth and him to divide the land between them But notwithstanding the hardness of this sentence honest Mephibosheth was so far from being displeased at it that he said Nay let him take all seeing my Lord the King is come to his house in peace Besides these Barzillai the Gileadite a man of eighty years of age who had supplied the King with Provisions while he was at Mahanaim see Ch. 17.27 being a very rich man came from Rogelim the City where he lived to conduct the King over Jordan The King received him very kindly and invited him to go along with him to Jerusalem where he would entertain him as his friend Barzillai told him he was at
him not a man among them would open his mouth for him or do any thing to prevent the danger he was in however Jonathan that truly loved him resolv'd to speak for him and therefore he said to his Father Let not the King sin against his servant against David for he hath not sinned against thee but his works and deeds have been very good towards thee for he put his life in his hand and slew the Philistine and the Lord wrought a great Salvation for all Israel thereby thou sawest it and didst rejoice therein Wherefore then wilt thou sin against God and shed innocent blood and slay David without a cause How high a degree of ingratitude and injustice will it be so ill to requite so noble an exploit which did at that time so exceedingly affect thee Saul was so melted with these words of Jonathan that he solemnly sware to him at that time that David should not die but great and frequent swearers do often forget what they have sworn and do not stick to forswear themselves and break their Oaths as we shall see Saul soon did However Jonathan not knowing what was in his heart calls David and acquaints him with what his Father had said and promised and so he brought him again to the Court and he was in the presence of Saul as in time past During his continuing there the Philistines again made an inroad into the Land and David went out and fought against them with great courage and slew them with a great slaughter and the rest of them fled to their own Country Ch. 19. from 1 to 9. 6ly The evil spirit being again upon Saul and he having a Javelin in his hand as David played upon his harp before him in a frantick fit he ran his Javelin so violently at him as if he intended to have pinned him to the wall but David nimbly avoiding the stroke the Javelin ran into the wall And this was the third time that Saul had sought to kill him with his own hand David therefore thought it now high time to shift for himself and so he left the Court and went to his own house From v. 9 to 11. 7ly Saul then sent messengers to David's house to lye in wait about the house in the night and to slay him in the morning when he came out Michal either casually discovering Saul's servants watching about the house and guessing at their errand or else having some secret intelligence from Court of Saul's design against her husband she acquaints David with it that he might look to himself and then to prevent his present danger she let him down thorough a window * See Act. 9.25 and so he fled and escaped And further to delude the watchmen if by violence they should break into the house and to gain longer time for David to escape she laid an Image (b) Humanam quidem non Idololatricam qualis illa Gen. 31.19 in a bed and put a pillow of Goats-hair under the head of it and covered it with a cloth thereby intending to make them believe that David was sick in bed and therefore in all humanity at present not to be disturb'd When the messengers whom Saul had sent to watch about the house had waited till morning and saw he came not forth as they expected they went and told Saul of it who sent them back again with a new commission to enter his house and take him Michal thinking sickness a fair pretence to keep them from too eager pressing upon him that she might gain the more time for his escape told them he was sick in bed they thinking it had been so returned and acquainted Saul therewith Saul suspecting it was but a pretence of Michal's to preserve her husband sends them back again to see whither it was so or no however if he were sick he charges them to bring him with them though they brought him in his bed They coming again to the house and going up to lay hold on him behold there was no David but only an Image in the bed They then carry Michal before Saul who angerly asks her why she had deceived him and sent away his enemy she answers He threatned to kill her if she would not let him go Here by the way we may observe that though her intire love to her husband be highly to be commended yet her telling lyes to preserve him cannot be excused and further we may take notice that if people once allow themselves in lying it will encrease upon them and one lye will draw on another and a lesser will draw on a greater and. louder as we see here in this example of Michal who first told an officious lye as they call it to save her husband and now tells a pernicious lye to save her self she should rather have imitated her brave brother Jonathans example who spake boldly to his father in defence of her husbands innocence From 11 to 18. David was so affected with this deliverance that he composed the 59 Psalm upon this occasion of Saul's sending to his house to kill him as may appear by the Title 8ly David thus escaping fled to Ramah to acquaint Samuel with all that had passed and with what Saul had done unto him and to crave his advice and counsel in these dangers and difficulties Hereupon he and Samuel went down to Naioth near Ramah where was a Colledg of Prophets but some body or other quickly informed Saul that David was come thither and he presently sent messengers to take him there when the messengers came thither and found the Prophets prophecying that is praising God with Psalms and Hymns and speaking of Divine matters and Samuel among them sitting as President over them and governing this holy assembly the Spirit of the Lord fell upon them and they instead of apprehending David which was the business they were sent about prophesied also Saul hearing of this sent other messengers upon the same errand a second and a third time and they prophesied * The like example we have in the High-Priests Officers who were sent to apprehend Christ Joh. 7.45 46. also that is praised God with Psalms and Hymns and magnified his name as the other before had done Saul might by this miracle have been convinc'd of his sin and folly in pursuing after David when he saw him thus miraculously preserved and protected by God but being thus disappointed by his messengers and his heart being hardened he resolves to go thither himself and to fetch David thence even out of his Sanctuary but it fell out quite contrary to his expectation for whereas his messengers did not prophesie till they came into the company of the Prophets at Naioth the Spirit of the Lord now falling upon him he prophesied †Donum Prophetandi aliquando Impiis concedit Deus ut Balaamo vide Mat. 7.22 before he came thither even in the way and was chang'd from a Persecutor into a Prophet which plainly
much of the Book of Ecclesiastes SECT XVII GOD threatned Solomon 2 Sam. 7.13 14 15. That if he committed iniquity he would chasten him with the rod of men and with the stripes of the children of men but his mercy should not depart from him And accordingly he now stirred up three Adversaries (a) Though Solomon's enemies had herein their own ends yet the Lord us'd them as instruments of his Justice to punish his revolt against him 1. Hadad the Edomite When David subdued the Edomites 't is said 2 Sam. 8.14 He put Garrisons through all Edom and they became his servants And at this time as it seems whilst Joab pursued his victory slaying all the males where he came Hadad then being very young was hid and afterwards secretly carried away by some of his Fathers servants who also took some out of Paran that lay in the way to attend him into Egypt where he was kindly entertained by Pharaoh who gave him an house and lands and appointed him victuals and a constant Table and in time he came to be in so great favour with him that he gave him to wife his own Queens sister who bare him a Son that was educated in Pharaoh's house When this Hadad heard in Egypt that David and Joab were dead he desired leave of Pharaoh to return into his own Country Pharaoh askt him what he lacked there He said nothing However I desire to return to my own Country that I may recover my Kingdom again Pharaoh hearing this kindly dismissed him and he came to his own Country where he was received for their King Yet 't is manifest he attempted nothing against Solomon for a long time after this For till Solomon's fall in his old age his enemies stirred not see 1 King 5.4 so that 't is like Hadad at first made some Covenant with Solomon and was his Tributary for his Kingdom but at last he stirred against him and created him much trouble yet he was not able quite to shake off his yoke for the Edomites continued Tributaries to the Kings of Judah till Jehoram's reign 2 Chron. 21.10 2ly God stirred up another enemy against Solomon viz. Rezon who when David had gotten the better of his Master in battel and had vanquished the Syrians see 2 Sam. 10.18 he gathered together such of them as were put to flight ande made himself Captain over them and for some time t is like lived by robbing and pillaging till Solomon's declining days And though 't is not like that Solomon lost any thing of that which his Father had gotten till himself fell from God yet then it seems Rezon took courage to set upon Damascus into which David had put a Garrison 2 Sam. 8.6 and took it from Solomon and there reigned as King So that Solomon had now one enemy in the North and another in the South 3ly A third enemy whom God stirred up against him was Jeroboam his own servant of the Tribe of Ephraim who had been raised and preferred by him And the occasion of his rise was this Solomon when he built Millo of which see Ch. 9.15 and repaired the breaches in Zion the City of David going out often to see * The Masters eye they say makes the horse fat and the servant to sweat his workmen and to encourage them to diligence he observed Jeroboam who was then but a young man to be very active and industrious in those labours and services he was set about whereupon Solomon taking a liking to him preferred him and in time made him Receiver or Treasurer for all the Kings revenue in the two Tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh Upon a time when he went out of Jerusalem to execute his Office it happened that the Prophet Ahijah †He who with some others penned the Acts of Solomon 2 Chron. 9.29 the Shilonite who had clad himself with a new garment met him and desired some private conference with him and when they were alone he took off his new garment and rent it into twelve pieces according to the number of the Tribes of Israel and gave ten of them to Jeroboam saying Thus saith the Lord I will rend the Kingdom out of the hand of Solomon and will give ten Tribes to thee because they (b) Solomon giving way to his wives Idolatry proved a snare to the people and occasioned their revolt from God and in this rent the people suffered as well as Rehoboam the rent in the Kingdom proving an occasion of continual Wars between Judah and Israel which brought in many miseries from foreign Nations upon both Kingdoms have forsaken me and worshipped Ashtaroth and Chemosh and Moloch and have not walked in my ways to do that which was right in mine eyes and to keep my statutes and judgments as did David my servant Howbeit I will not take the Kingdom from Solomon while he lives but he shall be King thereof all his days for David my servants sake whom I chose because he kept my commandments and my statutes But I will take the Kingdom out of his Sons hands viz. ten Tribes of it and will give them unto thee And unto his Son will I give one intire Tribe viz. Judah with Simeon (a) Ac proinde Synecdochice includitur Nam e Benjamine tantum pars penes eum fuit Jeroboamo cesserunt Bethel Ephraim quae erant oppida Benjaminis that is mixt with it together with the greatest part of the Tribe of Benjamin that David my servant may have a light always before me in Jerusalem that is a Royal glory shining in one of his posterity who as a light may shine before the people and direct them as long as that Kingdom shall last See 2 Sam. 21.17 1 King 15.4 and that in Jerusalem where my Temple is built and where my name is solemnly call'd upon and which is called after my name the City of God And I will take thee and make thee King over the Ten Tribes and thou shalt be a Soveraign King and not under any Superiour on earth so that thou maist reign according as thy soul desireth And if thou wilt hearken unto all that I command thee and wilt walk in my ways and do that which is right in my sight to keep my statutes and commandments as David my servant did I will be with thee and build thee a sure house that is so establish thy Kingdom that it shall continue in thy posterity as I promised to David And though I will by this division of the Kingdom sorely afflict the house of David yet I will not do it for ever For though they shall be carried into captivity yet they shall be brought back again and the Messiah shall at last be born of the seed of David who shall continue to reign most gloriously for ever Ahijah having delivered what God commanded him to Jeroboam took his leave of him How Jeroboam was affected with this surprizing message we may easily imagine It seems he
presently imparted it to some of his friends and possibly thereby designed to draw off their hearts from Solomon and to make a party for himself Solomon it seems got some intelligence hereof and thereupon sought to kill him Jeroboam hearing of the Kings fierce anger against him fled presently into Egypt to Shishack the present King thereof who as 't is probable was Solomon's wife's brother and possibly was much offended with him for taking so many wives besides his sister and therefore for that or some other reason he gave entertainment to Jeroboam and he continued there till Solomon's death 1 King Ch. 11. from v. 14 to 41. SECT XVIII SOlomon now having reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel forty years died and slept with his fathers and was buried in the City of David his Father He left only three children though he had so many wives and concubines viz. two daughters who were married to two of his own subjects as we may see Sect. 13. and one Son viz. Rehoboam who reigned in his stead The Acts of Solomon were written by Nathan Ahijah and Iddo Prophets that lived in his time 2 Chron. 9.29 But this Book of the Acts of Solomon seems to have been some compleat History not now extant of the reign of Solomon gathered out of the several writings of these Prophets and other records of those times wherein possibly many passages of his life were set down not expressed in the Sacred History And among other things possibly that of his repentance which though it be not here so clearly mentioned yet it may be gathered from 2 Chron. 11.17 For three years they walked in the ways of David and Solomon his Son where Solomon and David are jointly commended Some also collect it from that promise Psal 89.33 Nevertheless I will not utterly take away my loving kindness from him nor suffer my faithfulness to fail But especially from the Book of Ecclesiastes which questionless was written as a publick testimony of his Repentance And in the 2 Pet. 1.20 21. we find that all the Penmen of the holy Scripture are said to have been holy men of God And 't is probably conjectured that Solomon before his death did throw down Idolatry and restrain'd his wives from it in that the people who set themselves to defame his Government complained of no such matter to Rehoboam Chap. 12.4 1 King Ch. 11. from 41 to the end 2 Chron. Ch. 9. from v. 29 * V. 29. In the visions of Iddo that is such Visions and Revelations as were registred being by Gods Spirit manifested to Iddo It seems this Iddo who wrote the History of Rehoboam Ch. 12.15 did also join the story of Jeroboam therewith against whom he wrote to the end SECT XIX Kings of Israel JEroboam being chosen King by the Ten Tribes The first King of Israel JEROBOAM he first repaired and fortified Shechem and built himself a Palace there and made it the chief place of his residence and fortified Penuel on the other side of Jordan and placed a Garrison in it And being now setled in his Kingdom though God had promised him by Ahijah the Prophet Ch. 11.38 that if he would walk in his ways he would be with him and build him a sure house as he had done for David yet having no confidence in this promise he began to think that if he should suffer his subjects to go up to Jerusalem to sacrifice there as God commanded they would soon fall off from him to Rehoboam For first he apprehended they would be in danger to be seized upon as Traytors when they came up to Jerusalem if they did not renounce their allegiance to him 2ly The Priests and Levites and their Brethren of Judah he thought would be continually setting before them the sin of falling off from their lawful Soveraign 3ly He supposed the very sight of the Temple and the worship of God there celebrated would much win upon them to come over to the Kingdom of Judah And if their hearts were once turned to Rehoboam he thought they would be sure to kill him and not having faith to believe that God would either prevent or divert these dangers from him if he were faithful to him he resolved to set up some other way of worship for his subjects that they should not need to go up to Jerusalem to worship there And thus that very thing which God appointed to keep the people of the Jews in one uniform way of worship viz. that there should be but one Altar and one place of Sacrifices namely at the Temple at Jerusalem that proved the occasion of setting up a new way of Worship Wherefore Jeroboam by the advice of those about him made two Golden Calves in imitation of the Egyptians Idol-gods among whom he had lived of late and with whom 't is like he desired to hold a strict league and amity and that possibly was another politick reason that induc'd him to make such Idols as these However he pretended the peoples ease and accommodation to be the chief thing that mov'd him to take this course and like a kind and indulgent Prince told them it was too much for them to go up thrice a year viz. at the solemn Feasts to Jerusalem and therefore he had found out a way to save them that labour and accordingly had made two Golden Calves for them to worship in their own Country And these he had made not to represent any false God but as remembrances and representations of the true God of Israel who brought them up out of the land of Egypt and therefore he was not afraid to say to them these be thy Gods O Israel When he had given them this account of his proceedings he placed one of his Calves in Bethel a City * By reason of Jeroboams impiety the Prophet calls it Bethaven Hos 10.5 belonging to the Tribe of Benjamin but it seems it had revolted to him and so was now in his power and the Southern border of his Kingdom the other Calf he placed at Dan which was the Northern border And so he provided that his subjects both in the North and South should have a place to worship at But this thing became a grievous sin and high provocation to the Almighty and drew all Israel from God into Idolatry and therefore 't is put into his stile Jeroboam the Son of Nebat who made Israel to sin 2 King 10.31 For the people did presently yield to worship these his Idols both at Dan and Bethel And further instead of Gods Temple at Jerusalem he made a Temple on one of the high places or mountains where Altars were reared to commit Idolatry thereon and he made Priests for the high places and for the Devils †Such devotion as is not done to the true God is done to Devils see Lev. 17.7 Idols there so called and for the Calves which he had made 2 Chron. 11.15 of the meanest of the people and such