1 Samuel 27

1 Samuel 27:1

DAvid said] Through weaknesse of faith, and too much relying on carnall wisdom, and his own providence; notwithstanding, that he had Gods promises, and manifold experience of Gods protection, now fainting and failing through humane frailty, as before, Chap. 22. 3, 5. For which God reproveth him.

perish] Heb. be consumed.

1 Samuel 27:2

passed over] Having (as it is like) first obtained safe conduct for him and his.

1 Samuel 27:5

let them] That is, thy officers whom thou shalt appoint.

for why] David wisely hideth his purpose and counsell under the pretext of modesty and humility, his main aym being to preserve his followers from idolatry, and that they being alone, might act their businesse undiscovered.

1 Samuel 27:6

Ziklag] Which formerly belonged to the tribe of Judah, Joshua 15:31. But was taken from them, and possessed till now by the Philistines.

1 Samuel 27:7

the time] Heb. the number of dayes.

a full yeer] Heb. a yeer of dayes.

1 Samuel 27:8

Geshurites and the Gezrites] Or, Gerzites, who were some reliques of the Canaanites, that at the coming of the Israelites, left their places in Gilead, and the tribe of Ephraim, and went to the Amalekites, Joshua 12:5. and Joshua 16:3.

Amalekites] Descended from Esau, which Saul was commanded to root out, but left some alive, which David now goeth against.

those nations] That is, the Geshurites and Gezrites.

land] To wit, of Canaan on both sides Jordan.

Shur] The entrance to the wildernesse of Shur, towards Egypt.

1 Samuel 27:9

the land] That is, the Amalekites, the inhabitants of the land, which were to be destroyed by Gods command, Exodus 17:14. 1 Samuel 15:3.

1 Samuel 27:10

Whither have ye made a rode] Or, Did you not make a rode, &c.

south of Judah] Not in the land of Judah, as he would have Achish understand him; but that countrey which bordered upon it, that is, of the Amalekites, wherein David through humane frailty deludes Achish with an equivocation.

Jerahmeelites] The inhabitants of a region in Judah, which the posterity of Jerahmeel the first born of Hezron inhabited, 1 Chronicles 2:9; 1 Chronicles 2:25.

Kenites] The posterity of Jethro. See Judges 1:16.

1 Samuel 27:11

alive] To wit, that none might carry the news to Achish at Gath, which was in a good distance from Ziklag, and those spoiled countreyes, scattered and solitary.

saying] That is, thinking with himself.

1 Samuel 27:12

utterly] Heb. to stink.

to abhorre him] Because he hath invaded their countrey and spoiled them, Genesis 34:30.