1 Samuel 21
DOYLY1 Samuel 21:2
- — the king hath commanded me &c.] It is evident from this passage how far excessive fear may make even an otherwise good man forget his duty of having a strict regard to truth. Dr. Wells. We are not hence to take an example of speaking untruths, but to deplore the wickedness of the world; since the most excellent men have sometimes been induced to tell a falsehood, for the purpose of preserving their lives. Bp. Patrick. It is thought by some, that, in compunction for his
guilt on this occasion, David utters that lamentable complaint in Ps. cxix. 28, 29, “My soul melteth away—
Take from me the way of lying.” All persons however
do not see his conduct in so unfavourable a light, considering that his intention was innocent, and that he industriously concealed his condition from the high priest,
in order to keep him clear from all suspicion and charge of having combined with him against Saul. Dr. Delaney.
- — every one that was in debt, &c.] David probably felt himself forced to take this course in his defence, that he might not be suddenly surprised by any party Saul might bring against him; and he seems to have adopted it, without the least intention of raising a rebellion against Saul, or of doing him an injury; much less of injuring his country. Dr. Wells. A most injurious imputation has sometimes been cast upon David, for his behaviour on this occasion, as if he was attempt- Before CHRIST about 1062. marke. playeth the mad man. a creditor. of soul.
1 Samuel 21:4
- — hallowed bread:] The shewbread on the table of the tabernacle, which was to be eaten by none but the priests and their families; and which Ahimelech permits David and his soldiers to eat, provided they were in the same state of legal cleanness which was required of the priests. 5. — yea, though it were sanctified this day in the
vessel.] The marginal translation is more plain, especially when this day there is other sanctified. He means,
new bread was set upon the table of the Lord, so that no wrong was done to Him. By the vessel is meant, the dish on which the bread was placed, mentioned at Exod. xxv. 29. Bp. Patrick.
1 Samuel 21:6
- So the priest gave him &c.] In this, neither Ahimelech nor David committed any sin: for invincible
Before CHRIST about 1062. a Exod. 25. 30. Lev. 24. 5. Matt. 12. 4. especially when this day there is other sanctified in the vessel. David taketh Goliath’s sword. Companies resort unto him. Before CHRIST about 1062. but the shewbread, that was taken from before the LORD, to put hot bread in the day when it was taken away.
1 Samuel 21:7
- — detained before the Lord.] Detained at the tabernacle by some vow which he had upon him, or other religious performance, to which he had obliged himself. Bp. Patrick. The circumstance of Doeg’s being present is here mentioned, with reference to his afterwards accusing Ahimelech for what now passed, as is related at chap. xxii. 9.
1 Samuel 21:9
- — The sword of Goliath the Philistine—is here] As it was an ancient custom among the Jews to hang up in the temple arms taken from their enemies, so the heathens were wont to do the same in their temples: it was in conformity with this custom that David dedicated to the Lord the sword with which he cut off Goliath’s head, and delivered it to the priest, as a moument of his victory and the Israelites’ deliverance. Calmet.
1 Samuel 21:10
- — went to Achish the king of Gath.] Such was his miserable condition, to be forced to flee for protection to those whom he had reason to think were his bitter enemies: Gath was the city of Goliath, whose sword David now had about him. Bp. Patrick.
1 Samuel 21:11
- — king of the land?] The person who sways so much in Israel. Bp. Hall. Either they meant a chief
1 Samuel 21:13
- — and feigned himself mad] David’s counterfeiting madness, when he was discovered by the Philistines in the city of Gath, must be considered as a weakness not altogether free from sin; since he shewed thereby that he did not sufficiently depend upon the promises of the Lord. This is a warning to us, never to have recourse to evil means, or do any thing unworthy of our character, to deliver ourselves from the dangers which threaten us. Ostervald. Chap. XXII. ver. 1. — the cave Adullam.] A strong hold, 1 Chron. xi. 15, in the tribe of Judah, Josh. xv. 35; to which tribe as David belonged, he might hope to find some friends there. Bp. Patrick. It was on David’s happy escape from the Philistines on this occasion, that he wrote the xxivth psalm. Dr. Chandler.