2 Samuel 21
DOYLYdelivered &c.] It is probable that David composed the following hymn in his younger days, under the troubles and difficulties to which he was exposed by the persecution of Saul; and that, having composed it, he was wont to sing or speak it by way of a thanksgiving to God. Dr. Wells. As this hymn forms the eighteenth
Chap. XXIII. ver. 1. — these be the last words] Some of the last words which be spoke on the approach of
2 Samuel 21:4
4.—neither for us shalt thou kill any man] Except those mentioned in the next verse.
2 Samuel 21:6
6.—in Gibeah of Saul,] To make the punishment more remarkable and shameful; this being the city where Saul lived, both before and after he was king, 1 Sam. x. 26; xi. 4. Bp. Patrick. — the king said, I will give them.] This seems to be contrary to the Divine law at Deut. xxiv. 16, which forbids that the son should die for the father’s fault: Seven of Saul’s sons hanged. Rizpah’s kindness unto the dead. Before CHRIST 1021. b 1 Sam. 18. 3. & 20. 8, 12. Or, Michal’s sister. to Adriel. c Chap. 3. 7.
but that law relates to proceedings in human courts, not to Divine judgments; for God visits the sins of fathers upon the children, in many temporal calamities, Exod. xx. 5. Bp. Patrick.
2 Samuel 21:7
- — because of the Lord’s oath] It would appear from this expression, that reasons of state, and the security of his throne, would have moved David to put Mephibosheth to death, but that he spared him from respect to his oath, which he swore to Jonathan a long time before. This strongly shews what respect he bore to an oath, as adding confirmation to his word. Abp. Tillotson.
2 Samuel 21:9
- — and they hanged them &c.] It was perhaps ordained by God that they should suffer by this publick kind of death, to the end that His displeasure against truce-breakers and tyrants might be more remarkable, and that all might see and fear, and do no more wickedly. We should observe in this event a special retribution of Divine justice, in retaliating on Saul’s posterity the measure he dealt to others. Wogan.
— in the hill before the Lord.] Probably on a hill near to Gibeah, and before an altar which was built upon it; or, by the expression, “they hanged them before the Lord,” it may be meant, that they put them to death, as victims of expiation, to appease the Divine wrath. Calmet.
— and they fell all seven together, &c.] The evident intention of God, in ordering the death of this part of Saul’s family, was, to give a publick attestation of His abhorrence of Saul’s perfidy and cruelty, to strike a terror into the princes his successors, and caution them against committing the like offences. The death of these seven persons, therefore, supposing them all innocent, was, in this view, no punishment inflicted person-
Jonathan his son from the men of Jabesh-gilead, which had stolen them from the street of Beth-shan, where the 4 Philistines had hanged them, when the Philistines had slain Saul in Gilboa:
2 Samuel 21:10
- — took sackcloth and spread it — until water dropped] It is probable she made a tent of sackcloth, and spread it on the ground to lie upon; and this she continued to do till it appeared God was appeased, by sending plentiful showers of rain upon the earth. Rizpah is a remarkable instance of maternal affection: her love to her children continued undiminished even after death. Their bodies, which were now no more than the miserable remains of a shameful death, are yet guarded with the same tender and watchful care which she bestowed on them when alive. Wogan.
2 Samuel 21:12
- And David went and took the bones] David was pleased with this praiseworthy conduct of Rizpah, and was induced by it to do honour to the bodies of her sons, and to the whole house of Saul; thereby demonstrating that he had no personal enmity to his family. Bp. Patrick.
2 Samuel 21:15
- — David waxed faint.] Being now in his declining years, and much worn out by various troubles and afflictions. Bp. Patrick.
Before CHRIST 1021. d 1 Sam. 31. 19. Or, Ropha. shelf, or, the head. Four giants slain. David’s psalm of thanksgiving. Before CHRIST 1018. candle, or lamp. e 1 Chron. 20. 4. Or, Rapha. 20. 5. Or, Rapha. proached. g 1 Sam. 16. 2. a Ps. 18. 2, &c. Or, pangs. Belial. Thou shalt go no more out with us to battle, that thou quench not the
2 Samuel 21:17
- — that thou quench not the light of Israel.] This expression is very beautiful and significant; for good kings are in Scripture justly called the “light” of the people, 1 Kings xi. 36; Ps. cxxii. 17; because the beauty and glory, the conduct and direction, the comfort, safety, and welfare of a people depend upon them, and are derived from them. Poole.
2 Samuel 21:18
- — at Gob:] It is said at 1 Chron. xx. 4, that these battles were fought at Gezer; whence it is inferred, either that Gob and Gezer were the same place, or VOL. I.