1 Samuel 21

1 Samuel 21:16-22

an. 2 Gen. xxi. a Phil. rev. 1. Rom. xii. 19. Rev. xi. xii. a Chap. xxi. 5. a Phil. vii. 16. & ix. xii. Prov. v. xx. a Chap. xxi. an. 1 Sam. iv. 8. a Phil. rev. 1. & xiv. 1. Mat. vii. 5. Before Christ 1938.

Wisdom’s precedents from the wicked; as a man’s heart is, so are his actions: had he harboured any ill design, it must then have undoubtedly appeared; therefore Saul might be assured of his innocence and loyalty. Note, (1.) As the saying is, conveys many a good admonition; the words of the wife deserve to be long schembred, and often quoted. (2.) The only safe conclusion of a man’s temper is certainly from his ways. An evil tree beareth not good fruit.

4. He expolulates with him not only how unbecoming a good man it was to pursue the innocent, but how unbecoming a great king to persecute one to much his inferior, a Shepherd, an eagle, leaping as a sea from hill to hill for safety; and as worthless and unable to make resistance as a dead dog. Note, Yielding pacifies wrath: to humble ourselves before others, is the best way to keep them from trampling upon us, if they have any nobleness of spirit remaining.

Lastly, he tells his cause in the hands of the great judge and avenger, and trusts he will plead for him now, and stand by him, if the king shall refuse to be convinced by such undeniable evidence of his innocence. Note, It is the comfort of the oppressed that they have a tribunal to appeal to, where justice shall be done them. The last day at least will be our vindication from every malignant accusation.

16. ¶ And it came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words unto Saul, that Saul said, Is this thy voice, my son David? and Saul lift up his voice and wept. 17. And he said to David, ‘Thou art more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil. 18. And thou hast shewed this day, how that thou hast dealt well with me: forethmuch as when the LORD had v delivered me into thine hand, thou killedeth me not. 19. For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away? wherefore the LORD reward thee good, for that thou hast done unto me this day. 20. And now behold, I know well that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thine hand. 21. Sweat now therefore unto me by the LORD, that thou wilt not cut off my seed after me, and that thou wilt not destroy my name out of my father’s house. 22. And David (wace unto Saul) and Saul went home: but David and his men get them up unto the hold.

Such a conduct, and to pathetic an expolulation, quite disarmed Saul’s malice; for what thou hast could but relent before such evidence?

1. He bursts into tears, of no feigned remords, overcome with the kindness of his persecuted and innocent son. Note, Many a sinner is brought to his tears, and hasty resolutions against his son, whose heart is unchanged, and who will notwithstanding were in eternal darkness.

2. He acknowledges David’s uprightness, admires his uncommon behaviour to him, so unlike what he in such circumstances would have done, and prays that God would reward him for such unparalleled generosity. Note, (1.) There may be a real confession of sin, when there is no true repentance for it. (2.) Nothing so confounds a casual world, as the greatness of a christian’s soul, in his love towards his enemies. (3.) The least we can do for those who are kind to us, is to pray for them.

3. He professes his conviction of the kingdom’s descending to him. David’s behaviour confirms the well-known anointing of Samuel: perhaps too, Samuel’s skirt, which was rent in Saul’s hand, might now be remembered by him, when his own skirt was cut off, and the threatening then pronounced be brought to his mind. Note, God’s word will be fulfilled in its season, and even his enemies shall be forced to own him fastfall.

4. So convinced is Saul now, that opposition is vain; that he requires of David an oath, not to extirpate his family when he came to the throne; which David solemnly makes, and religiously observed, maintaining Mephibotheth, and revenging the murder of Etheotheth. The sons of Rispah, Sain at the request of the Gibeonites, seem to have been illegitimate; and as it was done by divine appointment, that exculpates David.

5. The solemn oath being given, they part in peace; Saul to his house, till his wonted enmity revived again, and David to his strong hold, little caring to trust his father on to precarious a foundation as Saul’s momentary relenting. Note, (1.) It is prudent to guard against a known enemy. (2.) Fits of partial repentance never last long.