1 Samuel 20

par. i. lib, ii. cap. 51. p. G23.) For in those countries goats had long hair, which was shorn, as the wool of sheep is, and served for many uses; and it is not unlike man’s hair, as he there observes. It was also of divers colours, so that she might choose some fine goats’ hair (which was ready at hand, being used to be spun) of the same colour with David’s. And covered it ivith a cloth.’] As if David had been sick. but he ivill sheiv it me; and why should my father hide this from me? it is not so.] These words signify that Jonathan* knew nothing of his father’s design; and that he had sent the messengers forenamed, without his privity,- to" seize David. Yet it is strange he should not know of his sending to his house to apprehend him. Therefore some think Jonathan; out of dutiful affection to his father, dissembled the matter: arid would not have David think him so very wicked as he was. than wished that God would requite it, if any of his family proved David’s enemies. This he renewed afterward, and added further articles to the league, that Jonathan should be next to himself, (xxiii. 18.) Vcr. 17. And Jonathan caused David to swear again, because Ite loved him.] Or he made him swear again by the love he bare to him. For lie loved him as he loved his own soul] The greatness of his lovo to him made him think ho could never do enough to secure his friendship to all generations. Vcr. 18. Tlien Jonathan said unto David> To-morrow is the new moon; and thou shalt be missed, because thy seat will be empty.] The place where he used to sit with Saul at table. Vcr. 19. And when thou hast stayed three days, then thou shalt go down quickly.] It is commonly interpreted, of staying so long with his kindred at Bcth-lehcm, or some other place of retirement. But in the Hebrew the words arCj thou shalt three times (or three days)jro down to a very low place: and the meaning seems to be, that if Jonathan did not come the first day, he should take it for granted ho knew nothing; and come again the second; and if ho brought him no news then, come the third. And come to the place where thou didst hide thyself wlien the business was in hand.] When they were discoursing of this very matter; how to discover Saul’s affection towards David. Or, when he did David’s business with his father, and interceded so effectually for him, that Saul promised not to kill him. And thou shalt remain by the stone Ezel.] It is thought to be a stone that shewed men their way, where several roads met: because the word imports going or travelling.

1 Samuel 20:1

J.ND David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and came and said before Jonathan. By Saul’s being thrown into a trance (mentioned in the verse beforegoing), God’s providence gave David time to escape; and he went from thence to Gibeah, where Jonathan was. What have I done? and what is mine iniquity? and what is my sin before thy father, that he seeketh my life?] Such violent and unwearied ^persecution must arise from some extraordinary cause or other; which he desires to know: for he could not accuse himself of any kind of fault, that should embitter Saul against him.

1 Samuel 20:2

And he said, God forbid; thou shalt not die. . He would have him think there was no such danger as he suspected. i Behold, my father will do nothing, either great or small,

1 Samuel 20:3

And David sware moreover, and said.) That it was certainly so. Thy father certainly knoweth that I have found grace in thine eyes, and he saith, Let not Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved.’] He was willing to believe that Saul might conceal his intentions from Jonathan; for the reason here mentioned.‘Bui truly, as the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, there is but a step between me and death.] But by a most solemn oath he endeavours to persuade him that he was in extreme danger of losing his life. Ver. 4J Then said Jonathan to David, Whatsoever thy sonl desireth, I will even do it for thee.] Both to find out Saul’s intention’s, and to save David’s life. •

1 Samuel 20:5

And David said unto Jonathan, To-morrow is the new moon, and I should not fail to sit ivith the king at meat. There were solemn sacrifices every new moon, and then afeastupon them. And David being one of the king’s family, by marrying his daughter, used to" eat with them at these festival times: and he thought it possible that Saul, who lately pursued him in a fit of rage, when the evil spirit was upon him, might now* be mitigated by the Spirit of God comingnponhim atNaioth: and so might inquire after him, and receive him into favour again, as he had* formerly done. But he durst not trust to this opinion, till he had tried his mind and affection to him, after the manner here propounded. • But let me go, that I may hide myself in the field.] He desires, with his approbation, to retire to his father’s house,- and the field thereabouts, with which he was well acquainted.’ - - Till the third day at even.] That is, till the next day but one after the new moon, as appears from ver. 27. 35. Ver.C If thy father at all 7niss me, then say, David earnestly asked leave of me that he might run to Beth-lehem, his city: for t Here is a yearly sacrifice there for alt the family.] It is likely this was a custom among pious familiesto meet together once a year, and praise God for his mercies towards them all.

1 Samuel 20:7

If he say thus, It is well; thy servaitt shall have peace: but if he be very wroth, then be sure that evil is determined by him. If he approved of Jonathan’s licence, he might hope he was paciiied: but if he still stormed and raged, he might probably conclude his destruction was decreed; and that his hatred continued so implacably, that he must be forced to leave his country.

1 Samuel 20:8

Therefore thou shalt deal kindly with thy servant. In giving him a faithful account how he found his father disposed towards him. For thou hast brought thy servant into a covenant of the Ijord with thee.] It was Jonathan’s motion, that they should make a solemn covenant before God (who is the avenger of all falseness) of mutual friendship, (xviii. 3.). Notwithstanding, if there be in me iniquity, slay me thyself; for why shouldest thou bring me to thy father?] A marvellous assurance of his integrity, which made him freely offer himself to die, without troubling his father any further, if he knew any guilt in him.

1 Samuel 20:9

And Jonathan said, Far be it from thee. Do not speak after this manner. For if I knew certainly that evil was determined by my father to come upon thee, then ivould not I tell thee?] He disclaims all thoughts either of killing him himself, or letting him fall into the hands of his father, if he could prevent it. For who could imagine a man so solemnly engaged, and who had already shewn himself such a faithful friend, would not discover any design he knew against him?

1 Samuel 20:10

And David said, Who shall tell me?. He desired to know who should bring him advice how matters stood.’ -* And ivhat if thy father ansiver thee roughly?] And not suffer thee to come to me thyself.

1 Samuel 20:11

And Jonathan said unto David, Come, let as go into the field. And they went both of them into the field. To take their measures about this matter.’

1 Samuel 20:12

And Jonathan said nnto David, O Lord God of Israel, when I have sounded my father any time to-morrow,’ or the third day, and, behold, if there be good toivards David, and I then send not unto thee, and shew it thee.] The first w r ords seem to be an exclamation: and the rest, as if he had said, Shall I who love thee so much, be thought capable of breaking my word with thee? All these verses are 1 full of passion; and the words are broken, concise, and interrupt: as the words of lovers are wont to be, especially when they are disturbed.

1 Samuel 20:13

The Lord do so, and much more to Jonathan: but if it please my father to do thee evil, then I will shew it thee, and send thee away, that thou mayest go in peace; and the Lord be with thee, as he hath been with mtf father.] In this case he advises him to get away, and pre-’ serve himself as well as he could: praying God to make him as successful as his father had been; and bring him to’ the kingdom.

1 Samuel 20:14

And when Saul sent messengers to take David. He not coming out of doors, where they watched for him, Saul sent other messengers to take him in his house. She said, He is sick.] Her affection to David made her tell an untruth; whereby he gained more time to get to a place of safety. ■. Vcr.lS.‘jinrf Sard sent messengers again to see David.] As if they came to visit him, and sec how he did. Saying, Bring him to me in the bed, that I may slay him.] Such was his insatiable rage, that he could not stay to see whether lie would die of his sickness; but when he was able to make no resistance, resolved to dispatch him. Ver. 1G. And when the messengers were come in, behold, there was an image hi the bed, with a pillow of goats 9 hair for his bolster.] An image dressed up with goats’ hair, resembling a man. . And thou shalt not only, while J yet live, shew’ me the kindness of the Lord.] The kindness promised him before the Lord, or the greatest kindness. The words’ in the Hebrew run plainly thus, And wilt thou not, if I be then alive (viz. when God had advanced him to the throne, as he did his father) wilt thou not shew me the loving-kindness of the Lord? He made no doubt, but rather strongly af-’ finned his belief of it. That I die not.] After the manner of those kings, who * were wont to cut off the children of their predecessors: unto whose throne they were advanced.

1 Samuel 20:15

But also thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house for ever. The covenant they had made was’not’ merely personal, but reached to their posterity. No, not when the Lord hath cut off the enemies of David, every one from the face of the earth.] When he had the’ •greatest power, and none to oppose his will. Ver. 1G. So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, Let the Lord even requite it at the hand of David’s enemies.] They had made a league of personal friendship, a little after the slaughter of Goliath: and now.they make a friendship between their families; and Jona-

1 Samuel 20:17

*** And Saul said unto Michal, Wherefore hast thou deceived me so, and sent away mine enemy, that he is escaped?.** He did not expect to be served so by a daughter, whom he had married to David, that she might betray him. And Michal answered Saul, He said unto me, Let me go; why should I kill’thee?].This was another fiction of her own; for it is not likely that she endeavoured to detain him, or that he threatened to kill her if she did., Ver.- 18. So David fled, and came to Samuel to Ramah, and told him of all that Saul had done unto him. And lie and Samuel xvent and dwelt in Naioth.] A place near to Ramah, as the next verse shews.

1 Samuel 20:19

And it was told Saul, Behold, David is at Naioth in Ramah. ltamah seems to have been the place from whence Samuel was descended, called (in the first chapter, ver. 1.) Ramathaim-zophim, for the reason I gave there. And Naioth was a neighbouring place belonging to it, and perhaps the suburbs of it: where the sons of the prophets either had their ordinary residence, or were wont sometimes to retire thither for greater privacy.

1 Samuel 20:20

A?id Saul sent messengers to take David. His implacable hatred had abolished all respect and reverence to Samuel (under whose protection David now was), and to. tho college of the prophets, which was a kind of sanctuary unto “those w T ho fled to it.: * And when they, saw the company of the prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing as appointed over them.] To govern them.. The. Spirit of the Lord came also upon the messengers of §aul, and they also prophesied.] That is, praised God in hymns, which tho prophets composed and sang to him, (1 Chron. xxv. 1, 2. 4.) And I will shoot three arrows, as though I shot at a mark.] For when he came there might be passengers going to and fro: which would deprive them of the privacy they desired. Therefore this seems to have been given as a sign that the coast was clear. Vfcr. 21. And, behold, I will send a lad, saying, Go find out the arrows. If I expressly say to the lad, Behold, the arrows are on this side of thee, take them; then come thou: for there is peace to thee, arid no hurt, as the Lord liveth.] So that he might securely appear, and shew himself. Vcr. 22. But if I say thus unto the young man,BeJiold, the arrows are beyond thee; go thy way: for the Lord hath sent thee away.] He would not have him venture to discover himself; but look upon this as a sign that God would not have him appear at court. Vcr. 23. And as touching the matter that thou and I have spoken of, behold, the Lord is between thee and me for ever.] As a witness, and an avenger, if we keep not the covenant we have made of perpetual friendship.

1 Samuel 20:21

And when it ivas told Saul, he sent other tnessengers,and they prophesied likewise. And Saul sent again the third time, and they prophesied also. A strange obstinacy, to contend so long with the Spirit of God: who quite diverted tho minds of his messengers from David, by inspiring them with Divine thoughts.

1 Samuel 20:22

Then.wentheaUo unto Ramah. Not out of devotion, but to destroy David. And came to a great well that is in Sechu.] Where company commonly w r as to fetch water. And he asked and said, Where are Samuel and David? And they answered and said, Behold, they be at Naioth in Ramah.] It is a probable opinion of Conrad /Pellicanns, that Naioth signifies the habitation or college where’the prophets dwelt in Ramah.

1 Samuel 20:23

And he went thitlier to Naioth in Ramah. lie directed his way towards that place. And the Spirit of the Lord came upon him also, and he xvent on prophesying until he came to Naioth in Ramah.] His messengers did not prophesy till they came thither; but God inspired Saul as4ic was on the way unto that place. So that from Sechu, I suppose, till he came there, his evil spirit was gone, and he praised God as the prophets did. This was to convince him, that he laboured in a vain pursuit after David, whom the Spirit of God powerfully defended..!

1 Samuel 20:24

And he stripped off his clothes also. His royal robes (as R. Solomon and other Jewish doctors expound it), appearing like an ordinary man; or perhaps in the prophetical habit. Or it may be meant only of his upper garment, whatsoever it was. For when the Germans are said by, some* to have appeared’ naked, Tacitus interprets it, " rejecta veste superiore,” throwing off their upper garment. But the first I fake to be the truest account; and, as Procopius Gazaeus here notes, “Habitus illc regni ablationcm significabat;” this throwing off his royal habit signifies the taking away his kingdom from him. -. And prophesied before Samuel* in like manner.] This seems to denote, that his.messengers had also stripped themselves w r hen they prophesied. And Abarbinel will have it, that they all still foretold the crown should be set upon* the head of David.- And lay down naked all that day, and all that night.] As a man in an ecstacy, that had not the use of his senses. But by naked is meant only, as before, stripped of his royal robe. Wherefore they say, Is Saul also among the prophets?] This gave occasion to renew the proverbial" saying, which had been in use long before. (See x. 12.) So David hid himself in the field: and when the new moon was come, the king sat him down to eat meat.] He did not immediately hide himself in the field, but when the time came that he had appointed: for he first went to Ecth-lchem, (vcr. 6. 28.) Vcr. 25. And the king sat upon his seat, as at other times, even upon a seat by the wall.] The Israelites sat at meat (as did the Greeks and Romans in aftertimes) in a half round, or circle: which they called sigma, from the ancient figure of that letter, which was thus, Q. Now the middle place, in this fashion of sitting, was most honourable among this people, as our Mr. Thorndiko gathers from this very place. Upon which R. Solomon saith, " Saul sat in the head of the couch next the wall." For supposing them to sit in a round, or half circle, as the manner always was, wemust needs conceive that the back or middle of this half circle must bo towards the wall, for all conveniences. (See his Religious Assemblies, p. G2.) It may be also here observed, that the custom of lying along, leaning on their elbows, was not yet introduced, in these ancient times; but they sat at meat as we do. (See Bochartus, Hicrozoicon, par. i. lib. ii. cap. 5. p. 598.) And Jonathan arose.] When his father came into the room: and after Saul had taken his place, it is likely, sat on his right hand. And Abner sat by Saul’s side.] On his left hand, I suppose, being his cousin, and the general of his army. And David’s place was empty.] Which, it is probable, was next to Abncr’s.

1 Samuel 20:26

Nevertheless Saul spake not any thing that day. Made no inquiry after David. For he thought, Something hath befallen him, he is not clean; surely he is not clean.] What this mikrah or accident signifies, which we translate something hath befallen him, see upon Lev. xv. 1G. •

1 Samuel 20:27

And it came to pass on Hue morrow, which was the second day of the month, that David’s place was empty: and Saul said unto Jonathan his son, Wherefore cqmeth not the sonof Jesse. His calling him the son of Jesse argued both scorn and displeasure against him. To meat, neither yesterday nor to-day?] By this it appears, the Jews anciently observed two days, in the beginning of every month, with festival joy. The reason was, because the new moon being proclaimed according to its appearance, ^nd it appearing unequally, sometimes in the afternoon, sometimes in the evening, sometimes at midnight, therefore they observed two days, as Scaliger and others have observed. And they who were not clean the first day, might observe the second: for that sort of unclcanness here spoken of lasted but one day.

1 Samuel 20:28

And Jonathan answered Saul, David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Beth-lehem. Which he, being next to the king, had power, I suppose, to grant: as appears, from his demanding of Jonathan an account what was become of him. Vcr. 29. And he said, Let me go, I pray thee; for my family hath a sacrifice in the city; and my brother, he hath commanded me to be there.] The eldest brother let all the rest know that their company was expected. • Now, if I have found grace in thine eyes, let me go away, I pray thee, and see my brethren: therefore he comcth not to the king’s table.] Ho expresses in many words, the great importunity of David for leave to go and visit his relations: which he thought might make the king not take it ill that he had granted it.

1 Samuel 20:30

And Saul’s anger ivas kindled against Jonathan, and he said unto him, Thou son of a perverse rebellious woman. Or, as it is in the Hcbrevy, thou son ofpewcrsc rebellion. That is, a very perverse rebel. Do not I know that thou hast chosen the son. of Jesse to thy own confusion.] Made him his friend, to his utter undoing. And unto the confusion of thy mother’s nakedness?] For CHAP. XX.] THE FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL. the world would think that he was none of his son; because he loved him entirely, whom Saul hated extremely.

1 Samuel 20:31

For as long as the son of Jesse liveth upon the ground, thou shall not be established, nor thy kingdom. He jvas fully satisfied that David, if he lived, would be king of Israel. Which, if he knew by Samuel’s anointing him, it was madness to imagine that he should be able to overthrow the counsel of God, Wherefore now fetch him to me; for he shall surely die.] He could not «xpcct to be obeyed, since his son loved him so much: but his fury made him lay this command upon him. •

1 Samuel 20:32

And Jonatlian answered Saul his father, Wherefore should he be slain? what hath he done?. He declines his command,. by. desiring to know what his guilt was.

1 Samuel 20:33

And Saul cast a javelin at him to smite him. It is not said, as it is of David, xix. 10. to smite him to the wall: and therefore some think he intended only to wound him, not to kill him: but the word smite, in Scripture, commonly signifies to kill, and there is no reason to take it otherwise here: Saul’s fury being so great, that he minded not what he did. One would think that he used a javelin or lance as a sceptre: for it was always ready at hand. Wherefore Jonathan knew that it was determined of his father to slay David.] That it was his unalterable resolution. Which is implied in that phrase, (ver. 31.) he is the son of death, as Constantine I/Empereur observes upon Bava-kama, p. 90.

1 Samuel 20:34

So Jonatlian rose from the table in fierce anger, and did eat no meat the second day of the month:for he was grieved for David, because his father had done him shame. Here arc two reasons why he fasted: first, because he was extremely afflicted for David; and, secondly, his father had put Jonathan to shame r by his foul language, and by throwing a javelin at him: for so the words run clearly in the Hebrew; for lie was grieved for David, and because, Sec. the copulative and being wanting, as in many other places.

1 Samuel 20:35

And it came to pass in the morning. Of the third day. Tliat Jonathan went out into the field at the time appointed toith David, and alittle lad with him.] According to their agreement, (ver. 20, 21.)

1 Samuel 20:36

And he said to tlte lad, Run, find out the arrows which I shoot. And as the lad ran, he shot an arrow beyond him. Which was the sign given to David of Saul’s ill intentions, (ver. 22.)

1 Samuel 20:37

And when the lad was come to the place of the arrow tvhich Jonathan had shot, Jonathan cried after the lad, Is not the arrow beyond thee?. He cried so loud, I suppose, that David might hear him what he said. Ver. 38- And Jonathan cried after the lad, Make speed, stay not.] So desirous he was to be alone with David. And Jonathan’s lad gathered up the arrows, and came to his master.

1 Samuel 20:39

And the lad knew not any thing; only Jonathan and David knew the matter. The meaning of all this.

1 Samuel 20:40

And Jonathan gave his artillery to the lad, and said unto him, Go, carry them into the city. That he might be left alone withDavid.

1 Samuel 20:41

And as soon as the lad was gone, David arose out of a place towards the south. On the south of the stone Ezel: on the north side of which Jonathan shot his arrows, that the lad might not chance to stumble upon David. - And fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times.] After three bows, he fell on his face; out of reverence to him, as the king’s son, and his excellent friend. Arrianus saith, (lib. iv.) that this prostration was introduced by Cyrus: but he is confuted by this action of David; which shews it to have been a far more ancient posture.. And they kissed one another, and wept one with another, until David exceeded.] Being to become an exile from his friend, from his wife, from his kindred, and the people of God; and from all sacred solemnities.

1 Samuel 20:42

And Jonathan said to David, Go in peace, forasmuch as we have sworn both of us in the name of the Lord, saying, The Lord be between me and thee, and be* tween my seed and thy seed for ever.] As much as to say, donbt not that I will faithfully keep my covenant with thee; as I doubt not of thy perpetual steadfastness in it, when I am dead. And this must be our satisfaction, in this sad separation. And he arose and departed.] That is, David left Jonathan. And Jonathan went into the city.] I suppose their discourse continued but a short time; for fear of being discovered.