2 Samuel 1

Who, it is possible, might have recovered, and been carried ofTbysome of his own men; the Philistines, by some extraordinary providence of God, being diverted from their pursuit. And it was the greater presumption of this young man to do it; since one of Saul’s own servants durst not venture upon such a fact. t f Vcr. 15. And David called one of the young men."] One of the guards of his body. And said unto him, Go near, and fall upon him. And he smote him that he died.] There was a known law, that no man should bo condemned out of the mouth of one witness: and the Jews tell us, that no judge was to sit alone, but to have some other joined with him: and that no man’s testimony was to be taken against himself. But this was tho singular prerogative of their kings, that they might alone bear any man’s cause, and condemn him; and that out of the mouth of’one. witness, or from his own confession. Of which Maimonides gives this caso of the Amalckitc as an instance: which he looks upon as an extraordinary example, and as the king’s process. (See Schickard, de Jure Regis, cap. 4. Theor. 14. and my notes upon Josh. vii. 25.) But after all, it looks something hard, that a man should be put to death for doing what Saul himself desired, and when ho w r as sure (if this man said true) that he could not live. Abarbinel therefore thinks, that this man being an Amalekite, David supposed he might kill Saul but of revenge, for the slaughter bebad made of his people.. Vcr. 16. And David said unto him, Tliy blood be upon thy head: for thy mouth hath testified against thee, saying, I have slain the Lord’s anointed.) That is, thou art the cause of thy own death; or, the blood thou bast shed is the reason* of thy death. fight the Lords battles courageously. And such a petson was oalled, The anointed of war: nay, sometimes (they say) their armour was anointed, to increase their confidence: just as the vessels of the tabernacle were which the priests*used: unto which they think David alludes in these words. See Guil. Schickardus, cap.]. Theor. 4. of his Jus Regium: where Carpzovius observes, that these words Isa. xxi. 9. favour this interpretation: and are alleged by Rasi and Ralbag, as parallel to this place. But he confesses lie can find no where that their shields, or other warlike instruments, were anointed with holy oil, to make them fight with greater boldness.

2 Samuel 1:17

And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul, and over Jonathan his son. He and bis servants bad lamented them before, (ver. 12.) but now David composed a song for a public and universal lamentation.

2 Samuel 1:18

(Also he bade them teach the children of Judah. Among whom he now was; and over whom he first reigned. This comes in as a parenthesis between the former verse arid “what follows; to shew bis early endeavours to promote the good of the people. The use of the bow.’] While be made lamentation for the dead, he did not neglect the care of the living: that they might be provided with better means to defend themselves. For they now looking upon him as tho king God designed should rule over them, be ordered they should immediately learn the skill of using bows and arrows, in which the Philistines, excelled them. (See what I have noted, 1 Sam. xxxi. 3.) Some indeed make this the title of the following song, which they were to sing among their military exercises: but the former seems a more natural interpretation; which Conradus Pellicanus proposed in tho beginning of the Reformation. The Jews, saith he, hitherto used only slings and swords; but now were taught to shoot with bows and arrows: for it did not misbecome them to learn tho art of defending themselves from infidels. And indeed the benefit of having good archprs in an army is so great, that Cato took the pains to describe it in his book of Military Discipline, as Vegctius tells us.: who says, that Scipio hoped for no success in Africa against the Nuraantines, " nisi in omnibus ccnturiis lectos sagittarios miscuissct/’ unless he had mingled some choice archers with every company of soldiers, commanded by a centurion, (lib.i. cap. 15.) And as this was done among the footmen, so in the next book he makes it the qualification of a captain of horse, " sagittas doctissime mittere,” to shoot arrows most skilfully, (lib. ii. cap. 14.) Behold, it is written in the book ofJasher).] That is, this order for teaching the children of Judah the use of the bow was more largely recorded there. But what book this was is very uncertain: yet Victorinus Strigelius adventures to say, " Haud dubie fuit historia ecclcsiastica, qualis nunc est Euscbiana, aut Theodorctica:" Without doubt it was an ecclesiastical history, like that which we now have of Evsebius or Theodoret. (See my. notes upon Josh. x. 13.) I should rather say, that Jasher signifying right, it was a book concerning the right art of making war: upon which subject the ancient Romans wrote many books: particularly Cato, Cornelius Celsus, Frontinus, and Paternus; which were abridged, as he himself tells us, by Vegetius de Re Militari, lib. i. cap. 8. Procopius Gazaeus thinks these words declare, " Hanc historiam ex multis libris collectamesse;" that this history was gathered out of many prophetical books.

2 Samuel 1:19

The beauty of Israel is slain iipon thy high places. The flower of the nation; their choice young men: together with Saul and his sons. How are the mighty fallen. 1 ] What a slaughter is made among the valiant men!

2 Samuel 1:20

Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in’ the streets’ of Askelon. The city Gath seems to have been the metropolis of the Philistines’ country; and Askelon next to it. Where it was in vain to wish this mightnot be published: for it was done already. Therefore these are only expressions of great sadness and sorrow, that this overthrow should be published, which he could not but wish had never been beard of. Lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest tlve daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.] According to the manner of those countries; where the women celebrated, with songs and dances, the victory of the men over their enemies. (See Exod. xv. 1, &c. Judg. xi. 34.) Vcr. 21. Ye mountains of Gilboa, let there be no detp, neither let there be rain upon yon, nor fields of offerings.] Fruitful fields, from whence offerings might be brought to the house of God. These are poetical expressions, from the common language of mankind: who are wont to speak with abhorrence of those places, and to curse them, where any calamity hath befallen their friends. For there the shield of the mighty is vilely cast away.] They, were forced to throw away their shields, that they might run the faster away; which was a great disgrace to them. The shield of Saul, as though he had not been anointed with oil.] As if he had been a common soldier. So these words are generally interpreted, as spoken of Saul. But the words, as though he had, are not in tho Hebrew; where there is only, not anointed with oil: which may as well relate to the shield, as the Jews interpret it, and thus explain it: — By the holy oil meii were set apart for sonic great office; as that of priests, and sometimes kings. Now when any person, in a sudden danger of the state, was chosen to bo captain-geneial of their army, they were wont to anoint him: that by this sight he might be animated to

2 Samuel 1:22

From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan turned not back.) By this it appears, that Jonathan was a very skilful archer (as perhaps some other great men were), though the common people were not trained up to the use of the bow. Which Jonathan so well managed, that as he always hit his mark, so his arrows pierced into the very entrails of the most mighty men. And the sword of Saul returned not empty.] Always did great execution (as we now speak) upon those whom he fought withal.

2 Samuel 1:23

Saul and Jo?iathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives. Courteous and kind to their people: which is a great virtue in priuces. To David, indeed, Saul expressed a great deal of ill nature: but that proceeded from Saul’s jealousy, and fear that* he would supplant his family, and * place himself in the throne. And this highly advances the glory of David, that he commends his greatest enemy for what was praiseworthy in him: as Caesar, they say, could not but shed some tears when Pompey’s head was brought to him, though we read of nothing that he spake in his praise. And in their death they were not divided.’] Jonathan stuck close to his father in the battle; and demonstrated he was engaged in no conspiracy against him, as he had sometime charged him. They were swifter than eagles.] In pursuing their enemies. For this, I have often observed, was a requisite quality in an. excellent warrior: therefore, in the choice of soldiers, Vegetius saith, “EtTelocitas requirenda est’et robur;” Both swiftness and strength were to be required, (lib. i. de Re Militari, cap. 8.) The great advantages of being a swift runner, he enumerates in the next chapter. TJiey were stronger than lions.] In overthrowing their enemies, when they overtook them.

2 Samuel 1:24

Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet, with other delights; and put ornaments of gold upon your apparel. He would have the women bear a part in this lamentation over Saul, who adorned them with the rich spoils of their enemies. The word other before delights is not in the Hebrew; but the meaning seems to be, that they delighted in fine clothes, which they did not want while Saul lived. And scarlet was every where accounted the most precious colour: the emperor’s mantle being of scarlet, as Braunius observes, lib. i. cap. 15. de Vestitu Saccrd. Hebr.

2 Samuel 1:25

How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the hattle! O Jonathan, thou wast slain in thy high places!. Of his own country, which he valiantly defended. Ver.2G. I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: vol. h. very pleasant hast thou been unto me.]’ His grief was as great for his death, as the pleasure had been which he totfk in his company while he lived. Thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women.] No less ardent, sincere, aud sweet, than the highest conjugal affection. Which ought to be (as Strigelius here glosses) ardent without simulation, sincere without any suspicions, and sweet without morpsity or disdain. -

2 Samuel 1:27

How are the mighty fallen. This is repeated three times in this song: being an interlocutory verse. And the weapons of war perished!] All military glory gone from Israel.