2 Samuel 22

virgins used to be), so that it was difficult for him to enjoy her company. For to do any thing to her, signifies to do what he desired: as to do signifies not only in tho Hebrew, but in other languages.’ Ver. 3: And Arrinon had a friend, whosenametvas Jonadab, the son ofShimeah, David’s brother.] That is, his cousin-gefman, who are often called brothers in Scripture. And Jonadab was a very subtle man.] To find means to compass an end.‘Ver. 4. And he said nnto him, Wliy’art thou, being the king’s son.] And the eldest son who was next heir to the crown, (iii. 2.) - Lean from day to day.] In the Hebrew the words are morning by morning. For whatsoever diversions he might find in the day, he’ had restless nights, which made him look pale and wan when he arose.’ • Wilt thou not tell me?] For men are not wont to hide any thing from their friends. And Amnon said unto him, I loveTamar, my brother Absalom’s sister.] From these words the Jews are" wont to argue, that Tamar was nothing of kin to Amnon;for he calls her not his sister, but his brother Absalom’s’ sister. But this is a very frivolous observation, for in the two. next verses he calls her my sister; and ver. 7. David calls him her brother; and see ver. 11. Jonathan the son of SJiimeah, the brother of, David, slew him.] AVe read of this brother of David in 1 Sam. xvi. 9. where he is called Shainraah. But.this son of his is not reckoned among David’s worthies, 1 Chron* xi. > Vcr. 22. These four were born to the giant in Gath.] Here Rapha seems to signify Goliath, the most. famous giant; if one of them had not been his brother. And fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants.] The first of them was slain by David (Abishai asr sistihg), the rest by the great men who were about him. (See ver. 17.) justice, who do not swerve from the rules of righteousness, when they are injuriously treated by their neighbours.

2 Samuel 22:1

7. Then he called his servants that ministered nnto him, and said nnto them, Put now this woman out from me, vol; n. and bolt the door after her. This was a new violence to her, to be turned out of doors with such contemptuous language, as if she had been an impudent intruder..JjiND David spake unto the Lord the tvords of this song, in the day that the Lord had delivered him out of the hand of his enemies.] It is commonly thought David penned this psalm towards the end of his. life, after all the* victories mentioned. in theforegoing chapter.. Thus Rasi, in thd time of his old age, and Kimchi, in the conclusion of his day: but Abarbinel, who contends earnestly that all things fall out in the order wherein they are related in this book, is of a quite different opinion here; and will have it that he composed this song in. his youth, in the midst of, all his straits and difficulties] out of which, when God delivered him, he sung this song of praise unto him. So that by the words in the day that the Lord delivered “him, he thinks is meant, that every time he received any deliverance from God, his usual method was to acknowledge it thankfully in the words of this song, which was composed at first for his own private use: but in the end of his days, he thought fit to communicate it to others; and therefore put it into the book of Psalms, that it might serve for the use of those which might be in the like straits, and receive the like mercies. And then also he reviewed it, and made several alterations in it; which, little and great, amount, as he observes, to seventy-four in number. And this he did, as he thinks, to make his meaning plainer; arid that the people might not mistake it. And there is some ground for part of what he saith; for theeighteonth Psalm is directed to the chief musician, which shews it was then intended for public use: whereas here is nothing said of that, and therefore it is probable it remainedfor somo time a piece of private devotion. And out of the hand of Saul.] He may be thought to be comprehended under the name of his enemies: but they (as the same Abarbincl observes) were properly the people of other nations, who made war upon him; of whom he speaks in Psalm exxxix. 21, 22. “Do not I hate them that hate thee, &c. I account them mine enemies.” Now though Saul cruelly persecuted David, yet it did not become David to call him his enemy, and one that he hated: for he loved Saul, and therefore doth not number him among his enemies; but, in a particular manner, to distinguish him from them, adds, and out of the hand of Saul.

2 Samuel 22:2

And he said, The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer.

2 Samuel 22:3

TJie Godofmyrock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savestmefrom violence. This great heap of metaphors, as Strigelius observes, is a large paraphrase upon the first commandment, declaring God alone to be his confidence: in whom he placed all his strength, safety, security, and happiness. The consequence of which is, that wc should love God with all our heart, and soul, and strength; (as Moses adds after that precept, Deut. vi. 4, 5. x. 12.) and therefore David adds that, when he reviewed this Psalm, and begins it thus; " I will love thee, OXord, my strength,” &c. Psal. xviii. 1. (See my paraphrase upon that Psalm, where I have sufficiently explained these verses.)

2 Samuel 22:4

I will call upon the Lord, ivho is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. Sec in that Psalm, where there are the very same words. Upon which the forenamed Strigelius piously observes; That as the Uavo7r\ta of a soldier doth him no service, unless he put it on to defend himself and offend his enemy, so no protection or help from God is to be expected (who is so powerful as before described), unless we apply ourselves unto him by prayer and praises. Ver,.5. IVlien the waves of death compassed me about, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid.] These words in this verso differ from the words in Psal. xviii. but the sense is the same: that he was in a sinking condition, and saw no way to escape; being overpowered by troops of ungodly men, who, like a torrent, threatened to. sweep him away..,;

2 Samuel 22:5

And Jonadab said unto him, Lay thee down on thy bed, and make thyself sick. He advises him to feign himself to be so ill, that it constrained him to keep his bed. Instead of doing the true office of a friend, he flatters his passion to his utter undoing. And when thy father comes to see thee.] As he knew he would when he’ heard of his sickness: for, as I observed before, he was a greatlover’of his children; Say unto him, I pray thee, let my sister Tamar come and give me’ meat, and dress the meat in my sight,’ that I may see it, and eat it at her Jiand.] He would have him pretend that his stomach was so nice and squeamish; th&t he could like nothing that his servants dressed; and therefore desired his sister, who understood how to make delicate dishes, might come and prepare something that he could relish.

2 Samuel 22:6

And Amnon laid down, and made himself sick. He easily followed bad counsel, to attain a bad end. And when the king was come to see him, Amnon saidunto the king, I pray thee, let Tamar my sister come andmake me a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat at her hand.] She was peculiarly noted, I suppose, to be very curious in making these lebiboth, as the Hebrew calls them: which the Greeks translate tcoWvpidag, arid are by interpreters thought a delicious sort of cakes: though some take koXXupig to have been an excellent broth, or some other supping meat, which cannot be meant here, because she is said, ver. 8. to bake the cakes. i. I The sorrows of hell compassed me about, and. the snares of death prevented me.] He was so entangled in their snares, that he had no more power to help himself, than a dead man bound head and foot in his grave. For so the word slieol, which we translate hell, here signifies..

2 Samuel 22:7

Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, Go now to thy brother Amnotfs house, and dress him’meat. He suspected no fraud; and Jonadab was * so wicked as riot to discover it, and thereby prevent the* mischief.- In my distress I called upon (Tie Lord, and cried to my God.] He did not despair when he was at this plunge, but made his addresses to Him who is omnipotent; most earnestly beseeching him to deliver him, as he had often done. And he did hear my voice out of his temple, and my cry did enter into his ears.] There is very little difference. between these words and those. in Psalm xviii. The meaning of which is, that God gave him a\gracious answer from his sanctuary, or from heaven (of which the sanctuary was a type), and. shewed that he was sensibly touched with his affliction.,.

2 Samuel 22:8

So Tamarivent to her brother Amnoris house (and •M ww laid down)’. And she took flour, and kneaded it, and made cakes in his sight, and did bake the’ cakes. She shewed herself an obedient daughter, and akind sister. Then the earth shook and trembled.] The terror which God struck into his enemies is compared to an earthquake: which makes every body tremble, as it did the gaoler, Acts xvi. 29. The foundations of heaven moved and shook.] In Psalm xviii. the words arc, the foundations of the hills: which explains what ho here means by heaven; viz. mountains lifted up to heaven. Or, he represents the dread which fell upon his enemies, by the consternation which an earthquake causes, when it is accompanied with thunder, lightning, and hail -from heaven, in a great tempest. We do not read that there were literally such storms, tempests, and earthquakes, for David’s deliverance: but if there were, it need not seem strange, when profano history informs us of God’s interposing after this manner in some cases. For Strigelius observes out of Livy, that in tho eighth year of the second Punic war, when Hannibal and the Ilomans were drawn up in battle and ready to fight (upon which the fortune of the city of Rome depended), there fell such a. shower of rain and hail, as confounded both armies: so by Microsoft® CHAP, XXII.] THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. that being scarce able to hold their arms they retreated unto their camps. And on the next day, in the very same place, the like tempest parted them: and as soon as they came into their camps, there was a wonderful serenity arid tranquillity. Because he was ivroth.] Highly displeased at their enmity to David.

2 Samuel 22:9

Andshetook a pan. Wherein they had been baked. And poured them out before him.] Into a dish, But he refused to eat.] Pretending he had no appetite. And Amnon said, Have out all men from me. And they went out every man from him.] He commanded all his servants that attended him to leave him alone; that he might take some rest. There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, ctndfire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled at it J] These are very high metaphors, -to express the most flaming degree of anger, and,th6 dreadful effects of it. -

2 Samuel 22:10

And Amnon said unto Tamar, Bring the meat into the chamber, that I may eat of thy hand. He removed, I suppose, into an inner room (where he thought he might more privately enjoy her), and pretended to be so refreshed by the change, that his stomach was come to him. And Tamar took the cakes which she had made, and brought theni into the chamber to Amnon her brother.] Her innocence made her think* herself safe;" especially with a brother. He bowed the heavens also, and came down; and darkness was under his feet!] The Divine Majesty appeared in a glorious cloud, descending from heaven; which at the bottom was all dark, but above bright and shining, with an amazing lustre..

2 Samuel 22:11

And when she had brought them unto him to eat, he took hold of her, and said unto her, Come lie with me,°my sister. She sat down it is likely, suspecting no evil, upon his bedside to minister unto him: which gave him the opportunity to lay violent hands upon her. He rode upon a cherub.] To ride, in the Hebrew language (as Maimonides observes), is to rule, to govern, to manage with an absolute power, that on -which one is said to ride; and to dispose of it as he pleases. (More Nevochim, par. i. cap; 70.) And therefore to ride upon a cherub, or to make the clouds his chariot (which is the very same, because angels were wont to appear in bright clouds), is to send his heavenly ministers whither he thinks good, to execute his pleasure. -’ - v *; And did fly.] Made haste to succour and relieve David; when he was in great distress. - • J " And he was sken upon the wings of the wind.’] A rapid wind shewed that he was present to overturn all opposition. (See 1 Sam. v. 24.)

2 Samuel 22:12

And she ansivered him, Nay, my brother, do not force me. She having not strength enough to get from him, resists him with strong reasons: praying him to consider first that she was his sister". Unto which relation she hoped he would have such a reverence, as not’to meddle with her, though she were wiling: much less offer violence to her, which was abominable to do to a stranger. * For no, such C thing ought to be done in Israel.] Whatsoever other nations did (aniong whom idols were worshipped with filthy lusts), She prays him riot to defile the church of God, -whose • glory was holiness and purity. The Jewish doctors say, this gave such a’scaridal, that the people began to speak thus one to another: If the king’s daughter be thus used, what will become of the children of private men? And if men be so bold with chaste women, what will they be with those that are wantonly inclined? And at this time, they say, a decree was made, that two young people should not be alone together. (Gerii. Sanhedrin/cap. 2. n. 8.) “Do not thou this folly.] That is, this wickedness. She prays him to consider the foulness of the sin; which would highly provoke the Divine Majesty. And he made darkness pavilions round about him, darkwaters, and thick clouds of the skies.] This is still a description of the angelical powers, who surrounded him on all sides, as his ministers, ready to be employed, which way he thought fit to send them. For Andreas Cacsariensis truly observes, in his commentary on the Revelation,’that whensoever we read in the sacred books of clouds, or thick darkness, we are always to -understand; xmovpybg rwv -Sdwv irpayixdruv, some ministry ready to serve in Divine affairs* -

2 Samuel 22:13

And I, whither shall I cause my shame to go?. She beseeches him, beside the sin against God, to consider thedisgrace it would be to her:’ who should not be.able to look any body in the face; nor would any body think of marrying her. And as for thee, thou shall be as one of the fools in Israel.] Utterly lose his reputation”; and be looked upon* as a’ man void of all sense of religion, honour, or humanity.‘Now therefore, I pray thee, speak unto the king; for lie ivill not withhold me from thee.] The Jews commonly fancying that she being begot, as I said before, of a captive woman before David married her, there was no such kindred between her and Amnon, but that he might lawfully have her to wife. But others think, that she, being a young woman, unacquainted with the law, imagined that they who had not the same mother might lawfully marry; or “that the power of the king was so great, that he might dispense with the law in this case: or rather, she said any thing that came into her mind, which she thought might deliver her from the present danger: and this I take to be the truest interpretation. For Abarbinel hath at large confuted tho opinion of her being begotten of Maaeah before Microsoft ® CHAP, XIII.] THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. marriage, when she was a gentile. For, as the Scripture saith no such thing, so he thinks it altogether improbable,’that such a man as David would have any thing to do with her, till she became a proselyte. And therefore, he saith, she spake these words, not as if she thought it lawful for the king to give her to Amnon for his wife; but that she might get rid of his solicitations by fair speeches. For she having urged him with the foregoing arguments, viz. the heinousness of the action itself, the dishonour it would be to her, and no less reproach to himself, and he persisting still blindly in his wicked resolutfon, she adds these words to give him hope, that he might have satisfaction without acting so brutishly, if he did but ask his father’s consent. As if she had said, If thou art so sick with love, that thou art ready to die, speak to the king, unto whom thy life is very dear, and he will preserve it, by granting thy desire: for though by the law thou canst not enjoy me, yet he will rather choose to let me have thee, than see thee die. This, saith Abarbinel, is the sense of these words, he will not vnthhold me from thee. Which she said to withhold and divert him from his purpose at that time. Which R. Samuel Laniado (who endeavours to support the forenamed opinion of their doctors) doth but very weakly oppose. (See Buxtorf. de Sponsal. et Divortiis, se*ct.‘20. and my notes upon chap. iii. 3.) Through the brightness before him were coals of fire kindled.] Those heavenly ministers going forth from his glorious presence, sent hailstones and lightnings (as in the days of Joshua, x. 11.) in the face of his enemies.

2 Samuel 22:14

Hoivbeit he would not hearken unto her voice; but, being stronger than she, he forced her, and lay with her. As the nightingale in Hesiod sung in vain to the ravenous hawk (as Strigelius glosses upon these words), so Tamar said all this to a deaf man, who was wholly under the power of his furious lust, which would not suffer him to mind either God, or men, or himself. Vcr. 15. Tlien Amnon hated her exceedingly; so that the hatred wherewith he hated her was greater than the love wherewith he had loved her.’] The. Jews are much concerned to give a reason of this hatred. And Rasi and others say, that in her struggling with him to resist his attempt upon her, she hurt th6se parts wherewith he offended: which extremely enraged him. This is not improbable; but others think it a better account to say, that she reproached him so bitterly with what he had done, that he could not endure to hear it; and perhaps his owu conscience began to fly in his face. And Amnon said unto her, Arise, be gone.] He doth not so much as speak one kind word to her, nor call her sister (as Pcllicanus observes), but in a rude manner bids her be gone, as if she had been a common strumpet. Ver. 1C. And she said unto him, There is no cause.] For this hard usage. This evil is greater than the other that thou didst unto me.] It was not a greater sin, but it did her the greater mischief, because it published her shame, and made that known to all which was done secretly. But he would not hearken to her.] This was very barbarous, to thrust her out of doors immediately, and in the day-time, without consulting how to cover, if it were possible, so foul a fact. So Josephus, He would not let her stay till night, but commanded her to be put out while it was day-light, Iva KalfxapTvmrrjc a<x\vvr^ 7rap<nri<TOt, that she might meet with witnesses of her shame. The Lord thundered from heaven, the Most High uttered his voice.] Thunder is called the voice of God, in Psal. xxix. AVhich he sent forth in such terrible cracks, accompanied with flashes of fire, that quito daunted his enemies.

2 Samuel 22:15

lie sent out arrows, and scattered them; lightning, and discomfited them. These were the weapons whereby they were vanquished; lightnings were the darts and arrows that made them turn their backs and run away.

2 Samuel 22:16

And the cha?inels of the sea appeared, the foundations of the world were discovered, at the rebuking of the Lord, at the blast of the breath of his nostrils. This is the description of a great earthquake, which rentit in sunder, and made such breaches in it, that the very bottom of it was discovered. And this was the effect of God’s just indignation against his enemies.

2 Samuel 22:17

He sent from above, he took me. He sent his angels to rescue and protect David. He dreiv me out of many waters.] Delivered him from innumerable dangers; compared to waters breaking out upon a country, to overflovr it. A’ V<Sr. 18. He delivered me from my strong enemy’*] First from Goliath, and afterward from many others; as’we read in thfe foregoing chapter, xxi. 16, 17, &c. •; And from them that hated me.] The Philistines, the Syrians, and other nations, whose hatred to him made them set themselves against him, to destroy him. For they were too strong for me.] Their forces were more numerous than his, and would have overpowered him, if the Lord had hot been his helper.

2 Samuel 22:18

And she had a garment of divers colours upon her: for with such robes were the king’s daughters that were virginsapparelled. This was such a garment as Joseph, the beloved son of Jacob, wore. (See upon Gen. xxxvii.3.) And his servants brought her out, and bolted the door after her. ~\ A high. contempt of a king’s’ daughter, which they knew her to be by her apparel, if by nothing else. But their dependence on their master overruled all the respect due to her.

2 Samuel 22:19

And Tamar put ashes on her head, and rent her garment of divers coloters that was upon her. Both these were expressions of the greatest grief, which she was not able to suppress. • - And laid her hands on her head, and went on crying.] Bewailing her calamity. Laying her hands on her head was also a token of great trouble and grief; she covering thereby her face, as one ashamed. Thus Jeremiah saith, the children of Israel should go forth from Assyria, with their hands iipon their head; (xi. 37.) that is, saith Abarbinel, “like a woman who bewails her misfortune;, and there is none to deliver her.” St. Jerome and Theodoret more plainly, they shall go forth with their hands on their heads, " in signum pudoris et doloris,” in token of their shame and of tlteir grief Spreading forth their hands is the same. (Lam. i. 17.) TImj prevented me in thedayofmy calamity; but the Lord was my stay.] When he was in a weak’“condition, unable to defend himself, Saul suddenly came upon him, and had destroyed him, if the Lord had not been his support. (See 1 Sam. xxii. 9. xxiii. 14. 26. xxiv. 2, 3, &c.) Ver’. 20. He brought me forth also into a large place.] When his house, for instance, was beset by Saul’s officers^ who watched to kill him as he came out in the morning, he escaped by the help of his wife, and got to Samuel and Ramah, where he was at liberty to go whither he pleased! (1 Sam. xix. 11. 18.) He delivered me, because lie delighted in me.] In’ many other straits’he afterward delivered him; because he Had a kindness for him, and resolved to make him king, of Israel.

2 Samuel 22:20

And Absalom her brother. Unto whose house she went. Said nnto her, Hath Amnion thy brother been with thee?] A modest expression for the foul rape he had committed: at w T hich he conceived great indignation; and therefore, in scorn, doth not call him her brother Amnon^ but Aminon. So the words are in the Hebrew, Hath Aminon thy brother been with thee? Hut hold. thy peace, my sister: h&is thy brother; regard not this thing.] He seems to desire her to put up the injury in silence; that it might not bring too much disgrace on their family; but, indeed, that he might dissemble the revenge he intended, upon occasion, to take of him. So Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom’s house.] She would see nobody, I suppose, but only those that waited on her in her brother’s family.

2 Samuel 22:21

- And when king David lieard of all these things, he was very wroth. But, out of his great indulgence, inflicted no sort of punishment upon him, that we read of: 7rpi<rj3uraToe yap t?v v\oq avT$ (as Josephus observes), for he was his eldest son, which made him spare him.. The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousriess; according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.] God knew also that he was innocent of what he was accused; and had no design to do Saul any hurt. (1 Sam. xxiv. 11, 12, &c. xxvi. 23.)*

2 Samuel 22:22

And Absalom spake unto his brother Amnon neither good nor bad. Never said a word to him ^bout this matter, when they met together. For Absalom hated Amnon, because he hadforced his sister Tamar.] Though he hated him in his heart, yet he never expressed the least resentment. So the particle ki should be translated, not for, but though. By this means Amnon was lulled asleep into a belief that Absalom would not trouble him for what he had done, because he did not threaten, nor so much as expostulate with him, nort^ke any notice of what had passed.” Thoughjn reason he ought to have been mOre afraid, that he was meditating a terribly For I have kept the ways of the Lord, and.have not wickedly departed from my God.] He took no unlawful courses to preserve himself; but when Saul fell into his hands, he would not hurt him, because he was God’s anointed. * (See there, 1 Sam. xxiv. 11—13. and xxvi. 19, &c.)

2 Samuel 22:23

For all his judgments were before me. He made God’s commands the rule Of his actions. And as for his statutes, I did not depart from them.] In Psal. xviii. the words are, I did not put away his statutes from’me: that is, bid them stand aside, and give way to his interest; but strictly observed them.

2 Samuel 22:24

Itvas also upright before him, and kept myself from mine iniquity. This is still spoken with respect to Saul. For though he offended r afterward’ grievously against God’s laws, yet he chose rather to suffer any thing than do Saul any harm; and nothing could tempt him to that iniquity, unto which he was invited by fair opportunities, (1 Sam. xxiv. 4. xxvi. 8, &c.)

2 Samuel 22:25

*** Therefore the Lord has recompensed me according to my righteousness; according to my cleanness in his eye-sight.** According to David’s prayer; which is very remarkable, 1 Sam. xxvi. 23. where he desires God to deal with him as he had dealt with Saul, with whose blood he would not defile his hands, when it was in his power to take revenge.

2 Samuel 22:26

With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful, and with the upright man thou wilt shew thyself tip right.* This is the common method of God’s providence, to do good to those that do good to others: and to do them

2 Samuel 22:27

TPftA the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure. Faithfnlly keep his promises to those who are faithful to him. And with thefroward thou tvilt shew thyself unsavoury.] Declare how much he distastes and abhors those that take deceitful courses to briug about their ends. In Psal; xviii. the words are, with the froward thou tvilt shew thyself froward; that is, he ensnares those in their own devices, who perversely take. crooked ways to compass their designs: which unexpectedly, end in their /destruction.

2 Samuel 22:28

And the afflicted people thou tvilt save: but thine eyes are upon the haughty, that thonmayest bring them down. He is wont to deliver poor helpless people, who humbly depend on him, and not on any unlawful means for safety: but he contrives ways to lay those* low. who (proud of their power) insolently oppress them..

2 Samuel 22:29

For thou art my lamp, O Lord; and the Lord will lighten my darkness.". David himself was an instance of this; whom from a despicable, God raised to an illustrious condition: and when he concluded he should perish, (1 Sam. xxvii. 1.) advanced him to royal splendour and greatness. r Ver. 30; For by thee I have run through a troop: by my God I have leaped over a wall.] Now he seems to celebrate the wonderful works of God, after the persecution of Saul was over, and he was made king. When numerous enemies assaulted him; but he broke and scattered them all. And particularly (which seems to be meant by. the last words) he scaled the highest walls, whereby his enemies thought themselves securely defended. (See chap. v. of this book, ver. 6, 7, &c.)

2 Samuel 22:31

As for God, his way is perfect. By the way of God, here seems to be meant his counsels, proceedings, and methods of his providence: which for the present may appear to us perplexed, but in the issue will be seen to be perfectly just, and agreeable to his promises; as it here follows. - The word of the Lord is tried.] The experience of all good men tells us, that he never failed to be true to bis word: which is freer from all deceit, than the most refined gold is from dross. He is a buckler to all them that trust in him.] So that none can hurt those that put themselves under his protection, with a pious confidence in him.

2 Samuel 22:32

For who is God, save the Lord?. For none can defeat his intentions, or resist his will.’ And who is a rocjc’save our God?] There are none so powerful, as to be able to hurt those whom Jie will protect; pr to defend those whom he Ayill destroy. Of this word rock, see Deut. xxxii. 4. 31. Ver.’ 33. God ip my strength and power.] What great men Ayould Spipio and others have been, if they had been.possessed with such a sense of God, as to.have acknowledged that all their courage, and conduct, and mighty victories w’ere owing to his power. But no Avarrior was evqr like to David, who had God in all his thoughts, and acknowledged all his great acta to be performed by the Divine aid. And he maketh n\y way perfect.] Removed all obstacles out of his way, to tfio completing of his conquests. (See V. io.) Digitized by microsoft ®

2 Samuel 22:34

He maketh my feet like hinds’ feet. This is commonly thought to relate to the swiftness oihhuls; and so I have taken it in my paraphrase on the Psalms: but Bochartus hath made it probable, that it hath respect to the firmness of their treading; which is very remarkable, as he shews in his Hierozoicbn, par. i. lib.iii. cap. 17. And setteth me upon my high places.] He was enabled to pursue his enemies with great celerity, and without tripping: even unto such places, as for their height and cragginess were thought inaccessible.

2 Samuel 22:35

He teaches my hands to war; so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms. He ascribes all his strength and dexterity to God: who enabled hiin to wrest the strongest bow out of his enemies’ hands, and break it in pieces. Ver. 3G. Thou hast also given me.the shield of thy salvation.] And when he was in great dangers, God protected him: as he did in the battle mentioned in the foregoing chapter, (ver. 1G, 17.) when Ishbi-benob had slain him, if Abishai had not stepped in for his timely succour.., - And thy gentleness hath made me great.].These wonderful deliverances he could ascribe to nothing but the tender mercy of God to him, when he was unworthy of his favour.

2 Samuel 22:37

Tliou hast enlarged my steps under me; so that my feet did not slip. When he was in great straits, and beset with difficulties, God opened a wide passage; and made all things succeed accenrding to his desire. For that seems to be meant by his feet did not slip, but he went on smoothly.

2 Samuel 22:38

1 have pursued mine enemies, and destroyed them; and turned not again till I had consumed them. He got complete victories over the Philistines, Moabites, Syrians, and Ammonites. (See chap.viii. and x. of this book.)

2 Samuel 22:39

I have consumed them, and wounded them, that they could not arise. Gave them such a blow, that they were not able to renew the fight. * Yea, they are fallen under my feet.] Submitted themselves unto him and served him. (See x. 19.)

2 Samuel 22:40

For thou hast girded me with strength to the battle: them that rose up against me hast thou subdued under me. This was remarkably fulfilled in the rebellion of Absalom; when he was in a feeble condition, and had but few followers: but God gave them courage to fight, and such success in the battle; that they routed his army; and all Israel was brought under his obedience. (See chap, xviii.)

2 Samuel 22:41

Tliou hast also given me the necks of my enemies, that I might destroy them that hate me. This also was literally fulfilled, when Sheba raised a new rebellion; and his head was thrown over the wall of Abel to Joab, (chap, xx.) Ver f 42. They looked, but there was none to save.] In • Cfal. xviii. it is, they cried: which may signify, that they sought for help from their allies and confederates: but to no purpose. Even unto the Lord, but he answered them not.] And it was too late, when other help failed them, to seek for help from God: for he had deserted them, and would not hear their prayers.

2 Samuel 22:43

Then did I beat them as small as the dust of the earth. In Psal, xviii, tlje words are, as the dust before the wind. He so entirely vanquished them, that they had no CHAP, XXII.]* THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. more power than the small dust of the earth: which is tossed up and down with every blast of wind. I did stamp them as the mire of the street, and did spread them abroad.] In the forenamed Psalm, I did cast them out as the dirt in the street: that is, made them as contemptible as the dirt in the street, which every one tramples under his feet.

2 Samuel 22:44

Thou hast also delivered me from the strivings of the people, tjiou hast made me the head of the heathen^. The first part of these w r ords relates to the union of the people of Israel and Judah under his government, after long contentions between them, (v. 1, 2, &c.) The other part to the enlargement of his kingdom, by subduing his neighbouring heathen people under him, (chap. viii. 10.) ■ A people whom I have not known shall serve me.] Such as the Syrians of Zobah, and Rchob, and Ish-tob, and Maacah: of which David, it is likely, had no knowledge, till they came to help the Ammonites, (x. 8.)

2 Samuel 22:45

Strangers shall submit themselves unto me: as soon as they hear, they shall be obedient to me. The very report of his victories made some heartily submit themselves unto him: and others dissembled their hostility, and offered him their service, (x. 19.) Ver. 4G. Strangers shall fade away.] Fall as withered leaves do from the trees. * They shall.be afraid out of their close places.] Distrusting their strong holds, that they came creeping out with fear, to surrender up themselves into his hands.

2 Samuel 22:47

The Lord liveth; and blessed be my rock. To him he desires all the praise may be ascribed; in whose eternal power alone he still confided. “’.-.. And exalted be the God of the rock of my salvation.] He desires again the Lord might be magnified with the highest praises: who had not only preserved him from perishing, but exalted him to be king of Israel. -For so the last words arc in the Hebrew, exalted be God, the rock of my salvation. Who safely preserved and delivered him; and now advanced him most graciously to the highest dignity. • Ver- 48. It is God that avengeth me, and that bringeth down the people under me.] He did not avenge himself, but left it to God to plead his cause: who not only punished those that were injurious to him, but brought many nations under his empire., *,,

2 Samuel 22:49

And that bringeth me forth from mine enemies: tlwu also hast lifted me up on high above them that rose vp against me. In these words-David, made some small ^Iteration, when, he inserted this hymn into the book of Psalms for public use. Of which, Abarbinel endeavours to give a reason; but he seems too curious in his observations. The plainest and most certain of which is this; that the first part of these words respect the nations whom he subdued; who were properly his enemies: and the latter the, children of Israel, when they rose up against him. to dethrone him…… Thou hast delivered me front the violent man.] After he had delivered him from Saul, who violently persecuted him a long time.’. *’.!…:

2 Samuel 22:50

Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the lieathen, and Ixvill sing praises unto thy name. He resolved to make his thankful acknowledgments unto God every where: so as to make those nations whom he had subdued sensible that he ascribed, all bis victories unto Digitized ti him. In honour* of whoni he would sing this perpetual song. \ > •

2 Samuel 22:51

He is the tower of salvation for. his king. Ashe w r as a king by God’s appointment, and not by usurpation; so he trusted in him for the support of his authority. » And sheweth mercy unto his anointed, unto David, audio his seed for evermore.] And he hoped the same mercy^ which had promoted him to this dignity, would be continued to him and to his posterity till the, coming of the. great king Messiah: whose kingdom shall have no end., (Seevii.l2,iy.) y…….