1 Samuel 22

1 Samuel 22:1

Withdraw - Trouble not thyself to enquire; for I now plainly discern the matter.

1 Samuel 22:3

Which went - Either by constraint, as servants; or in policy, to gain their favour and protection.

1 Samuel 22:5

The battle - That is, the warriors who were engaged in the battle, and were pursuing the Philistines. Yet it is said, the Lord saved Israel that day: he did it by them: for without him they could do nothing. Salvation is of the Lord.

1 Samuel 22:6

Distressed - With hunger, and weakness, and faintness, and all by reason of the following oath. Avenged - As Saul’s intention was good, so the matter of the obligation was not simply unlawful, if it had not been so rigorous in excluding all food, and in obliging the people to it under pain of an accursed death, which was a punishment far exceeding the fault.

1 Samuel 22:8

Honey - Bees often make their hives in the trunks of trees, or clefts of rocks, or holes of the earth; and this in divers countries, but eminently in Canaan.

1 Samuel 22:9

Enlightened - He was refreshed, and recovered his lost spirits. This cleared his sight, which was grown dim by hunger and faintness.

1 Samuel 22:10

People - They that came with Saul, whose forces were now united with Jonathan’s.

1 Samuel 22:14

Slew - At evening, when the time prefixed by Saul was expired. With blood - Not having patience to tarry ’till the blood was perfectly gone out of them, as they should have done. So they who made conscience of the king’s commandment for fear of the curse, make no scruple of transgressing God’s command.

1 Samuel 22:15

Transgressed - He sees their fault, but not his own, in giving the occasion of it.

1 Samuel 22:18

Draw near - To the ark, in order to enquire of God.

1 Samuel 22:21

Answered - None of those who saw Jonathan eating, informed against him; because they were satisfied that his ignorance excused him; and from their great love to Jonathan, whom they would not expose to death for so small an offence.

1 Samuel 22:23

Perfect lot - Or, declare the perfect, or guiltless person. That is, O Lord, so guide the lot, that it may discover who is guilty in his matter, and who innocent. Escaped - They were pronounced guiltless.