_Odollam, about two days' journey from Geth, (Salien) nine miles east of Eleutheropolis, in the tribe of Juda. (Eusebius) (Calmet) --- Josue xii. 15., and 2 Machabees xii. 38. (Menochius) --- Thither, to avoid the fury of Saul, which fell so heavy upon the priests, ver. 16. The most warlike sons of... [ Continue Reading ]
_Men. His title to the crown was incontestable, so that he might justly make war, particularly in his own defence, and receive those who flocked to him to screen themselves from the persecution of Saul, and from their debtors, whom they would thus enable themselves to repay in time, by the plunder w... [ Continue Reading ]
_Of Moab, to distinguish it from the city of Benjamin, where Samuel had assembled the people; (Menochius) and perhaps also from the birth-place of Jephte, unless the Moabites had taken possession again of that part of Galaad. (Calmet) --- Saul had made war upon this king, so that he was more ready t... [ Continue Reading ]
_The hold. The strong hold, or fortress of Maspha. (Challoner) --- It signifies "a watch-tower." (Haydock) --- In this place the parents of David probably finished their days, as we find no farther mention of them. (Salien)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Haret, west of Jerusalem. Septuagint read "the town of Haret," (Eusebius) or "Sarec." (Menochius) --- Rama, "the height," in Gabaa. (Calmet) --- God would not suffer David and his followers to continue long among the infidels, for fear of danger. (Menochius) --- The hero shews his ready obedience t... [ Continue Reading ]
_Jemini. Benjamites, my countrymen. Saul approaches them with being too little concerned about his interests, and falsely accuses his own son, who, it seems, had retired from court, after his father had attempted to kill him. But he shewed no signs of disloyalty. (Calmet) --- The king mentions the l... [ Continue Reading ]
_Servants, or herdsmen, chap. xxi. 7. Septuagint, "the Syrian, who was set over the mules of Saul." (Haydock) --- Informers are a set of men destructive to the public," says Tacitius, Hist. i. 4._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Consulted. Some think this was a falsehood, as it is not mentioned before. (Hugo) --- but Achimelech does not deny the fact, ver. 15. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Achitob. He gives him no honourable title, no more than David, (ver. 7, &c.) out of disrespect. (Menochius)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Faithful....and honourable, are titles given to people of great distinction at court, chap. ix. 6., Numbers xii. 7., and Genesis xxxiv. 19._... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER XXII. _ For him? We might read without an interrogation, "I have to-day begun...." (Chaldean) never suspecting that it would be disagreeable to the king. (Calmet) --- His character and his declarations, led me to conclude quite the contrary, so that I cannot lawfully be accused of any consp... [ Continue Reading ]
_Messengers. Hebrew, "runners." These officers remained at court and were people of great account, (Calmet) like the king's guards, 2 Kings xv. 1., and 3 Kings i. 5. (Haydock) --- Lord, out of reverence, and being convinced of their innocence. (Menochius) --- The obedience which we owe to superiors... [ Continue Reading ]
_Five. Josephus read "385." Septuagint, "305." --- Ephod. They all appeared in this dress, as they were priests. (Calmet) --- It was different from the sacred ephod. (Abulensis) --- Thus the posterity of Heli was almost entirely cut off, as God had threatened, chap. ii. (Du Hamel; Tirinus)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Sword. Saul, now abandoned God, acts against all law. He probably, on this occasion, destroyed the inhabitants of Gabaon, to make place for the tabernacle, which was removed hither. (Calmet) See chap. xxvii. 12. --- He might also appoint Achitob high priest, the father of Sadoc, who supplanted Abia... [ Continue Reading ]
_Escaped. He had perhaps remained at Nobe, to do duty. (Menochius) --- God was pleased to reserve him, (Calmet) to convey the sacred ornaments of the high priest to David. (Haydock) --- St. Bachiarius looks upon the slaughtered priests as martyrs. (Tirinus)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_House. Literally, "I am guilty," &c. (Haydock) --- "Good people acknowledge a fault, where there is none." (St. Gregory) --- David was aware of the malicious temper of Doeg, but he could not prevent its evil effects, as he had applied to the high priest without perceiving that he was there. (Haydoc... [ Continue Reading ]
_Saved. We will be as one soul. On this occasion David composed the 51st Psalm, Quid gloriaris, to reprobate the conduct of Doeg. (Salien) --- We may consider David as the fourth in order of the sacred writers, as he appears after Moses, Josue, and Samuel. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]