_Hands. God requires that we should act with prudence. (Du Hamel) --- David probably consulted the Lord, and sent ambassadors to Achis, before he went into his dominions, (Menochius) where he had been in such danger before. (Du Hamel)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Maoch, or Maacha, 3 Kings ii. 29. This king had perhaps seen David, when he counterfeited madness. But now he was convinced that, by granting him protection, he would greatly annoy Saul, and draw many brave men out of his dominions._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Household. They were aware of the cruelty of Saul. The names of these valiant men are specified, 1 Paralipomenon xii. 1., &c._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Country, less peopled, and more remote from the sea. --- With thee. David was attended like a king, so that he wished to avoid giving umbrage to Achis, and, at the same time, keep his own men at a greater distance from the contagious morals of the idolaters._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Day. This was written some time after the death of Samuel. --- Siceleg belonged at first to Juda, and was afterwards given to the tribe of Simeon, till it fell into the hands of the Philistines, and being restored by them to David, was considered afterwards as the property of the kings of Juda. It... [ Continue Reading ]
_Months. Hebrew, "days and four months." The former expression denotes a year; though some would have it, that David remained "four months and a few days" in the country. He probably continued so many months at Geth, (ver. 9, 11,) and about a year at Siceleg. (Calmet) --- Septuagint have "days, four... [ Continue Reading ]
Pillaged Gessuri, &c. These probably were enemies of the people of God; and some, if not all of them, were of the number of those whom God had ordered to be destroyed; which justifies David's proceedings in their regard. Though it is to be observed here, that we are not under an obligation of justif... [ Continue Reading ]
_Apparel. Saul alone had been ordered to destroy all the property of Amalec. (Abulensis)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Jerameel, the son of Esron, inhabited the most southern part of Juda. --- Ceni, or the Cinites, descendants of Jethro, (Calmet) who dwelt at Arad and the environs. The words of David might signify that he attacked these people of Israel, as Achis understood him; or that he made inroads upon those w... [ Continue Reading ]
_Harm. Hebrew, "he hath made himself stinking (an object of horror) to his people." A strong expression used, Genesis xxxiv. 30., and Exodus v. 21. (Calmet) --- Septuagint, "he is quite covered with confusion." Achis supposed that David had thus forfeited all his pretensions to dwell among, much les... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER XXVII.... [ Continue Reading ]