_Aphec. Hence they proceeded to Sunam, and attacked Saul, near the fountain, which were all places in the vale of Jezrahel. The sacred writer thus leaves the two armies ready to engage, being intent on giving the particulars of David's history, and only relating the affairs of Saul, &c., in as much... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thousands, making the troops pass in review, as the Hebrew insinuates. Their army seems to have been divided, in the same manner as that of the Israelites, each company of 10, 50, &c., having its respective officer, under the five lords. --- Were. Hebrew, "passed." David's band was connected with t... [ Continue Reading ]
_Know David. It seems they were not unacquainted with him, since they knew that Achis had given him a place, (ver. 4,) or city. (Haydock) --- But they prudently judged that it would be very hazardous to employ him on this occasion. Providence thus brought him honourably out of the scrape, as he coul... [ Continue Reading ]
_Adversary. Hebrew Satan, "a calumniator, enemy," &c. (Calmet) --- Tacitus (Hist. iv.) speaking of the Batavian corps, says, "which, being bribed, pretended to be faithful, that it might flee, and become more acceptable after it had betrayed the Romans in the heat of the engagement."_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Lord. Hebrew Jehova. (Haydock) --- Achis speaks of the true God, as David was accustomed to do. (Salien) --- Perhaps he adored him, like his other gods; as the Israelites are accused of swearing by the Lord and by Melchom, Sophonias i. 5. --- The pagans often appealed to the gods of those with whom... [ Continue Reading ]
_King. He speaks thus that he might not increase the suspicions of the Philistines. (Menochius) --- In the mean time, God called him to fight against Amalec, and to defend his own property, which was actually, or the next day, taken from Siceleg; (Haydock) so that nothing could have been more desira... [ Continue Reading ]
_Angel of God, equally incapable of any meanness. The pagans admitted the existence of good and of evil spirits. (Sanctius) This exaggerated compliment occurs, Genesis xxxiii. 10., 2 Kings xiv. 17., and xix. 27._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thy Lord. He may allude to Saul, (ver. 3,) or to himself, (chap. v. 8,) or to God, as David was under obligations to all three. (Haydock) --- Light, that none might know or be dejected, in the rest of the army. (Menochius)_... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER XXIX.... [ Continue Reading ]