_A.M. 2943. B.C. 1061._ Saul pursues David to Engedi, 1 Samuel 24:1; 1 Samuel 24:2. David cuts off his skirt, 1 Samuel 24:3. He reasons with Saul, 1 Samuel 24:8. Saul owns his fault, and returns home, 1 Samuel 24:16.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Upon the rocks of the wild goats_ Which the wild goats used to delight in and climb over. These same rocks are exceeding steep, and full of precipices, and dangerous to travellers, as an eye-witness hath left upon record. And yet Saul was so transported with rage as to venture himself and his army... [ Continue Reading ]
_Where was a cave_ This cave being near the highway, and in the most frequented place of the wilderness, namely, near the sheep-cotes, to which the shepherds and herdsmen resorted to feed and milk their flocks, it is likely David made choice of it as being a place most unlikely to be suspected. Or,... [ Continue Reading ]
_The men of David said unto him_, &c. The cave being very large, and David and his men at the further end of it, they might see Saul by the light of the entrance, without his seeing them, and might whisper together what follows without being heard. _The Lord said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver_,... [ Continue Reading ]
_David's heart smote him_ His intention in cutting off Saul's skirt was only to give certain proof that he did not seek his life, in that he had spared it when it was wholly in his power; yet no sooner had he done it, but the consideration how Saul might be affected by it, whether it might not enrag... [ Continue Reading ]
_And suffered them not to rise against Saul_ He not only would not do this ill thing himself, but he would not suffer those about him to do it. Thus did he render good for evil to him, from whom he had received evil for good; and was herein both a type of Christ, who saved his persecutors, and an ex... [ Continue Reading ]
_Mine eye spared thee_ A phrase signifying the taking pity on those whom we have it in our power to hurt. The eye is said to spare, because it affects the heart, and induces a person to spare. _Moreover, my father_ Such he was through David's marriage of his daughter. _The Lord avenge me of thee_ Ra... [ Continue Reading ]
_Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked_ That is, men may be known by their actions; wicked men will do wicked actions; among which, this is one, to kill their sovereign lord and king; and, therefore, if I were so wicked a person as I am represented by thy courtiers to be, I should now have shown it,... [ Continue Reading ]
_After whom is the king of Israel come out?_ David here employs every persuasive art to move Saul. He represents himself in as contemptible a light as possible; that he might convince Saul it was not for his honour to take so much pains to kill him, if he could do it. _The Lord, therefore, be judge_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Is this thy voice, my son David?_ He knew his voice, though, being at a great distance from him, he could not discern his face. _Saul lifted up his voice and wept_ Being overcome with David's kindness, in sparing his life when he could have taken it away, and conscious of his base carriage toward h... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thou art more righteous than I_ He ingenuously acknowledges David's integrity and his own iniquity. _If a man find his enemy, will he let him go?_ That is, he will certainly destroy him to save himself. Thy behaviour, therefore, shows that thou hast no enmity to me. _Wherefore the Lord reward thee... [ Continue Reading ]
_And now I know well that thou shalt surely be king_ These wonderful dispensations of Divine Providence over David, and David's no less wonderful virtue, at last convinced Saul that God designed him to be the king of his people, and that none could hinder his establishment. _That thou wilt not destr... [ Continue Reading ]
_David and his men get them up unto the hold Of Engedi, 1 Samuel 24:1_. For having had so frequent experience of Saul's inconstancy, he would trust him no more. It is indeed dangerous to trust a reconciled enemy; and the son of Sirach advises, “Never trust thine enemy; though he humble himself, yet... [ Continue Reading ]