David I will save my people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies. 19 And Abner also spake in the ears of Benjamin and Abner went also to speak in the ears of David in Hebron all that seemed good to Israel, and that seemed good to the whole house of Benjanin. 20 So Abner came to David to Hebron, and twenty men with him. And David made Abner, and the men that were with him, a feast. 21 And Abner said unto David, I will arise and go, and will gather all Israel unto my lord the king, that they may make a league with thee, and that thou mayest reign over all that thine heart desireth. And David sent Abner away: and he went in peace. d 22 T And, behold, the servants of David and Joab came from pursuing a troop, and brought in a great spoil with them: but Abner was not with David in Hebron; for he had sent him away, and he was gone in peace. 23 When Joab and all the host that was with him were come, they told Joab, saying, Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he hath sent him away, and he is gone in peace. 24 Then Joab came to the king, and said, What hast thou done? behold, Abner came unto thee; why is it that thou hast sent him away, and he is quite gone? 25 Thou knowest Abner the son of Ner, that he came to deceive thee, and to know thy going out and thy coming in, and to know all that thou doest. 26 And when Joab was come out from David, he sent messengers after Abner, which brought him again from the well of Sirah: but David knew it not. f 27 And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him & quietly, and smote him there under the fifth rib, that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother. b 1 Chron. 12. 29.-c Ver. 10. 12-d 1 Kings 11. 37.-e 1 Sam. 29. 6. Isa. 37. 28. 1 Kings 2. 5. So Ch 20 9, 10g Or, peaceably-h Ch. 4. 6.-- Ch. 2. 23.-k Heb. Bloods.--11 Kings 2 32, 33-m Heb. be cut of-n Lev. 15. 2.-0 Ch. 2. 23.-p Josh. 7. 6. Ch. 1. 2, 11. able is the lot of a king, who is governed by the general of his army; who may strip him of his power and dignity whenever he pleases! Witness the fate of poor Charles I. of England, and Lewis XVI. of France. Military men, above all others, should never be intrusted with any civil power; and should be great only in the field. Verse 13. Eccept thou first bring Michal] David had already six wives at Hebron; and none of them could have such pretensions to legitimacy as Michal, who had been taken away from him, and married to Phaltiel. However distressing it was, to take her from a husband who loved her most tenderly, (see verse 16.) yet prudence and policy required that he should strengthen his own interest in the kingdom as much as possible; and that he should not leave a princess in the possession of a man, who might, in her right, have made pretensions to the throne. Besides, she was his own lawful wife, and he had a right to demand her when he pleased. Verse 14. Deliver me my wife] It is supposed that he meant to screen Abner; and to prevent that violence which he might have used in carrying off Michal. 28 And afterward, when David heard it, he said, I and my kingdom are guiltless before the LORD for ever from the blood of Abner the son of Ner: 29 Let it rest on the head of Joab, and on all his father's house; and let there not fail from the house of Joab one "that hath an issue, or that is a leper, or that leaneth on a staff, or that falleth on the sword, or that lacketh bread. 30 So Joab and Abishai his brother slew Abner, because he had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle. 31 And David said to Joab, and to all the people that were with him, Rend your clothes, and gird you with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner. And King David himself followed the r bier. 32 And they buried Abner in Hebron: and the king lifted up his voice, and wept at the grave of Abner; and all the people wept. 33 And the king lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner as a fool dieth? 34 Thy hands were not bound, nor thy feet put into fetters: as a man falleth before wicked men, so fellest thou. And all the people wept again over him. W 35 And when all the people came to cause David to eat meat while it was yet day, David sware, saying, 'So do God to me, and more also, if I taste bread, or aught else, till the sun be down. 36 And all the people took notice of it, and it pleased them: as whatsoever the king did pleased all the people. 37 For all the people and all Israel understood that day that it was not of the king to slay Abner the son of Ner. 38 And the king said unto his servants, Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel? 39 And I am this day weak, though anointed king; and these men, the sons of Zeruiah, be too hard for me: the LORD shall reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness. q Gen. 37. 34-r Heb. beds Ch. 13. 12, 13-4 Heb. children of iniquity —a Ch 12. 17. Jer. 16. 7. Ruth 1. 17-w Ch 1. 12-x Heb. was good in their eyst y Heb. tender-z Ch. 19. 7-a See Ch. 19. 13. 1 Kings 2. 5, 6, 33, 34. Ps. 2 & 62. 12. 2 Tim. 4. 14. The murder, however, was one of the most unprovoked and wicked: and such was the power and influence of this nefarious general, that the king dared not to bring him to justice for his crime. In the same way he murdered Amasa, a little time afterward. See ch. xx. ver. 10. Joab was a cool-blooded, finished murderer. "Treason and murder ever keep together like two yoke-devils." Verse 29. Let it rest on the head] All these verbs may be rendered in the future tense: it will rest on the head of Joab, &c. This was a prophetic declaration, which sufficiently showed the displeasure of God against this execrable man. Verse 31. David said to Joab] He commanded him to take on him the part of a principal mourner. Verse 33. The king lamented over Abner] This lamentation, though short, is very pathetic. It is a high strain of poetry; but the measure cannot be easily ascer tained. Our own translation may be measured thus: Verse 16. Weeping behind her] If genuine affection did not still subsist between David and Michal, it was a Or thus, pity to have taken her from Phaltiel; who had her to wife from the conjoint authority of her father and her king. Nevertheless David had a legal right to her, as she had never been divorced: for she was taken from him by the hand of violence. Verse 18. The Lord hath spoken of David] Where is this spoken? Such a promise is not extant. Perhaps it means no more than, "Thus, it may be presumed, God hath determined." Verse 21. He went in peace.] David dismissed him in good faith, having no sinister design in reference to him. Verse 27. And smote him there] Joab feared that, after having rendered such essential services to David, Abner would be made captain of the host: he, therefore, determined to prevent it, by murdering the man, under pretence of avenging the death of his brother Asahel. Died Abner as a fool dieth? As a man falleth before the wicked, So hast thou fallen! Shall Abner die A death like to a villain's? Thy hands not bound, Nor were the fetters to thy feet applied. Like as one falls before the sons of guilt, He was not taken away by the hand of justice, nor in battle, nor by accident: he died the death of a culprit, by falling into the hands of a villain. This song was a heavy reproof to Joab: and must have galled him extremely, being sung by all the people. Verse 36. The people took notice] They saw that the king's grief was sincere, and that he had no part nor device in the murder of Abner: see ver. 37. Verse 39. I am this day weak] Had Abner lived, all the tribes of Israel would have been brought under my government. Though anointed king] I have little else than the title: 3 And the Beerothites fled to Gittaim, and were sojourners there until this day.) 4 And Jonathan, Saul's son, had a son that was lame of his feet. He was five years old when the tidings came of Saul and Jonathan out of Jezreel, and his nurse took him up, and fled and it came to pass, as she made haste to flee, that he fell, and became lame. And his name was Mephibosheth. i 5 And the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, went, and came about the heat of the day to the house of Ish-bosheth, who lay on a bed at noon. 6 And they came thither into the midst of the house, as though they would have fetched wheat: and they smote him under the fifth rib: and Rechab and Baanah his brother escaped. 7 For when they came into the house, he lay on his bed in his bedchamber, and they smote him, and slew him, and beheaded him, and took his head, and gat them away through the plain all night. b Ezra 4. 4. Isai. 13. 7.-c Matt 2 3-d Heb. seconde Josh. 18. 25.- Neh. 11. 33-g Ch. 9. 3.--h 1 Sam. 29. 1, 11.-1 Or, Meribbaal, 1 Chron. 8. 34. & 9. 40.-Ch. 2. 23.- 1 Sam. 19. 2, 10, 11. & 23 15. & 25. 29. first, having only one tribe under my government; and, secondly, the sons of Zeruiah, Joab and his brethren, having usurped all the power, and reduced me to the shadow of royalty. The LORD shall reward the doer of evil] That is, Joab, whom he appears afraid to name. We talk much of ancient manners, their simplicity and ingenuousness; and say, that the former days were better than these. But who says this who is a judge of the times? In those days of celebrated simplicity, &c. there were not 80 many crimes as at present, I grant: but what they wanted in number, they made up in degree; deceit, cruelty, rapine, murder, and wrong of almost every kind, then flourish ed. We are refined in our vices; they were gross, and barbarous in theirs; they had neither so many ways, nor so many means, of sinning; but the sum of their moral turpitude was greater than ours. We have a sort of decency and good breeding, which lay a certain restraint on our passions; they were boorish and beastly, and their bad passions ever in full play. Civilization prevents barbarity and atrocity; mental cultivation induces decency of manners: those primitive times were generally without these. Who that knows them would wish such ages to return? NOTES ON CHAPTER IV. 8 And they brought the head of Ish-bosheth his brother, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, 9 And David answered Rechab and Baanah is dead, thinking to have brought good tidings, 10 When "one told me, saying, Behold, Saul took hold of him, and slew him in Ziklag, P who thought that I would have given him a reward for his tidings: 11 How much more, when wicked men have slain a righteous person in his own house upon his bed? shall I not therefore now require his blood of your hand, and take you away from the earth? and they slew them, and cut off their hands and 12 And David commanded his young men, their feet, and hanged them up over the pool in Hebron. But they took the head of Ish-bosheth, and buried it in the sepulchre of Abner in Hebron. CHAPTER V. The elders of all the tribes of Israel came and anointed David king over all Israel, 1-5 He goes against the Jebusites, and takes the strong-hold of Zion, and afterward the city itself; which is called the city of David, 6-9. David's prosperity, and friendship with Hiram, king of Tyre, 10-12 He takes more concubines, and begets several sons and daughters, 13-16. The Philistines gather together against him in the valley of Rephaim; he defeats them; they abandon their idols, and Da vid and his men burn them, 17-21. They assemble once more in the valley of Rephaim, and David smites them from Geba to Gazer, 22-25. THEN 443. Anno ante a came all the tribes of Israel An. Exod. Ist. to David unto Hebron, and spake, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh. b 1. Olymp. 272 m Gen. 48. 16. 1 Kings 1. 29. Psa. 31. 7.-n Ch. 1. 2, 4, 15.-0 Heb. he was in his own eyes as a bringer, &c.-p Or, which was the reward I gave him for his tidings. q Gen. 9. 5, 6.- Ch. 1. 15.8 Ch. 3. 32-a 1 Chron. 11. 1. & 12 23-6 Gen. 29. 14." these men were accustomed to go thither for provisions for themselves, their cattle, and their men. This supposition, which is natural, renders unnecessary all the emendations of Houbigant and others. As these men were accustomed to bring wheat from these stores, from which it appears there was an easy passage to the king's chamber, especially if we consider this a summer-house, as it most probably was; no man would suspect their present errand, as they were in the habit of going frequently to that place. Verse 8. They brought the head-unto David] They thought, as did the poor, lying Amalekite, to ingratiate themselves with David, by this abominable act. Verse 9. Who hath redeemed my soul out of all adversity] This was, in David's case, a very proper view of the goodness and watchful providence of God toward him. His life was frequently in danger: murderers had often laid wait for it; but God, the living God, had always redeemed that life from all adversity; and called on him now to punish such evil-minded and blood-thirsty men. Verse 10. A reward for his tidings] ' edet pe dovrai evayyedia, Septuagint. Here is a proof that evayyeλior, evangelium, or Gospel, signifies the reward which the bringer of good tidings is entitled to receive. See my preface to St. Matthew's Gospel. Verse 11. How much more] Here are several things Verse 1. All the Israelites were troubled.] Abner was their great support; and on him they depended; for, it ap-which aggravated the guilt of those wicked men. 1. Ishpears that Ish-bosheth was a feeble prince, and had few of those qualities requisite for a sovereign. same. bosheth was an innocent man, and therefore none could have any ground of quarrel against him. 2. He was in his own house, which was his sanctuary, and none but the worst of men would disturb him there. 3. He was upon his bed, resting in the heat of the day, and so free from suspicion that he was not even attended by his guards; nor had he his doors secured. To take away the life of such a man, in such circumstances, whom also they professed to Verse 2. Captains of bands] Principes latronum, captains of banditti, says the Vulgate: the Syriac is the Whether Ish-bosheth kept hands of marauders, whose business it was to make sudden incursions into the country places, and carry off grain, provisions, cattle, &c. we know not; but such persons would be well qualified for the bloody work in which those two men were after-hold as their sovereign, was the most abandoned treachery. ward employed. Verse 3. The Beerothites fled to Gittaim] Probably the same as Gath; as Ramathaim is the same as Rama. Verse 4. He fell, and became lame.] Dislocated his ancle, knee, or thigh; which was never after reduced: and thus he became lame. Lovely Jonathan! unfortunate in thy life, and in thy progeny. Verse 5. Lay on a bed at noon] It is a custom in all hot countries, to travel or work very early, and very late; and rest at noon-day, in which the heal chiefly prevails. Verse 6. As though they would have fetched wheat] The king's stores were probably near his own dwelling; and Verse 12. And they slew them] None ever more richly deserved death: and, by this act of justice, David showed to all Israel that he was a decided enemy to the destruction of Saul's family; and that none could lift up their hands against any of them without meeting with condign punishment. In all these cases I know not that it was possible for David to show more sincerity, or a stricter regard for justice. NOTES ON CHAPTER V. Verse 1. Then came all the tribes of Israel] Ish-bosheth the king, and Abner the general, being dead, they had no hope of maintaining a separate kingdom, and d 9 So David dwelt in the fort, and called it 2 Also in time past, when Saul was king over us, thou wast he that leddest out and brought-the city of David. And David built round est in Israel and the LORD said to thee, a Thou about from Milo and inward. shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be a captain over Israel. : 3 So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and King David made a league with them in Hebron before the LORD and they anointed David king over Israel. 4 David was thirty years old when he began to reign, h and he reigned forty years. 5 In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months; and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years over all Israel and Judah. 6 And the king and his men went to Jerusalem unto the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land; which spake unto David, saying, Except thou take away the blind and the lame, thou shalt not come in hither: m thinking, David cannot come in hither. 7 Nevertheless, David took the strong-hold of Zion: the same is the city of David. 8 And David said on that day, Whosoever getteth up to the gutter, and smiteth the Jebusites, and the lame and the blind, that are hated of David's soul, he shall be chief and captain. P Wherefore they said, The blind and the lame shall not come into the house. e 1 Sam. 18. 13.-d 1 Sam. 16. 1, 12. Psa. 78. 71. See Ch. 7. 7.-- 1 Chron. 11. 3. f2 Kings 11. 17.--g Judg. 11. 11. 1 Sam. 23. 18-h 1 Chron. 26. 31. & 29. 27-i Ch. 2 11. 1 Chron. 3. 4-k Judg. 1. 21.- Josh. 15. 63 Judg. 1. 8. & 19. 11, 12-m Or, saying David shall not, &c.-n Ver. 9. 1 Kings 2. 10. & 8, 1-0 1 Chron. 11. 6, 9, p Or, because they had said, even the blind and the lame, He shall not come into therefore thought it better to submit to David's authority. And they founded their resolution on three good arguments: 1. David was their own countryman; we are thy bone, and thy flesh. 2. Even in Saul's time David had been their general; and had always led them to victory: Thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel. 3. God had appointed him to the kingdom, to govern and protect the people-The Lord said to thee, Thou shalt feed my people, and be a captain over Israel. B. C. 103 10 And David went on, and grew great, and the LORD God of hosts was with him. 11 And Hiram king of Tyre AM 261. sent messengers to David, and cedar An Exod. far. trees, and carpenters, and "masons: and they built David a house. 414 Anno ante 1. Olymp. 257. 12 And David perceived that the LORD had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel's sake. 13 And David took him more concubines and wives out of Jerusalem, after he was come from Hebron: and there were yet sons and daughters born to David. 14 And these be the names of those that were born unto him in Jerusalem: Shammuah, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon. 15 Ibhar also, and Elishua, and Nepheg, and Japhia, a B C 1017. 16 And Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphalet. 17 T But when the Philistines heard AM 2957. that they had anointed David king An Exod. Isr. over Israel, all the Philistines came up to seek David; and David heard of it, and went down to the hold. 444 Anno ante 1. Οlymp. 271. 18 The Philistines also came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim. 19 And David inquired of the LORD, saying, the house.-r Ver. 7.-8 Heb. went going and growing-t 1 Kings 5 2 1 Chron. 14 1-a Heb. hewers of the stone of the wall. Deut. 17. 17. 1 Chron. 3. 9. & 14. 3 w 1 Chron. 3. 5. & 14. 4.-x Or, Shimea, 1 Chron. 3. 5-y Or, Elishama, 1 Chron 3. 6-2 Or, Beeliada, 1 Chron. 14. 7.-a 1 Chron. 11. 16. & 14. 8-b Chap. 8. 16 c Josh. 15. 8. Isai. 17. 5.-d Chap. 2. 1. 1 Sam. 23. 2, 4. & 30. 8. K. K. K. Ver. 8. thinking, David cannot come in hither. by saying, "David shall not come in hither." Ver. 8. And David said-Whosoever getteth up to the gutter, And David said-Whosoever smiteth the Jebusites, and smiteth the Jebusites, and the lame and the blind, and, through the subterraneous passage, reacheth the that are hated of David's soul, wherefore they said, lame and the blind, who hate the life of David, (be The blind and the lame shall not come into the cause the blind and the lame said, "He shall not house. K. Verse 3. They anointed David king] This was the third time that David was anointed, having now taken possession of the whole kingdom. K. K. * Verse 6. The king and his men went to Jerusalem] This city was now in the hands of the Jebusites: but how they got possession of it is not known; probably they took it during the wars between Ish-bosheth and David. After Joshua's death, what is called the lower city was taken by the Israelites: and it is evident that the whole city was in their possession in the time of Saul; for David brought the head of Goliath thither, 1 Sam. xvii. 54. It appears to have been a very strong fortress; and, from what follows, deemed impregnable by the Jebusites. It was right that the Israelites should repossess it: and David very properly began his reign over the whole country by the siege of this city. Except thou take away the blind and the lame] Scarcely a passage in the Sacred Oracles has puzzled commentators more than this. For my own part I do not think that it is worth the labour spent upon it; nor shall I encumber these pages with the discordant opinions of learned men. From the general face of the text, it appears that the Jebusites, vainly confiding in the strength of their fortress, placed lame and blind men upon the walls, and thus endeavoured to turn into ridicule David's attempt to take the place. Thou shalt not come in hither, except thou take away the blind and the lame; nothing could be more cutting to a warrior. Dr. Kennicott has taken great pains to correct this passage; as may be seen in his First Dissertation on the Hebrew Text, pag. 27 to 47. I shall insert our present version with his amended text, line for line; his translation being distinguished by italics: and, for farther information, refer to Dr. K.'s work. Verse 6. And the king and his men went to Jerusalem, K.-And the king and his men went to Jerusalem, unto the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land; who K. unto the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land; who spake unto David, saying, Except thou take away the K. spake unto David, saying: Thou shalt not come in blind and the lame, thou shalt not come in hither; K. hither; for the blind and the lame shall drive thee away K. K. * come into the house,") shall be chief and captain. Verse 11. Hiram king of Tyre] He was a very friendly man; and no doubt, a believer in the true God. He was not only the friend of David, but also of his son Solomon; to whom, in building the temple, he afforded the most important assistance. Verse 13. David took him more concubines] He had, in all conscience, enough before: he had, in the whole, eight wives, and ten concubines. That dispensation permitted polygamy; but from the beginning it was not so: and as, upon an average, there are about fourteen males born to thirteen females, polygamy is unnatural, and could never have entered into the original design of God. Verse 14. These be the names] Eleven children are here enumerated in the Hebrew text; but the Septuagint has no less than twenty-four. I shall insert their names; and the reader, if he please, may collate them with the text-Sammus, Sobab, Nathan, Solomon, Ebear, Elisué, Naphek, Jephies, Elisama, Elidać, Eliphelal, Samae, Jessibath, Nathan, Galimaan, Jebaar, Theesus, Eliph alat, Naged, Naphek, Jonathan, Leasamus, Baalemath, and Eliphaath. There is, no doubt, some corrup tion in these names: there are two of the name of Nathan, two of Eliphelath, and two of Naphek; and probably Sammus and Samać are the same. Verse 17. The Philistines came up to seek David] Ever since the defeat of the Israelites, and the fall of Saul and his sons, the Philistines seem to have been in undisturbed possession of the principal places in the land of Israel; now, finding that David was chosen king by the whole nation, they thought best to attack him before his army got too numerous, and the affairs of the kingdom properly settled. Verse 19. David inquired of the Lord] He considered himself only the captain of the Lord's host; and, there Shall I go up to the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the LORD said unto David, Go up; for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into thine hand. e 20 And David came to Baal-perazim, and David smote them there, and said, the LORD hath broken forth upon mine enemies before me, as the breach of waters. Therefore he called the name of that place Baal-perazim. CHAPTER VI. David goca, with thirty thousand men, to bring the ark from Kirjath-Jearim to And there they left their images, and Da-AGA chosen men of Israel, thirty vid and his men burned h them. 22 And the Philistines came up yet again, and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim. 23 And when * David inquired of the LORD, he said, Thou shalt not go up; but fetch a compass behind them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees. 24 And let it be, when thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself: for then shall the LORD go out before thee, to smite the host of the Philistines. 25 And David did so, as the LORD had commanded him; and smote the Philistines from "Geba until thou come to Gazer. e Isai. 28. 21.-f That is, The plain of breaches.-g Deut. 7. 5, 25. 1 Chron. 14. 12-h Or, took them away.-i 1 Chron. 14. 13-k Verse 19.-1 So 2 Kings 7. 6. ni Judg. 4. 14-n 1 Chron. 14. 16. Gibeon.-o Josh. 16. 10-p1 Chron. 13. 5, 6. -q Or, fore, would not strike a stroke without the command of his superior. Verse 20. The LORD hath broken forth] He very properly attributes the victory to Jehovah; without whose strength and counsel he could have done nothing. Baal-perazim] The plain, or chief of breaches, because of the breach which God made in the Philistine army; and thus he commemorated the interference of the Lord. Verse 21. They left their images] It was the custom of most nations to carry their gods with them to battle; in imitation of this custom the Israelites once took the ark, and lost it in the field. See 1 Sam. iv. Verse 23. Fetch a compass behind them] When they may be had, God will not work without using human means. By this he taught David caution, prudence, and dependence on the divine strength. Verse 24. When thou hearest the sound of a going] If there had not been an evident supernatural interference, David might have thought that the sleight, or ruse de guerre, which he had used, was the cause of his victoryBy the going in the tops of the mulberry trees, probably only a rustling among the leaves is intended. The Targum says, a noise; the Arabic has it, the noise of horses' hoofs. Verse 25. And David did so] He punctually obeyed the directions of the Lord, and then every thing succeeded to his wish. How is it that such supernatural directions and assist ances are not communicated now? Because they are not asked for; and they are not asked for, because they are not expected; and they are not expected, because men have not faith; and they have not faith, because they are under a refined spirit of Atheism; and have no spiritual intercourse with their Maker. Who believes that God sees all things, and is every where? Who supposes that he concerns himself with the affairs of his creatures? Who acknowledges him in all his ways? Who puts not his own wisdom, prudence, and strength, in the place of God Almighty? Reader, hast thou faith in God? Then exercise it, cultivate it, and thou mayest remove mountains. It is worthy of remark, that David was, by the appointment of God, to feed the people: as he had formerly the care of a flock of sheep, which he was to watch over, defend, lead in and out, and for which he was to find pasture; now he is to watch over, defend, lead in and out, feed, and protect the Israelites. He is to be the shepherd of the people; not the tyrant or oppressor. thousand. 449. Anno ante 1. Olymp. 266. r 2 And David arose, and went with all the people that were with him from Baale of Judah, to bring up from thence the ark of God, whose name is called by the name of the LORD of hosts, that dwelleth between the cherubim. 3 And they set the ark of God " upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was in Gibeah; and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drave the new cart. 4 And they brought it out of the house of Abinadab which was at Gibeah, accompanying the ark of God; and Ahio went before the ark. 5 And David, and all the house of Israel, x W that is, Kirjath-jearim, Josh. 15. 9, 60.-r Or, at which the name, even the Baneuf was upon. med to ride.-u See Nuinb. 7. 9. 1 Sam. 6. 7.-v Or, the hill-w 1 Sam. 7. 1.-x Heb. with. nical, if he please. The British alone gives no power of this kind to the prince; by the constitution he is a patriotic king; and, by the influence of those maxims of state which are continually presented to his view, and according to which all acts of government are formed, he becomes habitually the father of his people; and in this light alone do the British people behold the British king. David, by his own authority, without any form of law, could slay the Amalekite who said he had killed Saul; and could cut off the heads of Rechab and Baanah, who murdered Ish-bosheth: but, in the government of Britain, the culprit is to be heard in his vindication, witnesses are to be examined, the facts viewed by an upright judge in the light of the law; and then the alleged criminality is left to the decision of twelve honest men, the equals of the accused, who are bound, by a solemn oath, to decide according to the evidence brought before them. The Israelitish constitution was radically good; but the British constitution is much better. In the former, while the king ruled according to the spirit of the constitution, he could do no wrong, because he was only the vicegerent of the Almighty; in the latter, the king can do no wrong, because he is bound, both by the spirit and letter of the law, to do nothing but what is according to the rules of eternal justice and equity, laid down in that law: nothing is left to mere regal power or authority; and nothing trusted to human fickleness or caprice. In all his acts he is directed by his nobles and commons; who, being the representatives of all classes of the people, are always supposed to speak their mind. Well may it be said, Blessed are the people who are in such a case! NOTES ON CHAPTER VI. Verse 1. Thirty thousand.] This is supposed to have been a new levy; and thus he augmented his army by 30,000 fresh troops. The Septuagint has 70,000. Verse 2. From Baale of Judah] This is supposed to be the same city which, in Josh. xv. 60. is called Kirjathbaal, or Kirjath-jearim: see 1 Chron. xiii. 6.; or Baalah, Josh. xv. 9. Whose name is called by the name of the LORD] That is, the ark is called the ark of the Lord of hosts. But this is not a literal version: the word shem, NAME, Occurs twice together; probably one of them should be read sham, THERE. There the name of the Lord of hosts was invoked, &c. Verse 3. A new cart] Every thing used in the worship of God was hallowed, or set apart for that purpose: a new cart was used through respect, as that had never been applied to any profane or common purpose. But this was not sufficient, for the ark should have been carried on the was the cause of the death of Uzzah. In ancient times, among the Greeks, kings were denominated moueres λaov, shepherds of the people; and all good kings were really such: but, in process of time, this pleasing title was changed for Bartheus and rupavvos, sover-shoulders of the priests; and the neglect of this ceremony eign and tyrant; in neither of which names does any thing of the original title exist. And, such are the different political constitutions of the kingdoms of the earth, that it is impossible that in any of them, the British excepted, the king can be the shepherd and father of his people. All the other regal constitutions under the sun, permit the sovereign to be despotic; and, consequently, oppressive and tyran Verse 5. On all manner of instruments made of firwood] This place should be corrected from the parallel place, 1 Chron. xiii. 8.-"All Israel played before God, with all their might, and with singing, and with harps, and with psalteries, &c. Instead of xy becol etsey, "with all woods," or "trees;" the parallel place is ry 555 played before the LORD on all manner of instru- | brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting, ments made of fir-wood, even on harps, and on and with the sound of the trumpet. psalteries, and on timbrels, and on cornets, and on cymbals. 16 And as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal, Saul's daughter, 6 And when they came to Nachon's thrash-looked through a window, and saw King David ing-floor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook despised him in her heart. it. a 7 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God. d 8 And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzzah; and he called the name of the place Perez-uzzah to this day. e 9 And David was afraid of the LORD that day, and said, How shall the ark of the LORD come to me? 10 So David would not remove the ark of the LORD unto him into the city of David; but David carried it aside into the house of Obed-edom the Gittite. 11 h And the ark of the LORD continued in the house of Obed-edom the Gittite three months: and the LORD i blessed Obed-edom, and all his household. 12 And it was told King David, saying, The LORD hath blessed the house of Obed-edom, and all that pertaineth unto him, because of the ark of God. So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom into the city of David with gladness. 13 And it was so, that when they that bare the ark of the LORD had gone six paces, he sacrificed moxen and fatlings. 14 And David "danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod. 15 So David and all the house of Israel 1 Chron. 13. 9. he is called Chidon.-z See Numb. 4. 15.-a Or, stumbled. b 1 Sam 6. 19. Or, rashness.-d Hebr. broken.e That is, The breach of Uzzah-f Psa. 119. 120. See Luke 5 8, 9.-g 1 Chron. 13. 13h 1 Chron. 13. 14. i Gen. 30. 27. & 39. 5.-k 1 Chron. 15. 25.-1 Numb. 4. 15. Josh. 3. 3. 1 Chron. 15. 2, 15-m See 1 Kings 8. 5. 1 Chron. 15. 26-n See Exod. 15. 20. Psa. 30. 11. becol az, "with all their strength;" this makes a good sense, the first makes none. The Septuagint, in this place, has the same reading: ev toxvi, with might. Verse 6. Uzzah put forth his hand] In Numb. iv. 1520. the Levites are forbidden to touch the ark, on pain of death; this penalty was inflicted upon Uzzah, for the first time. Verse 7. Smote him there for his error] Uzzah sinned through ignorance and precipitancy: he had not time to reflect; the oxen suddenly stumbled; and, fearing lest the ark should fall, he suddenly stretched out his hand to prevent it. Had he touched the ark with impunity, the populace might have lost their respect for it, and its sacred service; the example of Uzzah must have filled them with fear and sacred reverence: and, as to Uzzah, no man can doubt of his eternal safety. He committed a sin unto death; but, doubtless, the mercy of God was extended to his soul. Verse 10. But David carried it aside] The house of Obed-edom appears to have been very near the city: they were about to enter it, but were prevented by this accident, and lodged the ark with the nearest friend. Verse 11. The LORD blessed Obed-edom] And why? Because he had the ark of the Lord in his house. Whoever entertains God's messengers, or consecrates his house to the service of God, will infallibly receive God's blessing. Verse 12. So David-brought up the ark] The Vulgate adds to this verse: And David had seven choirs, and a calf, for a sacrifice. The Septuagint make a greater addition: "And he had seven choirs carrying the ark, a sacrifice, a calf, and lambs. And David played on harmonious organs before the Lord; and David was clothed with a costly tunic; and David, and all the house of Israel, brought the ark of the Lord with rejoicing, and the sound of a trumpet." Nothing of this is found in any MS.; nor in the Chaldee, the Syriac, nor the Arabic; nor in the parallel place, 1 Chron. xv. 25. Verse 16. She despised him in her heart.] She did not blame him outwardly; she thought he had disgraced himself, but she kept her mind to herself. Verse 18. He blessed the people in the name of the LORD] David acted here as priest, for it was the general prerogative of the priests to bless the people: but it ap 17 And they brought in the ark of the LORD, and set it in his place, in the midst of the tabernacle that David had pitched for it: and David offered burnt-offerings and peace-offerings before the LORD. 18 And as soon as David had made an end of offering burnt-offerings and peace-offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts. 19 And he dealt among all the people, eren among the whole multitude of Israel, as well to the women as men, to every one a cake of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine. So all the people departed every one to his house. 20 Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal, the daughter of Saul, came out to meet David, and said, How glorious was the king of Israel to-day, who uncovered himself to-day in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows a shamelessly uncovereth himself! 21 And David said unto Michal, It was before the LORD, which chose me before thy father, and before all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel: therefore will I play before the LORD. 22 And I will yet be more vile than thus, and will be base in mine own sight: and of the maid-servants which thou hast spoken of, of them shall I be had in honour. 23 Therefore Michal, the daughter of Saul, had no child unto the day of her death. o 1 Sam. 2. 18. 1 Chron. 15. 27.--p 1 Chron. 15. 28.-9 1 Chron. 15, 19-r 1 Chin 16. 1. 1 Chron. 15. 1. Psa. 132. 8- Heb. stretched-u 1 Kings 8 5, 62, 6 v 1 Kings 8. 55. 1 Chron. 16. 2-w 1 Chron. 16. 3.x Psa. 30, title Ver. 14, 16. 1 Sam. 19, 24-z Judg. 9. 4-a Or, openly-b 1 Sam. 13. 14. & 15. 2 — Or of the handmaids of my servants.d See 1 Sam. 15. 35. Isai. 22 14. Matt 1 2 pears, by both David and Solomon, that it was the prerogative of the kings also. Verse 19. A cake of bread] Such as those which are baked without leaven, and are made very thin. A good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine.] The words of flesh, and of wine, we add; they are not in the Hebrew. The Chaldee translates one part, and one por tion; but all the other versions understand the Hebrew as we do. Verse 20. To bless his household.] This was according to the custom of the patriarchs, who were priests in their own families. It is worthy of remark, that David is called patriarch by Stephen, Acts ii. 29.; though living upwards of four hundred years after the termination of the patriarchal age. How glorious was the king of Israel] This is a strong irony. From what Michal says, it is probable that David used some violent gesticulations, by means of which some parts of his body became uncovered. But it is very probable that we cannot guess all that was implied in this reproach. Verse 21. It was before the LORD, which chose me] David felt the reproach, and was strongly irritated; and seems to have spoken to Michal with sufficient asperity. Verse 22. I will yet be more rile] The plain meaning of these words appears to be this: I am not ashamed of humbling myself before that God who rejected thy father because of his obstinacy and pride, and chose me in his stead to rule his people: and even those maid-servants, when they come to know the motive of my conduct, shall acknowledge its propriety, and treat me with additional respect; and as for thee, thou shalt find that thy conduct is as little pleasing to God as it is to me.' Then it is said, Michal had no child till the day of her death: probably David never more took her to his bed; or God, in his providence, might have subjected her to barrenness, which in Palestine was considered both a misfortune and a reproach. Michal formed her judgment without reason; and meddled with that which she did not understand. We should be careful how we attribute actions, the reasons of which we cannot comprehend, to motives which may appear to us unjustifiable or absurd. Rash judgments are |