Ver. 1. Now these are they that came to David to Ziklag.] God left not David in his low estate, but provided him a place of repose, and some to comfort him and stand by him in his straits. Saul “saw this, and was grieved: he gnashed with his teeth,” &c. (Psalms 112:10) While he yet kept himself close.] Heb., Being yet shut up, viz., in Ziklag, which was in the wilderness of Judah. Helpers of the war.] Saul had lost their hearts by his impiety and cruelty, and now David was their darling, and for this they are here crowned and chronicled.
Ver. 2. Even of Saul’s brethren of Benjamin.] Mirum hoc fuit et quasi miraculum. It is God who worketh men’s hearts, and fashioneth their opinions. Paul had friends in Nero’s court, and Luther in the Pope’s.
Ver. 8. There separated themselves unto David,] sc., From Saul. So did the noble army of martyrs unto Christ from Antichrist, and are therefore worthily renowned and registered. Whose faces were like the faces of lions.] Undaunted, fierce, and terrible to their enemies. They durst look death itself in the face upon great adventures in the field.
Ver. 14. One of the least was over a hundred.] Or, One that was least could resist a hundred, and the greatest a thousand. Such a one was “ παντων ανταξιος αλλων. ”
Ver. 15. These are they that went over Jordan.] To help David. Much water could not quench their love. And they put to flight all them of the valleys.] The Philistines, who, having slain Saul, and driven the Israelites out of their habitations, dwelt now in their room; but were soon beaten out by these valiant Gadites. An autem navigio vel natando transierint, non liquet.
Ver. 16. Then came the children of Benjamin and Judah.] The Benjamites might have been suspected to have come for a mischief to David, had they not brought the men of Judah with them, to attest their integrity.
Ver. 17. If you be come peaceably.] It is not safe to be light of belief, or too forward to make friendship. Gedaliah perished by his credulity, and Queen Elizabeth oft complained that “in trust she had found treason.” Mohammed, the great Turk, sent a couple of traitors to kill Scanderbeg, under pretence of great love to him and to the Christian religion, &c, “ Tuta frequensque via est per amici fallere nomen.” The God of our fathers.] David could not do his enemies, whether covert or overt, a greater displeasure than to put them over into God’s hands to punish.
Ver. 18. Then the spirit came upon Amasai.] Heb., Clothed Amasai or Abishai, as some read it, together with whose words there went forth power, such as wrought in David’s heart a firm belief of their fidelity: he was not thenceforth jealous of them at all. Pray for such a spirit upon our rulers and teachers. Peace, peace be unto thee,] i.e., Pax omnimoda, Perfect peace, as Isaiah 26:3. This he spake by the motion of the spirit, met by a motion of the same spirit wrought in David’s heart, causing him to rest in what Amasai said as undoubtedly true. After the same manner is saving faith wrought in God’s elect. (Ephesians 1:13) Let us be faithful in weakness, though but weak in faith.
Ver. 19. When he came with the Philistines, &c.] See on 1 Samuel 29.
Ver. 22. Like the host of God,] i.e., A numerous and a notable host, such as God’s is, of angels and all creatures. Dei nimirum Maximi, maxima sunt omnia.
Ver. 23. And came to David to Hebron.] Seven years after Saul’s death. They should have come sooner; but better late than never. Nunquam sero, si serio.
Ver. 24. That bare shield and year,] i.e., Weapons defensive and offensive; so must the Christian soldier. (Ephesians 6:12-17)
Ver. 26. Of the children of Levi.] Who took up arms also in some cases, as here to settle David on the throne.
Ver. 28. And Zadok, a young man.] Some think that Saul, when he had slain Abimelech, made this Zadok high priest in his stead. He was of the right line, and restored thirty-three or four years after this by king Solomon.
Ver. 29. Had kept the ward of the house of Saul.] Had done their utmost for Saul’s family, and to keep the royal dignity in their tribe, obeying before the commands of king Ishbosheth.
Ver. 30. Twenty thousand and eight hundred.] This was no great number for so numerous a tribe.
Ver. 31. Which were expressed by name.] Heb., Pierced or bored through; haply in tables laid over with wax, which was the Roman way of writing their last wills.
Ver. 32. That had understanding of the times.] Noscentes scite tempora, such as well knew what was to be done, and when to do it, by a singular sagacity, gotten by long experience, rather than by skill in astrology. See Esther 1:13. David set a high price upon these; so doth God on such as regard and use the season of well-doing. Were at their commandment.] They were looked upon as oracular men; and obeyed accordingly. Gnari occasionum. -Vat.
Ver. 33. They were not of a double heart.] Heb., Without a heart and a heart; plain-hearted; non aliud in ore promptum, aliud in pectore conclusum habentes; honest dealers.
Ver. 38. Were of one heart to make David king.] So were those primitive Christians, and are now the reformed churches, to set up the Lord Christ.
Ver. 40. Moreover, their brethren.] By grace and place. For there was joy in Israel.] As great cause they had.