Ver. 1. And Saul spake to Jonathan his son.] Detexit facinus fatuus et non implevit, saith Tacitus of one that was sent by the senate to kill another, but revealed it to one that disclosed and prevented it. Did Saul think that Jonathan would kill David whom he so dearly loved? How grossly mistaken was Saul! how shameless and impudent! This was in peius proficere: wicked men grow worse and worse, till wrath come upon them to the utmost. And to all his servants.] Who were, while, great admirers of David, (1 Samuel 18:5) but now cold friends at best; not one of them speaks for him, and not a few of them are ready to act against him, according to the courtier’s motto, Quicquid regi placet, mihi placet; whatsoever pleaseth the king shall please me. Jonathan said nothing at present, lest he should seem publicly to oppose his father: whom also he now perceived to be in a rage, and so not in case to hear good counsel. Seedsmen sow not in a storm; physicians give not a potion in a fit. That they should kill David.] But reason or cause he allegeth none. It was indeed the very same that Graecinus died for. Graecinum Iulium virum egregium Caesar occidit ob hoc unum, quod melior vir erat quam esse quenquam tyranno expedirer, saith Seneca: that is, Graecinus Julius was by Caesar put to death for this only reason, because he was a better man than the tyrant could well away with. De Benef. lib. ii. cap. 21.
Ver. 2. But Jonathan Saul’s son.] And heir apparent to the kingdom, which might have made him an enemy to David, whom he knew likely to succeed his father. And Jonathan told David.] Wherein he did him a most friendly office, for darts foreseen are dintless, and to his father no disservice at all; by hindering him from imbruing his hands in innocent blood. Saul my father seeketh to kill thee.] Before he had sought to do it more covertly; but now more overtly; so true is that of Luther, Hypocritis nihil est crudelius, impatientius, et vindictae cupidius, &c., there is nothing in the world more cruel, more impatient, and more vindictive, than are hypocrites: truly they are very serpents, spiteful, venemous, and revengeful. Take heed to thyself until the morning,] viz., That thou be not surprised by my father’s assassins and cut-throats. Abide in a secret place.] Such a hidingplace, as thou knowest of, near to Saul’s walk: where thou mayest hear what passeth betwixt us; and what thou hearest not I will tell thee. Praevisa iacula minus feriunt.
Ver. 3. And what Isee, that I will tell thee.] This was not treachery to his father, but true love to his friend, with whom he was in covenant, ad commoriendum et convivendum.
Ver. 4. And Jonathan spake good of David.] Though to the hazard of his own life, as 1 Samuel 20:32,37. The picture of true friendship among the ancients was this, A fair young man, with head uncovered, with bosom open, so that his heart might be seen; whereupon was written, Longe, Prope, Far and Near. In his forehead was written, Aestas, Hyems, Summer and Winter; in the skirt of his garment, Mors et Vita, Death and Life. And because his works have been to thee-ward very good.] To render evil for evil is brutish: but to render evil for good is devilish. Heathens abhorred ingratitude. Lycurgus would make no law against it, quod prodigiosa res esset beneficium non agnoscere, because he held it a thing monstrous and almost impossible.
Ver. 5. For he did put his life in his hand.] offered it, as it were, to Goliath to take away if he could: like as the King of Sweden said of Queen Elizabeth when she took upon her the protection of the Netherlands, that she took the crown from her own head, and set it upon the head of fortune. And the Lord wrought, &c.] And shall he be murdered who hath so highly merited? Absit nefas.
Ver. 6. And Saul hearkened to the voice of Jonathan.] So far did Jonathan’s oratory and David’s innocency together triumph in Saul’s conscience. And Saul sware.] He was a customary swearer, and made little reckoning of an oath. His bare word should have been as the laws of the Medes and Persians: how much more when bound thus with an oath? That was a great dishonour to the heathen Romans, that it should be said of them by Mirrhanes the Persian general, Romanis promittere promptum est, promissis autem quanquam iuramento fermatis minime stare, they are free of their fair promises, but careless of performing the same, yea, although they have sworn to them. But what a base shame is it to the modern Romanists, those pseudo-Christians, that they should so break their promises and oaths made not to Turks only, as did Ladislaus, king of Hungary, by the consent and counsel of the Pope’s legate, -but to Protestants: witness their proceedings against John Huss, and Jerome of Prague, contrary to the emperor’s safe conduct; and the horrible massacre in France, &e. He shall not be slain.] And it is very likely Saul now spake as he thought. But if good thoughts look at any time into a wicked heart, they stay not there, as those that like not their lodging. The flashes of lightning may be discerned in the darkest prisons, but they are soon gone thence again: so here. Procop., lib. i., De Bell. Pers.