Ver. 1. And it came to pass after this.] And after that many worthies out of several tribes had resorted unto him at Ziklag, so that he had a very great host, like the host of God. (1 Chronicles 12:1-22 Job 25:3) Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah?] Ziklag was a city of Judah, but not so fit for his purpose: because it was in the utmost borders, and now also held by the gift of the king of the Philistines, who at this time were so overruled by God, that after their victory over Saul, they stirred not against David, till, settled in the whole kingdom, he was well able to deal with them. And he said, Unto Hebron.] An ancient and metropolitan city of Judah; where the patriarchs, to whom the land was promised, lay buried; and thereby held possession, as it were.
Ver. 2. And his two wives also.] To take such part as himself, to share with him in his prosperity as they had done in his misery. The Lord Christ likewise will shortly remove his spouse, the Church, from the land of her banishment, from the ashes of her forlorn Ziklag, to the Hebron of her peace and glory. (2 Timothy 2:12 Luke 22:28,29) He hath taken order for it already, (John 17:24) is gone a little afore to make ready, (John 14:2,3) and counteth not himself complete till he hath us all with him. (Ephesians 1:23)
Ver. 3. And his men that were with him did David bring up.] Those that came to him, (1 Samuel 22:2) and continued with him in all his troubles. He cashiereth them not for all their recent rebellion at Ziklag, which was yet fresh, and but a few days since: but pardoning their rebellions, he maketh them partakers of his good success. Thus doth our heavenly Leader, whom David prefigured, take us to reign with him, who have suffered with him. And they dwelt in the cities of Hebron.] They were billeted up and down in the neighbouring towns and villages, called daughters, (Joshua 21:11,12) lest he should be burdensome to his Hebronites, by quartering upon them sa great a company.
Ver. 4. And the men of Judah came.] Together with those others that had resorted to him to Ziklag from the other tribes, who were not a few. (1 Chronicles 12:1-22) Even some of Soal’s brethren of Benjamin: besides the Cherethites and the Pelethites, his bodyguard; ever very firm, and therefore dear to him, though Philistines by nation. And there they anointed David king.] This is now the second time that he is anointed, for his further confirmation, whereof the best have need enough. It is said of our Queen Elizabeth, that as she swam to the crown through a sea of sorrows, so she brought the ship of England from a tempestuous and troublous sea to a safe and quiet harbour. The more happy was her government, because it ensued upon the stormy times of Queen Mary; she came as a fresh spring after a sharp winter; so did David to his contribules the men of Judah, who therefore gladly received him, and crowned him, after seven years’ persecution and banishment. Sic petitur caelum. Neither yet could he get the whole kingdom, till seven years after. Our Henry IV was crowned the very same day that, the year before, he had been banished the realm. Not so David. He “waited patiently for the Lord,” (Psalms 40:1) and had not the kingdom till his “soul was even as a weaned child.” (Psalms 131:2) And they told David, saying, That the men of Jabeshgilead, &c.] For ill-will haply some told him so; to exasperate David against them, as favourers of his greatest enemy: but he sent them no small thanks for so doing; yea, he sendeth a kind message to the men of Jabeshgilead, and giveth them great thank for their kindness to Saul; so far was he from proscribing them, or seeking revenge upon them, as did Sulla, Marius, Anthony, Octavius, all such as had any way favoured their enemies.
Ver. 5. That ye have showed this kindness unto your lord.] Whose not only subjects ye were—as others—but beneficiaries also in a special mannor; for he rescued you from Nahash, king of Ammon; and I, for this your last good office to him, shall be ready to requite you; so little grudge bear I to him, or any that favoured him: you may trust me.
Ver. 6. And now the Lord show kindness and truth unto you.] God’s mercy and his truth go commonly coupled in holy Scripture. His mercy moveth him to promise, his truth to perform. “For thy word’s sake”—thy truth—“and according to thine own heart”—thy mere mercy—“hast thou done all these things.” (2 Samuel 7:18-21) And I also will requite you this kindness.] He had punished the Amalekite: he promiseth to requite these Jabeshites. By rewards and punishments duly administered, the public weal is preserved, saith Plato. David could tell that “he that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.” (2 Samuel 23:3)
Ver. 7. And be ye valiant.] Heb., Be ye sons of valour: and if ye like to be my liege-people—as the tribe of Judah now are—I will be your liege-lord, as Saul sometime was; that is, we will be mutually bound each to other.