Chapter XXIX
Ver. 1-5. David Marching with thk Philistines to Fight with Israkl,. 1. Aphek— (Joshua 12.8), in tlie tribe of Issachar, and In the plain of Esdraelon. A person who compares the Bible account of Saul's last battle with the Philistines, with the region around Gilboa, has the same sort of evidence that the account relates what is true, that a person would have that such a battle as Waterloo really took place. Gilboa, Jezreel, Shunem, En-dor, are all found, still bearing the same names. They
lie within sight of each other. Aphek is the only one of the cluster not yet identified. Jezreel on the northern slope of Gilboa, and at the distance of twenty minutes to the east, is a large fountain, and a smaller one still nearer
if feel)le or sick, his master will leave him to perish rather than encninber himself with any ;idditlonal burden. Tliis Egj-ptian seems to have recently fallen into the hands of an Amalekite, an<l I lis master having belonged to Mie marauding party that had made the attack on Ziklag, he could giveuseful information ns to the cour.ve taken by them on their return. 14. the Cherethi»«si— i. e.. The Philistines (Ezekii^l 2.1. Ifi; Zeplianiah 2.5). l.l. Swear unto me by God—Whether there was still amongst these itlolatrons tribes a lingering belief In one G(hI, or this Egyptian wished to bind David by the God whom the Hebrews worshlppiHi, thesolemn sanction of tin oath was mutually recognized.
just the position which a chieftain would select, both on account of its elevation and the supply of water needed for his troops. [Hackett's Scripture Illustrated.] 'Z. David and ills men passed on in tlie rereward with Acliisli—As the commander of the life-guards of Achish, who was general of this invading army of the Philistines. 3. tliese days or these years— He had now been a full year and four months (eh. 27. 7), and also some years be-
fore. It has been thought that David kept up a private correspondence with this Philistine prince, either on nrcount of his native generosity, or in the anticipation that an asylum in his territories would sooner or later be nee<led. 4. the princes of the Philistines were wroth with him—It must be considered a happy circumstance in the overruling providence of God to rescue David out of the dangerous dilemma In which he was now placed. But David is not free from censure in his professions to Achish (i\ 8), to do what is most probable he had not the smallest purpose of doing—of fighting with Achish against his enemies. It is just an Instance of the unhappy consequences into wlilch a false step—a departure from the straight course of duty—will betray every one who commits it. 9. notwlthgtandin;; the princes of the Philistine^ have said—The Philistine government had constitutional checks—or at least the king was not an absolute sovereign ; but his authority was limited—his proceedings liable to be controlled by "the powerful barons of that rude and early period—much as the kings of Europe in the Middle Ages were by the proud and lawless aristocracy
16-;<1. And Recoveiw his Two Wives and all the Spoil. 10. they were spread nl>road npou all the eartli—Believing that David and all his men of war were far away, engaged with the Philistine expedition, they deemed themselves perfectly secure, and abandoned tlu-mselves to all manner of barbaric revelry. The promise made in answer to the devout inquiries of David (v. 8) was fulfilled. The marauders were surprised and panicstricken. A great slaughter ensued—the people as well as the booty taken from Ziklag was recovered, and hesides a great amount of spoil which they had collected in a wide, freebooling excursion, iil. David came to the two hundred men which were so faint, that they could not follow—This unexpected accession of spoil was nearly proving an occasion of quarrel through the selfish cupidity of some of his followers, and serious consequences might have ensued had they not been prevented by the jirudence of the leader, who enacted iti as a standing ordinance — the equitable rule— that all the soldiers should share alike isee on Numbers ,"1.11,27).
which surrounded them." [Chalmers.]
'ZG. when David came to Ziklas;, lie scut of the spoil to the ciders of .Tudnh—This was Intended as an acknowlcdgineiil to the leacling men in those towns and villages of .ludah which had ministered to his neces.sitleS In the course of his various wanderings. It was the dictate of an amiable and grateful heart; and the etl'ect of this well-limed liberality was to bring a large accession of numbers to his camp (1 L'liron'cles 12.22). The enumeration of these places sliows what a numerous and