1 Samuel 31

1 Samuel 31:2

Kindness as the Lord - That kindness to which thou hast engaged thyself, in the covenant sworn between thee and me in God’s presence. I die not - That thou do not kill me or mine, as princes of another line use to kill the nearest relations of the former line, from whom the kingdom was translated to them.

1 Samuel 31:4

A covenant - The covenant which before was personal, he now extends to the whole house of David, expecting a reciprocal enlargement of it on David’s side, which doubtless he obtained. Enemies - If either I or any of my house shall break this covenant, and shall prove enemies to David or to his house, let the Lord, the witness of this covenant, severely punish the violators of it.

1 Samuel 31:5

Swear again - Heb. and Jonathan added or proceeded to make David swear; that is, having himself sworn to David or adjured David, in the foregoing verse, he here requires David’s oath to him, by way of restipulation or confirmation. Loved him - Because he had a true friendship for David, he desired that the covenant might be inviolably observed through all their generations.

1 Samuel 31:7

Was in hand - When this same business which now they were treating about, was in agitation formerly; namely, to discover Saul’s mind and purpose towards him, chap.19:2,3. Ezel - By that stone which directs travellers in the way; namely, in some cave, or convenient place, which was near it.

1 Samuel 31:9

I will send - I will send him out before I shoot, to find out, and take up the arrows which I shall shoot. And I shall shoot them either short of him, or beyond him, as I shall see occasion.

1 Samuel 31:11

Between - As a witness and a judge between us and our families for ever, if on either side this league of friendship be violated.

1 Samuel 31:12

Hid himself - Namely, at the time appointed: for it seems probable, that he went first to Bethlehem, and thence returned to the field, when the occasion required.

1 Samuel 31:13

Arose - He rose from his seat where he was sat next the king, and stood at Abner’s coming, to do honour to him, who was his father’s cousin, and the general of the army.