2 Samuel 3

2 Samuel 3:3

Enquired again - Not for his own, but for his soldiers satisfaction.

2 Samuel 3:5

Ephod - With the Ephod, the high - priest’s Ephod, wherein were the Urim and the Thummim, which when Ahimelech and the rest of the priests went to Saul, were probably left in his hand. This gave him the opportunity both of escaping, whilst Doeg the butcher was killing his brethren, and of bringing away the Ephod, which Saul now was justly deprived of.

2 Samuel 3:10

The Lord said - From this place it may appear that God’s answer by Urim and Thummim, was not by any change in the colour or situation of the precious stones in the breast - plate of the Ephod, but by a voice or suggestion from God to the high - priest. He will - He purposeth to come, if thou continuest here. For still as David’s question, so God’s answer, is upon supposition.

2 Samuel 3:15

And strengthened - He comforted and supported him against all his fears, by minding him of God’s infallible promises made to him, and his singular providence which hitherto had and still would be with him.

2 Samuel 3:16

Next to thee - Which he gathered either from David’s generosity, and friendship to him; or from some promise made to him by David concerning it. So that the whole imports thus much; I do not look to be king myself (as by my birth I might expect,) but that thou shalt be king (God having so appointed) and I but in a secondary place inferior to thee.

2 Samuel 3:17

Made a covenant - They then parted, and never came together again, that we find, in this world.

2 Samuel 3:18

Ziphites - Who were of David’s own tribe tho’ for this their unnatural carriage to him, he calls them strangers, Psalms 54:3.

2 Samuel 3:24

A rock - That is, into a cave which was in the rock; where at first he might think to hide himself, but upon farther consideration he removed from thence upon Saul’s approach.

2 Samuel 3:26

A messenger, &c. - The wisdom of God is never at a loss for ways, and means to preserve his people.

2 Samuel 3:27

Called, &c. - That is, The rock of divisions, because there Saul was separated, and in a manner pulled asunder from David, who was now almost within his reach.

2 Samuel 3:31

Rocks - Which the wild goats used to delight in and climb over. These very rocks are exceeding steep, and full of precipices, and dangerous to travellers, as an eye - witness hath left upon record. And yet Saul was so transported with rage, as to venture himself and his army here, that he might take David, who, as he thought, would judge himself safe, and therefore be secure in such inaccessible places.

2 Samuel 3:32

Went in - To sleep there: Saul being a military man, used to sleep with his soldiers upon the ground. And it is not improbable, that being weary with his eager and almost incessant pursuit, first of David, then of the Philistines, and now of David again, he both needed and desired some sleep, God also disposing him thereto, that David might have this eminent occasion to demonstrate his integrity to Saul, and to all Israel. Of the cave - For that there were vast caves in those parts is affirmed, not only by Josephus, but also by Heathen authors; Strabo writes of one which could receive four thousand men.

2 Samuel 3:33

Behold, &c. - Not that God had said these words, or made any such promise; but they put this construction upon those promises which God had made to him, of delivering him from all his enemies, and carrying him through all difficulties to the throne. This promise they conceived put him under an obligation of taking all opportunities which God put into his hand for their accomplishment.

2 Samuel 3:39

Mine eye - The eye is said to spare, because it affects the heart with pity, and moves a man to spare.