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Saul promised to do what he was commanded; and supposing that his obedience to God would be shewn not only in making war against the Amalekites, but more fully in the readiness and quickness of his proceedings; he immediately gathered together all his forces. And when he had numbered them in Gilgal, he found them to be about four hundred thousand of the Israelites; besides the tribe of Judah: for that tribe contained itself thirty thousand. Accordingly Saul made an irruption into the country of the Amalekites; and set many men, and several parties, in ambush at the river; that so he might not only do them a mischief by open fighting; but might fall upon them unexpectedly in the ways, and might thereby surround, and kill them. And when he had joined battle with the enemy, he beat them; and, pursuing them as they fled, he destroyed them all. And when that undertaking had succeeded, according as God had foretold; he besieged the cities of the Amalekites, and took them by force; partly by warlike machines, partly by mines dug under ground, and partly by building walls on the outsides. Some they starved out by famine, and some they gained by other methods; and after all he betook himself to slay the women and the children, and thought he did not act therein either barbarously or inhumanly: first, because they were enemies whom he thus treated; and in the next place because it was done by the command of God; whom it was dangerous not to obey. He also took Agag, the enemies' king, captive: the beauty and talness of whose body he admired so much, that he thought him worthy of preservation. Yet was not this done according to the will of God; but by giving way to human passions, and suffering himself to be moved with an unseasonable commiseration, in a point where it was not safe to indulge it. For God hated the nation of the Amalekites to such a degree, that he commanded Saul to have no pity even on those infants which we by nature chiefly compassionate. Saul, however, preserved the king from the miseries which the

ite, or, one of the posterity of Agag, the old king of the Amalekites. Esth. iii. 1-15.

Hebrews brought on the people as if he preferred the fine appearance of the enemy to the memory of what God had sent him about. The multitude were also guilty, together with Saul; for they spared the herds and the flocks, and took them for a prey: when God had commanded they should not spare them. They also carried off the rest of their wealth and riches: but if there were any thing that was not worthy of regard, that they destroyed.*

When Saul had conquered all these Amalekites that reached from Pelusium of Egypt, to the Red Sea; he laid waste all the rest of the enemy's country; but for the nation of the †Sichemites, he did not touch them, although they dwelt in the very middle of the country of Midian. For, before the battle, Saul had sent to them, and charged them to depart thence, lest they should be partakers of the miseries of the Amalekites. For he had a just occasion for saving them, since they were of the kindred of Raguel, Moses's father-in-law.

Hereupon Saul returned home with joy for the glorious things he had done, and for the conquest of his enemies: as though he had not neglected any thing which the prophet had enjoined him to do, when he was going to make war with the Amalekites; and as though he had exactly observed all that he ought to have done. But God was grieved that the king of the Amalekites was preserved alive; and that the multitude had seized on the cattle for a prey: because these things were done without his permission. For he thought it an intolerable thing that they should conquer their enemies by that power which he gave them; and then that he himself should be so grossly despised and disobeyed, that a mere man, that was a king, would not bear it. He therefore told Samuel, he repented that he had made Saul king; while he did nothing that he had commanded him, but indulged his own inclinations. When Samuel heard that, he was in confusion, and began to beseech God all that night to be reconciled to Saul, and not to be angry with him. But he

* 1 Sam. xv. 9.

+ Kenites, 1 Sam, xv. 6.

did

sinned; because he had transgressed the injunctions of the prophet; but he said, that it was out of dread and fear of the soldiers, that he did not restrain them, when they seized on the prey. "But forgive me," said he, "and be merciful to me: for I will be cautious how I offend for the time to come." He also entreated the prophet to go back with him, that he might offer his thank-offerings to God. But Samuel went home, because he saw that God would not be reconciled to him.

did not grant that forgiveness which the pro- | does he require so much as a sacrifice from phet solicited; as not deeming it a fit thing them and when these do sacrifice, though it to grant forgiveness of such sins at his entrea- be a mean oblation, he better accepts of it, as ties; since injuries do not otherwise grow so the honor of poverty, than such oblations as great, as by the easy tempers of those that are come from the richest men that offer them to injured. For while they seek after the glory him. Wherefore take notice, that thou art of being thought gentle and good-natured, under the wrath of God: for thou hast debefore they are aware, they produce other spised and neglected what he commanded sins. As soon therefore as God had rejected thee. How dost thou then suppose he will the intercession of the prophet, and it plainly respect a sacrifice out of such things as he has appeared he would not change his mind; at doomed to destruction? unless perhaps thou break of day Samuel came to Saul to Gilgal. dost imagine that it is almost all one to offer it When the king saw him, he ran to him, and in sacrifice to God, as to destroy it. Do thou embraced him, and said, "I return thanks to therefore expect that thy kingdom will be God, who hath given me the victory; for I taken from thee, and that authority which have performed every thing that he hath com-thou hast abused by such insolent behaviour, manded." Samuel replied; "How is it then as to neglect that God who bestowed it upon that I hear the bleating of the sheep, and the thee." Then did Saul confess that he had lowing of the greater cattle, in the camp ?" *acted unjustly, and did not deny that he had Saul made answer, "That the people had reserved them for sacrifices; but that as to the nation of the Amalekites, it was entirely destroyed as he had received it in command to see done, and that no one man was left; but that he had saved alive the king alone, and brought him to him: concerning whom he said they would advise together what should be done with him." But the prophet said, "God is not delighted with sacrifices; but with good and righteous men, who are such as follow his will and his laws; and never think that any thing is well done by them, but when they do it as God commanded them: that he then looks upon himself as affronted; not when any one does not sacrifice, but when any one appears to be disobedient to him. But that from those that do not obey him, nor pay him that duty which is the true and acceptable worship, he will not kindly accept their oblations; be those they offer never so many and so fat, and be the presents they make him never so ornamental: nay, though they were made of gold and silver themselves. But he will reject them, and esteem them instances of wickedness, and not of piety. And that he is delighted with those that still bear in mind this one thing, how to do that, whatsoever it be, which God pronounces or commands for them to do; and to choose rather to die, than to trangress any of those commands. Nor

* 1 Sam. xv. 14.

But Saul was so desirous to retain Samuel, that he took hold of his cloak; and because the vehemence of Samuel's departure made the motion to be violent, the cloak was rent. Upon which the prophet said, that after the same manner should the kingdom be rent from him; and that a good and a just man should take it; that God persevered in what he had decreed about him; that to be mutable and changeable in what is determined, is agreeable to human passions only; but it is not agreeable to the divine power. Hereupon Saul said that he had been wicked; but that what was done could not be undone. He therefore desired him to honor him so far, that the multitude might see that he would accompany him in worshipping God. So Samuel granted him that favor; and went with him and worshipped God. Agag also, the king of the Amalekites, was brought to

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CHAP. VIII.

OF THE APPOINTMENT OF DAVID TO THE REGAL AUTHORITY,
OF

BY THE DIVINE COMMAND, AND IN CONSEQUENCE
SAUL'S TRANSGRESSION.

him ; and when the king asked, how bitter teemed worthy of the kingdom? God said, death was? Samuel said, As thou hast made" Men do not see as God seeth. Thou indeed many of the Hebrew mothers to lament and hast respect to the fine appearance of this bewail their children; so shalt thou by thy youth, and thence esteemest him worthy of death cause thy mother to lament thee also.* the kingdom; while I propose the kingdom Accordingly he gave orders to slay him imme- as a reward, not of the beauty of bodies, diately at Gilgal; and then went away to the but of the virtue of souls; and I inquire after city Ramah. one that is perfectly comely in that respect; I mean one who is beautiful in piety, righte ousness, fortitude, and obedience; for in them consists the comeliness of the soul. When God had said this, Samuel desired Jesse to shew him all his sons. So he made five others of his sons to come to him. Of all which AUL being sensible of the miserable con- Eliab was the eldest, Aminadab the second, dition he had brought himself into, and Shammah the third, Nathanael the fourth, the that he had made God to be his enemy, went fifth was called Rael, and the sixth Asam, up to his royal palace at Gibeah, which name And when the prophet saw that these were no denotes a hill; and after that day he came no way inferior to the eldest in their counte+ more into the presence of the prophet. And nances, he inquired of God, which of them it when Samuel mourned for him, God bade him was whom he chose for their king? and when leave off his concern for him, and to take the God said it was none of them, he asked Jesse, holy oil, and go to Bethlehem, to Jesse, the whether he had not some other sons besides son of Obed, and to anoint such of his sons these? and when he said that he had one as he should shew him, for their future king. more, named David, but that he was a shepBut Samuel said, he was afraid lest Saul, herd, and took care of the flocks: Samuel when he came to know of it, should kill him, bade them call him immediately; for that till either by some private method, or even open- he was come they could not possibly sit down ly. But upon God's suggesting to him a safe to the feast. Now as soon as his father had way of going thither, he came to Bethlehem. sent for David, and he was come, he appeared And when they all saluted him, and asked, to be of a yellow complexion, of a sharp sight, what was the occasion of his coming? he told and a comely person in other respects also, them he came to sacrifice to God. When," This is he," said Samuel to himself, "whom therefore, he had prepared the sacrifice, he called Jesse and his sons to partake. And when he saw his eldest son to be a tall and handsome man, he guessed by his comeliness that he was the person who was to be their future king. But he was mistaken in judging about God's providence: for when Samuel inquired of God, whether he should anoint this youth, whom he so much admired, and es

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* 1 Sam. xv. 33. + 1 Sam. xvi. 7. + Our translation says, that Samuel anointed him in the midst of his brethren; and for this it is pretended, that as this unction was a solemn act, and the only title which David had to the kingdom, it was necessary to have it done in the presence of some witnesses, for which purpose none were more proper than those of his own family. But it is plain, from his brother Eliab's treatment of him after this, 1 Sam. xvii. 28. that he was not privy to his being anointed king-elect over God's people; and therefore since the words will equally hear the sense of

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it pleases God to make our king." So he sat down to the feast; and placed the youth un der him; and Jesse also, with his other sons, After which he took oil, in the presence of David, and anointed him; and whispered him in the ear, and acquainted him, that God chose him to be their king; and exhorted him to be righteous and obedient to his commands: for that by this means his kingdom

from the midst, as well as in the midst of his brethren, it is more reasonable to suppose, that as this was the ceremony of his designation to the kingdom only, few or none (except his father perhaps) were admitted to it. And there was the less reason for witnesses upon this occasion, because David never laid claim to the crown till after Saul's decease, and was then, at two several times, 1st, when he was made king over the tribe of Judab, and 2d, when made king over all the tribes of Israel, anointed publicly. Calmet's and Patrick's Comment, and Howell's History, in the notes. B.

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would continue for a long time: and that || Jesse sent his son, and gave him presents to his house should he of great splendor, and carry to Saul. And when he was come, Saul celebrated in the world; that he should over- was pleased with him, and made him his arthrow the Philistines; and that against what mor-bearer, and held him in very great esteem: nations soever he should make war, he should for he charmed his passion, and was the only be the conqueror, and survive the fight; and physician against the trouble he had from the that while he lived he should enjoy a glorious demons, whenever it came upon him; and this name, and afterwards transmit it to his pos- by reciting of hymns, and playing upon the terity. harp, and bringing Saul to his right mind again. However, he sent to the father of the child, and desired him to permit David to stay with him; for that he was delighted with his company. Which stay, that he might not contradict Saul, Jesse readily granted. ||

So Samuel, when he had given him these admonitions, went away. But the divine power departed from Saul, and removed to David; who, upon this removal of the divine spirit to him, began to prophesy. But as for Saul, some strange and demoniacal disorders* came upon him; and brought upon him such suffocations, as were ready to choke him, For when the physicians could find no other remedy but this; if any person could charm those passions by singing, and playing upon the harp, they advised them to inquire for such an one, and to observe when these demons came upon him, and disturbed him; and to take care that such a person might stand over him, and † play on the harp, and recite hymns to him. Accordingly Saul did not delay; but commanded them to seek out such a man. And when a certain bystander said, that he had seen in the city Bethlehem a son of Jesse, who was yet no more than a child in age, but comely and beautiful, and in other respects one that was deserving of great regard who was skilful in playing on the harp, and in singing hymns; and an excellent soldier in war: he sent to Jesse, and desired him to take David away from the flocks, and to send him to him; for he had a mind to see him, as having heard an advantageous character of his comeliness and his valor. So

* 1 Sam. xvi, 14.

+ Spanheim takes notice here, that the Greeks had such singers of bymns; and that usually children or youth were chosen for that service. As also that those called || singers to the harp did the same that David did bere, i. e. join their own vocal and instrumental music together.

Succoth and Azekah lay to the south of Jerusalem, and the east of Bethlehem, about four leagues from the former, and five from the latter, and the ancient valley of Elah must consequently lie not far distant from them, though later travellers place it at no more than a league's distance from Jerusalem. Calmet's Comment. B,

§ Six in the Hebrew; four in the Septuagint,

CHAP. IX.

OF ANOTHER EXPEDITION OF THE PHILISTINES AGAINST
THE HEBREWS, UNDER THE REIGN OF SAUL; AND OF
THEIR DEFEAT, BY DAVID SĻAYING GOLIATH IN SINGLE
COMBAT.

Now

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TOW the Philistines gathered themselves together again, no very long time afterward; and having assembled a great army, they made war against the Israelites; and having seized a place between Shochoh and Azekah, they there pitched their camp. Saul also drew out his army to oppose them. And by pitching his own camp on a certain hill, he forced the Philistines to leave their former station, and to encamp themselves upon such another hill, over against that on which Saul's army lay, so that a valley, which was between the two hills on which they lay, divided their camps asunder. Now there came down a man out of the camp of the Philistines, whose name was Goliath, of the city Gath; a man of vast bulk, for he was of § four cubits and a span in talness; || and had about him wea

The words in the text are, Whose height was six cubits and a span; so that taking a cubit to be twenty inches and a half, and a span to be three inches, and a little more, the whole will amount to about twelve feet and a half. A stature above as tall again as usual! The lowest computation of the cubit, however, brings it to near ten feet, which is the standard that we have set it at; though it must not be dissembled, that both the Septuagint and Josephus have reduced it to little more than eight feet, which badly comports with the weight and vastness of his armor, though it might suit their design perhaps, in accommodating their account to the credibility of their Hea then readers. But be that as it will, several authors, to shew this vast size of the man not to be beyond the bounds

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and did not leave off for forty days together to challenge the enemy in the same words, till Saul and his army were therewith terrified : while they put themselves in array as if they would fight, but did not come to an engagement.

Now while this war between the Hebrews and the Philistines was going on, Saul sent away David to his father Jesse, and contented himself with those three sons of his, whom he had sent to his assistance, and to be partners in the dangers of the war. And first David returned to feed his flocks; but after no long time he came to the camp of the Hebrews, being sent by his father to carry provisions to his brethren,† and to know what they were doing; while Goliath came again, and chal

pons suitable to the largeness of his body; for he had a breast-plate on that weighed five thousand shekels. He had also a helmet, and greaves of brass as large as you would naturally suppose might cover the limbs of so vast body. His spear was also such as was not carried like a light thing in his right hand; but he carried it as lying on his shoulders. He had also a lance of six hundred shekels, and many followed him to carry his armor. Wherefore this Goliath stood between the two armies, as they were in battle array; and sent out a loud voice, and said to Saul and to the Hebrews; "I will free you from fighting and from dangers. For what necessity is there that your army should fall, and be afflicted? Give me a man of you that will fight with me; and he that conquers shall have the re-lenged them, and reproached them, that they ward of the conqueror, and determine the war for these shall serve those others to whom the conqueror shall belong. And certainly it is much better and more prudent to gain what you desire by the hazard of one man, than of all."* When he had said this he retired to his own camp, but the next day he came again, and used the same words;

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had no man of valor among them that durst
come down and fight him.
come down and fight him. Now as David
was talking with his brethren about the busi-
ness for which his father had sent him, he
heard the Philistine reproaching and abusing
the army, and had indignation at it; and said
to his brethren, "I am ready to fight a single
combat with this adversary." Hereupon,

of probability, have written ex professo de gigantibus, among whom Hermannus Conringius, in his book De Antiquo Statu Holmstadii, and in another De Habitu Corporum Germanorum, have demonstrated, that the ancient Germans were of a vast size, even as Cæsar, De Bello Gall. testifies of them, by calling them immani corporum magnitude homines, men of a huge greatness of body. Nay, even Josephus himself, who is quoted for denying the existence of giants, furnishes us with an argument in their behalf, when he gives us an account of some bones of a prodigious size which were found in Hebron; as Acosta, in his History of the Indies, lib. I. c. 10. makes mention of bones of an incredible bigness, and of a race of giantsing from a high opinion he had of his own matchless of such a height, that an ordinary man could scarce reach their knees. Le Clerc's and Patrick's Comment. Calmet's Dictionary, under the word Goliath, and Dis. of the Giants. B.

* The words in which Goliath's challenge was expressed are these, Why are you come out to set your battle in array? Am I not a Philistine, and you servants to Saul ? Choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me: If he be able to fight with me, and to kill me, then will we be your servants; but if I prevail against him and kill him, then ye shall be our servants, and serve us, 1 Sam. xviii. 8. Antiquity furnishes us with examples of several such like combats as Goliath here proposes, but with none more remarkable than that between the Horatii and Curiatii, related by Livy, lib. I. c. 23. In which case, (as Grotius expresses himself, De Jure Belli et Pacis, lib. 2. c. 23.) though the champions perhaps cannot, with all the inno cence imaginable, engage in the combat, yet their re

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spective states may, at least, allow of it, as a less evil; as an expedient whereby a decision is made, without the effusion of much blood, or any considerable loss on either side, which of the two nations shall have the dominion over the other. Strabo (says he) makes mention of this as an ancient custom among the Greeks; and Æneas appeals to the Latins, whether it is not highly just and equitable, that he and Turnus should determine the controversy between them even in this manner.' But whether there was any combat stipulated to be decisive of the quarrel between the two contending nations, it is certain that this speech of Goliath's was a mere bravado, proceedstrength, as if he had been the whole support of the nation, which was to stand or fall together with him. For that he had no authority from the prince of the Philistines to make any such declaration, is evident from the event: since so far were the Philistines from yielding themselves slaves to the Hebrews, upon the death of this champion, that they made the best of their way into their own country, and there defended themselves, and fought many battles with them afterwards. Saurin's Dissert. vol. 4. Dissert. 32, and Patrick's and Le Clerc's Comment. B.

In those days it was customary for men to serve their king and country in the wars at their own expense; and therefore Jesse sent a supply of provisions to such of his sons as were in the service: but since he had other sons at home, while David was chiefly in the fields, it seems to be by a divine direction that he sent him from the sheep upon this errand. B.

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