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The companies that came to David at Ziklag, ver. 1 - 22.
The armies that came to him at Hebron, ver. 23 - 40.
2: Even - Of Saul's own tribe: who were moved hereto by God's
spirit, by the conscience of their duty to David; and by their
observation of God's departure from Saul, and of his special
presence with David.
4: Thirty - Who came attended with thirty valiant Benjamites,
and was their commander.
17: The God of our fathers - He calls God, the God of our
fathers, both his fathers and theirs; thus he minds them, not to deal
ill with him; for they were both descendents from the same patriarchs,
and servants of the same God. And thus he encourages himself to believe,
that God would right him, if he was abused. For he was the God of his
fathers; therefore a blessing was entailed upon him: and a God to all
Israel in particular, as well as a Judge to all the earth.
18: The Spirit - Not only saving graces, but other heroical and
generous motions are ascribed to God's spirit, which here stirred up
in him a more that ordinary greatness of mind and resolution.
20: As - As he returned from the camp of the Philistines to
Ziklag.
21: Against - Against the Amalekites who had taken and burnt
Ziklag, whom David and his six hundred men were now pursuing.
22: That time - While he was at Ziklag, and in his march to
Hebron, and principally at Hebron. Like - Innumerable, like the
stars or angels, both which are called God's hosts.
24: Six thousand, &c. - Who came hither in the name of their
brethren; for that whole tribe stuck to David.
27: Jehoida - Not the high - priest, for that was Abiathar,(1Sa 23:6), but one of eminent place under him.
29: Kept the ward - Endeavoured to keep the crown in Saul's
family.
31: Manasseh - Which was within Jordan: for of the other half
beyond Jordan he speaks, ver.(37).
By name - Who were not ashamed publickly to own David by putting their
names to some paper presented to them for that purpose.
32: The times - They understood public affairs, the temper of the
nation, and the tendencies of the present events. And they shewed their
wisdom at this time; for as they had adhered to Saul while he lived,
as knowing the time was not yet come for David to take possession of
the kingdom: and as they could not join David, while Abner lived,
and had the command of the other tribes wherewith they were encompassed,
so as soon as he was dead, and they had opportunity to declare themselves,
they owned David for their king.
33: Double heart - They were sincerely loyal, and did not dissemble
with David, pretending to be for him, while in their hearts they
favoured Saul's family. And none had any separate interests, but all
were for the public good.
