Bible Commentary

And the Philistines gathered themselves together, and came and pitched in Shunem: and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they pitched in Gilboa. 4. the Philistines gathered themselves together ] This was no border foray, but a gathering of the whole force of the confederacy, as is clear from 1Sa 28:1 and 1Sa 29:1-4, for … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Samuel 28:4”

Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had lamented him, and buried him in Ramah, even in his own city. And Saul had put away those that had familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land. 3 14. Saul resorts to the witch of Endor 3. Now Samuel, &c.] From 1Sa 28:3 to the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Samuel 28:3”

And David said to Achish, Surely thou shalt know what thy servant can do. And Achish said to David, Therefore will I make thee keeper of mine head forever. 2. Surely thou shalt know ] Better, Therefore now shalt thou know: reading now for thou with the Sept. and Vulg. David’s answer is designedly ambiguous. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Samuel 28:2”

And it came to pass in those days, that the Philistines gathered together their armies for warfare, to fight with Israel. And Achish said unto David, Know thou assuredly, that thou shalt go out with me to battle, thou and thy men. Ch. 1Sa 28:1-2. David forced to join the Philistine army 1. in those … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Samuel 28:1”

And Achish believed David, saying, He hath made his people Israel utterly to abhor him; therefore he shall be my servant forever. 12. Achish believed David ] Connect 1Sa 27:12 with 1Sa 27:10. Achish believed that David had brought himself into ill odour (see on 1Sa 13:4) with his own countrymen by his attacks on … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Samuel 27:12”

And David saved neither man nor woman alive, to bring [tidings] to Gath, saying, Lest they should tell on us, saying, So did David, and so [will be] his manner all the while he dwelleth in the country of the Philistines. 11. And David said, &c.] The tribes which David really plundered must evidently have … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Samuel 27:11”

And Achish said, Whither have ye made a road today? And David said, Against the south of Judah, and against the south of the Jerahmeelites, and against the south of the Kenites. 10. Whither ] The Heb. word does not mean whither, and must be emended. It is best to follow the Sept. and Vulg. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Samuel 27:10”

And David smote the land, and left neither man nor woman alive, and took away the sheep, and the oxen, and the asses, and the camels, and the apparel, and returned, and came to Achish. 9. the sheep, &c.] In which the wealth of nomad tribes consists. Cp. 1Sa 15:3, &c.; Job 1:3. “We rode … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Samuel 27:9”

And David and his men went up, and invaded the Geshurites, and the Gezrites, and the Amalekites: for those [nations were] of old the inhabitants of the land, as thou goest to Shur, even unto the land of Egypt. 8 12. David’s raids upon neighbouring tribes 8. the Geshurites ] A tribe dwelling south of … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Samuel 27:8”

And the time that David dwelt in the country of the Philistines was a full year and four months. 7. a full year and four months ] The Sept. reading “four months” is improbable, though the Heb. might be rendered “a space of time, even four months.” Ch. 1Sa 29:3 implies a much longer residence. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Samuel 27:7”