3<\/strong>. And David sware moreover<\/em> ] Added an oath to the assertion in 1Sa 20:1<\/em><\/span>. The Sept. however reads simply, “And David answered Jonathan and said.”<\/p>\n Thy father certainly knoweth<\/em>, &c.] Jonathan’s confidence that Saul would tell him all beforehand clearly implies that be supposed his father to be ignorant of the close friendship between him and David. David undeceives him on this point.<\/p>\n there is but a step<\/em>, &c.] He stands, as it were, upon the very brink of a precipice.<\/p>\n And David sware moreover – <\/B>Rather, yet again. He met Jonathans denial by repeating his statement and confirming it with an oath.<\/P> <\/p>\n 1Sa 20:3<\/span><\/p>\n There is but a step between me and death.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/p>\n Solemn News<\/strong><\/p>\n Notice the views and feelings that will naturally possess a man who believes there is but a step between him and death, or that his end is near.<\/p>\n But a step<\/strong><\/p>\n This was Davids description of his own condition. King Saul was seeking to destroy him. The bitter malice of that, king would not be satisfied with anything short of the blood of his rival.<\/p>\n 1. <\/strong>There is a sense in which this text is no doubt literally true of every man–There is but a step between me and death; for life is so short that it is no exaggeration to compare it to a step.<\/p>\n 2. <\/strong>But, in another sense, there is but a step between us and death, namely, that life is so uncertain. How unexpectedly it ends.<\/p>\n 3. <\/strong>And this is all the more true when we consider that there are so many gates to the grave. We can die anywhere, at any time, by any means. Not alone abroad are we in danger, but at home in security we are still in peril. Wherever you are, you may well feel, There is but a step between me and death.<\/p>\n The mystic stop<\/strong><\/p>\n .<\/p>\n 1. <\/strong>When we must take it we cannot tell.<\/p>\n 2. <\/strong>Where we must take it is altogether hid from us.<\/p>\n 1. <\/strong>It parts us from this world of matter. We must bid farewell to flower and star.<\/p>\n 2. <\/strong>It parts us from friends near and dear to us.<\/p>\n 3. <\/strong>It parts us from ourselves. That tender union that subsists between soul and body is rudely torn asunder,<\/p>\n 1. <\/strong>The step of birth is solemn.<\/p>\n 2. <\/strong>The step of prayer is solemn.<\/p>\n 3. <\/strong>Not less solemn is the step of death. Lord, prepare me for taking this step. (J. Dunlop.<\/em>)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n The nearness of death<\/strong><\/p>\n This is true physically, morally, socially, influentially.<\/p>\n 1. <\/strong>Physically–Breath is in the nostrils; we know not our narrow escapes from death; the point of a needle may destroy the life of the body, etc.<\/p>\n 2. <\/strong>Morally–Character may be ruined in a moment; one sin broke up human history into ruin and sorrow, etc.<\/p>\n 3. <\/strong>Socially–When character is ruined, society is closed against a man, etc.<\/p>\n 4. <\/strong>Influentially–A mans influence should be the measure of his moral standing; by one false step influence may be impaired or destroyed. The fact that there is but a step between life and death should do five things:–<\/p>\n Certainty of death<\/strong><\/p>\n it was seemingly true concerning David.<\/p>\n 1. <\/strong>This teaches us how liable we are to be wrong in our judgments. We can only judge from appearances; therefore we should draw all inferences of importance with caution.<\/p>\n 2. <\/strong>Yet this judgment of Davids, perhaps, was the instrumental cause of his preservation. It made him cautious. Thus Providence sports with our calculations; man knoweth not his appointed time, but is like the fishes ensnared in an evil net.<\/p>\n 1. <\/strong>Let us in the first place look at the great number of the sick scattered over the face of this well-peopled world.<\/p>\n 2. <\/strong>Go into the gloomy ceils of condemned criminals, whose life must, pay the forfeit of their crimes on the coming morning.<\/p>\n 3. <\/strong>Look at the combatants that are now preparing for deadly battle; their countrys cause palpitates at their heart, and burns on their tongue. They are destined to fall in the struggle.<\/p>\n 4. <\/strong>Listen to the cries of those mariners in distress; they are going up to the heavens, and now down to the depths.<\/p>\n 5. <\/strong>View those men of apoplectic structure. How precarious the hold they have of life! Fresh and hale one minute–the next dead.<\/p>\n 1. <\/strong>Sentence of death has been passed on all men.<\/p>\n 2. <\/strong>This sentence has never been repealed. It has not become obsolete; it is not like the antiquated page of an almanac of past times.<\/p>\n 3. <\/strong>But this respite is not for any given length of time. It is frugally extended only from moment to moment. A respited criminal knows the length of his respite; we do not. (T. Macconnel.<\/em>)<\/p>\n Verse 3<\/span>. There is but a step between me and death.<\/B><\/I>] My life is in the most imminent danger. Your father has, most assuredly, determined to destroy me.<\/P> <\/P> The same figure used here, there is but a step between me and<\/I> death<\/I>, may be found in Juvenal<\/I>, who, satirizing those who risk their lives for the sake of gain in perilous voyages, speaks thus: – <\/P> I nune et ventis animam committe, dolato<\/I><\/P> Confisus ligno<\/I>, digitis a morte remotus<\/I><\/P> Quatuor aut<\/I> septem, si sit latissima teda.<\/I><\/P> SAT. xii., ver. 57.<\/P> “Go now, and commit thy life to the winds, trusting to a hewn plank, four<\/I> or seven<\/I> fingers thick, if the beam out of which it has been cut have been large enough.”<\/P> <\/p>\n The matter being of great moment, and Jonathan doubting the truth of it, David confirms his word with an oath, which follows in the end of the verse; only he interposeth a reason why Saul concealed it from Jonathan. <\/P> <\/p>\n And David sware moreover, and said<\/strong>,…. To assure Jonathan of the truth of it, that he did most certainly seek after his life, of which, as he had no doubt himself, by an oath he endeavoured to remove any that might be in Jonathan, who was not willing to believe his father could be guilty of so foul a crime:<\/p>\n thy father certainly knoweth that I have found grace in thine eyes<\/strong>: that he was high in his favour, that he had a great value for him, and he had a large share in his love and friendship, and that was the reason why he hid from him his base intentions:<\/p>\n and he saith, let not Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved<\/strong>; as he would be, both for the evil his father would be guilty of, and the danger David, his beloved friend, would be in:<\/p>\n but truly, [as] the Lord liveth, and [as] thy soul liveth, [there is] but a step between me and death<\/strong>; as appeared by his casting a javelin at him, 1Sa 18:11<\/span>, sending messengers to his own house to slay him, 1Sa 19:11<\/span>, and others to Naioth to seize him, 1Sa 19:20<\/span>, and coming himself thither with an intention to kill him, 1Sa 19:22<\/span>, and in each of these instances he had a narrow escape for his life; and this he declared in the most solemn manner by an oath, for the confirmation of the truth of it to Jonathan.<\/p>\n (3) Thy father certainly knoweth that I have found grace in thine eyes.<\/strong>David urges that his fall, and even his death, had been decided upon by Saul, who, knowing how Jonathan loved him, would shrink from confiding to his son his deadly plans respecting his loved friend. David, with his clear, bright intellect, looked deeper into Sauls heart than did the heroic, guileless son. He recognised only too vividly the intensity of the kings hatred of him; and we see in the next verse that the mournful earnestness of the son of Jesse had its effect upon the prince, who consented to make the public trial of Sauls real mind which his friend asked for.<\/p>\n DISCOURSE: 304 1Sa 20:3<\/span>. Truly as the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, there is but a step between me and death<\/em>.<\/p>\n IT is justly said, that oppression maketh a wise man mad [Note: Ecc 7:7<\/span>.]. One there was, who endured it in every form, and to its utmost possible extent; and yet never uttered an unadvised word, or betrayed a temper which his bitterest enemies could condemn: Jesus, after years of persecution, could give this challenge to his enemies, Which of you convinceth me of sin? But fallen man, however upheld for a season, has generally betrayed his weakness when his trials have been heavy and of long continuance. We admire the conduct of David in many respects, and think him on the whole a very exalted character; but yet, on some occasions he fainted, and yielded to unworthy apprehensions respecting the final issue of his troubles. Such was the state of his mind when he uttered the words which we have just read; and which, though containing a general and acknowledged truth, were not such as he would have uttered, if he had not given way to desponding fears.<\/p>\n We shall consider the words in this two-fold view;<\/p>\n I.<\/p>\n As a general and acknowledged truth<\/p>\n The general representations which are given of life in the Scriptures, strongly mark its shortness and uncertainty It must be regarded in that light by all persons without exception II.<\/p>\n As an assertion arising out of the peculiar circumstances of David at that time<\/p>\n [In this view it was the dictate of unbelief. We blame not David for using with all diligence the means of safety: for if he had neglected to use all just precautions under an expectation that God would fulfil his word at all events, he would have tempted God; just as our Saviour would have tempted him, if he had cast himself from the pinnacle of the temple, But when God had assured him that he should posses the throne of Israel, and had actually confirmed the appointment by a sacred unction, it became David to give credit to the word of God, and to rest assured, that neither men nor devils should eventually disannul it. There was indeed such malignity in the heart of Saul, that nothing but Omnipotence could prevent the execution of his plots against David: but David should have known that there is no might or power against the Lord, and that the counsel of the Lord shall surely stand: and in the confidence of this, he should have been satisfied that Saul could not prevail against him. However just therefore his expressions were as applied to men in general, we cannot approve of them as applied to his own case: he should not have said, I shall one day perish by the hand of Saul [Note: 1Sa 27:1<\/span>.], but rather, Since God is for me, who can be against me [Note: Rom 8:31<\/span>.]?]<\/p>\n Having thus obtained a just and accurate view of the words before us, we may enter more largely into the improvement which should be made of them. We may notice from them, How frail the best of men are, when brought into heavy trials<\/p>\n [On the whole, Davids faith was remarkably strong: but here it failed; and, if it had not been strengthened from above, he would utterly have fainted. This he himself acknowledges, after he had recovered from this momentary depression [Note: Psa 27:1<\/span>; Psa 27:3<\/span>; Psa 27:5<\/span>; Psa 27:13<\/span>.]. It has justly been observed, that all the most eminent saints in Scripture have failed in that very grace for which they were most renowned: Abraham, the great pattern and example of faith, repeatedly denied his wife through unbelief: Moses, the meekest of the human race, spake unadvisedly with his lips: and Job, whose patience is proverbial, cursed the day of his birth. Thus all have been left to shew, that their strength was not in themselves; that, if left, they were weak as other men; and that it is in God only that any just confidence can be placed: He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool.<\/p>\n Let us bear this in mind, both for our humiliation and our encouragement. If we have been enabled to maintain a holy and consistent conduct, let us remember that it is by the grace of God we are what we are; and if we are tempted to look up to the saints of old as soaring to heights that can never be attained by us, let us remember, that the grace which wrought effectually for them, is equally sufficient for us; and that we also can do all things through Christ strengthening us.]<\/p>\n 2.<\/p>\n What is the proper use and office of faith<\/p>\n [Faith is not to supersede, but to encourage, our own endeavours, and to assure us of our successful termination of them. When to human appearance the difficulties are insurmountable, then is the season for faith to shew itself, and against hope to believe in hope. This was the operation of Abrahams faith: he considered not the age of himself or of his wife, which precluded all hope of issue in the natural way, but expected that God would effect by miracle what could be effected in no other way. Doubting neither the power nor the veracity of God, he was willing to wait Gods time, and confident that he should not be disappointed of his hope [Note: Rom 4:20-21<\/span><\/u> and Heb 11:17<\/span>; Heb 11:19<\/span>.]. Had Davids faith wrought thus on this occasion, it would have borne him up amidst the waves of trouble that rolled over him in quick succession.<\/p>\n This then is what we recommend to all. Are you bowed down with a sense of guilt? Lay hold on that promise, that Christ will in no wise cast out any who come unto him. Are you assaulted with grievous temptations? Remember who has said, that you shall not be tempted above that ye are able, but that you shall have a way to escape, or be enabled to bear it. Do your corruptions appear invincible? Rely on him who has said, My grace is sufficient for you. And, if your troubles are of such a magnitude as to menace your immediate destruction, rest yourselves on the promise of Jehovah, that all things shall work together for your good. Be satisfied that He is faithful who hath promised, and that not a jot or tittle of his word can fail.]<\/p>\n 3.<\/p>\n What is the wisdom of every child of man<\/p>\n [None of us have any such warrant to expect a continuance of life as David had; and therefore his observation respecting the shortness and uncertainty of life should be admitted in its utmost force. Ignorant then as we are whether the very next step may not carry us into the eternal world, we ought to inquire with ourselves, Whether it would take us to heaven or to hell? O what a thought is this! What madness is it not to dwell upon it more than we do, or to delay for a moment our preparation for the eternal state! We would call on all of you; the aged<\/em>, who know for a certainty that their time cannot be long; the sick<\/em>, who are warned by the disorders that are yet upon them; the young<\/em>, who are in the prime and vigour of life; we would entreat all without exception to stand ready for death and judgment. O beloved, prepare to meet your God. Think of the multitudes that have been summoned to his tribunal unprepared; and be thankful that there is yet one step between you and death. The Lord grant that, whenever that step be taken, you may have an abundant entrance into the realms of bliss [Note: Mar 13:33-37<\/span>.]!]<\/p>\n<\/p>\n 1Sa 20:3 And David sware moreover, and said, Thy father certainly knoweth that I have found grace in thine eyes; and he saith, Let not Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved: but truly [as] the LORD liveth, and [as] thy soul liveth, [there is] but a step between me and death.<\/p>\n Ver. 3. And David sware moreover.<\/strong> ] Since Jonathan was so hard of belief, and the matter of so great importance, for better assurance David gave him, as he might do, a private oath. Ex animi sui sententia,<\/em> was instead of such an oath among the heathens. <\/p>\n <\/p>\n But truly as the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth,<\/strong> ] i.e., <\/em> By the life of God; that is his oath: and, As sure as thou art alive; that is his asseveration added to his oath. See the like, 1Sa 1:26<\/span> ; 1Sa 17:55 ; 2Sa 11:11<\/span> ; 2Sa 14:19 Jer 31:3<\/span> . <\/p>\n <\/p>\n There is but a step between me and death.<\/strong> ] Praesentissimum est periculum meum in quo versor,<\/em> a<\/em> As we use to say of seafaring men, that there is but an inch board, or a handbreadth between them and death, and that they have fortunam rudentibus aptam,<\/em> their estates hanging on ropes; so is it with man in his best estate; o quam exigui sunt mortalium termini! o quam exigui sunt mortalium animi!<\/em> but especially with such as are proscribed and sought after to be slaughtered. But here David’s faith began to flag, as indeed it is a hard thing for the best faith, after long and sharp trial, not to buckle and hang the wing: Adeo nihil est in nobis magni, quod non queat minui; adeo nihil est ex omni parte beatum.<\/em> <\/p>\n<\/p>\n a<\/em> Jun.<\/p>\n the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4. <\/p>\n thy soul = thou. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13. <\/p>\n step = stride. Hebrew. pesa `. Occ. only here. <\/p>\n sware: Deu 6:13, Jer 4:2, Heb 6:16 <\/p>\n but truly: 1Sa 25:26, 1Sa 27:1, 2Sa 15:21, 2Ki 2:2, 2Ki 2:4, 2Ki 2:6 <\/p>\n as thy soul: 1Sa 1:26, 1Sa 17:55, Jer 38:16 <\/p>\n but a step: 1Sa 27:1, Deu 28:66, Psa 116:3, 1Co 15:30, 1Co 15:31, 2Co 1:9, 2Co 1:10 <\/p>\n Reciprocal: Gen 26:31 – sware Gen 27:2 – I know not Gen 33:10 – if now Gen 42:15 – By the life Num 32:5 – if we have 1Sa 2:6 – he bringeth 1Sa 29:6 – the Lord 2Sa 11:11 – as thou livest 2Sa 14:19 – As thy soul 2Sa 14:22 – I have found 1Ki 17:12 – As the Lord Psa 118:13 – General Psa 119:87 – almost Psa 119:109 – My soul 2Co 1:8 – insomuch<\/p>\n 1Sa 20:3. David sware moreover The matter being of great moment, and Jonathan doubting the truth of it, he confirms his word with an oath, which follows in the end of the verse. Only he interposeth a reason why Saul concealed it from Jonathan. Let not Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved What a noble and generous turn does David here give to the behaviour of Saul to Jonathan, lest he should think ill of his father, by insinuating that he had kept this a secret from him out of affection, lest it should give him pain.<\/p>\n 20:3 And David sware moreover, and said, Thy father certainly knoweth that I have found grace in thine eyes; and he saith, Let not Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved: but truly [as] the LORD liveth, and [as] thy soul liveth, [there is] but a {b} step between me and death.<\/p>\n (b) I am in great danger of death.<\/p>\n And David swore moreover, and said, Thy father certainly knoweth that I have found grace in thine eyes; and he saith, Let not Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved: but truly [as] the LORD liveth, and [as] thy soul liveth, [ there] [is] but a step between me and death. 3. And David sware … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Samuel 20:3”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7745","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-commentary"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7745","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7745"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7745\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7745"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7745"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7745"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
I. <\/strong>The world, with its pleasures, pursuits, and prospects, will, appear small. The mask is taken off now.<\/p>\n
II. <\/strong>He will feel that his own personal salvation is to him above all things else in point of importance.<\/p>\n
III. <\/strong>Next to his own salvation in point of importance, will be that of his family.<\/p>\n
IV. <\/strong>He will not feel at home in the company of the wicked, or in any pursuit or pleasure upon which he could not ask the blessing of God.<\/p>\n
V. <\/strong>He will desire to settle all, disputes and old grudges, and forgive his enemies.<\/p>\n
VI. <\/strong>A man who believes there is but a step between him and death will desire to make his will. (T. Kelly.<\/em>)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
II. <\/strong>That to some this is specially true. To persons who have reached a ripe old age this is most certainly true: There is but a step between me and death? Now, do not object to think about it and talk about it. If you are all right with God, it can be no trouble to you to remember that as your years multiply, there must be so many the fewer in which you are to abide here below.<\/p>\n
III. <\/strong>Suppose it is not so. There may be some here that will live to a very great age. Well, what then? If so, I should recommend you to follow the Scriptural advice, Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness. Suppose that it is not true that there is but a step between you and death; nevertheless, while death is at a distance, health and strength furnish the best time for coming to Christ.<\/p>\n
IV. <\/strong>But now suppose that it is so. Suppose that it is so, and suppose, as yet, that you have no good hope. If there is but a step between you and death, yet there is only a step between you and Jesus. There is only a step between you and salvation. God help you to take that step. Suppose that it is so, that you are moon to die; then set your house in order. (C. H. Spurgeon.<\/em>)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
I. <\/strong>It is a certain step. All must take it.<\/p>\n
II. <\/strong>It is an uncertain step.<\/p>\n
III. <\/strong>It is a final step. It is final because it puts an end to human distinctions.<\/p>\n
IV. <\/strong>It is a parting step.<\/p>\n
V. <\/strong>It is a solitary step. Death is a lonely thing.<\/p>\n
VI. <\/strong>It is altogether a solemn step.<\/p>\n
I. <\/strong>It should give high significance and value to time. Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, etc.<\/p>\n
II. <\/strong>It should awaken the most anxious vigilance. Only one step, and it may be the next!<\/p>\n
III. <\/strong>It should stimulate to preparedness for the future.<\/p>\n
IV. <\/strong>It should impart a tenderer interest to all the relationships of life.<\/p>\n
V. <\/strong>It should lead to the right use of temporal possessions. (J. Parker, D. D.<\/em>)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
II. <\/strong>The text is really true concerning some individuals now in the world.<\/p>\n
III. <\/strong>The declaration in the text may be true with regard to some of us.<\/p>\nFuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
<\/P> Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
DAVIDS FEAR OF SAUL<\/strong><\/p>\n
[It is light, and unsubstantial in itself as a vapour<\/em> [Note: Jam 4:14<\/span>.]: its length is but as an hand-breadth<\/em> [Note: Psa 39:5<\/span>.]: the rapidity with which it passeth away is compared to a post<\/em>, in which the utmost possible despatch is used; or to an eagle hasting to its prey<\/em> [Note: Job 9:25-26<\/span>.]. Such is its extreme vanity, that it is like a dream<\/em> [Note: Job 20:5<\/span>.] or a shadow<\/em> [Note: Psa 102:11<\/span>.]: and so short does the whole of it in a retrospect appear, that it is but as yesterday<\/em> when it is past [Note: Psa 90:3-6<\/span>.]. How justly then may it be said, that there is but a step between us and death!]<\/p>\n
[Age or sickness may give some additional force to the expression in our text; but neither the youngest nor the most vigorous has any more certainty of life than the feeblest of mankind. Disease or accident may assault one as well as another; so that none can boast of to-morrow; for we know not what a day may bring forth. So numerous indeed are the instances of persons removed suddenly, or in the very midst of life, that we cannot but acknowledge the truth and awfulness of the declaration before us.]
But, to obtain a just view of our text, we must regard it,<\/p>\n
1.<\/p>\n
<\/strong><\/p>\nFuente: Charles Simeon’s Horae Homileticae (Old and New Testaments)<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"