1Sa 21:2, 13, 27:10, 2Sa 14:5, Job 13:7-8, 15:5, Pro 12:19, 22, 30:8 | TSK | STEP | The king.The whole of this is a gross falsehood; and which was attended with the most fatal consequences. It is well known that from all antiquity it was held no crime to tell a lie in order to save life. Thus Diphilon [Hypo lambano to pseudas epi sotevea legomenon, ouden peripoieisthai duscheres.] "I hold it right to tell a lie for safety: nothing should be avoided to save life." A heathen may say or sing thus: but no Christian can act thus and save his soul, though he may save his life.

1 Samuel 21:2

The king.The whole of this is a gross falsehood; and which was attended with the most fatal consequences. It is well known that from all antiquity it was held no crime to tell a lie in order to save life. Thus Diphilon [Hypo lambano to pseudas epi sotevea legomenon, ouden peripoieisthai duscheres.] "I hold it right to tell a lie for safety: nothing should be avoided to save life." A heathen may say or sing thus: but no Christian can act thus and save his soul, though he may save his life.

19:17; 22:22; Ge 27:20,24; 1Ki 13:18; Ps 119:29; Ga 2:12; Col 3:9

1 Samuel 21:13

changed.

Ps 34:1; *title

Pr 29:25; Ec 7:7

scrabbled. or, made marks.

1 Samuel 27:10

Whither, etc. or, Did you not make a road. And David.

21:2; Ge 27:19,20,24; Jos 2:4-6; 2Sa 17:20; Ps 119:29,163

Pr 29:25; Ga 2:11-13; Eph 4:25

Against.David here meant the Geshurites, and Gezrites, and Amalekites, which people occupied that part of the country which lies to the south of Judah. But Achish, as was intended, understood him in a different sense, and believed that he had attacked his own countrymen. David's answer, therefore, though not an absolute falsehood, was certainly an equivocation intended to deceive, and therefore incompatible with that sense of truth and honour which became him as a prince, and a professor of true religion. From these, and similar passages, we may observe the strict impartiality of the Sacred Scriptures. They present us with the most faithful delineation of human nature; they exhibit the frailties of kings, priests, and prophets, with equal truth; and examples of vice and frailty, as well as of piety and virtue, are held up, that we may guard against the errors to which the best men are exposed.

the Jerahmeelites.

1Ch 2:9,25

Kenites.

15:6; Nu 24:21; Jud 1:16; 4:11; 5:24

2 Samuel 14:5

I am indeed.It is very possible that the principal incidents mentioned here were real; and that Joab found out a person whose circumstances bore a near resemblance to that which he wished to represent. She did not make the similitude too plain and visible, lest the king should see her intention before she had obtained a grant of pardon; and thus her circumstances, her mournful tale, her widow's dress, her aged person, (for Josephus says she was advanced in years,) and her impressive manner, all combined to make one united irresistible impression on the heart of the aged monarch.

12:1-3; Jud 9:8-15