that ende had reared vp a pillar to be a monument of his fame vnto posteritie now in stead of that pillar he shrowded vnder an heape of stones Pellic. 3. So was the king of Hai serued there was laid vpon him beeing dead an heape of stones Iosh. 8.29 and the fiue Kings whom Ioshua ouercame Iosh. 10.27 16. Quest. Of Absaloms children v. 18. 1. Some thinke that whereas it is said before c. 14.27 that Absalom had three sonnes and a daughter that all his children were now dead sic Geneuens but it is not necessarie to thinke that all of them were taken away but onely his sonnes as the words of the text are for he said I haue no sonne c. 2. Iosephus is of opinion that his sonnes were not dead alreadie but he prouided if they should chance to die without issue that by this pillar he should be remembred but the text is plaine that they were dead at this time as the Chalde well expresseth non est mihi filius superstes c. I haue no sonne left 3. God therefore had now depriued him of his three sonnes mentioned before c. 14. Iun. he that was so vnnaturall to his father was not worthie to haue any children Pellic. 17. Quest. v. 21. Of the Cushite whom Ioab sent with the newes vnto Dauid 1. Some read Cushai as though he were the same with that Cushai before mentioned which was Dauids friend Osiand but there is great difference in the names that is Cushai with pathah this Cushi with chirieh and that Cushai was yet a follower of Absalom and was not returned to Dauid 2. The most take it for a proper name that he was called Cushi Montan. Pag. with others 3. But he was rather a Cushite that is an Aethiopian as the word is taken Ierem. 13.23 and in diuerse others places and therefore he is afterward called the Kings seruant v. 29. for that cursed posteritie of Cham became seruants to Sems seede according â—o Noahs prophesie Gen. 9. sic Iun. Pellic. Borrh. some thinke he might be so called of his colour and yet an Israelite born Vat. but the other is more probable 18. Quest. v. 29. Whether Ahimaaz knewe not of Absaloms death It is without question that Ahimaaz was not ignorant of Absaloms death for Ioab had yeilded that as a reason v. 20. why he would not send him with the message to the King because the kings son was dead But Ahimaaz of purpose concealed it for these reasons 1. Because as before he had brought heauie newes to Dauid c. 17.20 so now he desireth to bring good newes Bor. 2. He would not all at once tell the king of his death least he might haue bin oppressed with grief but leaues him in suspence that he might by little and little digest his sonnes death 3. Ahimaaz did it also in respect of himselfe for he knew that as the euil tidings is not welcome so neither is the messenger thereof accepted like as the patient doth loath the very cup out of the which he drinketh his bitter potion 4. By this then we are taught these points of good discretion first that we put off the relation of euill newes to others where we are not vrged by necessitie secondly that when we doe tell hard newes we should doe it by degrees for many vpon the sudden report of heauie things haue presently died Osiand 19. Quest. v. 33. Why Dauid mourneth for Absalom 1. Dauids naturall affection which he could not hide did mooue him thus to take on for his sonne as also the consideration of Gods iust iudgment against him for his sinne Genev. 2. As also Dauid therin saw the accomplishment of Nathans prophesie against his house for his owne sinne which was the cause of these great calamities Bor. Pell 3. He considered that Absalom died in his sinne without repentance and therefore he mourneth not so much for Absaloms corporal death as for the perill and danger of the saluation of his soule Osiand 20. Quest. v. 33. Why Dauid wished to die for Absalom 1. He feared least his sonne dying in his sinne without repentance died out of the fauour of God his owne death he feared not beeing assured that he should die in Gods fauour and therefore he desired by his corporall death that he had redeemed his sonnes life that he might haue liued to repent him Osiand 2. He wished to die rather then to liue to see the miserie and calamitie which he foresawe by Nathans prophesie was like to fall vpon his familie and posteritie Pellic. 3. He was herein a type and figure of Christ who offered himselfe to death for those which persecuted him Bor. 4. The Hebrewes vainely here imagine that Absalom by Dauids teares and prayers was deliuered from hell and taken into paradise but no mention is here made of Dauids prayers at all Pellic. which he would not haue omitted if he had thought that prayers were auaileable for the dead Osiand nay he had shewed the contrarie when he left praying for the child after he knew it was dead CHAP. 19. 1. Quest. v. 6. Of Ioabs speach to Dauid 1. IOab much forgetteth himselfe in speaking so boldly and irreuerently to the king otherwise then it became him Iun. 2. And he chargeth Dauid with some vntruth for though he loued his enemies yet did he not hate his friends Osian 3. And he doth in effect vpbraid him for his former seueritie shewed to those that killed his enemies as in slaying the Amalekite for killing Saul and Rechab and Baanah for the death of Ishbosheth now thou hatest me for killing Abner before and Absalom now Osian 4. True it is that we are in a certaine degree to loue our enemies to pray for them and to wish their amendement but we are not so to loue them How our enemies are to be loued but that the glorie of God and safetie of his people ought to beare a greater sway with vs whereunto Ioab hath respect and therefore wisely admonisheth the King Bor. though somewhat more sharpely then became him 2. Quest. v. 13. Of Dauids purpose in remoouing Ioab from beeing captaine of the hoast 1. Some thinke that Dauid had iust cause to remooue Ioab from his place both for that he so vnmannerly behaued himselfe in words toward him and for that he had killed Absalom contrarie to his commaundement Iun. Osian but neither of these was a sufficient cause seeing Ioab in both these intended Dauids good and the safetie of the people 2. Wherefore the better opinion is that Dauid herein shewed his humane affection both because Ioab had before by his valour deserued that place 1. Chr. 11.6 and Dauid at once here forgetteth all the benefits formerly receiued by Ioabs seruice Bor. and he did this in policie as he did before purpose to aduance Abner for the same cause so now he would preferre Amasa thinking by this meanes to winne the hearts of the rest Pell Gen. 3. Yet seeing Dauid did
his owne eyes to testifie his thankfulnesse vnto God Osiander 3. And he would still more humble himselfe and by this meanes he should be honoured not onely of the maides from among whom he afterward tooke wiues and concubines Osiand but of all the Israelites whom she called his seruants euen with them ghimmam which beeing in the masculine must be referred to the men not to the women Iun. yea not onely of Israel but of all other nations shall I be had in honour Pellican according to that saying 1. Sam. 2.30 them that honour mee will I honour Iun. 3. Thus our Blessed Sauiour beeing derided and scorned vpon the crosse was more exalted in his glorious resurrection And when Theodosius the Emperour laying aside his Imperiall maiestie submitted himselfe to publike penance though hee might for the present be derided yet to this day is more honoured In like manner the seruants of God that are despised in this world shall receiue honour and praise of God in that day in despight of all those which before scorned and derided them 25. Quest. v. 23. Of Michols punishment for deriding Dauid she had no child vnto the day of her death 1. Some Hebrewes thinke that she had a child at the time of her death and died thereof as Rachel did and as the wife of Phinehes the sonne of Heli But this phrase vntill the day of her death is as much in effect as neuer and it putteth in a perpetuall barre as 1. Sam. 15.35 it is said Samuel came no more to see Saul till the day of his death that is neuer 2. Some thus vnderstand this place that from this time wherein she shewed such contempt she had neuer after any children but before she might haue for they suppose that this Michol is the same which is called Eglah c. 3.5 whose sonne by Dauid was Ithream Borrh. but that Eglah and Michol were not the same as is shewed before cap. 3. qu. 4. 3. Iosephus saith that Michol had fiue sonnes before by an other man but none by Dauid but those fiue sonnes said to be Michols were not hers but her sister Merabs who and not Michol was married to Adriel for Michol was giuen vnto Phaltiel therefore where it is said the fiue sonnes of Michol c. which she bare to Adriel there must be supplied the Sister of Michol as shall be shewed in that place 4. Therefore it is better vnderstood according to the vse of the phrase that perpetuae sterilitatis opprobrio affecta est shee was opprobrious for her perpetuall barrennes Iun. so they which deride the Church of God shall be for euer barren and fruitlesse of any good worke CHAP. 7. 1. Quest. v. 1. How Dauid is said to haue rest round about from all his enemies DAuid had many battells with the Moabites and Ammonites and with other forren nations as is expressed c. 8. c. 10. and in other places 1. Therefore some doe expound these-words of the peace and rest which Dauid now presently enioyed so Osiander saith that at this time magna tranquillitate respublica Israelitica fruebatur the Commonwealth of Israel enioyed great tranquillitie 2. Some doe referre it to Dauids peaceable possession of the kingdome wherein he was now established without any resistance Pellican 3. But D. Chimhi better vnderstandeth this rest from those warres which the enemies prouoked Dauid vnto the battels which Dauid afterward fought he rather made with his enemies oblata diuinitus occasione as God gaue occasion they did not prouoke him Borrh. Mart. 2. Quest. v. 2. Of Dauids purpose to build God an house 1. Dauid knew well enough that God dwelled not in houses made with hands neither that any Temple could be made to comprehend his maiestie yet because the Arke was a visible symbole of Gods presence he thought that the reuerent entertainment thereof tended to Gods honour 2. And this desire of Dauid as all other good thoughts and purposes proceeded from the spirit of God Pellican onely Dauids ouersight was this because he would runne before the Lords commandement Mart. 3. Yet this worthie lesson is learned from Dauid that men should not be more addicted to the setting forth of their owne pompe and garnishing of their owne houses and in the meane time neglect the place of Gods seruice as the Prophet Hagge reprooueth the Iewes because they themselues dwelled in sicled houses Hagg 3.4 and suffered the house of God to lie wast 4. Dauid also in not resting vpon his owne counsell though he were a wise and holy man but tooke counsell with Nathan the Prophet therein is an example vnto Princes and Magistrates to consult and aduise with wise and religious men Mar. 3. Quest. v. 3. How Nathan was deceiued in approouing Dauids purpose 1. D. Chimhi thinketh that Dauid dealt with Nathan as the Lords Prophet and would haue him aske counsell of God for him but it seemeth rather as Lyranus thinketh that he consulted priuately with him as his friend and an holy man for otherwise he would not haue giuen him this present answer if he had purposed to aske counsell of God for him 2. Therefore Dauid onely in familiar manner consulting with him Nathan maketh him an answer not as a Prophet but as one giuing priuate aduise for the Prophets had not alwaies the spirit of prophesie vpon them but spake sometime as priuate men as Samuel when Eliab Dauids eldest brother came before him thought at the first that he was the Lords annointed So Elisha said when the Shunamite lay at his feete beeing grieued for the death of her sonne 2. King 4.24 The Lord hath hid it from me and hath not told me c. 3. Nathan was herein deceiued because he sawe that God was with Dauid that therefore he could not be deceiued he reasoneth as they say in Schooles à dicto secundum quid ad simpliciter because God was with him at this time and prospered him in some things therefore he was with him in all Mart. 4. This teacheth vs that we should not ascribe too much to the worthines or dignitie of any as though they could not erre as here Nathan seemeth to be perswaded of Dauid 4. Quest. v. 5. How God notwithstanding Dauids vow will not haue him build him an house 1. Dauid as here he consulteth with Nathan about building of God an house so he earnestly vowed the same as Psal. 132.2 it is said He sware vnto the Lord and vowed to the mightie God of Iacob I will not enter into the Tabernacle of mine house c. nor suffer mine eyes to sleepe c. vntill I find out a place for the Lord this vow some thinke that Dauid made after the great plague when he offered sacrifice vnto God in the threshing floore of Arauna but it is not like that Dauid would make such a vow the Lord hauing signified what his will was therein before by the Prophet Nathan it seemeth therefore that at this time he bound
politicke state which was more hindered by the adulterie of women in the confusion of families and suborning of false heires in which respect indeed the fault is greater on the womans side 2. So also it was made lawfull by some Imperiall lawes for the women to seeke diuorce and separation from their husbands as appeareth by the law of Theodosius C. de repudijs in L. Cons. 3. The Romane lawes did more punish the womans offence for the aforesaid reason because the politike state receiued greater dammage thereby 4. Parents also are there charged to giue vnto their sonnes good education but the daughters are more carefully to be kept because by their fall their fathers house is defiled 2. Now that the mans offence is the greater it may be thus argued 1. because the womans sex is weaker and so much the more to be pitied 2. The man is the head of the woman and ought to giue her a good example 3. The marriage faith is mutually giuen and therefore it is broken on the mans behalfe as well as the womans 4. Men vsually are agents and entisers of women and they are entised 3. Wherefore the best resolution is this that in respect of the mutuall bond of mariage and faith of each giuen to other the offence on both sides is equall but their persons considered the man sinneth more because he is the head And in regard of the commonwealth the womans fault is more daungerous in the confusion of families and in obtruding false and supposed heires Now yet the causes why the womans offence is counted more odious the case being the same are rendered to be these two quia viri liberius agunt non habent peccata latentia vindictam the men are more readie free to accuse their wiues women are not so forward Caus. 32. qu 5. cap. 23. beeing restrained by the modestie of their sex and the mens faults are more secret and so escape vnpunished See more of this question as likewise whether adulterie is to be punished by death to the which opinion P. Martyr enclineth here Hexapl. in Exod. qu. 8.9 vpon the seauenth commandement c. 20. but somewhat of the same question shall here be inserted 17. Quest. Whether the sinne of adulterie ought to be punished by death 1. P. Martyr laboureth by these reasons to prooue the affirmatiue part 1. Death by the law of Moses is inflicted vpon the adulterous persons Leuit. 20.10 the adulterer and adulteresse are both to die 2. The order of the commandements sheweth as much for all the transgressions of the first table as idolatrie blasphemie violating of the Sabbath and of the two first commandements of the second table as disobedience to parents murther were punished by death so also adulterie then at the eight commandement the sword staieth so likewise neither the 9. or 10. commandement were inforced with the penaltie of death 3. Seeing adulterie is more against the politike state then theft simply it should rather be punished by death then the other for who had not rather loose part of his goods then his wife her honestie many intricate questions doe arise as whether by diuorce the band of marriage bee dissolued whether it be lawfull to marrie after diuorce whether the innocent party only is to be suffered to marrie whether the parties offending ought to be reconciled 5. By the lenitie of punishment adulteries encrease and this vice groweth to be publike and common Contra. 1. That law of Moses was iudiciall and politike it specially concerned the policie and state of that commonwealth as shall be shewed afterward therefore it simply bindeth not now 2. Neither doth the sword beare sway now vnder the Gospel in the punishing of the transgressions of all the former commandements vnto the seauenth by death for it were too much rigour to giue sentence of death for euerie breach of the Sabbath or for euerie disobedience to Parents neither doth the sword stay at the 8. commaundement for some kind of theft by the lawe of God is iudged worthie of death as followeth presently to be shewed and some kind of false witnesse for he was to be done vnto as he thought to doe vnto his brother Deut. 19.18 If hee were a false witnesse against his brothers life his owne life should be payed for it 3. Adulterie is more against the commonwealth then simple theft but not then euerie kind of theft And there are fowre kinds of theft by the law of God censured by the sentence of death 1. theft of men Exod. 21.16 2. theft with violence as breaking into an house Exod. 22.3 and of the same sort is all kind of robberie 3. sacriledge the stealing of things consecrated to holy things which was Achans case Ios. 7.4 and wanton theft when one stealeth not of necessitie to satisfie his hunger but of wantonnesse as he which hauing many sheepe of his owne tooke his poore neighbours onely sheepe 2. Sam. 12.3 Dauid iudgeth such an one worthie of death 4. Such questions are not superfluous and vnnecessarie for then our blessed Sauiour would not haue medled with them to shew in what cases it was lawfull for a man to dismisse his wife and marrie another Matth. 5. and 19. 5. It is not for that adulterie is not punished by death but because either straight punishments are not laid vpon adulterers and too much lenitie is shewed that this sinne so ouerfloweth in the world 2. Now on the contrarie it may thus be reasoned that adulterie is not now necessarily to be sentenced by death 1. Moses Iudicials doe not now necessarily bind but in regard of the morall equitie of them P. Martyr saith non magis not astringere ciuiles leges c. quà m cermoniales but that cannot be safely affirmed for Moses ceremonialls are absolutely and simply abrogated and to reuiue them were to violate and infringe the libertie of the gospel but the Iudicialls are left indifferent Christian Magistrates as they are not simply bound to retaine them so they may vse them as they see it to bee fitting to the commonwealth Now that this was one of the Iudicialls of Moses it is euident by this because it was peculiar to that state and pollicie that the tribes and families should be distinguished and not confounded or mixt together therefore it was fit that adulterie should be seuerely punished by the which commeth the confusion of houses corruption of blood subornation of false heires 2. Other iudiciall and penall lawes annexed to the morall precepts are not nowe in force as to put to death euerie one that violateth the Sabbaticall rest or euery one that is stubburne against their Parents 3. By Moses lawe onely that adulterie was punished which was committed with an other wife Leuit. 20.10 for the man to take a concubine to his wife or one wife to another was not then counted adulterie nor yet was punished by death for then it would follow that Abraham Iacob Dauid with others vnder
many things by the instinct of Gods spirit whereof no reason can be yeelded we must not rashly censure his acts Borrh. 3. Quest. v. 14. Who it was that bowed the hearts of the men of Iudah 1. Some vnderstand it of Zadock and Abiathar that one of them bowed the hearts of the people and perswaded them Vatab. but the word beeing put in the singular number cannot bee referred to them beeing two and ioyned together in this commission 2. Some vnderstand it of Amasa that he bowed their hearts Pellic. 3. But it is better applyed to Dauid that he by this friendly message and gentle speech perswaded them Iun. for otherwise he needed not to haue sent Zadock and Abiathar to all the elders of Iudah v. 11. but to Amasa onely 4. Quest. v. 20. How Shemei came first of all the house of Ioseph beeing of Beniamin 1. Some by the house of Ioseph vnderstand the rest also of the tribes of Israel who were sometime preserued by Ioseph and therefore he was as the author and father of them Osiand but this is not vsuall in Scripture by the tribe of Ioseph to vnderstand all Israel neither did Shemei preuent all the tribes for Iudah came before him v. 15. 2. Some doe comprehend Beniamin vnder Ioseph because they had both one mother Pellic. yet were they two distinct tribes and one was numbred with the other 3. Some also thinke that by Ioseph he meaneth Ephraim Manasseh and Beniamin because they all marched vnder Ephraims standerd Num. 2.18 Vatab. Geneven but that is not like for now they did not march in that order 4. Wherfore this is the better reading that he came before the house of Ioseph not first of the house that is though his tribe of Beniamin was situate further off from Iordan then the tribes of Ioseph as the king now came from Mahanaim to Iordan yet he to expresse his dutie and ioy came first and before them Iun. 5. Quest. v. 23. How Dauid performed his oath made to Shemei for his life Though Dauid afterward 1. Kin. 2.8 gaue Salomon charge concerning Shemei yet he broke not his oth Reconcil for 1. Dauid onely sweareth concerning himselfe and his time that he for his part would take no reuenge on him but leaue him to the iudgement of an other Iun. Bor. 2. He pardoned his former fault but conditionally that he should take heed he offended not afterward Pelli 3. And so indeed Salomon did not simply put him to death afterward for his sinne against his father but for that being confined to a place h◠broke the kings commandement and so the king tooke occasion by this meanes to doe iustice vpon him Osiand 4. Dauid hauing himselfe vpon the confession of his fault found mercy and forgiuenes with God doth also imitate the Lord therein in forgiuing Shemei vpon his submission beeing therein a type of Christ who was readie to receiue all that came in humilitie vnto him Borrh. 6. Quest. v. 25. Whether it be meant of Dauid or Mephibosheth that hee came to Ierushalem 1. Some vnderstand it of Mephibosheth and read thus when he was come to Ierusalem and met the King and make this to be the meaning when Mephibosheth being at Ierusalem had met the King Geneven but beside that this were an improper speech to say when he was come to Ierusalem if he did not go out of Ierusalem at all as yet also Dauid was not come to Ierusalem as appeareth by Barzillais speech ver 34. what time haue I to liue that I should go vp with the King to Ierusalem 2. Some other read thus whē he came from Ierusalem Osiand but beside that in this sense an other word is here vsed iatza to goe out as c. 20.10 but bo is to go in which is the word here vsed the phrase will not beare this sense for the name of the place without a preposition betokeneth to the place as v. 34. 3. Therefore it is better vnderstood of Dauid that when he that is the King was in comming to Ierusalem Mephibosheth met him Iun. Pellic. 7. Quest. v. 29. Why Mephibosheth saith that they were all of Sauls familie men of death that is worthie to die 1. Some referre it vnto the crueltie which Saul and his had shewed toward Dauid in persecuting him and vsurping the kingdom Pellic. But seeing Dauid did reuerence Saul as the Lords anointed while he liued and would not lay his hands vpon his person nay he put to death him that vaunted he had killed Saul 2. Sam. 1. there was no reason that the posteritie of Saul should incurre the sentence of death for any offence that Saul had committed 2. Therefore it is better vnderstood of the attempt which Ishbosheth made in holding the kingdome against Dauid Osiand 3. And withall Miphibosheth seemeth to haue taken part with him and to haue beene accessarie to that cōspiracie dwelling at that time with Machir of Ladebao beyond Iordan where Ishbosheth remained at Mahanaim Iun. 8. Quest. v. 29. Whether Dauid offended in diuiding Miphibosheths lands and not restoring the whole vnto him 1. The most doe accuse Dauid here of ouersight that hearing the truth how Ziba had falsely accused Miphibosheth doth yet award halfe of the land to that vnfaithfull seruant yet they doe extenuate Dauids fault partly because that Dauid by his Kingly authoritie might as he saw cause reuoke and suspend that which before hee had freely graunted to Miphibosheth Osiand And that Dauid maketh some part of amends in restoring part though not all as also he had thereto Miphibosheths consent who was contented at the Kings pleasure to haue parted withall Pellican 2. Some goe yet further and say this fact of Dauids in not restoring Miphibosheths lands knowing the truth was much worse then his first ouersight in taking them away vpon a false suggestion Genevens But that can not be for Dauid reuoketh the former sentence and maketh restitution though in their opinion not fully and therfore this latter error could not be worse 3. The Hebrewes are yet more seuere and say because Dauid broke his oath made to Ionathan and diuided Miphibosheths land that afterward his kingdome was deuided in Rehoboams time ex Pellican 4. But all this is surmised vpon a false ground for Dauid doth not here make an equall diuision of the land as vnto two owners but his meaning is that Ziba should occupie the land to halues to Miphibosheths vse as he had appointed at the first c. 9.10 and therefore Dauid expressely saith I haue said hauing relation to his first order which he had made And in this sense Dauid is to be vnderstood why speakest thou any more thy words or of thy matters not that hee cut him short as Borrh. but in a manner he saith I accept of thine excuse thou needest say no more Iun. Some thinke that Dauid was ouerseene because he punished not Ziba beeing now present But Dauid that before pardoned Shemei no maruell if he
of Ecclesiastes containe Some are delighted in antiquaries to them the holy histories are specially applyed Others loue to heare of Gods iudgements and threatnings against sinne who are to be sent to the Prophets Mart. Quest. 4. How many yeares the historie of these two bookes of Samuel containe 1. The former booke containeth not so many yeares as Iosephus computation accounteth for hee giueth 38. yeares vnto Sauls raigne whereof he raigned 18. yeares while Samuel yet liued and 20. after for adde vnto this 40. yeares of Eli for so long hee iudged Israel 1. Sam. 4.18 and 20. yeares at the least for Samuel before Saul was anointed as is gathered 1. Sam. 7.2 see the question vpon that place so should the whole summe of yeares make an 100. within two which cannot stand with that account 1. King 6.1 which setteth downe 480. yeares to be runne in the 4. yeare of Salomon from the departure of the Israelites out of Egypt vntill the building of the Temple This number consisteth of these particulars 40. yeares vnder Moses 17. vnder Ioshuah 299. vnder the Iudges 44. vnder Dauid and Salomon all which make but 400. yeares there remaineth then but 80. yeares whereof 40. were vnder Eli 1. Sam. 4.18 then there are but 40. more to be diuided betweene Samuel and Saul Act. 13.21 the first booke then containeth the historie of 80. yeares and no more 2. Then the computation which Pet. Martyr followeth can not be true that reckoneth 366. yeares from the departure of Israel out of Egypt vntill Eli which can not be from the beginning of Elies 40. yeare to the 4. yeare of Salomon are yeares 124 whereof 40. were vnder Eli 40. vnder Samuel and Saul and 40. vnder Dauid and 4. of Salomons raigne which summe of 124. being put to the former summe of 366. will make in all 490. yeares whereas the Scripture accounteth but 480. 1. King 6.1 3. The Historie then of this booke is onely of 40. yeares vnder the raigne of Dauid and certaine moneths whereof he raigned 7. yeares 6. moneths in Hebron and 33. yeares in Ierusalem 2. Sam. 5.5 Iun. CHAP. 1. Quest. 1. vers 8. Whether the Amalekite lied in telling vnto Dauid that hee slew Saul 1. THe Hebrewes doe thinke that this Amalekite lied vnto Dauid and that all this cunning tale was but deuised to insinuate himself vnto Dauid but it seemes that all was not fained as that he tooke the crowne from Sauls head before he was dead beeing fallen to the ground for he had the crowne there present to shew 2. Some doe thinke that he spake the truth and that when Saul had fallen vpon his sword this Amalekite also at Sauls motion fell vpon him so Iosephus Genevens Bor. and the Chalde interpreter seemeth to be of the same opinion reading v. 15. The sinne of thy slaughter be vpon thine owne head but this is not like to be so for these reasons 1. Saul fell vpon his sword 1. Sam. 31.5 but here he is said to leane vpon his speare that is thrust himselfe in with the speare 2. Sauls armour-bearer saw Saul dead first before he killed himselfe 1. Sam. 31.6 but here the Amalekite telleth that life was in him when he stood ouer him to make an end of him 3. It is not like that Saul hauing runne vpon his sword had memorie to aske him so many questions first to call him to him then to enquire who he was and thirdly to make his request to him 4. This young man expected a reward at Dauids hand c. 4.10 and therefore it is probable that he lied for a flatterer and a lier for the most part goe together 3. Some of the Hebrewes thinke that this young man was Doegs sonne whom they suppose to be Sauls armour bearer and that he before he killed himselfe gaue Sauls crowne and bracelet to his sonne But this young man was an Amalekite Doeg was an Edomite therefore this supposall hath no ground 4. Therefore the more probable opinion is that this Amalekite lied vnto Dauid in the most part of his tale yet herein he may be thought to speake as it fell out that he was the first that came vpon Saul beeing wounded to death and seeing no hope of life in him rifled him and tooke away his crowne and bracelet Osiand It will be obiected that if he had not killed Saul Dauids sentence had beene vniust to put him to death Ans. the confession of his owne mouth was sufficient to condemne him especially seeing he bewraied a willing and resolued mind to lay his hands vpon the Lords annointed whether he did it or no. 2. Quest. vers 9. Of these words Anguish is come vpon mee 1. The word here vsed Shabatz signifieth a garment made with eies or hoales like net-worke it also is taken for greife or anguish Diuerse readings there are then three interpretations of this place 1. Some vnderstand it of the horsemen which were armed with such coates that now had ouertaken Saul as Vatab. readeth cornua the band or troupe hath ouertaken me but the words following shew that Saul speaketh of himselfe of somewhat that had befallen him because he saith my life is yet whole in mee 2. Some referre it to Sauls garment that hindered the entering of his speare Iun. but the next verse sheweth that Saul hauing runne vpon his speare or sword was fallen to the ground and not like to liue by the Amalekites owne confession therefore the weapon had entered to the purpose and againe the word achaz signifieth properly to hold possesse or apprehend rather then to let or hinder 3. Therefore the vsuall reading is to be preferred Anguish hath caught hold of me apprehended or possessed me sic C.S.L.A.P. cum caeter the anguish of the wound and hole which the speare had made 3. Quest. v. 10. Of these words Because I was sure he could not liue 1. Some make this a reason of the words following because he was sure he could not liue after he was fallen he tooke the crowne c. B.G. that is Diuerse readings when the Amalekite had giuen him his deadly wound and saw he could not liue then he rifled him but the Hebrew distinction athnach at that word after his fall which is a perfect period breaketh off this clause from the words following 2. Therefore the meaning is that when he sawe Saul to be fallen vpon his sword and not like to liue that the Amalekite was perswaded to make an hand of him Vatab. and so the rest also doe ioyne it as a reason of the former words I came vpon him and slew him Iun. C.S.L. c. 3. Quest. vers 12. Why Dauid mourned for Saul and Ionathan 1. Dauid and his whole band wept and mourned together at the first hearing of the lamentable ende of Saul and his sonnes v. 12. but afterward Dauid by himselfe mourned more when he vttâ—red that song of lamentation 2. Dauid mourned for Ionathan as for his friend and a
aeternum extare monumentum tanti mali he would haue an eternall monument be extant of so great calamitie euen as our Sauiour cursed the fig-tree in the Gospel for it is not to be thought that this speech of the Prophet was in vaine Quest. 11. Of the order and parts of Dauids mournfull song It consisteth of two parts 1. The proposition containing the summe of the whole song and the cause of Dauids mourning which is the ouerthrow of Saul with his sonnes v. 19. which beeing as the foot or ground of this mournfull dirtie is againe repeated v. 25. and it concludeth the sonet v. 26. 2. The second part is the amplification of this calamitie which is two waies set forth first by a patheticall imprecation consisting of a double vow or request that the newes might goe no further if it be possible v. 20. and laying a curse vpon the very place v. 21. secondly by an euident declaration of the greatnesse of this losse which is described 1. by the excellencie of their persons expressed by their acts and vertues v. 22. their mutuall affection one to the other aâ—d their valour compared in swiftnesse to Eagles in strength to Lions 2. by the effects they enriched and adorned their subiects 24. 3. by shewing Ionathans ardent loue towards himselfe he also bewailed his owne priuate losse vers 26. Iun. Quest. 12. vers 23. Vpon these words In their death they were not deuided or separated 1. Hereby Dauid purgeth Ionathan who was suspected as though he had conspired with Dauid againsâ— Saul Dauid â—leareth him of this suspition seeing Ionathan shewed himselfe so louing and faitâ—full to Saâ—l that as he liued so he died with him Mart. 2. Though Saul sometime conceiued displeasure against Ionathan yet that shewed his loue rather toward him because he was iealous of Dauid for Ionathans sake fearing least he should depriue his sonne of the succession of the kingdom Pellic. 3. Further Dauid maketh mâ—ntion of this vniting and coniunction of Saul and Ionathan in their death to set forth the greatnesse of this calamitie whereby two such valiant men were together ouerthrowne whereas the fall of one excellent man alone is grieuous and much to be lamented Mart. 4. Herein we haue an example of perfit and true freindship which is not broken off by death aduersitie trouble and perill of death is a true touchstone of freindship Ionathan was so faithfull in his loue toward his father that he would not leaue him in death Borr. Quest. 13. vers 26. Of the great loue betweene Ionathan and Dauid 1. Some doe vnderstand these words thy loue to mee was wonderfull passing the loue â—f woman of Dauids loue toward Ionathan that Dauid loued him beeâ—eâ— then he did his owne wiues so the Chald. Vatab. Pellic. Osiand 2. But it is betâ—er vnderstood of Ionathans ardent affection toward Dauid which surpassed the loue of women Iun. Mart. and this to be the sense the former words doe shew My brother Ionathan verie kind hast thou beene vnto mee hee spâ—â—keth of the kindnesse of Ionathan toward him comparing his owne loue to the loâ—e of a brother but the louâ— of Ionathan to the loue of women Iuniuâ— for here in the eminencie of Ionathans loue appeared that he first beganne to loue Dauid c. 18. â— The soule of Ionathan was knit to the soule of Dauid then he continued his doe or both with his labâ—â—rs great displeasure and to the hinderance of his succession in the kingdome â— The loue of women some doe vnderstand passiuâ—ly nor that loue which men beâ—re toward them Osiand Pellic. but it is rather taken actiâ—ely for that loue which â—omen doe shew toward their husbandâ— Vatab. or toward their children as the Latine translator heâ—e interprâ—tâ—th 4. Here we may see that although we must loue euery man as our brother yet it standeth with religion to shewe more ardent affection toward some then toward others as our blessed Sauiour loued Iohn more then the rest of the Apostles Osiand Quest. 14. vers 26. Of Dauids commendation of Saul 1. Where Dauid saith how are the weapons of warre destroied thereby vnderstanding Saul and Ionathan who were warlike and valiant men hee commendeth not Saul for his pietie or any spirituall grace whereof he was destitute but for his valour and fortitude for these beeing the gifts of God and so good in themselues may be commended euen in the wicked Mart. 2. In that Dauid passeth ouer Sauls faults in silence and onely toucheth his vertues it teacheth vs to hate the errours and infimities of others so farre as with a good conscience we may Osiand 3. This was an honourable and worthie commendation of Saul both beeing from the mouth of so excellent a man as Dauid was and beside one vnto whom Saul had alwaies beene a professed enemie And the testimonie and commendation of an enemie is much to be regarded Caesar when he saw Pompey his enemies head is said to haue wept and Hannibal in that great slaughter of the Romans at Cannas sought diligently for the bodie of Paulus Aemileus the Romane Captaine there slaine to haue giuen it honourable buriall But Dauids affection toward his enemie farre exceedeth them who giueth such an honourable testimonie and commendation of him Mar. Borr. 4. Neither was this a poeticall and fained lamentation for Saul for the people of Israel verily and in deed had receiued a great blow by Sauls death but that by Gods mercie this losse was restored in Dauid Osiand 5. It were much to be wished that all wanton and lasciuious songs were laid downe in these daies and that youth would exercise themselues in such sonnets as this of Dauid which doe set forth the worthie acts and exploits of such as haue defended their countrie and protected the Church of God Pellic. CHAP. 2. 1. Quest. vers 1. How and to what end Dauid asketh counsell of God 1. IOsephus thinketh that Dauid enquired of God by some Prophet as Gad and Nathan were with him But it is like rather that he consulted by the preist namly Abiathar who had the Ephod and followed Dauid 1. Sam. 23.9 where Dauid might vse the ordinarie meanes he would not runne vnto extraordinarie Mar. Borr. Pellic. 2. Dauid though he had a promise of the kingdome yet would not take possion thereof though Saul were dead without direction from God as Iaacob did not make an escape from Laban before he was admonished by the Lord in a dreame which teacheth vs not to enterprise or take any thing in hand without the warrant of Gods word and prayer Mar. 3. Here appeareth the vnlike and farre different course which Saul and Dauid followed for he resorted vnto Witches but Dauid took his direction from God Borr. 2. Quest. vers 1. Why Dauid is directed to goe vnto Hebron 1. This Citie was famous in diuerse respects both for the antiquitie it was built seauen yeares before Zoan in Egypt Numb 13. thither also came Ioshua and Caleb
Why the Lord smote Vzzah and how 1. Some of the Rabbines thinke that Vzzah was smitten because when he saw the Arke declining he had such an inward thought as though God were not able to stay it but no such thing is in the text Petrus Camestâ—r gesseth it waâ— for that hee had companied with his wife the night before which conceiâ— riseth of their prophane and base opinion of marriage which the Apostle calleth honourable the cause is euident out of the text because they had put the Arke into a caâ—t whereâ—s it was to be caried vpon the Leuites shoulders Mar. and because beeing no Priest he touched the Arke which it was not lawfull for the Leuites to doe Osiand both these causes are rendered of this iudgement the first 1. Chron. 15.3.14 the other 1. Chron. 13.10 2. How Vzzah was smitten it is not expressed some thinke he was striken with a thunderbolt Hierome is of opinion that his shoulder and arme waâ— suddenly withered and dried vp because he should haue borne the Arke vpon his shoulder De mirabilib Script lib. 2. c. 12. Augustine thinketh he was presently suffocated so died as they which are taken with an apoplexie but it seemeth it was a violent death and that by some rent rupture or diuision of his bodie as the place was thereupon called Perâ—z Vâ—zah the rent breach or diuision of Vzzah 3. Vzzah is smitten here whereas the Philistims were not punished at all for carting the Arke for they knew not the law of God and therefore were excused by their ignorance but the Israelites if they transgressed the law did it of carelesse negligence and forgetfulnesse as Vzzah here and therefore this punishment is laid vpon him Pellican 4. And Vzzah is smitten rather then Ahio not as Hierome thinketh if hee be the author of the traditions vpon the Chronicles bâ—cause Abinadab had Vzzah carie the Arke vpon his shoulders and he refused Mar. But though Ahio with the rest of the Priests and Leuites were all guiltie of the first fault in putting the Arke into a cart yet this fault was peculiar to Vzzah in that he presumed to touch the Arke which it was not lawfull for the Leuites to doe Num. 4.11 and therefore he was smitten and not Ahio Iun. 12. Quest. v. 7. Of thâ— right vse which is to be made of this iudgement vpon Vzzah 1. The Pope grossely abused this place against the Emperour who hauing made some constitutions in Germanie concerning râ—ligion and namely that of the interim was threatned by the Pope with the vengeance that did light vpon Vzzah for medling with things that appertained not vnto him But therein the Emperour did no more then other godly Kings before him Salomon Esechias Iosias and those Christian Emperours Constantine Theodosius Honorius Arcadius Mart. 2. But this example hath this application rather 1. It condemneth all will-worship and humane deuises brought into the seruice and worship of God as Nadab and Abihu were slaine for offering with strange fire 2. It teacheth vâ— ne in alienam functionèm nos ingreamus that we intrude not our selues into an others function as Vzzia the King was smitten with leprosie because he tooke vpon him to offer incense Osiander 3. The Arke also signifieth the Scripture quae non est illotis manibus tractanda which must not be handled with vncleane hands Pellican 4. It sheweth also that a good intention declining from the prescript of Gods word is not acceptable to the Lord Osiander For Vzzah here of a good meaning staied the Arke with his hand but because it was against the Law it displeased the Lord. 13. Quest. Why Dauid was displeased 1. Whereas the words in the originall are Dauid was angrie or anger was to Dauid some take it that Dauid was angrie not with the Lord for God could not be accused of iniustice here and it was farre from Dauid to lay any such imputation vpon God but he was angrie with the negligence of the Preists and his owne ouersight in such an apparant transgression of the Law Mart. 2. But the text giuing this reason because the Lord hath smitten Vzzah sheweth that this indeed was the cause of Dauids greife therefore the meaning is that displicuit Dauidi it displeased Dauid I.G.B. or Dauid was mooued and troubled as Samuel was mooued when the Lord had cast off Saul and cried vnto the Lord all night 1. Sam. 15.11 where the same phrase is vsed 3. As Dauid was mooued and troubled so it is said Dauid feared the Lord that day which both sheweth that Dauid setting before him the like punishment vpon the Philistims first then vpon the Bethshemites for their irreuerent behauiour toward the Arke feared the like punishment himselfe and therefore durst goe no further with the Arke Mart. And beside it made Dauid more carefull afterward nihil tentare praeter doctrinam legis to attempt nothing beside the doctrine of the Law Pellican 14. Quest. Whether Dauid did well in going no further with the Arke 1. Some think that Dauid was herein ouerseene and though he were an holy man yet he was not without his faults for if he were assured that it was the Lords will to bring the Arke to Ierusalem he should not haue giuen ouer notwithstanding this crosse successe and if he were not he should neuer haue begunne and taken it in hand Mart. 2. To the same purpose Osiander that Dauid exceeded a due measure in this his feare in that he sendeth away the Arke from him as many now a dayes because they thinke themselues vnworthie to receiue the Sacrament do along time forbeare and will not receiue it at all 3. But Dauid herein rather obeyed as it seemed to him the Lords will which hee might thinke was not at this time that the Arke should be brought to his house as was declared by this fact Iun. so aguoscit se indignum c. he acknowledgeth himselfe vnworthy with whome the Arke which was the seat of God should remaine and dwell Pellic. 15. Quest. v. 10. Of the leauing of the Arke in the house of Obed Edom the Gittite 1. The most doe thinke that this Obed Edom is called a Gethite or Gittite because he had sometime soiourned with Dauid or vpon some other occasion in Gath a citie of the Philistims Pellic. Vatab. and it might be he fled thither when Saul put the Priests to death Mart. But he was so called of Gath Rimman one of the cities giuen in common by the tribe of Manasses and of Dan to the Kohathites the Leuits Iosh. 21.24 Iun. 2. And with him the Arke is left not that Dauid forced him to take the Arke and so would turne the daunger vpon an other which he feared But it seemeth rather that Obededom dwelling in the way and beeing a good man and also a Leuite that he was willing to giue entertainement vnto the Arke Osiand Martyr Rupertus thinketh that Dauid as yet knew not the cause why the Lord
Achab vsed against Naboth hee coueted but his vineyard Dauid desireth an others wife Achab wrought this onely by his wicked wife Iezabel but Dauid doth this himselfe Martyr 3. And Vriah his innocencie maketh Dauids sinne more grieuous hee which all his life before hated fraud and deceit now hateth simplicitie and truth hee which spared his cruell enemie Saul before now pursueth vnto death a most faithfull friend and dutifull subiect And further he maketh Ioab accessarie to his sinne who though his sinne was the lesse because the Kings authoritie forced him yet is it not thereby excused It might be Dauid pretended some capitall offence to haue beene committed by Vriah yet Ioab was not ignorant of the Lawe that none were to bee put to death but vnder two or three witnesses hee therefore should herein haue obeyed God rather then man Mar. 10. Quest. v. 17. Why it pleased God that Vriah in this manner should be slaine 1. In that God suffred a iust and innocent man in this manner to be cut off it need no more to call Gods iustice in question then that he suffered Iohn Baptist to be beheaded Peter and Paul to be slaine Euerie one is borne to die for death is the stipend or wages of sinne God therefore whose counsells are most secret yet most iust doth for some causes best knowne to himselfe giue way sometime to vnlawfull attempts 2. And who can tell whether Vriah had not some sinnes of his owne for the which he is chastised as in attributing too much to his wife and in suffring himselfe to be mis-led often by her or such like But we must not howsoeuer it is complaine of the Lords proceeding herein as vniust Mart. 11. Quest. v. 20. Of Ioabs answer returned vnto Dauid 1. In Ioab though it was commendable in him in that he was conuersant in the sacred histories as appeareth by the instance giuen of Abimelech yet in beeing so seruiceable to the vnlawfull desire of the king he sinned diuersly both in condemning a man his cause beeing vnheard and in accomplishing the kings desire with the losse of many beside Osiand 2. The messenger also plaieth his part to picke a thank who staied not till Dauid should obiect as Ioab had before conceiued but presently telleth Dauid of the death of Vriah which he knew would be acceptable vnto him 3. Dauid also dissembleth the matter to the intent that neither this cruell commaundement nor Ioabs fawning obedience should be discouered to the messenger Geneuens 12. Quest. v. 27. Of these words and shee became his wife Whether it be lawfull to marrie her with whome adulterie formerly was committed 1. Nothing is defined directly concerning this matter in the Scripture for Leu. 18. where many impediments of marriage are rehearsed and diuerse prohibitions of marriage yet no mention is made of this barre of adulterie going before but the reason hereof may be this because the adulterer and adultresse by Moses Law were to be stoned vnto death and so there could be no question of this matter 2. But it hath beene decreed by many Pontificiall decrees that the marriage of such who committed adulterie before should be actually void as is extant in the Extrauagant in diuerse places Extrav titul de eo qui duxeratt vxorem quam polluerat c. in tit de convers infidel can laudab But this example of Dauid convinceth that opinion whose marriage with Bethsheba the Lord ratified and confirmed 3. Wherefore the best resolution is this that such mariages are indeed altogether vnfit and inconuenient for if this were vsually permitted for the adulterer and adultresse to marie together it would giue occasion for one of them to practise against the life of an other yet though such mariages are not conuenient and may with good cause be letted and preuented and such by the Magistrate may be punished yet such marriages beeing consummate are not for any such pretense to be dissolued for then Dauids mariage had beene vnlawfull Osiand it is adulterie following after not going before that breaketh mariage knot see more of this question Synop. Cent. 3. er 96. 13. Quest. v. 27. How the thing which Dauid had done displeased the Lord. 1. In that it is said this fact displeased God there is an euident distinction and difference made betweene the thing and the person for Dauid in respect of his election was beloued of God but this thing which he had committed namely the adulterie with Bathshebah and the murther of Vriah the Lord abhorred neither is it to be held as an absurd thing that one in respect of his present estate should bee an enemie vnto God and so displeasing vnto him and yet in respect of his election beloued of God Rom. 5.8 as S. Paul saith God setteth forth his loue toward vs seeing that while we were yet sinners Christ died for vs. 2. We must learne herein to be like vnto God to loue the persons of our enemies and yet to hate and abhorre their vices as God here hateth the sinnes of Dauid yet loued his person as elected vnto life Mart. 14. Quest. Of the greatnes of Dauids sinne of adulterie and murther 1. Concerning adulterie in generall it is a most grieuous and abominable sinne as may be made plaine by these reasons 1. It is against the lawe of the creation and the first institution of marriage that hath made man and wife but one flesh which is diuided by adulterie 2. The effects thereof are vile and abhominable for adulterie bringeth forth oftentimes murther â—â— Psal. 51. hom 3. and poisoning as Chrysostome sheweth 3. Cyprian writeth that in some Churches the Christian Bishops vtterly refused to receiue adulterers into the peace of the Cchurh they held it to be so grieuous a sinne Lib 4 eâ—ist 2. 4. By the sinne of adulterie great iniurie is offred to posteritie and so to the common-wealth in the commixtion of seede Ad lâ—g Iul de adult in paâ—d in which regard Bartalus maketh it the next offence against the common wealth vnto treason 5. Thales Milesius held periurie not to be worse then adulterie 6. Yea Chrysostome maketh adulterie worse then idolatry hom 62. iâ— Iohann because the one is a pollution of marriage and maketh a dissolution thereof so doth not the other But though this argument conclude not for though in respect of mariage adulterie is the more grieuous yet simply it is not and idolatrie is fornication against God the other is against man yet these former reasons doe sufficiently lay open the vilenesse of this sinne Mart. 2. And Dauids sinne both of adulterie and murder is amplified 1. in respect of the thing or obiect which was not siluer or gold lands or possessions but the chastitie and life of man 2. The person against whome the sinne was first committed was god whose lawe was contemned and secondarily the persons of Vriah and his wife who beeing an alone woman her husband beeing gone into
the warre ought by Dauid to haue beene protected Vriah himselfe also was an innocent and harmelesse man and therefore the sinne was the greater 4. Dauids person also beeing considered the offence was the heauier who was a Prophet and a King and therefore gaue great offence by this euill example Borrh. 3. The Hebrewes to excuse Dauids sinne haue deuised that it was the vse that they which went to battell gaue their wiues a bill of separation to marrie where they would But this is their fiction for if there had beene any such vse to make it lawfull to marie such women so separated by bill of diuorce what needed Dauid so to haue practised against Vriah and why did the Prophet afterward reprooue him But if they say such a bill was but to take place after the husbands death then was it superfluous for by death without any such bill the marriage was fully dissolued Martyr CHAP. 12. 1. Quest. v. 1. Who this Nathan the Prophet was whome the Lord sent to Dauid DAuid had a sonne called Nathan c. 5.14 but he could not bee Nathan the Prophet Mar. as may appeare by these reasons 1. Nathan was borne vnto Dauid in Ierusalem and therefore in respect of his yeares could not then be a Prophet when Dauid consulted with Nathan about the building of God an house which was in the beginning of his raigne in Ierusalem c. 7. 2. Nathan the Prophet is here sent to tell Dauid of his sinne and to declare the iudgements of God against him That the Lord would raise vp euill against him euen out of his owne house Dauids owne sonne had not beene a fit messenger of such hard tydings neither would his speech haue beene so much regarded at Dauids hand 3. Therefore as Dauid had Gad the Seer to aduise him before so now he hath Nathan the Prophet 2. Quest. How long after Dauids adulterie Nathan was sent vnto him 1. It is euident that Dauid slept in this sinne toward 10. moneths Mar. for the child conceiued in adulterie was born presently after this admonition of the Prophet after so long a time Nathan was sent vnto him not as some thinke as watching his best opportunitie because when the heate of mens affections is allayed it is the fittest dealing with them for the more one is grounded by continuance in his sinne the more hardly is he brought to repentance 2. Neither is it like that Dauid in the mean time was otherwise admonished and put in minde of his sinne as by reading the scriptures and by remembring himselfe of Vriah his words vnto him Mart. for it appeareth by Dauids answer to Nathan wherein he giueth sentence against himselfe that Dauid was not yet awaked from his sinne 3. But it pleased God thus long to deferre the Prophets comming vnto him that herein might appeare the weakenesse and impotencie of our nature which is neuer able of it selfe to rise vnto repentance Osiand 4. And God herein also manifesteth his loue toward his elect in that he will not suffer them to lie downe in their sinne but euer calleth them home in time Pellic. 3. Quest. Why Nathan speaketh to Dauid in a parable 1. Iosephus thinketh this to be the reason thereof because Nathan beeing a prudent man considered that Princes were headstrong dum affectibus suis rapiuntur while they are carried with their affections and therefore he concealeth at first the threatening of iudgement but Nathan had experience of Dauids mild nature specially in matters to God-ward and therefore this was not the cause 2. But Nathan speaketh in parable 1. both to keepe a meane and measure in his reprehension that it should not be too sharpe Mar. 2. Non invadit durius quia praenouerat conuertendum hee doth not set vpon him roughly because he knewe that he should be conuerted Pellic. 3. And by this kind of couert speech Dauid is brought to giue sentence against himselfe 3. Some thinke that Nathan spake this vnto Dauid in the hearing and presence of his captaines and Princes but it is more like that Nathan did admonish him priuately the more easily to winne him Mar. 4. And Nathan reuealing vnto Dauid his sinne in particular as though he had bin therein of his counsell receiued this direction no doubt from the Lord. 5. Though Dauid himselfe were a Prophet yet a Prophet is sent vnto him tanquam medicus ad medicum sed sanus ad aegrotum as one Physitian to an other but the sound to the sicke as Chrysostome saith 4. Quest. v. 4. Of the stranger that came to the rich man 1. Rupertus by this stranger vnderstandeth the deuill who came vnto this rich man Dauid who would not be entertained with any of Dauids owne wiues whom Dauid might lawfully vse but stirreth him vp to desire strange flesh 2. Some more fitly by this stranger would haue concupiscence vnderstood which should haue but a strangers entertainement with vs not be as an in-dweller Mart. Osiand 3. But it is not necessarie to presse euery part of a parable it is sufficient if it hold in that wherein the application consisteth as the purpose of the prophet here is to lay open the wrong which Dauid had done in taking his neighbours only wife himselfe hauing many 5. Quest. v. 5. Whether the sentence of death pronounced by Dauid were according to the Lawe The Lawe of Moses against theft was that the theife should restore fiue oxen for one and fowre sheepe for one Exod. 22.1 but here Dauid giueth sentence of death against the oppressor 1. Some thinke that Dauid thus speaketh onely to exaggerate the offence not as meaning he should die like as a Iudge may say to shewe the greatnesse of the male-factors offence that he is worthy of a thousand deaths but it appeareth by Nathans answer afterward vnto Dauid vpon his repentance v. 13. thou shalt not die that Dauids meaning was that such an offender indeede was worthie to die and so Iosephus also vnderstandeth it 2. Some answer that it was in the Iudges power to adde to the punishment or take from it pro ratione circumstantiarum according to the circumstances Martyr which may indeede bee safely affirmed in punishments of the same nature and kind as in pecuniarie mulcts and corporall castigations but to change the kind of the punishment as to inflict death vpon the malefactour where the lawe imposed not the penaltie of death might seeme an open and apparant transgression of the lawe 3. Therefore the best answer is that euen by Moses law some kind of theft might be censured with death as he that did breake thorough an house he might be slaine Exod. 22.3 this theft then beeing ioyned with rapine and violence and beeing a theft of wantonnesse not of necessitie as when one stealeth to satisfie his hunger might iustly receiue the sentence of death 4. And beside Dauid adiudgeth that he should restore foure fold according to the Law Exod. 22.1 but some vnderstandeth dubble fourefold that is
some punishment is inflicted vpon him 1. The Romanists vpon this example doe ground that assertion of theirs that the sinne beeing remitted the punishment may still remaine which they make the ground of their purgatorie-paines where for a while they whose sinnes are pardoned do yet indure some torment 2. But this doctrine hath no warrant from Gods word for where God once remitteth sinnes he remembreth them no more they shall not be mentioned Esech 18.22 but if the punishment of sinne should remaine there a remembrance of sinne is also reuiued wherefore together with the sinne paena vltionis the punishment of reuenge is remitted those penalties which remaine are for the example of others and the further admonition of the parties themselues non sunt paen◠irati sed amantis Dei they are the chastisements not of an angrie but a louing God Mar. 12. Quest. Of the diuerse punishments of adulterie The punishment which is imposed vpon Adulterie is either diuine or humane and this is either Ciuill or Ecclesiasticall which shall be breifly shewed in their order 1. The Diuine censure is either that which is grounded vpon the law of nature or declared more euidently in the Scripture By the first law of nature euen the Gentiles and others before the law written iudged adulterie worthie of death as Abimelech decreed that whosoeuer touched Isaak or his wife should die the death Gen. 26.11 Potiphar adiudged Ioseph for the like suspicion though most false vnto the place prison of capitall offenders Gen. 39. Iudah gaue sentence that Thamar who had plaied the whoore beeing promised and so espoused to Selah to be burned By the positiue and written law of Moses the adulterer and adulteresse were to die though the one were not actually maried but onely betrothed Deut. 22.23 2. Humane Ciuill lawes were of diuerse sorts some were corporall in the chastisment of the bodie without death The Egyptians as witnesseth Diodorus Siculus did cut off the nose of the adulteresse and did beate the adulterer with many stripes almost to death Zalenius among the Locrensians made a law that the adulterer should loose both his eyes and it so falling out that his sonne was taken in adulterie he to satisfie the law caused one of his sonnes eyes to be put out and one of his owne as Aelianus testifieth lib. 13. Among the Germanes witnesse Cornelius Tacitus the adulteresse was stript naked her haire beeing cut off and her husband beat her vp and down with a staffe The people called Laciadae as Suidas or Placiadae did punish the adulterer about his priuie parts Some punished adulterie with publike shame and infamie as Plutarke writeth how the people Gortinei would bring them forth into publike view Plut. in Prob. which were taken in adulterie and crowne them with wooll shewing thereby their effeminate nature the Cumians set the adulteresse vpon a stone where she was mocked of all the people and then caried about vpon an asse and euer after that was in disdaine called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an asse-rider Among the Romans the law of Augustus Caesar called lex Iulia thus prouided against those which committed adulterie 1. The adulterer and adulteresse were both held as infamous persons the adulteresse straight after she was deprehended in the fact the adulterer after he was publikely condemned 2. They lost the dowrie and marriage gift 3. The accuser in this case could not be agreed with for money as in other capitall crimes 4. The woman could not accuse the husband of adulterie but the husband the wife or her father or her brethren 5. It was not lawfull for the man to kepe his wife conuicted of adulterie but he was held as a bawde to his own wife neither was it lawfull for any to marrie her 6. By this law they were punished which did but sollicite others to adulterie 7. The souldiers which committed adulterie were discharged from their coulors Beside this ignominie and shame among the Romans such incurred the adulteresse was brought forth publikely in her husbands gowne and sometime such were condemned to the brothelhouses and stewes But Theodosius abolished that euill vse least sinne should by this meanes be added vnto sinne Some haue punished adulterie with death as the Arabians as Strabo witnesseth Among what nations adulterie wa◠punished by death lib. 16. Saletus the Cratonian made a law that adulterers should be burned aliue as Lucianus testifieth And beeing himselfe detected of adulterie hauing by an oration in his owne defense almost perswaded the people to haue compassion toward him he voluntarily leaped into the fire Among the Athenians it was lawfull to kill the adulterer taken in the deed doing as is euident in the oration of Lysias which treateth of the death of Eratosthenes the adulterer Among the Romans likewise it was lawfull so to doe in the time of Cato before the Iulian law as Seneca in his declamations putteth the case of one that disinherited his sonne because taking his wife with one in adulterie and bidding him to kill them both he refused to doe it But afterward this libertie was restrained the husband was forbidden to kill his wife taken in adulterie the adulterer he might least that men by this meanes might haue practised against their wiues Further Iulius Caesar put one to death for playing the adulterer with a certen matrone Opilius Macrinus vsed to burne the adulterer and adulteresse together Aurelianus as Vopiscus testifieth caused a souldier which had defloured his hosts wife to be rent in sunder by the toppes of trees tied to his bodie Augustus caused Proclus to die for adulterie Constantine made a law decreeing capitall punishment vnto adulterers which continued vntill the time of Hierome who writeth of a woman suspected of adulterie seauen times smitten with a sword Iustinian after mitigated this law on the part of the adulteresse Epist ad Innoc. decreeing such to be beaten with clubbes and then thrust into a monasterie but concerning the adulterer the punishment remained still Tiberius banished the adultresse 200. miles out of the citie the adulterer was expelled out of Italie and Africa And such were the ciuill punishments inflicted vpon such as committed adulterie Mart. 3. And such for the most part were the ciuill ordinances and decrees against adulterie as we haue seene the Ecclesiasticall censures were also of diuerse sorts 1. In some places they denied the peace of the Church to adulterers neuer admitting them to the communion some recieued such but after a long time of penance Cypriane misliked their rigour that vtterly denie reconciliation vnto them but altogether exclude them lib. 4. epistol c. 2 2. The Ancyrane synod imposed vpon adulterers seauen yeares penance c. 14. which the Eliberine counsell brought to fiue yeares 3. Ministers and Clergie men committing adulterie were for euer remooued from their ministerie distinct 81. c. 11.12 4. The councell of Neocaesarea decreed that if a Ministers wife fell into the sinne of adulterie hee should dismisse
the law that had many wiues or some concubines beside their wiues liued in adultery which is no waies to be admitted and the word adulterium properly signifieth alterius adire thorum to goe vnto an others bedde But now seeing Adulterie is either simplex simple when one of the parties is married or duplex adulterium double adulterie when both parties are married there is no warrant from Moses lawe to punish single adulterie on the mans behalfe with death 4. Our blessed Sauiour Ioh. 8.11 did dismisse the adulterous woman not giuing direction that she should be stoned to death But here diuerse answers are made 1. That because they came to tempt Christ either to accuse him of too much seuerity in condemning her and so he should loose the fauour of the people who commended him for his clemencie or as a transgressor of the law if he freed her he doth so answer the Pharises as that they should neither way haue aduantage against him 2. He doth not condemne her because he medled not with the Magistrates office 3. He sawe her penitent and therefore absolueth her 4. He was no witnesse of her sinne and therefore could not accuse her Mart. Contr. 1. Our blessed Sauiour did not ambitiously seeke the fauour of the people that he needed in that behalfe to suspend his iudgment concerning the rigour of Moses lawe they could haue taken no exception vnto Christ in ratifying of Moses law if it had pleased him that the rigour thereof should haue remained still therefore that was not the cause of his silence therein 2. Though as a Magistrate he would not inflict punishment yet as a teacher hee might haue giuen direction as he did in an other case concerning the bill of diuorce Matth. 19. 3. The inward repentance did not dispense with the outward punishment which was for the example of others 4. Christ needed not in this case to bee a witnesse for there were other witnesses beside that said she was taken in the verie deed doing yet though he neither tooke vpon him to be witnes accuser or iudge in this case our Blessed Sauiour might and in all liklihood would haue giuen direction to take a course according to Moses law if his will had beene to haue that obserued as a perpetuall lawe 5. Wherefore this is most probable that although our blessed Sauiour by this his silence intended not altogeâ—her to abrogate Moses lawe yet it pleased him well it should not be so rigorously executed when he said let him that is among you without sinne cast the first stone at her lib. â— ad Poll. c. 6 7. This place is by Augustine vrged to the same end to shew that adulterie is not necessarily to be met withall by death And in an other place he maketh this application of it that Christ beeing two wayes vrged by the Pharisies if he bid her to be stoned to death they would accuse his seueritie if he set her free they would blame his lenitie therefore Christ giueth such an answer as might preuent both these exceptions in that he saith let him that is without sinne c. iustitiae vox est â—om 10. ser. 47. puniatur peccator sed non à peccatoribus c. let the offender be punished but not by them which are likewise offenders audiamus etiam mansuetudinis vocem c. let vs heare also the voice of clemencie neither doe I condemne thee not that Christ did winke at sinne sed damnauit non hominem sed peccatum he condemned not the partie but the sinne saying Goe sinne no more 6. S. Paul also whereas the lawe of Moses decreeth him to be put to death that should lie with his fathers wife Leuit. 20.11 yet maketh no mention of any such punishment to be imposed vpon the incestuous young man that had taken his fathers wife 1. Cor. 5. and 2. Cor. 2. If it be answered that the Christians had no beleeuing Magistrates then but the sword was in the hand of Pagans yet in such ciuill punishments it was the Apostles mind that they should submit themselues to the ciuil power for he was the Minister of God to take vengeance on him that did euill Rom. 13.4 7. Wherefore it is euident that no certen punishment is appointed vnder the Gospel for adulterie but that it is free for euery state to punish it either by death or by some other grieuous censure according to the qualitie of the sinne As the Egyptian law was to cut off their noses and to disfigure them the Germanes beate them with cudgels Tiberius banished them By these or any like courses adulterie may be sharply enough punished only the fault is when by too much lenitie and conniuence men make but a sport of this sinne 18. Quest. v. 14. Of Nathans words to Dauid thou shalt not die 1. There are three kinds of death a naturall end a violent death and euerlasting death in the next world from these two last Dauid is deliuered that neither hee should die eternally nor presently by the sword or by Gods hand as he had cause to feare Mart. 2. Wherein the Lord sheweth him meâ—cy in reuersing the sentence which he had giuen against himselfe before Borrh. 3. And thus much is insinuated that he should not die for this but others of his housâ— as his child in whome he seemed in some part to die Mart. and though he should not die yet hee was to endure amariora morte things more bitter then death Pellican 4. And here appeareth the difference of the law which in Dauid saith he was the child of death and of the Gospel which by Nathan saith thou shalt 〈◊〉 die Borrh. 19. Quest. v. 14. How Dauid is said to haue caused the enemies of God to blaspheme 1. Some vnderstand it of the peruerse and wicked men in Israel that would take occasion hereby to accuse the Lord of iniustice for preferring Dauid before Saul who was not detected of â—ny such sinne of adulterie But they properly could not be said to be the enemies of God he meaneth such as were professed aduersaries 2. Pet. Martyr referreth it to the triumph of the Ammonites who put the Israelites to flight and slewe diuerse of them together with Vriah and so thereby were occasioned to insult against God 3. Vatablus expoundeth it thus that they should blaspheme God because he had set vp a wicked man to be king 4. But the better sense is to vnderstand it of the generall reproach of religion that the Gentiles seeing Dauid commit such sinnes as were odious among theÌ„ should thereby take occasion to condemne the religion it selfe as false and not him to be true God whom they worshipped Borrh. 20. Quest. v. 14. Why the child dieth borne in adulterie 1. The children may temporally and corporally be punished for the sinnes of their parents who themselues are touched when they see the miserie of their children Osiand 2. But none shall suffer for an other eternall punishment Mart.
3. And much vnlike are Gods iudgements vnto the ciuill lawes of men for here the child is not to suffer for the parents offence with God it is otherwise before whome none is innocent Borrh. 4. And if the child were altogether faultlesse no punishment could lie vpon him but seeing the infant hath originall sinne and is a part of the parents God may most iustly in his secret iudgement hasten that ende sooner which by the course of nature euerie one is subiect vnto Borrh. 5. And God in his wisedome did take away this child because hee should haue liued but to bee a shame vnto Dauid Mart. 21. Quest. v. 16. Why Dauid be sought the Lord for the child whom the Prophet said should die Dauid doth not herein oppose himselfe to Gods will 1. He might thinke that this commination was conditionall that vpon his teares and repentance the Lord might reuerse his sentence as he did when Hezekiah was sicke and when Ionas preached against the Ninivites 2. And although these examples followed after Dauids time yet there were the like before as Dauid might remember how the Lord commaunded Abraham to sacrifice his sonne yet it pleased him otherwise and the Lord threatned to destroy Israel but he was entreated to spare them at the intercession of Moses Numb 14. 3. And Dauid herein onely shewed his naturall affection still subordinating his prayer to the will of God as Christ did to shew his humane condition when he praied that the cuppe might passe from him 4. Hereby also Dauid sheweth his confidence how sure and certen he was that the Lord had pardoned his sinne seeing he was bold to make intercession for his son Pel. 22. Quest. v. 18. Vpon what seauenth day the child died and what is gathered thereupon 1. Borrhaius saith it was the seuenth day of his sickenesse which is a criticall day for then the sickenes vsually abateth or encreaseth more But this being a sicknes sent of god vpon this child there was no vse of any such naturall obseruation therfore it is agreed by the Hebrewes that it was thâ— seauâ—nth day from the birth of the chiâ—d so also Iun. Mart. 2. Now in that this child dying vpon thâ— seauenth day was not circumcised and yet Dauid was cheared after the childs death aâ— not doubting of the saluation thereof Dauid was not then of that minde which the Romanists are of now to thinke his child damned for want of circumcision as they hold all infants dying without baptisme to be excluded heauen But gratia non est alligata symboliâ— Gods grace is not â—ied vnto the signe Controv. The contempâ— not the want of baptisme condemneth The Romanistâ— themselues allowe of that distiâ—ction of baptisme fluminis flaminis sanguinis the baptisme of water of the spirit of blood that the martyrdome of the Saints that shed their blood for Christ the inward worke of the spirit supplyeth in many thâ— want of baptisme by water Mart. Pellic. 3. We see by this president that God may often refuse his owne seruants in temporall things for Dauid obtained not his petition here Osiand 4. And in that this child liueth not but Salomon next borne liued therein is shadowed forth the old man which must die in the members of Christ and the newe man which must liue vnto God Borrh. 23. Quest. v. 20. Whether Dauid was not vncleane and his house by the dead corps of the childe 1. Whereas there is a Law Numb 19.14 that when one died in a tent all that came into the tent and whatsoeuer was in the tent should be vncleane seuen dayes and yet Dauid presently after the death of the infant washed himselfe and went vp into the house of God the places are thus reconciled that Dauids house must bee supposed to be verie large the verie place where the child died was vncleane as the tent was wherein any died but it is like that Dauid came not at that place nor neere the infant All his house could not thereby be made vncleane for the Arke of God was at this time in Dauids house in a Tabernacle which Dauid had prepared for it Martyr 24. Quest. v. 23. Why Dauid leaueth weeping the child beeing dead 1. One reason was because Gods will now appeared that hee would not retract his former decree concerning the death of the child Osiand for then if he had continued praying still he should seeme to haue spurned against Gods will 2. Though Abraham beleeued that God could haue raised vp Izaak from the dead when he was commaunded to sacrifice him Hebr. 11.19 yet Dauid had no such hope here because hee had no such promise of this child as Abraham had of Izaak Mart. 3. An other reason why Dauid ceaseth mourning is because no singular thing had befallen the child he was borne to die and Dauid himselfe should also follow after Pellic. 4. Some doe gather a third reason why Dauid stayeth mourning because he was perswaded the child was well for he saith he should goe vnto him but of his owne saluation he doubted not the rest of our writers doe interpret this phrase generally of beeing dead as likewise that which the counterfeit Samuel said to Saul to morrow thou and thy sonnes shall be with me 1. Sam. 28.18 But I rather thinke with Augustine that the speciall estate and condition of the dead is thereby insinuated and thereupon hee doth collect that it was not true Samuel which appeared to Saul because he telleth a lie Ad Simplic lib. 2. qu. 3. for magno intervallo separari bonis à mâ—lio legimus c. we finde that the good are a great way separated froÌ„ the euill in the next world And this phrase is like to that when the Patriarcheâ— are said to bee gathered to their people See Hexapl. in Genes c. 25. qu. 15. that is not onely dead but in the state of grace associate vnto the blessed companie of Saints in heauen 5. But why doth not Dauid mourne for this infant and yet made such lamentation for Saul Ionathan Abner Absalom Dauid mourned for some of them because the commonwealth sustained great losse by them and for others because they died in their sinnes as Absalom here is no such cause in respect of the one or the other Mart. 6. This example of Dauid in praying for the liuing child but ceasing to pray for him beeing dead euidently conuinceth the errour of the Romanists Controv. Against pâ—ayer for the dead who make superstitious prayers and intercessions for the dead Dauid here sheweth that it is in vaine to pray for them which are departed Borrh. Mart. 25. Quest. v. 24. How Dauid comforted Bathsheba now called his wife 1. Bathsheba was in heauinesse not onely for the death of the child but because of the sinne which they had committed and therefore Dauid did his part to comfort her Osiand 2. The Hebrewes thinke that Bathsheba refused to companie with Dauid least that child might
beeing in danger of shipwracke in the sea and much afraid wheras an other rude man yet hardie feared nothing and being asked why he was so fearfull beeing a Philosopher made answer non debuisti sollicitus esse tu de anima nebulonis ego videbam Aristippum philosophum periclitari thou hadst no reason to take care for the soule of a knaue but I knew that Aristippus the philosopher was in danger c. So the heathen had no such cause to be mooued for they knew not what should become of their soules neither were they of such price with God as the soules of his seruants whom he reserueth for a better life 2. An other reason of this vacuitie of passion among the Heathen was that receiued opinion of the Stoicks who held that there should be in a wise man 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an absence of all passion The Peripatetikes held that passions and affections were to be moderated the other would haue them to bee quite rooted out But this were to blame the God of nature who created man with passions and affections and whatsoeuer God made was good and the affections of anger zeale desire sorrow with the rest are many times the instruments of vertue beeing well vsed Indeede the holy Martyrs of Christ in the midds of their torments seemed to be without sense of griefe not as though they were without any feelling or passion but the exceeding great ioy which they had in the contemplation of a better life did swallow vp all their other affections and this strength in them was extraordinarie and supernaturall but the question is here of the ordinarie state and condition of the faithfull This then is the doctrine of Christian religion be angrie but sinne not Eph. 4.26 that men should vse their affections but yet moderate them and keepe them within their bounds 3. And concerning the patience of the Gentiles with other their vertues of iustice fortitude temperance they were but speciosa peccata goodly sinnes because they were without faith and without faith it is not possible to please God Heb. 11.6 So that we doubt not but that Dauid with his passionate teares which proceeded of faith was more accepted of God then the vnpassionate heathen which had no faith Mart. 16. Quest. Of the passions and affections that were in our blessed Sauiour 1. Our blessed Sauiour as he was perfect God and so without passion so was he perfect man and so tooke vpon him true humane affections as of ioy sorrow anger for that all these were in him the Gospel doth abundantly testifie otherwise he had not beene a perfect man as Augustine saith neque cum verum corpus hominis animam habuit habuit falsum affectum humanum neither when he had the true bodie and soule of a man had he false affections 2. Therefore those sayings of Hilarie are warily to be read and considered Christum ad patiendum Lib. 10. de Trinit non ad dolendum corpus habuisse that Christ had a bodie to suffer not to grieue and the crosse of Christ the speares and nailes he saith impetum passionis fecisse in Christo at non dolorem did force passion in Christ but no sense or griefe as when a man smiteth the water there is a passion and suffering in it but no sense or feeling c. These assertions are dangerous and against the Scripture the bodie of Christ is not to be imagined to haue such stupiditie as things without life and sense He had a perfect humane soule and therefore affection also and sense 3. But there is great difference between the affections which Christ had and ours 1. in respect of the obiect our affections doe turne into sinne but Christs were neuer occupied in any sinfull or imperfect act 2. All Christs affections were in him voluntarie they did rise in him when he pleased to shew them and they appeared not when he pleased to suppresse them but in vs they are often involuntarie and they rise whether we will or no. 3. Our affections are so precipitate that may times they ouerrule reason but so were not our blessed Sauiours ex Mart. 17. Quest. Why holy men and womâ—n vnder the olde Testament shewed more passion then now In the newe Testament also the seruants of God did shew their passions and affections as the woman that washed Christs feete with her teares and Peter wept bitterly but these examples indeede are not so many in the new Testament nor in such manner 1. One reason hereof may be the alteration of times that may seeme commendable in one age which is not so allowed of in an other then their lamentations were solemne and publike and with many ceremonies and much preparation which vsages doe not beseeme these times 2. But it may better be answered that they did more attend the terrene promises of the land of Canaan and the good successe and encrease of their posteritie though they had also a sight of the true spirituall rest but not so cleare as we haue therefore they sorrowed more for the losse of externall things But now because wee by faith are nourished into a more lively hope of the things to come we ought lesse to be mooued with temporall losses and crosses Mart. 18. Quest. v. 39. Of Dauids desire to Absalom 1. Some read Dauid ceased to goe forth after Absolom Vat. Lat. Pellic. Montan. as though Dauid had sought him or pursued him by strong hand Osiand for both Absalom was gone out of the land beeing fledde to Talmai king of Geshur his wiues father and Dauids affection was not so bent against him who afterward when he had rebelled against him lamented for his death It is therefore better read he desired to goe forth vnto him that is to see him Pag. Iun. B. G. 2. The reason is adioyned he was comforted concerning Amnon 1. both for that he was dead and could not be restored to life againe Iun. 2. and he considered that Amnon died iustly for his sinne Borrh. 3. time also had mitigated and allayed his griefe Pelliâ— 4. And he therein considered Gods prouidence by the which all things are disposed and nothing falleth out by chance Mart. CHAP. 14. 1. Quest. What mooued Ioab to take this course in this chapter prescribed to bring againe Absalom 1. IOab sawe Dauids affection well enclined toward Absalom not turned against Absalom as Osiand for the last verse of the former chapter sheweth that Dauid was comforted for the death of Amnon and longed for his sonne Absalom Dauid was well affected toward his sonne yet would not yet send for him to returne because by the lawe of God he that killed an other wifully was to die Ioab beeing a cunning courtier and obseruing Dauids minde beganne to worke with him in this cunning manner in suborning a subtill woman to speake vnto the King Mart. 2. P. Martyr thinketh that Ioab did this to gratifie Dauid because he sawe that it would please him
arguments whereby the woman seeketh to perswade Dauid 1. She returneth the Kings words vpon himselfe that seeing hee had giuen sentence that her sonne should be spared he should be found faultie himselfe if he shewed not the like mercie to Absalom Iun. 2. Her second reason is v. 14. taken from our mortall state and the necessitie of death seeing such is our condition as that wee must all needes die and there is no turning againe in this world like as water which is spilt cannot be gathered vp againe she hereby mooueth compassion that Dauid would not take away Absaloms life before the time Mart. 3. An other reason in the same verse is taken from Gods prouidence neither hath God taken away his life c. that is God hath preserued Absalom aliue and hath appointed meanes that is put into the peoples head to make request for him that is banished Iun. and here also shee hath relation to the cities of refuge which God had appointed for the rescue of involuntarie man-slayers Mart. and secretly shee insinuateth how the Lord had spared Dauid and did not take away his life after he had sinned Osiand 4. She further vrgeth the common perill and danger of the people saying v. 15. the people haue made me afraid their state and condition is to be feared if Absalom the hope of the kingdome returne not Vatablus thus interpreteth the people terrified me and told me that if I should directly make request for thy sonne thou wouldest be angrie and this is the cause of my couert speech P. Mar. thus the people thought I should make request in vaine yet I was bold to speake Osiander the people vrged me after I had entreated for mine owne sonne to make mention of Absalom also and that if I did it not I should greatly offend But the first sense is most fit for so the application of the parable to Absalom shall be correspondent to that which shee alleadged for her sonne that if he died her sparke should bee put out and so Absalom was the hope of the people 5. Further vers 16. shee sheweth the inconuenience that would followe propounding it in her person and her sonnes that as they should be cut off from their inheritance for her sonne beeing slaine she should not liue long after so Absalom beeing in exile should be destroyed from the inheritance of God and so fall away to idolatrie Mart. this argument Dauid in the same tearmes had vrged against Saul 1. Sam. 26.19 They haue cast me out this day from abiding in the inheritance of the Lord saying goe serue others gods 6. Then she propoundeth the common profit the word of my Lord the King shall now be for rest that is ad publicam tranquilitatem it shall be for the common tranquilitie and peace 7. She proceedeth and inserteth the commendation of the King comparing him to an Angel both in vprightnesse of iudgement and in dexteritie of iudging Bor. not doubting but â—hat as an Angel so graciously without passion he would heare her request Osiand and be constant as an Angel in keeping his princely promise Pellican and that as he had giuen sentence on her side in her priuate cause so that setting aside all humane affection he would in simili causa idem iudicium ferre giue the same iudgment in the like cause concerning his sonne Absalom Iun. 8. She concludeth with the cheifest benediction of all the Lord thy God shall be with thee when thou hast performed my request the Lord shal prosper thee in thy gouernment and thy kingdome shall flourish and God shall be with thee in all thy enterprises Iun. Mart. 8. Quest. v. 19. Whether the woman be to bee blamed for reuealing Ioabs counsell 1. Pellican noteth hereupon how dangerous a thing it is to commit any matter of secrecie vnto women that cannot hold because this woman concealed not Ioabs counsell 2. But the woman beeing asked and straightly charged by the king could not doe otherwise she knewe that the king was wise euen as an Angel of God to finde it out if shee had denied it and so shee should haue beene to her great shame found to be a lyar Vatabl. 3. And it may seeme not improbable that she and Ioab had agreed that shee should in the ende discouer the matter for Ioab was present as may be gathered v. 21. readie to second the womans petition as he should see cause Mart. 4. And in that shee maketh Ioab the author of this course that shee should change her speech and speake parable-wise their opinion is confuted which thinke the woman spake as the thing was concerning her two sonnes for here shee confesseth that she was taught by Ioab to change her forme of speach Mart. 9. Quest. Whether Dauid did well in sparing Absalom 1. Dauids conniuence herein in not causing Absalom to be put to death for killing his brother Amnon neither is absolutely to be condemned as transgressing the lawe which requireth capitall punishment to bee laid vpon those which committed wilfull murder to the which opinion P. Martyr enclineth adding further non de suo sed de Dei iure largitur qui homicidae parcit he which spareth a man-slayer doth not giue any thing of his owne right but of Gods c. for Dauid did what hee could he caused him to liue in banishment three yeares cap. 13.38 then he was hardly entreated to giue him leaue to returne and at his returne he would not suffer him to see his face for two yeares more v. 28. Dauid could not put him to death because he was beloued of the people 2. Nor yet can this fact of Dauid be iustified that he did well in sparing of Absalom and not punishing of him the example of Cain who killed his brother Abel and yet was spared by his father Adam is nothing like for God gaue speciall dispensation at that time to Caine to prolong his dayes but to his greater confusion and beside Cain was preserued for the necessitie of procreation in those dayes there is not the like reason why Absalom should be spared here 3. Therefore the meane way is best neither to condemne or iustifie this fact of Dauid as seeming to impugne the lawe of Moses nor yet to justifie it excused it may be by diuerse circumstances 1. there were no accusers or reuengers which followed this crime against Absalom 2. he was the kings sonne and desired of the people 3. he considered that it was Gods iustice vpon Amnon 4. And beside here was Gods secret worke in so disposing that Absalom should bee reserued for a greater punishment Borrh. 10. Quest. Why Dauid would not admit Absalom to his presence 1. Dauid would not at the first suffer Absalom to see his face least he might haue bin thought scelus homicidij leuiter aestimare to make but small account of man-slaughter Osiand 2. And by seeing Absalom the memorie of Amnons death might bee reviued 3. It is like also that it would
were called widdowes viri superstitis of the husband yet suruiuing But it is euident rather by the text that they were thus enclosed and sequestred vnto the day of their death Iun. 3. Yet Dauid nourished and kept them with all things necessarie because he considered that they were forced thereunto Osiand Ioseph But yet Dauid should as well or rather haue punished those which were either causes or coÌ„senters to this disgrace of which number Amasa was one who beeing then a cheife man about Abshalom was contented he should follow Achitophels wicked counsell and was himselfe a beholder of it Pellican 3. Quest. Issuing out of the former Whether perpetuall widdowhood or virginitie may be inflicted or enioyned 1. That a man is not bound to render the matrimoniall debt where the faith of wedlocke is broken by any adulterous or incestuous act it is cleare by the example of Iacob who is thought not to haue companied with Billah after Ruben had committed incest with her for Iacob saith his bed was defiled Gen. 49.3 Borrh. So also Dauid vpon iust cause refrained from the companie of those concubines 2. But it is an harder question whether the husband or the Magistrate may enioyne vnto the offending wife perpetuall widdowhood after the husbands death which I rather encline to thinke ought not to be for these reasons 1. Because the husband hath no longer power ouer his wife then while he liueth as the Apostle sheweth Rom. 7.2 If the man be dead shee is deliuered from the power of the man 2. Againe this were to denie vnto the weake partie the remedie against fornication which is marriage and so they might be occasioned to liue in sinne still and therefore the Apostle alloweth euery woman to haue her husband 1. Cor. 7. c. 3. It is against nature to inhibite the procreation of children in restraining women from marriage apt for procreation these two latter reasons are vrged by the law of Iustinian made on the behalfe of widdowes not to be enioyned widdowhood Cod lib. 6. tit 42. leg â— cum mâ—lieres ad hoc natura progenuerit vt partus ederent maxima eis cupiditas in hoc constituta est seeing nature to this end hath bred women to bring forth children and there is in them a great desire thereunto 3. Herein the Ciuill law seemeth to be more equall then the Canons which decree thus Adultera non nubat etiamsi mortuus fuerit vir eius c. the adulteresse shall not marrie no not when her husband is dead but doe penance all the daies of her life Caus. 32. qu. 7. c. 22. likewise if a man had lien with his wiues sister they did both permanere sine spe coniugij continue without hope of marriage Ibid. c. 23. so was it also decreed in the Triburian counsell that if one lay with his mother in law neuter ad coniugium peruenire potest neither of them can come to marriage Ibid. c. 29. But the Apostle enioyned no such thing to the incestuous young man that had taken his fathers wife 1. Cor. 5.1 but onely tooke a course that he should be brought to repentance Likewise the imperiall constitution ordained that if a man gaue a legacie to his wife vpon condition she should not marrie that she would enioy the gift although she did marrie and in the same imperiall constitution the Iulian law is repealed that gaue the widow libertie to marrie againe taking an oath that she did it for procreation sake the law saith tale iuramentuÌ„ conquiescat lex Iulia cedat c. such an oath shall cease and the Iulian law giue place and libertie is there giuen for the widdow without taking such oath to betake her to second marriage 4. But the example of Iepthah is vrged that according to the opinion of the most and best Interpreters did consecrate his daughter to perpetuall virginitie to the which it is answered first that Iepthah in so doing shewed himselfe ignorant of the law which alloweth the redemption both of male and female for money Leuit. 27.4 and therefore Iepthah saying he could not goe backe declareth his ignorance of the lawe in that point secondly Iepthahs daughter herein consented to her father to become a votarie and perpetuall virgin vnto God so that it was voluntarie in her and not compulsiue 5. And touching this example of Dauid in sequestring his concubines during their life these considerations are to be weighed 1. That men had greater power then ouer their wiues then now for Moses as our Sauiour saith for the hardnesse of heart allowed them to make a bill of diuorcement 2. There is a difference betweene a wife and a concubine that may be enioyned a concubine which is not to be imposed vpon a wife the one beeing as free the other bound 3. This was a particular and speciall case concerning the King these concubines offended two wayes both in committing incest and in violating the Maiestie of the King for both which they were worthie of death wherein though Dauid shewed them clemencie yet it was fit that otherwise an example should be made of them 4. The women themselues were ashamed to be seene abroad but it seemeth were contented to lead a priuate life and so to be sequestred from the world during their life 4. Quest. v. 6. Whom Dauid meaneth speaking to Abishai by thy Lords seruants 1. Some thinke that Dauid calleth Amasa Abishai his Lord because he was assigned now to be the Captaine of the host as Vriah calleth Ioab his Lord c. 11.11 Iun. But although Dauid had purposed to preferre Amasa to Ioabs place yet now seeing Amasa to be slacke and so suspecting his fidelitie Dauid had no reason to giue him such honour neither was Ioab yet actually displaced for the souldiers yet are called Ioabs men v. 7. 2. Rather Dauid vnderstandeth Ioab the Captaine of the host Genev. but that is not so like for he was Abishai his brother and at that time Abishai had the charge of the armie and therefore in that behalfe Ioab can not be said to be his Lord. 3. Therefore Dauid rather meaneth himselfe that Abishai should take his seruants Osiand which are before c. 19.41 called Dauids men 5. Quest. v. 8. How Ioab commeth to be mentioned that went not out with the host 1. Iosephus is deceiued who saith that Dauid spake vnto Ioab when he saw that Amasa came not for it is euident by the text v. 6. that Dauid spake to Abishai because he had taken a displeasure against Ioab and purposed to remooue him 2. Therfore it is like that Ioab though Dauid bid him not did voluntarily goe with his brother to assist him partly for loue vnto his people and to the King whom he saw to be in present daunger by this rebellion of Shebah Pellican partly that hee might insinuate himselfe by his diligence into the Kings fauour to retaine his place still Osiander 6. Quest. v. 8. Why Ioabs sword was loose in the
17. q. 5 Whether he did well in discouering the counsell of Achitophel 17. q. 6 Dauid Why hee mourned for Saul and Ionathan 1. q. 3 How and when he taught the Israelites to shoote 1. q. 5 Why and how he asked counsell of God 2. q. 1 Why againe annointed King 2. q. 3 Why he did not seeke by force of armes to recouer the kingdome 2. q. 4 Of Dauids sonnes borne to him in Hebron 3. q. 2 Of Dauids concubines wiues and sonnes 5. q. 11 How long Dauid raigned ouer Israel 5. q. 4 How Dauid blessed the people 6.22 His confession of his sinne 12. q. 11 His going barefoote 15. q. 10 Dauids rashnesse in giuing Miphibosheths goods to Zibah 16. q. 2 From whence hee had his supplie of men against Abshalom 18. q. 2 Why the people would not haue Dauid to goe to battell 18. q. 2 How he was as tenne thousand 18. q. 3 Why they wished him to staie in the citie 16. q 4 What number of men Dauid had in his armie 16. q. 5 In what place Dauid stood when he saw the armies goe out 16. q. 6. Of the last words of Dauid 23. q. 1 How his feete were like hinds feete 22. q. 11 Dauid offreth himselfe for his people 24. q. 15 Daunsing Of Dauids dauncing before the Arke 6. q. 19 Degrees Forbidden in marriage whether they may be dispensed with 13. q. 7 Eglah Why onely called Dauids wife 2. q. 4 Election Not by workes 7. q. 16 Eleazar One of Dauids worthies 23. q. 12 Elkanan Whether hee killed Goliah 20. q. 15 Ephod Of Dauids linen Ephod what garment it was 6. q. 20 Ephraim Of the wood of Ephraim 16. q. 8 Eyes The wandring of Dauids eyes 11. q. 4 Famine Of the time when the famine was sent 21. q. 1 Wherefore it was sent 20. q. 3 Of seuen yeares famine offred to Dauid 24. q. 9 Fathers How children are punished for their fathers offences 3. q. 17.20 q. 7 Fortitude Diuerse kinds of fortitude 10. q. 6. Funerall Dauids funerall Epitaph of Saul 1. q. 7 Funerall sermons how lawfull 1. q. 7 The order and parts of Dauids funerall song 1. q. 11 Gath. Why Dauid saith tell it not in Gath it beeing knowne alreadie 1. q. 8 Ghob The place where the Philistims fought 20.4 Gibeonites When Saul slew them 20.4 How said to be a remnant of the Amorites 20.5 Gilboah Whether it were stricken with barrennesse vpon Dauids curse 1. q. 10 God No way the author of sinne 16. q. 7 Gods prouidence and mans will how they may stand together 16. q. 8 Of Dauids choise to fall into the hands of God 24. q. 10.11 Gyants How said to be slaine by the hand of Dauid 20.16 Hadadezer Of Dauids battell with Hadadezer 8. q. 4 What number of chariots Dauid tooke from him 8. q. 5 Harepha The Father of Ishibenob 20. q. 13 Hebron Why Dauid is directed to goe to Hebron 1. q. 2 Why Abshalom maketh choise of Hebron 15. q. 4 Hell How Christ suffered the sorrowes of hell 22. q. 4 Horse Why Dauid houghed the horse 8. q. 5 Why hee reserued some of them ibid Host. Against the carrying about of the consecrated host 5. q. 12 House Of Dauids purpose to build God an house 7. q. 2 How God notwithstaÌ„ding Dauids vow would not haue him build him an house 7. q. 3 Wherefore God would not haue Dauid build him an house 7. q. 5 Whether Dauids desire to build God an house were simply acceptable 7. q. 6 Iabesh Gilead Of Dauids kind message vnto them 2. q. 5 Iasher What the booke Iasher was 1. q. 6 Idlenesse Of Dauids idlenesse 1. q. 3 Iithra The father of Amasa 7. q. 10 Ierusalem Of the name thereof 5. q. 5 Why Dauid fled from Ierusalem from Absalom 2. q. 6 Images How Dauid serued the images of the Philistims 5. q. 12 Ioab His answer to Abner 2. q. 18 Of his treacherous killing of Abner 3. q. 15 Dauids curse vpon Ioab for that murther 3. q. 17 Why Dauid cursed not Saul for the slaughter of the Priests as well as Ioab for this 3. q. 17 Why Dauid bid Ioab mourne for Abner 3. q. 18 Whether Dauid offended in deferring the punishment of Ioab 3. q. 22 His valiant courrage against the enemies of God 10. q. 5 Whether it were true fortitude in Ioab 10. q. 6 Ioabs readinesse to satisfie Dauids mind concerning Vriah 11. q. 9 Of Ioabs answer returned to Dauid 11. q. 12 Why Ioab dealeth couerâ—ly with Dauid to bring againe Abshalom 19. q. 2 Of the reward which Ioab promised to haue giuen the souldiers that brought tidings of Absaloms death 6. q. 11 Of the souldiers answer to Ioab 6. q. 12 Why Ioab taketh three dartes 6. q. 13 Whether Ioab sinned in killing Absalom contrarie to Dauids charge 6. q. 15 Of Ioabs sharpe speach to Dauid 19. q. 1 Of Dauids purpose to remooue Ioab from being Captaine of the host 19. q. 2 Of Ioabs restitution to his office 20. q. 14 Ionadab His wicked counsell to Amnon 13. q. 4 His speach to Dauid when Amnon was slain 3. q. 1. Ionathan Of his obedience to his Father 1. q. 12 His loue to Dauid 1. q. 13 Dauids kindnesse to Ionathans posteritie 9. q. 1. Iordan Now Dauid escapâ—d ouer Iordan 7. q. 8 Ishbosheth Whether he raigned only two yeares 2. q. 8 Of the disguising of the Captaines that killed him 4. q. 3 Of Ishbosheths secure sleepe 4. q. 4 Of Dauids answer to the Trayters that brought Ishbosheths head 4. q. 6 Why their hands and feete were cut off 4. q. 7 Israel Of the contention betweene Israel and Iudah about Dauid 19. q. 12 Gods wrath wherefore kindled against Israel 2. q. 1 Ittai the Gittite Who he was 15. q. 7 Kings Haue power ouer Ecclesiasticall persons 8. q. 12 Their state vncertaine 17. q. 12 Lie Whether one in humilitie may make a lie of himselfe 9. q. 6 Mercie Why Dauids mercie to Ionathan is called the mercie of the Lord. 9. q. 3 Merit We merit not at Gods hand 2. q. 5 Metheg Ammah What is signifiâ—d thereby 8. q. 1 Michol Why Dauid sendeth to haue Michol his wife deliuered him 3. q. 12 Her deriding of Dauid 6. q. 23 Of Dauids answer to Michol and his defence 6. q. 24. Of Michols punishment 6.25 Of Michols fiue sonnes 20.9 Millo What place it wâ—s 5. q. 9 Miphibosheth Why mention is made of him 4. q. 2 Of Dauids kindnesse to Miphibosheth 9. q. 4 Why he calleth himselfe a dead dogge q. 5 Whether he did indeed â—ate at the kings table 9. q. 7 Why Miphibosheth saith all of Sauls familie were worthy of death 9. q. 7 Whether Dauid offended in deuiding Miphibosheths lands 19. q. 8 Why Dauid smote Moab seeing the Israelites were forbidden 8. q. 2 How Dauid measured Moab with a cord 8. q. 3 Monamachie see Cumbates Mule WheÌ„ce Dauids sonnes had their mules 3. q. 12 Musicke Of Dauids playing on instruments of