《Trapp ’s Complete Commentary – 2 Samuel》(John Trapp)
Commentator
John Trapp, (5 June 1601, Croome D'Abitot - 16 October 1669, Weston-on-Avon), was an English Anglican Bible commentator. His large five-volume commentary is still read today and is known for its pithy statements and quotable prose. His volumes are quoted frequently by other religious writers, including Charles Spurgeon (1834 -1892), Ruth Graham, the daughter of Ruth Bell Graham, said that John Trapp, along with C.S. Lewis and George MacDonald, was one of her mother's three favorite sources for quotations.
Trapp studied at the Free School in Worcester and then at Christ Church, Oxford (B.A., 1622; M.A., 1624). He became usher of the free school of Stratford-upon-Avon in 1622 and its headmaster in 1624, and was made preacher at Luddington, near Stratford, before becoming vicar of Weston-on-Avon in Gloucestershire. He sided with parliament in the English Civil War and was arrested for a short time. He took the covenant of 1643 and acted as chaplain to the parliamentary soldiers in Stratford for two years. He served as rector of Welford-on-Avon in Gloucestershire between 1646 and 1660 and again as vicar of Weston from 1660 until his death in 1669.
Quotes from John Trapp:
Be careful what books you read, for as water tastes of the soil it runs through, so does the soul taste of the authors that a man reads. – John Trapp
He who rides to be crowned will not mind a rainy day. – John Trapp
Unity without verity is no better than conspiracy – John Trapp
00 Introduction
Book Overview - 2 Samuel
Name. The name, Second Samuel, is taken from the history of the life of Samuel recorded in the early part of the book. It means "asked of God." The two were formerly one book and called the "First Book of Kings," the two books of Kings being one book and called Second Kings. Samuel and Kings form a continuous story, and give us a record of the rise, glory and fall of the Jewish Monarchy.
In this book, there is given the story of the career of David while king of Israel. He was the strongest king Israel ever had and was characterized as a fine executive, a skillful soldier and of a deeply religious disposition. He was not without his faults, but in spite of them developed a great empire.
Analysis.
I. His Reign Over Judah a Hebren, Chs. 1-4.
II. His reign Over All Israel, Chs. 5-10.
III. His Great Sin and Its Results, Chs. 11-20.
IV. An Appendix, Chs. 21-34.
For Study and Discussion. (1) How David became king. (2) His victories in war. (3) His great sin and some of its consequences. (4) His kindness toward his enemies (see also his attitude toward Saul recorded in First Samuel). (5) The kindness of God as illustrated by the story of David's kindness to Mephibosheth, Ch. 9. (6) David's psalm of praise, Chs. 22-23. (7) The different occasions when David showed a penitent spirit (8) The great pestilence. Ch. 24.
01 Chapter 1
Verse 1
2 Samuel 1:1 Now it came to pass after the death of Saul, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, and David had abode two days in Ziklag;
Ver. 1. Now it came to pass.] Heb., And it came to pass: for the history is here continued by some of Samuel’s disciples, and, as some gather from 1 Chronicles 29:29, by Gad and Nathan.
After the death of Saul.] Who began his reign with great glory and renown, but ended it with shame. Contrariwise David; who therein also became a type of Christ. [Philippians 2:7-9]
When David was returned from the slaughter, &c.] And was now triumphing and sending presents to his friends, he is thus, for an allay to those his comforts, met by an evil messenger. Miscentur tristia laetis. It is in heaven alone that we shall have joys without measure or mixture.
Verse 2
2 Samuel 1:2 It came even to pass on the third day, that, behold, a man came out of the camp from Saul with his clothes rent, and earth upon his head: and [so] it was, when he came to David, that he fell to the earth, and did obeisance.
Ver. 2. A man came out of the camp from Saul.] The Hebrews will have this man to be Doeg’s son, and further tell us that Doeg, Saul’s armourbearer, delivered to this son of his Saul’s crown and bracelets, willing him to repair therewith to David, so to win his favour.
With his clothes rent.] In token of greatest grief, as 1 Samuel 4:12.
Verse 3
2 Samuel 1:3 And David said unto him, From whence comest thou? And he said unto him, Out of the camp of Israel am I escaped.
Ver. 3. Out of the camp of Israel am I escaped.] But as good he had lost his life there; for his preservation was but a reservation to a worse end. Evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him. "Bloody and deceitful persons shall not live out half their days." [Psalms 55:23]
Verse 4
2 Samuel 1:4 And David said unto him, How went the matter? I pray thee, tell me. And he answered, That the people are fled from the battle, and many of the people also are fallen and dead; and Saul and Jonathan his son are dead also.
Ver. 4. How went the matter? I pray thee, tell me.] He was very desirous to hear what was the issue of the battle, and how it went with the poor people of God; and hence this earnest inquiry. So 1 Samuel 4:13. {See Trapp on "1 Samuel 4:13"}
Verse 5
2 Samuel 1:5 And David said unto the young man that told him, How knowest thou that Saul and Jonathan his son be dead?
Ver. 5. Unto the young man.] The lad, the stripling, the servant, for so David took him to be: and such are called lads or boys in many languages. "Herod said to his servants"; [Matthew 14:2] Gr., to his boys. And the Latins call the body Corpus or Corpor, quasi Cordis puer, as some will have it.
That Saul and Jonathan his son be dead.] For there lay the pinch of his grief, and the public concernment.
Verse 6
2 Samuel 1:6 And the young man that told him said, As I happened by chance upon mount Gilboa, behold, Saul leaned upon his spear; and, lo, the chariots and horsemen followed hard after him.
Ver. 6. As I happened by chance.] An artificially composed speech, but scarce ever a true word. This Amalekite, which signifieth a licking-people, would, like a cur-dog, have sucked David’s blood only with licking; but was happily disappointed. Indeed, he happening happed upon Saul now dead, and brought away his crown and bracelets, for the which he promised himself some great preferment: but why should he tell so many lies? assuens mendacium mendacio, as Psalms 119:69 - viz., that he leaned, or fell, upon his spear, when it was upon his sword, [1 Samuel 31:4] that he talked to him, when his armourbearer saw him dead first, [1 Samuel 31:5] that he should desire an uncircumcised Amalekite to do for him that which he would not have done by the uncircumcised Philistines, &c, Hugo observeth that Saul died by that sword wherewith he should have done to death the Amalekites. And another observeth that he is, if not slain, yet despoiled of his ornaments by an Amalekite whom he had spared. So at the hour of death men’s unmortified corruptions shall take their crown from them, - keep them out of heaven. [Romans 8:13]
Verse 7
2 Samuel 1:7 And when he looked behind him, he saw me, and called unto me. And I answered, Here [am] I.
Ver. 7. And when he looked behind him.] This fellow had taught his tongue to speak lies, and wearied himself to commit iniquity. [Jeremiah 9:5] He was an artist at it: and, like Dolon in Homer,
“ Iσκε ψευδεα πολλα λεγειν ετυμοισιν ομοια.”
Verse 8
2 Samuel 1:8 And he said unto me, Who [art] thou? And I answered him, I [am] an Amalekite.
Ver. 8. I am an Amalekite.] {See Trapp on "2 Samuel 1:6"}
Verse 9
2 Samuel 1:9 He said unto me again, Stand, I pray thee, upon me, and slay me: for anguish is come upon me, because my life [is] yet whole in me.
Ver. 9. For anguish (a) is come upon me.] Or, My chlamys ocellata, coat of mail, hindereth me, that I cannot die. Life may prove a mischief to a man; we should therefore set the less by it. Bernard saith it would be little better to us than hell, were it not for the hopes we have of heaven.
Verse 10
2 Samuel 1:10 So I stood upon him, and slew him, because I was sure that he could not live after that he was fallen: and I took the crown that [was] upon his head, and the bracelet that [was] on his arm, and have brought them hither unto my lord.
Ver. 10. So I stood upon him, and slew him.] Lie and all: but this word was his death, David judging him out of his own mouth. Plutarch telleth us that Artaxerxes commanded three needles to be thrust through the tongue of a certain soldier, qui mentitus fuerat duos hostes se obtruncasse, who lyingly said that he had killed two of the enemy.
Verse 11
2 Samuel 1:11 Then David took hold on his clothes, and rent them; and likewise all the men that [were] with him:
Ver. 11. Then David took hold on his clothes, and rent them.] Which manner was taken up at first by extremity of passion, without any regard to the decency of whole apparel, or damage by tearing them; and afterwards, by the example of some eminent persons, drawn into common practice. This David and his men did cordially, as there was cause, for the public; though for their own particular there was no such great reason.
Verse 12
2 Samuel 1:12 And they mourned, and wept, and fasted until even, for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of the LORD, and for the house of Israel; because they were fallen by the sword.
Ver. 12. And they mourned, and wept, and fasted.] The manlier any man is, the milder and more merciful. Julius Caesar when he had Pompey’s head presented to him wept, and said, Non mihi placet vindicta, sed victoria, I sought not revenge, but victory. David was well pleased with Nabal’s death; but mourned for Saul’s: the case was not alike.
Verse 13
2 Samuel 1:13 And David said unto the young man that told him, Whence [art] thou? And he answered, I [am] the son of a stranger, an Amalekite.
Ver. 13. I am the son of a stranger, an Amalekite.] This he had said before in David’s hearing, [2 Samuel 1:8] but he being full of grief, minded it not belike.
Verse 14
2 Samuel 1:14 And David said unto him, How wast thou not afraid to stretch forth thine hand to destroy the LORD’S anointed?
Ver. 14. How wast thou not afraid to stretch forth thine hand, &c.] William Parry was for burglary condenmed to die: and yet saved by Queen Elizabeth’s pardon. (a) But he, ungrateful man, sought to requite her by vowing her death, A.D. 1584; but ever he was daunted, though he had opportunity, when he beheld the glory of her presence and majesty in her face.
Verse 15
2 Samuel 1:15 And David called one of the young men, and said, Go near, [and] fall upon him. And he smote him that he died.
Ver. 15. And he smote him that he died.] And alike sped those that murdered Ishbosheth, whom David caused instantly to be put to death, abhorring their treason, though attended with a kingdom. He that betrayed the Rhodes to the Turk was served in like sort, ending his life with shame and torment. So was Earl Godwin here, and Earl Doring in Bohemia by Duke Neda.
Verse 16
2 Samuel 1:16 And David said unto him, Thy blood [be] upon thy head; for thy mouth hath testified against thee, saying, I have slain the LORD’S anointed.
Ver. 16. Thy blood be upon thy head.] For though Saul desired thee to despatch him, as thou hast said, and volenti non fit iniuria: yet because he was felo de se, as lawyers now speak, a suicide, it was not lawful for thee to help him out of the world, although the enemy had given him his death wound, and he therefore desired it of thee. Say that there was no wrong hereby done to Saul’s self, yet wrong was done to God the Lord of Saul’s life, as also to the commonwealth whereof Saul was the head; so saith Aquinas. (a)
Saying, I have slain the Lord’s anointed.] A just hand of God upon this Amalekite, for his lying.
Verse 17
2 Samuel 1:17 And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son:
Ver. 17. And David lamented.] He composed this following elegy, or epitaph, this funeral song: a usual practice among the ancients.
Verse 18
2 Samuel 1:18 (Also he bade them teach the children of Judah [the use of] the bow: behold, [it is] written in the book of Jasher.)
Ver. 18. Also he bade them teach.] Or, And he spake it to teach, &c., sc., in honour of Jonathan, so skilful a bowman, [2 Samuel 1:22] and for their own future defence against the Philistine archers, who had wounded and slain Saul and his sons with these weapons, [1 Samuel 31:3] for which end also, among others, David made this doleful ditty to be sung by all sorts for their instruction and comfort. After the discomfiture of the Athenians in Sicily, those were relieved who could repeat somewhat out of Euripides, the tragedian.
The children of Judah the use of the bow.] David was not so overcome with grief but he could think of this, and gave order to have it done for a public good. The Lacedemonians, and before them the Ethiopians, accustomed their youth daily to fling javelins or great stones, to shoot at marks, to run races, &c., before they either ate or drank.
Behold, it is written in the Book of Jasher.] A general chronicle, say some: a brief compend, say others, of the most memorable things touching that nation: and haply called the Book of Jasher, in allusion to the name of Jeshurun, whereby is meant Israel. [Deuteronomy 32:15; Deuteronomy 33:5] {See Trapp on "Joshua 10:13"}