What signs of despondency did David at length evince in view of the malice of Saul and the treachery of his countrymen?
Are the strongest believers under heavy and long continued trials liable to the same inroads of unbelief? N. B. The whole train of events that mark the history of David from this time to the death of Saul shew plainly that this was one of the most ill judged steps which he could possibly have taken. It involved disobedience to a former command (ch, 22. 5.) and led him to adopt an equivocating course of conduct highly derogatory to his character, and followed by evident tokens of divine displeasure.
Whither did he fly for refuge, with what attendants, and with what effect upon Saul?
What request did he make of Achish, and what did he do in compliance with it?
Was Ziglag in the country of the Philistines, or did it properly belong to the inheritance of Israel? Josh. 15.31.
How long a time did he dwell there, what expedition did he then engage in, and with what success?
Had this people been long ago doomed to destruction? N. B. The Geshurites and the Gezrites were probably branches of the Amalekites and fell under the general sentence.
What region did they inhabit?
What account did he give to Achish after his return, and what is to be thought of it? N.B. What David said was undoubtedly true in itself, although it did not convey a true impression of the fact to the mind of Achish, who at once concluded from this ambiguous answer that David had been fighting against his own countrymen, and had thus widened the breach between himself and them so that it could not be healed. He must, however, be acquitted of a positive falsehood.
What severity did David employ in this cxpedition, and for what reason?
< Previous | Index | Next >