28 1 David hath the chief charge promised about Achish.  8 Saul consulteth with a witch, and she causeth him to speak with Samuel, 18 Who declareth his ruin.

Now at that time the Philistines assembled their bands and army to fight with Israel: therefore Achish said to David, [a]Be sure, thou shalt go out with me to the battle, thou, and thy men.

And David said to Achish, Surely thou shalt know what thy servant can do. And Achish said to David, Surely I will make thee keeper of mine head forever.

((A)Samuel was then dead, and all Israel had lamented him, and buried him in Ramah his own city: and Saul had [b]put away the sorcerers, and the Soothsayers out of the land.)

Then the Philistines assembled themselves, and came and pitched in Shunem: and Saul assembled all Israel, and they pitched in Gilboa.

And when Saul saw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart was sore astonied.

Therefore Saul asked counsel of the Lord, and the Lord answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by [c]Urim, nor yet by Prophets.

¶ Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and ask of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman at En Dor that hath a familiar spirit.

Then Saul [d]changed himself, and put on other raiment, and he went, and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night: and he said, I pray thee, conjecture unto me by the familiar spirit, and bring me him up whom I shall name unto thee.

And the woman said unto him, Behold, thou knowest what Saul hath done, how he hath destroyed the sorcerers, and the soothsayers out of the land: wherefore then seekest thou to take me in a snare to cause me to die?

10 And Saul swore to her by the Lord, saying, As the Lord liveth, no [e]harm shall come to thee for this thing.

11 Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And he answered, Bring me up [f]Samuel.

12 And when the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice, and the woman spake to Saul, saying, Why hast thou deceived me? for thou art Saul.

13 And the king said unto her, Be not afraid: for what sawest thou? And the woman said unto Saul, I saw [g]gods ascending up out of the earth.

14 Then he said unto her, What fashion is he of? And she answered, An old man cometh up lapped in a mantel: and Saul knew that it was [h]Samuel, and he inclined his face to the ground, and bowed himself.

15 ¶ And Samuel said to Saul, Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up? Then Saul answered, I am in great distress: for the Philistines make war against me, and God is departed from me, and answereth me no more, neither [i]by Prophets, neither by dreams: therefore I have called thee, that thou mayest tell me, what I shall do.

16 Then said Samuel, Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing, the Lord is gone from thee, and is thine enemy?

17 Even the Lord hath done to [j]him, as he spake (B)by mine [k]hand: for the Lord will rent the kingdom out of thine hand, and give it thy neighbor David.

18 Because thou obeyedst not the voice of the Lord, nor executedst his fierce wrath upon the Amalekites, therefore hath the Lord done this unto thee this day.

19 Moreover the Lord will deliver Israel with thee into the hands of the Philistines: [l]and tomorrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me, and the Lord shall give the host of Israel into the hands of the Philistines.

20 Then Saul fell straightway all along on the earth, and was sore [m]afraid because of the words of Samuel, so that there was no strength in him: for he had eaten no bread all the day nor all the night.

21 Then the woman came unto Saul, and saw that he was sore troubled, and said unto him, See, thine handmaid hath obeyed thy voice, and I [n]have put my soul in mine hand, and have obeyed thy words which thou saidest unto me.

22 Now therefore, I pray thee, hearken thou also unto the voice of thine handmaid, and let me set a morsel of bread before thee, that thou mayest eat and get thee strength, and go on thy journey.

23 But he refused and said, I will not eat: but his servants and the woman together compelled him, and he obeyed their voice: so he arose from the earth, and sat on the bed.

24 Now the woman had a fat calf in the house, and she hasted, and killed it, and took flour, and kneaded it, and baked of it [o]unleavened bread.

25 Then she brought them before Saul, and before his servants: and when they had eaten, they stood up, and went away the same night.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Samuel 28:1 Albeit it was a great grief to David to fight against the people of God, yet such was his infirmity, he durst not deny him.
  2. 1 Samuel 28:3 According to the commandment of God, Exod. 22:18 and Deut. 18:10, 11.
  3. 1 Samuel 28:6 Meaning, the high Priest, Exod. 28:30.
  4. 1 Samuel 28:8 He seeketh not to God in his misery, but is let by Satan to unlawful means, which in his conscience he condemneth.
  5. 1 Samuel 28:10 Or, punishment.
  6. 1 Samuel 28:11 He speaketh according to his gross ignorance, not considering the state of the Saints after this life, and how Satan hath no power over them.
  7. 1 Samuel 28:13 Or, an excellent person.
  8. 1 Samuel 28:14 To his imagination, albeit it was Satan, who to blind his eyes took upon him the form of Samuel, as he can do of an Angel of light.
  9. 1 Samuel 28:15 Hebrew, by the hand of Prophets.
  10. 1 Samuel 28:17 That is, to David.
  11. 1 Samuel 28:17 Or, ministry.
  12. 1 Samuel 28:19 Ye shall be dead, 1 Sam. 31:6.
  13. 1 Samuel 28:20 The wicked when they hear God’s judgments, tremble and despair, but cannot seek for mercy by repentance.
  14. 1 Samuel 28:21 I have ventured my life.
  15. 1 Samuel 28:24 Because it required haste.

29 4 The princes of the Philistines cause David to be sent back from the battle against Israel, because they distrusted him.

So the Philistines were gathered together with all their armies in Aphek: and the Israelites pitched [a]by the fountain, which is in Jezreel.

And the [b]princes of the Philistines went forth by [c]hundreds and thousands, but David and his men came behind with Achish.

Then said the Princes of the Philistines, What do these Hebrews here? And Achish said unto the princes of the Philistines, Is not this David the servant of Saul the King of Israel, who hath been with me these days, [d]or these years, and I have found nothing in him, since he [e]dwelt with me unto this day?

But the princes of the Philistines were wroth with him, and the princes of the Philistines said unto him, (A)Send this fellow back, that he may go again to his place which thou hast appointed him, and let him not go down with us to battle, lest that in the battle he be an adversary to us: for wherewith should he obtain the favor of his master? should it not be with the [f]heads of these men?

Is not this David, of whom they sang in dances, saying, (B)Saul slew his thousand, and David his ten thousand?

¶ Then Achish called David, and said unto him, As the Lord liveth, thou hast been upright and good in my sight, when thou [g]wentest out and in with me in the host, neither have I found evil with thee, since thou camest to me unto this day, but [h]the princes do not favor thee.

Wherefore now return, and go in peace, that thou displease not the princes of the Philistines.

¶ And David said unto Achish, But what have I done? and what hast thou found in thy servant as long as I have been with thee unto this day, that I may [i]not go and fight against the enemies of my Lord the King?

Achish then answered and said to David, I know thou pleasest me as an Angel of God: but the princes of the Philistines have said, Let him not go up with us to battle.

10 Wherefore now rise up early in the morning with thy [j]master’s servants that are come with thee: and when ye be up early, as soon as ye have light, depart.

11 So David and his men rose up early to depart in the morning, and to return into the land of the Philistines: and the Philistines went up to Jezreel.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Samuel 29:1 Or, in Ain.
  2. 1 Samuel 29:2 Or, captains.
  3. 1 Samuel 29:2 According to their bands, or ensigns.
  4. 1 Samuel 29:3 Meaning, a long time, that is, four months and certain days, 1 Sam. 27:7.
  5. 1 Samuel 29:3 Hebrew, fell, as Gen. 25:18.
  6. 1 Samuel 29:4 Would not Saul receive him to favor, if he would betray us?
  7. 1 Samuel 29:6 That is, wast conversant with me.
  8. 1 Samuel 29:6 Hebrew, thou art not good in the eye of the princes.
  9. 1 Samuel 29:8 This dissimulation cannot be excused: for it grieved him to go against the people of God.
  10. 1 Samuel 29:10 With them that fled unto thee from Saul.

1 He yieldeth a reason why he preached small matters unto them: 4 He showeth how they ought to esteem of Ministers: 6 The minister’s office. 10 A true form of edifying. 16 He warneth the Corinthians, that they be not drawn away to profane things, 18 through the proud wisdom of the flesh.

And [a]I could not speak unto you, brethren, as unto spiritual men, but as unto [b]carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.

I gave you milk to drink, and not [c]meat: for ye were not yet [d]able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.

For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as [e]men?

For when one saith, I am Paul’s, and another, I am Apollos’s, are ye not carnal?

[f]Who is Paul then? and who is Apollos, but the ministers by whom ye believed, and as the Lord gave to every man?

[g]I have planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.

So then, neither is he that planteth anything, neither he that watereth, but God that giveth the increase.

And he that planteth, and he that watereth, are one, (A)and every man shall receive his wages, according to his labor.

For we together are God’s [h]laborers: ye are God’s husbandry, and God’s building.

10 According to the grace of God given to me, as a skillful master builder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon: [i]but let every man take heed how he buildeth upon it.

11 [j]For other foundation can no man lay, than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

12 [k]And if any man build on this foundation, gold, silver, precious stones, timber, hay, or stubble,

13 [l]Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by the fire: and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.

14 If any man’s work, that he hath built upon, abide, he shall receive wages.

15 If any man’s work burn, he shall lose, but [m]he shall be saved himself: nevertheless yet as it were by the fire.

16 (B)[n]Know ye not that ye are the Temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

17 If any man [o]destroy the Temple of God, him shall God destroy: for the Temple of God is holy, which ye are.

18 [p]Let no man deceive himself: If any man among you seem to be wise in this world, let him be a fool, that he may be wise.

19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God: for it is written, (C)He [q]catcheth the wise in their own craftiness.

20 (D)And again, The Lord knoweth that the thoughts of the wise be vain.

21 [r]Therefore let no man [s]rejoice in men: for all things are [t]yours.

22 Whether it be Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the [u]world, or life, or death, whether they be things present, or things to come, even all are yours,

23 And ye Christ’s, and Christ God’s.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 3:1 Having declared the worthiness of heavenly wisdom, and of the Gospel, and having generally condemned the blindness of man’s mind, now at length he applieth it particularly to the Corinthians, calling them carnal, that is, such in whom as yet the flesh prevaileth against the spirit. And he bringeth a double testimony of it: first, for that he had proved them to be such, insomuch that he dealt with them no otherwise than with ignorant men, and such as are almost babes in the doctrine of godliness; and secondly, because they showed indeed by these dissensions, which sprang up by reason of the ignorance of the virtue of the Spirit, and heavenly wisdom, that they had profited very little or nothing.
  2. 1 Corinthians 3:1 He calleth them carnal, which are as yet ignorant, and therefore to express it the better, he termeth them babes.
  3. 1 Corinthians 3:2 Substantial meat, or strong meat.
  4. 1 Corinthians 3:2 To be fed by me with substantial meat: therefore as the Corinthians grew up in age, so the Apostle nourished them by teaching first with milk, then with strong meat, which difference was only but in the manner of teaching.
  5. 1 Corinthians 3:3 By the square and compass of man’s wit and judgment.
  6. 1 Corinthians 3:5 After that he hath sufficiently reprehended ambitious teachers, and their foolish esteemers, now he showeth how the true ministers are to be esteemed, that we attribute not unto them, more or less than we ought to do. Therefore he teacheth us, that they are they by whom we are brought to faith and salvation, but yet as the ministers of God, and such as do nothing of themselves, but God so working by them as it pleaseth him to furnish them with his gifts. Therefore we have not to mark or consider what minister it is that speaketh, but what is spoken: and we must depend only upon him which speaketh by his servants.
  7. 1 Corinthians 3:6 He beautifieth the former sentence, with two similitudes: first comparing the company of the faithful, to a field which God maketh fruitful, when it is sowed and watered through the labor of his servants: next, by comparing it to a house, which indeed the Lord buildeth, but by the hands of his workmen, some of whom, he useth in laying the foundation, others in building of it up. Now, both these similitudes tend to this purpose, to show that all things are wholly accomplished by God’s only authority and might, so that we must only have an eye to him. Moreover, although that God useth some in the better part of the work, we must not therefore contemn others, in respect of them, and much less may we divide, or set them apart, (as these factious men did) seeing that all of them labor in God’s business, and in such sort, that they serve to finish one selfsame work, although by a divers manner of working, insomuch that they need one another’s help.
  8. 1 Corinthians 3:9 Serving under him: Now they which serve under another, do nothing by their own strength, but as it is given them by grace, which grace maketh them fit to that service. See 1 Cor. 15:10; 2 Cor. 3:6, and all the increase that cometh by their labor, doth so proceed from God, that no part of the praise of it may be given to the under servant.
  9. 1 Corinthians 3:10 Now he speaketh to the teachers themselves, who succeeded him in the Church of Corinth, and in their person, to all that were after or shall be Pastors of Congregations, seeing that they succeed into the labor of the Apostles, which were planters and chief builders. Therefore he warneth them first, that they persuade not themselves that they may build after their own fantasy, that is, that they may propound and set forth anything in the Church, either in matter, or in kind of teaching, different from the Apostles which were the chief builders.
  10. 1 Corinthians 3:11 Moreover, he showeth what this foundation is, to wit, Christ Jesus, from which they may not turn away one iota in the building up of this building.
  11. 1 Corinthians 3:12 Thirdly, he showeth that they must take heed that the upper part of the building be answerable to the foundation, that is, that admonitions, exhortations, and whatsoever pertaineth to the edifying of the flock, be answerable to the doctrine of Christ, as well in matter as in form: which doctrine is compared to gold, silver, and precious stones: of which matter, Isaiah also and John in the Revelation build the heavenly city. And to these are opposite, wood, hay, stubble, that is to say, curious and vain questions or decrees: and besides to be short, all that kind of teaching which serveth to ostentation. For false doctrines, whereof he speaketh not here, are not said properly to be built upon this foundation, unless peradventure in show only.
  12. 1 Corinthians 3:13 He testifieth, as indeed the truth is, that all are not good builders, no not some of them which stand upon this one and only foundation: but howsoever this work of evil builders, saith he, stand for a season, yet shall it not always deceive, because that the light of the truth appearing at length, as day shall dissolve this darkness, and show what it is. And as that stuff is tried by the fire, whether it be good or not, so will God in his time by the touch of his Spirit and word, try all buildings, and so shall it come to pass, that such as be found pure and sound, shall still continue so, to the praise of the workman; but they that are otherwise, shall be consumed, and vanish away, and so shall the workman be frustrated of the hope of his labor, which pleased himself in a thing of nought.
  13. 1 Corinthians 3:15 He taketh not away hope of salvation from the unskillful and foolish builders, which hold fast the foundation, of which sort were those Rhetoricians rather than pastors of Corinth: but he addeth an exception, that they must notwithstanding suffer this trial of their work, and also abide the loss of their vain labors.
  14. 1 Corinthians 3:16 Continuing still in the metaphor of a building, he teacheth us that this ambition is not only vain, but also sacrilegious: For he saith that the Church is as it were the Temple of God, which God hath as it were consecrated unto himself by his Spirit. Then turning himself to these ambitious men: he showeth that they profane the Temple of God, because those vain arts wherein they please themselves so much, are as he teacheth, so many pollutions of the holy doctrine of God, and the purity of the Church. Which wickedness shall not be suffered unpunished.
  15. 1 Corinthians 3:17 Defileth it, and maketh it unclean, being holy: and surely they do defile it, by Paul’s judgment, which by fleshly eloquence defile the purity of the Gospel.
  16. 1 Corinthians 3:18 He concludeth by the contrary, that they profess pure wisdom in the Church of God, which refuse and cast away all those vanities of men, and if they be mocked of the world, it is sufficient for them that they be wise according to the wisdom of God, and as he will have them to be wise.
  17. 1 Corinthians 3:19 Be they never so crafty, yet the Lord will take them when he shall discover their treachery.
  18. 1 Corinthians 3:21 He returneth to the proposition of verse 2, first warning the hearers, that henceforward they esteem not as lords, those whom God hath appointed to be ministers, and not lords of their salvation, which thing they do, that depend upon men, and not upon God, that speaketh by them.
  19. 1 Corinthians 3:21 Please himself.
  20. 1 Corinthians 3:21 Helps, appointeth for your benefit.
  21. 1 Corinthians 3:22 He passeth from the persons to the things themselves, that his argument may be more forcible, yea, he ascendeth from Christ to the Father, to show us that we rest ourselves no not in Christ himself, in that that he is man, but because he carrieth us up even to the Father, as Christ witnesseth of himself everywhere, that he was sent of his Father, that by this band we may be all knit with God himself.

1 Bringing in the definition of a true Apostle, 7 he showeth that humility ought rather to be an honor than a shame unto him. 9 He bringeth in proof, whereby it may evidently appear, 10 that he neither had care of glory, 11 nor of his belly. 17 He commendeth Timothy.

Let [a]a [b]man so think of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and disposers of the secrets of God:

[c]And as for the rest, it is required of the disposers, that every man be found faithful.

[d]As touching me, I pass very little to be judged of you, [e]or of man’s [f]judgment: no, [g]I judge not mine own self.

For I know nothing by myself, yet am I not thereby justified: but he that judgeth me, is the [h]Lord.

[i]Therefore (A)judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who will lighten things that are hid in darkness, and make the counsels of the hearts manifest: and then shall every man have [j]praise of God.

[k]Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively applied unto mine own self and Apollos, for your sakes, that ye might learn [l]by us, that no man presume above that which is written, that one swell not against another for any man’s cause.

[m]For who separateth thee? and what hast thou, that thou hast not received? if thou hast received it, why rejoicest thou, as though [n]thou hadst not received it?

[o]Now ye are full: now ye are made rich: ye reign as kings without us, and would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you.

For I think that God hath set forth us the last Apostles, as men appointed to death, for we are made a [p]gassing stock unto the world, and to the Angels, and to men.

10 We are fools for Christ’s sake, and ye are wise in Christ: we are weak, and ye are strong: ye are honorable, and we are despised.

11 Unto this hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling place,

12 (B)And labor, working with our own hands: we are reviled, and yet we bless: we are persecuted, and suffer it.

13 (C)We are evil spoken of, and we pray: we are made as the [q]filth of the world, the offscouring of all things, unto this time.

14 [r]I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I admonish you.

15 For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the Gospel.

16 Wherefore, I pray you, be followers of me.

17 For this cause have I sent unto you Timothy, which is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, which shall put you in remembrance of my [s]ways in Christ as I teach everywhere in every Church.

18 [t]Some are puffed up as though I would not come unto you.

19 But I will come to you shortly, (D)if the Lord will, and I will know, not the [u]words of them which are puffed up, but the power.

20 For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.

21 [v]What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the [w]spirit of meekness?

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 4:1 He concludeth the duty of the hearers towards their ministers: that they esteem them not as lords: and yet notwithstanding, that they give ear unto them, as to them that are sent from Christ, sent I say to this end and purpose, that they may receive as it were at their hands, the treasure of salvation which is drawn out of the secrets of God.
  2. 1 Corinthians 4:1 Every man.
  3. 1 Corinthians 4:2 Last of all, he warneth the ministers that they also behave themselves not as lords, but as faithful servants, because they must render an account of their stewardship unto God.
  4. 1 Corinthians 4:3 Because in reprehending others, he set himself for an example, he useth a preoccupation or preventing of an objection, and using the gratuity of an Apostle, he showeth that he careth not for the contrary judgments that they have of him, in that they esteemed him as a vile person, because he did not set forth himself as they did. And he bringeth good reasons why he was nothing moved with the judgments which they had of him.
  5. 1 Corinthians 4:3 First, because that that which men judge in these cases of their own brains, is no more to be accounted of, than when the unlearned do judge of wisdom.
  6. 1 Corinthians 4:3 Word for word, Day, after the manner of speech of the Cilicians.
  7. 1 Corinthians 4:3 Secondly, saith he, how can you judge how much or how little I am to be accounted of, seeing that I myself which know myself better than you do, and which dare profess that I have walked in my vocation with a good conscience, dare not yet notwithstanding challenge anything to myself? for I know that I am not unblameable, all this notwithstanding: much less therefore should I please myself as you do.
  8. 1 Corinthians 4:4 I permit myself to the Lord’s judgment.
  9. 1 Corinthians 4:5 A third reason proceeding of a conclusion as it were, out of the former reasons. It is God’s office, to esteem every man according to his value, because he knoweth the secrets of the heart, which men for the most part are ignorant of. Therefore this judgment pertaineth not to you.
  10. 1 Corinthians 4:5 One could not be praised above the rest, but the other should be blamed: and he mentioneth praise rather than dispraise, for that the beginning of this sore was this, that they gave more to some men than meet was.
  11. 1 Corinthians 4:6 Having rejected their judgment, he setteth forth himself again as a singular example of modesty, as one which concealing in this Epistle those factious teacher’s names, doubted not to put down his own name and Apollos’ in their place, and took upon him, as it were, their shame: so far was he from preferring himself to any.
  12. 1 Corinthians 4:6 By our example, which chose rather to take other men’s faults upon us, than to carpe any by name.
  13. 1 Corinthians 4:7 He showeth a good means to bridle pride: first, if thou consider how rightly thou exemptest thyself out of the number of others, seeing thou art a man thyself: again, if thou consider that although thou have something more than other men have, yet thou hast it not but by God’s bountifulness. And what wise man is he that will brag of another’s goodness, and that against God?
  14. 1 Corinthians 4:7 There is nothing then in us of nature, that is worthy of commendation: but all that we have, we have it of grace, which the Pelagians and half Pelagians will not confess.
  15. 1 Corinthians 4:8 He descendeth to a most grave mock, to cause these ambitious men to blush even against their wills.
  16. 1 Corinthians 4:9 He that will take a right view how like Paul and the Pope are, who lyingly boasteth that he is his successor, let him compare the delicates of the Popish court with Saint Paul’s state, as we see it here.
  17. 1 Corinthians 4:13 Such as by sweeping is gathered together.
  18. 1 Corinthians 4:14 Moderating the sharpness of his mock, he putteth them in mind to remember of whom they were begotten in Christ, and that they should not doubt to follow him for an example, although he seem vile according to the outward show, in respect of others, yet mighty by the efficacy of God’s Spirit, as they had trial thereof in themselves.
  19. 1 Corinthians 4:17 What way and rule I follow everywhere in teaching the Churches.
  20. 1 Corinthians 4:18 Last of all he descendeth also to Apostolic threatenings, but yet chiding them as a father, lest by their disorder he be constrained to come to punish some among them.
  21. 1 Corinthians 4:19 By words, he meaneth their painted and colored kind of eloquence, against which he setteth the virtue of the Spirit.
  22. 1 Corinthians 4:21 A passing over to another part of this Epistle, wherein he reprehended more sharply a very heinous offence, showing the use of ecclesiastical correction.
  23. 1 Corinthians 4:21 Meekly affected towards you.

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