- 152-
(^186) In the Authorised Version, 1 Samuel 19:20, "Samuel standing as appointed over
them;" in the original, "Standing as president over them."
(^187) The Lahakah, which evidently is only an inversion of the letters of the word
Kahalah, which generally designates "the congregation."
(^188) As there is unity in all God's working, we mark a similar law prevailing in the
physical and intellectual world. The general influence of physical forces and causes
- even atmospheric - is sufficiently known, nor can it be necessary, in these days, to
attempt proving that of "the spirit of the times," which intellectually and even
morally affects us all more or less, whether consciously or unconsciously, willingly
or unwillingly.
(^189) The difference between the influence on Saul and on his messengers may be
thus marked. It seized him before he arrived at Naioth (ver. 23); and it was more
powerful and of longer duration (ver. 24). The statement that "he stripped off his
clothes," and "lay down naked," refers, of course, only to his upper garments. In
the excitement of the ecstasy he would put these away (comp. 2 Samuel 6:14, 16,
20).
(^190) The statement that the festive meal took place on two successive days must, of
course, not be understood as implying that the religious festival lasted two days.
(^191) The original is very difficult in its structure. We have rendered it as literally as
the sense would allow. Of the other proposed translations only these two deserve
special notice. "And (wilt thou) not if I am still alive, wilt thou not show the
kindness of the Lord towards me, that I die not?" Or else, "And mayest thou, if I
am still alive - mayest thou show towards me the kindness of the Lord - and (if)
not, if I die, not withdraw thy mercy from my house for ever." But the first
rendering implies, besides other difficulties, a change from a question in ver. 14 to
an assertion in ver. 15, while the second necessitates a change in the Hebrew
words.
(^192) So literally, and not as in the Authorised Version.
(^193) It is thus that we explain the notice in Mark 2:26. This would also account for
Abiathar's flight on the first tidings of his father's death (1 Samuel 22:20), whereas
the other priests would deem themselves safe, and so fall into the hands of their
murderer.
(^)