the antiquities of the jews-1-第94章
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given many demonstrations of his good…will to him: that he had
forced him to live so long in a state of banishment; and in great
fears of his life; destitute of his friends and his kindred;
while still he was often saved by him; and frequently received
his life again when it was evidently in danger of perishing。 So
David bade them send for the spear and the cruse of water; and
take them back; adding this withal; That God would be the judge
of both their dispositions; and of the actions that flowed from
the same; 〃who knows that then it was this day in my power to
have killed thee I abstained from it。〃
10。 Thus Saul having escaped the hands of David twice; he went
his way to his royal palace; and his own city: but David was
afraid; that if he staid there he should be caught by Saul; so he
thought it better to go up into the land of the Philistines; and
abide there。 Accordingly; he came with the six hundred men that
were with him to Achish; the king of Gath; which was one of their
five cities。 Now the king received both him and his men; and gave
them a place to inhabit in。 He had with him also his two wives;
Ahinoam and Abigail; and he dwelt in Gath。 But when Saul heard
this; he took no further care about sending to him; or going
after him; because he had been twice; in a manner; caught by him;
while he was himself endeavoring to catch him。 However; David had
no mind to continue in the city of Gath; but desired the king;
that since he had received him with such humanity; that he would
grant him another favor; and bestow upon him some place of that
country for his habitation; for he was ashamed; by living in the
city; to be grievous and burdensome to him。 So Achish gave him a
certain village called Ziklag; which place David and his sons
were fond of when he was king; and reckoned it to be their
peculiar inheritance。 But about those matters we shall give the
reader further information elsewhere。 Now the time that David
dwelt in Ziklag; in the land of the Philistines; was four months
and twenty days。 And now he privately attacked those Geshurites
and Amalekites that were neighbors to the Philistines; and laid
waste their country; and took much prey of their beasts and
camels; and then returned home; but David abstained from the men;
as fearing they should discover him to king Achish; yet did he
send part of the prey to him as a free gift。 And when the king
inquired whom they had attacked when they brought away the prey;
he said; those that lay to the south of the Jews; and inhabited
in the plain; whereby he persuaded Achish to approve of what he
had done; for he hoped that David had fought against his own
nation; and that now he should have him for his servant all his
life long; and that he would stay in his country。
CHAPTER 14。
Now Saul Upon God's Not Answering Him Concerning The Fight With
The Philistines Desired A Necromantic Woman To Raise Up The Soul
Of Samuel To Him; And How He Died; With His Sons Upon The
Overthrow Of The Hebrews In Battle;
1。 About the same time the Philistines resolved to make war
against the Israelites; and sent to all their confederates that
they would go along with them to the war to Reggan; 'near the
city Shunem;' whence they might gather themselves together; and
suddenly attack the Hebrews。 Then did Achish; the king of Gath;
desire David to assist them with his armed men against the
Hebrews。 This he readily promised; and said that the time was now
come wherein he might requite him for his kindness and
hospitality。 So the king promised to make him the keeper of his
body; after the victory; supposing that the battle with the enemy
succeeded to their mind; which promise of honor and confidence he
made on purpose to increase his zeal for his service。
2。 Now Saul; the king of the Hebrews; had cast out of the country
the fortune…tellers; and the necromancers; and all such as
exercised the like arts; excepting the prophets。 But when he
heard that the Philistines were already come; and had pitched
their camp near the city Shunem; situate in the plain; he made
haste to oppose them with his forces; and when he was come to a
certain mountain called Gilboa; he pitched his camp over…against
the enemy; but when he saw the enemy's army he was greatly
troubled; because it appeared to him to be numerous; and superior
to his own; and he inquired of God by the prophets concerning the
battle; that he might know beforehand what would be the event of
it。 And when God did not answer him; Saul was under a still
greater dread; and his courage fell; foreseeing; as was but
reasonable to suppose; that mischief would befall him; now God
was not there to assist him; yet did he bid his servants to
inquire out for him some woman that was a necromancer and called
up the souls of the dead; that So he might know whether his
affairs would succeed to his mind; for this sort of necromantic
women that bring up the souls of the dead; do by them foretell
future events to such as desire them。 And one of his servants
told him that there was such a woman in the city Endor; but was
known to nobody in the camp; hereupon Saul put off his royal
apparel; and took two of those his servants with him; whom he
knew to be most faithful to him; and came to Endor to the woman;
and entreated her to act the part of a fortune…teller; and to
bring up such a soul to him as he should name to her。 But when
the woman opposed his motion; and said she did not despise the
king; who had banished this sort of fortune…tellers; and that he
did not do well himself; when she had done him no harm; to
endeavor to lay a snare for her; and to discover that she
exercised a forbidden art; in order to procure her to be
punished; he sware that nobody should know what she did; and that
he would not tell any one else what she foretold; but that she
should incur no danger。 As soon as he had induced her by this
oath to fear no harm; he bid her bring up to him the soul of
Samuel。 She; not knowing who Samuel was; called him out of Hades。
When he appeared; and the woman saw one that was venerable; and
of a divine form; she was in disorder; and being astonished at
the sight; she said; 〃Art not thou king Saul?〃 for Samuel had
informed her who he was。 When he had owned that to be true; and
had asked her whence her disorder arose; she said that she saw a
certain person ascend; who in his form was like to a god。 And
when he bid her tell him what he resembled; in what habit he
appeared; and of what age he was; she told him he was an old man
already; and of a glorious personage; and had on a sacerdotal
mantle。 So the king discovered by these signs that he was Samuel;
and he fell down upon the ground; and saluted and worshipped him。
And when the soul of Samuel asked him why he had disturbed him;
and caused him to be brought up; he lamented the necessity he was
under; for he said; that his enemies pressed heavily upon him;
that he was in distress what to do in his present circumstances;
that he was forsaken of God; and could obtain no prediction of
what was coming; neither by prophets nor by dreams; and that
〃these were the reasons why I have recourse to time; who always
took great care of me。〃 But (27) Samuel; seeing that the end of
Saul's life was come; said; 〃It is in vain for thee to desire to
learn of me any thing future; when God hath forsaken thee:
however; hear what I say; that David is to be king; and to finish
this war with good success; and thou art to lose thy dominion and
thy life; because thou didst not obey God in the war with the
Amalekites; and hast not kept his commandments; as I foretold
thee while I was alive。 Know; therefore; that the people shall be
made subject to their enemies; and that thou; with thy sons;
shall fall in the battle tomorrow; and thou shalt then be with me
'in Hades'。〃
3。 When Saul heard this; he could not speak for grief; and fell
down on the floor; whether it were from the sorrow that arose
upon what Samuel had said; or from his emptiness; for he had
taken no food the foregoing day nor night; he easily fell quite
down: and when with difficulty he had recovered himself; the
woman would force him to eat; begging this of him