And every one [that was] in distress, and every one that [was] in debt, and every one [that was] discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men.
Ver. 2. And every one that was in distress.] Herein David became a type of Christ, the Captain of our salvation, who cried, "Come unto me, all ye that are weary," and who are sensible that ye have Suffered more under Satan's tyranny, than these had under Saul's: and yet in his time, as afterwards in Tiberius's, there was crimen ex silentio, ex voce, a danger either to speak, or to hold one's peace, to have done anything, or nothing.
And every one that was in debt.] Heb., That had a creditor or an oppressor, extortioner, usurer, who cruelly handled him.
And every one that was discontented.] Heb., Bitter of soul. Not such ruffians and rakehells as Abimelech, Jdg 9:4 and of later time Mohammed, that grand impostor, got together to spoil and do mischief; but these came to David upon a better principle, and for a better purpose, viz., for his and their own just and necessary defence: and for their carriage, see what a testimony Nabal's servants gave them, though that brute their master had basely reviled them. 1Sa 25:15 In the Gospel we read that our Saviour received him that had been born blind, and was now cast out. Joh 9:35 And in the civil law we find provision made for such as were cast out and exposed to the wide world; some hospitals to entertain them, some liberties to comfort and compensate their troubles.
a Tacit.