And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth [to battle], that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem.
Ver. 1. After the year was expired.] Heb., At the return of the year: Namque in se sua per vestigia volvitur annus. This year was David's seventh climacterical, the forty-ninth of his age, as is generally held, and the nineteenth of his reign, 1Ch 21:1 to him a woeful year, because, left to himself, he "fell into temptation and a snare, and many foolish and hurtful lusts," &c. Augustine thanks God for himself, that the heart and temptation did not meet together. Joseph, a young man, was fiercely assaulted, but stoutly resisted; when lo, David, an old man, and one that had many wives and concubines, is shamefully foiled, and made to defile himself in sin's guzzle. Turpe est senecere aetatem, non tamen senecere lasciviam, saith Nazianzen. What more odious than an old lecher? Were it not monstrous to behold green apples on a tree in winter? So to see the sins of youth in an old decrepit goat! Take heed; corruption doth as easily creep into the white head as the canker into the white rose.
At the time when kings go forth to battle,] i.e., At spring time, when there is store of food and forage to be had. But we have lately seen great things done, and forts taken in the depth of winter. But this expedition was undertaken in Martio, quo Mars dominari solet. Our navy is now gone forth this present March 1655; the good Lord bring them back with victory!
And besieged Rabbah.] That great city, Megalopolis, the metropolis of the Ammonites; called afterwards by Ptolemy Philadelph, second king of Egypt, Philadelphia.
But David tarried still at Jerusalem.] Who was used to be abroad, and about fighting the Lord's battles in his own person, as was before noted: and then he was safe. Res age, tutus eris.
“ Otis si tollas periere Cupidinis arcus. ”
David's giving himself to ease and pleasure was the root of all his wretchedness. Standing waters gather filth. Flies settle upon the sweetest perfumes when cold, and corrupt them. As the crab fish seizeth upon the oyster gaping, so doth Satan upon the idle. No moss sticketh to the rolling stone: which if it lay still would be overgrown.