Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 Samuel 22:2

2 And every one that was in distress , and every one that was in debt , and every one that was k discontented , gathered themselves unto him, and he became a captain over them : and there were with him about four hundred men.

Through Want, or Oppression, or otherwise.

How could David receive, and countenance such persons to the wrong of their Creditors? Answ. 1. David might be ignorant of their Debts; and it is most likely they concealed that, and pretended other causes of their coming to him, as the Protection of the Innocent, and the Defence of his Just Rites, &c. 2. They might be, and probably were, poor Debtors, whom their Creditors were obliged to spare, and favour, Exod. 22. 25. And though their Persons were with David, yet their Lands and Goods were liable to their Creditors.

Or, bitter in soul: i. e. In an Afflicted, and Calamitous condition.

He did not justifie, nor maintain any Injustice or Wickedness, which some of them possibly might be guilty of; but on the contrary, he instructed, and obliged them to the practise of all Justice and Honesty; as appears from Chap. 25. 15. And he onely used them for his just Defence.

Marginal references: Heb. [illegible: 1 word] creditor.; Heb. [illegible: 1 word] soul.