We cannot suppose that this law required the Israelites to entertain slaves who had robbed their masters, or left their service without cause; but such only as were cruelly treated, and fled to them for protection, especially from the neighbouring nations. To such they were commanded to afford shelter, and shew great kindness. "And Davidª saidª° to¹ him, Canst thou bring me downª° to¹ this¹ company?ª And he said,ª° Swearª° unto me by God,ª that thou wilt neither¹ killª° me, norª deliverª° me into the handsª of my master,ª and I will bring thee downª° to¹ this¹ company.ª" {1Sm 30:15} + "Neither¹ shouldest thou have stoodª° in¹ the crossway,ª to cut offª°¹ those of his that did escape;ª neither¹ shouldest thou have delivered upª° those of his that did remainª in the dayª of distress.ª" {Oba 1:14} + "I beseechª° theeª forª myª sonª Onesimus,ª whomª I have begottenª° inª myª bonds:ª ... Iª Paulª have writtenª° [it] with mine ownª hand,ª Iª will repayª° [it]: albeit²°¹ I do²° not²¹ sayª° to theeª howª thou owestª° unto meª evenª thine own selfª besides.²°" {Phm 1:10-19}