They cried, but there was none to save them: even unto the LORD, but he answered them not.
Read Chapter 18
Augustine of Hippo
AD 430
42. "They have cried out, and there was none to save them" (ver. 41). For who can save them, whom Thou wouldest not save? "To the Lord, and He did not hear them." Nor did they cry out to any chance one, but to the Lord: and He did not judge them worthy of being heard, who depart not from their wickedness.
Lord. This must be understood of Absalom, who offered sacrifices, (2 Kings xv. 12.; Berthier) or of Saul, who, receiving no answer, consulted a witch. The Philistines also brought their gods with them, so that they were taken and burnt; (2 Kings v. 21.) and the other pagans, finding no aid in their idols, might in time of danger, invoke the Lord. (Calmet)
This is "the testimony of a soul naturally Christian "as Tertullian (Apol. xvii.) speaks, to have recourse to the great and only God, in the utmost distress. (Haydock)
Deus ut subveniat oratur; ipsa veritas, cogente natura.erumpit. (Lac. Inst. ii. 1.)
