1 Samuel 26

Saul having intelligence, by means of the Ziphites, where David was, seeketh him, vers. 1, etc. David coming to hear of it, spieth out Sauls camping place, and taketh away his spear, and water cup, or bottle; but will not suffer him to be hurt, 4. After that upbraideth Abner with his negligence, 13. Admonisheth Saul, 18. Who acknowledgeth his own fault, and Davids innocence, 21. They part in friendship, 25.

1. The Ziphites now came the second treachery of the first is described, chapter 23. 19.] Doth not David hide himself on the hill of Hachila, before the wilderness? [As if they should say, yea certainly he is come again to us, and hideth himself on, etc.]

2. Then Saul gat up, and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, and three thousand chosen men of Israel with him: to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph.

3. And Saul camped himself on the hill of Hachila, which is before the wilderness by the way, but David abode in the wilderness, and saw that Saul came after him to the wilderness.

4. For David had sent spies, and he understood that Saul came of a certain.

5. And David gat up, and came to the place where Saul had camped himself, and David viewed the place where Saul lay, with Abner the so of Ner, the Commander of his host: and Saul lay in the trench, [See the annotate. Above chapter 17. 20.] and the people [Others the souldiers, men of war] were camped round about him.

6. Then answered [i.e. spake, for there goeth no question before] David, and spake unto Achimeth the Hethite, [viz. By descent, but by Religion an Israelite or Proselite. They are properly called Hethites, that descended from Heth, the son of Canaan: See Genes. 10. 16. And 15. 20.] and to Abisai the son of Zeruja, [This was Davids sister, she had three sons, viz. Joab, Abisai, and Asahel, who from the mother are called the sons of Zeruja, here, and 1 Chronicles 2:16. In respect of David fame or renown: but no mention is made of their father] the brother of Joab, saying, who will go down with me to Saul into the Camp? Then said Abisai, I will go down with thee.

7. Thus David ad Abisai came to the people [viz. In the camp of Saul] by night, and behold, Saul lay sleeping in the trench, and his spear stuck in the ground at his head-end, and Abner, and the people lay round about.

8. Then said Abisai unto David: God hath shut up thine enemy in thine hand this day: let me now, I pray thee, smite him with the first] and I will not do it to him the second time. [As if he should say, I’le be sure so to hit him at the first blow, that I shall surely kill him out right, and shall not need to smite him the second time.]

9. David on the contrary said unto Abisai: Destroy him not: [i.e. do not kill him] for who hath laid his hand on the LORDS anointed, [See above chapter 24. 7. In the anotat.] and remained guiltless? [i.e. unpunished]

10. Moreover, David said, (As true as) the LORD liveth; [Understand withal, I will not suffer it] but the Lord do with him, what pleaseth him; as for me, I’le not lay my hand on him] or his day shall come, [i.e. the time that God hath limited and appointed him to die his natural death. See Job 15. On vers. 34.] or he shall into battle, that he may perish.

11. The LORD let it be far from me, that I should lay mine hand [Heb. From laying mine hand.] on the LORDS anointed: take therefore now, I pray thee, the spear that is at his head-end, and the water bottle, and let us go.

12. So David took the spear, and the water bottle from Saul’s head-end, and they went their way; and there was no man that saw it, and no man that heeded it, also no man that awaked, for they were all asleep, for there was a deep sleep of the LORD fallen upon them. [i.e. a deep sleep sent from God.]

13. When David was come over on the other side, then he stood on the top [Heb. On the head] of the mountain afar off: (so) that there was a great place (or space) between them.

14. And David cried to the people, [viz. To Saul’s soldiers] and to Abner the son of Ner, saying, Wilt thou not answer, Abner? Then answered Abner, and said, Who art thou that criest to the King? [As if he should say, Who art thou, that thus criest, roarest, that thou even sparest not the King himself, but awakes him also out of his sleep?]

15. Then said David unto Abner, Art thou not a man? [This question affirmeth, as elsewhere besides. As if he should say, Abner, thou art indeed a stout man, a champion, valiant and courageous] and who is like to thee in Israel? [As if he had said, no man is like to thee in strength, and valour] wherefore then hast thou kept guard over thy Lord the King? For there came one of the people to destroy thy Lord the King.

16. This thing which thou hast done is not good, (as true as) the LORD liveth ye are children of death, [i.e. ye have deserved death] who have not kept a guard over your Lord the kind: and now behold, where the Kings spear is, and the water-bottle, which was at his head-ed.

17. Now Saul knew Davids voice, and said, Is this thy voice, my son David? David said, It is my voice, my Lord, (O) King.

18. He said further, Wherefore doth my Lord thus pursue after his servant, [i.e. me] for what have I done ? what evil is there in mine hand? [i.e. what evil have I done. See the annotate. Above chapter 24. Vers. 12.]

19. And now, my Lord the King, hearken, I pray thee to the words of thy servant: if the LORD stir thee up against me [viz. By his command, or special ordering] let him smell the meat-offering. Some do understand this thus: If God hath commanded thee to do this, then he will accept thy meat offering. Others thus: then will I appease the Lord with sacrifice for the sin, whereby I have deserved it] but if they be the children of men, then cursed be they before the face of the LORD, because they drive me out this day, that I cannot abide firmly fixed in the inheritance of the LORD, [i.e. with the people of the Lord, which are as Dear unto him, as an inheritance can be to any man whatsoever. The meaning of the words is this, so that I cannot constantly dwell where the service and worship of God is performed, but am constrained continually to serve about, and to flee from place to place] saying, Go thy way, serve other Gods. [i.e. they move me as much as in them lieth , to fall away, from the true worship of God to the Idolatry of the Gentiles]

20. And now, let not my blood fall to the Earth [i.e. As if he had said, The Lord before whose face I walk the face of the LORD: [i.e. the Lord see it , and punish it. Oth. Before the face of the Lord] for he King of Israel is gone forth to seek an only flea; as they hunt after a partridge on the mountains.

21. Then said Saul, I have sinned, return, my son David, for I will not hurt thee anymore, because my Soul was precious in thine eyes this day: [i.e. because thou hast spared me, and hast not take away my life, whereas indeed thou couldst have doe it] behold, I have done foolishly, and I have erred exceedingly.

22. Then answered David, and said Behold, the Kings spear, therefore let one of the young men come over, and fetch it.

23. The LORD then recompense to every one his righteousness and his faithfulness: [i.e. according as every one hath walked uprightly, and hath kept faith and truth] for the LORD had delivered thee into (mine) hand this day, but I would not stretch forth mine hand against the LORDS anointed. [i.e. against thee, who art the lords anointed]

24. And behold, according as thy Soul was this day, esteemed great in mine eyes: so let my Soul be esteemed great in the eyes of the LORD, and let him deliver me out of all need.

25. Then said Saul unto David, Blessed be thou my son David, thou Shalt assuredly do it, and thou shalt also certainly have the upper hand: [Heb. Doing thou shalt do it, and prevailing thou shalt prevail. i.e. Thou shalt be too potent, or too strong for thine enemies, and thou shalt over-power them. Others take it in this sense, Go on in like manner in all thy affairs with righteousness and faithfulness, as thou doest towards me, and doubt not but thou shalt prevail, get the upper-hand, and attain to the Kingly honour and dignity,] Then went David on his way, and Saul returned to his place.