1 Samuel · Chapter 26

Verse 1. The Ziphites came] This is the second time that these enemies of David endeavoured to throw him into the hands of Saul. See 1 Samuel 23:19.

Verses 1, 2. Doth not David hide himself with us? — The number of men whom David supported would not allow him to continue long in the same place, and therefore he was often obliged to shift his quarters for subsistence. We now find him again in the wilderness of Ziph. How much time had elapsed between his marriage of Abigail and his going thither, we are not informed, nor is it easy to determine, but it is probable it was considerable. Then Saul arose — Probably he would have pursued David no more if these Ziphites had not thus excited him.

THE ZIPHITES’ SECOND ATTEMPT TO BETRAY DAVID, 1-5.

1. Ziphites… Hachilah… Jeshimon — See notes on 1 Samuel 23:14,

19. The assumption of certain critics, that because this account resembles the one in chap. 23 it is therefore one and the same, is unworthy of serious attempt at refutation. In their argument the major premise is: Whenever two narratives resemble each other they must always be regarded as based upon the same identical facts!

Verse 2. Three thousand chosen men] Though they knew that David was but six hundred strong, yet Saul thought it was not safe to pursue such an able general with a less force than that mentioned in the text; and, that he might the better depend on them, they were all elect or picked men out of the whole of his army.

Verses 1, 2. Doth not David hide himself with us? — The number of men whom David supported would not allow him to continue long in the same place, and therefore he was often obliged to shift his quarters for subsistence. We now find him again in the wilderness of Ziph. How much time had elapsed between his marriage of Abigail and his going thither, we are not informed, nor is it easy to determine, but it is probable it was considerable. Then Saul arose — Probably he would have pursued David no more if these Ziphites had not thus excited him.

2. Three thousand chosen men — His select standing army. 1 Samuel 13:2.

THE ZIPHITES’ SECOND ATTEMPT TO BETRAY DAVID, 1-5.

1. Ziphites… Hachilah… Jeshimon — See notes on 1 Samuel 23:14,

19. The assumption of certain critics, that because this account resembles the one in chap. 23 it is therefore one and the same, is unworthy of serious attempt at refutation. In their argument the major premise is: Whenever two narratives resemble each other they must always be regarded as based upon the same identical facts!

4. David… sent out spies — Who knew all the windings of that desert. A most wily chieftain was David, and not to be taken unawares by Saul, or any other foe.

V. 5. The Ziphites-Probably Saul would have pursued David no more, had not these wretches set him on.

Verse 5. David arose] As David and his men knew the country, they had many advantages over Saul and his men; and no doubt could often watch them without being discovered.

Saul lay in the trench] The word במעגל bammaegal, which we translate in the trench, and in the margin in the midst of his carriages, is rendered by some in a ring of carriages, and by others in the circle, i.e., which was formed by his troops. Luther himself translates it wagenburg, a fortress formed of wagons or carriages.

As lg[ agal signifies any thing round, it may here refer to a round pavilion or tent made for Saul, or else to the form of his camp. The Arabs, to the present day, always form a circle in their encampments, and put their principal officers in the centre.

Verse 5. David came to the place where Saul had pitched — Within sight of it; where he might observe how he lay. Saul lay in a trench — Hebrews lg[mb bammanggal, in the carriage, or rather, within the circle of the carriages, that he might be safe from any sudden attack.

Verse 5. Saul lay in the trench. Junius reads, “among the waggons;” the Vulgate, “He slept in the tent.” The Romans mostly fortified their camp; the Greeks did the same on the Trojan shore.

5. David arose — Probably just after dark. Beheld the place where Saul lay — David was not content with the report of his men; he wished to survey the situation with his own eyes. The trench — The wagon rampart. See note on 1 Samuel 17:20.

V. 6. Zerujah-David’s sister. His father is not named either because he was now dead; or because he was an obscure person.

Verse 6. Abishai the son of Zeruiah] She was David’s sister; and therefore Abishai and Joab were nephews to David.

Verses 6, 7. Ahimelech the Hittite — A valiant man of that nation, who was a proselyte to the Jewish religion; and not only followed David, but was always near to his person. Abishai — Brother to Joab, the son of Zeruiah, David’s sister. His father is not named, either because he was now dead, or because he was an obscure person. Abishai said, I will go — Either Ahimelech declined it, as too hazardous an enterprise; or Abishai, being a forward young man, offered himself while the other stood deliberating. David and Abishai came to the people by night — A bold attempt for two men to come into the midst of an army of three thousand chosen men. But it should be considered, 1st, That David had a particular assurance that God would preserve him to the kingdom; and, 2d, That he probably had a particular impression from God, exciting him to this work, and, possibly, God might reveal to him that he had cast them into this deep sleep, in order that David might have this second opportunity of manifesting his innocence toward Saul.

Ver. 6. Zeruiah. She was David’s sister, and had three sons; Abishai, Joab, and Asahel, the last of whom Abner slew. 1 Chronicles 2:16.

DAVID SPARES SAUL A SECOND TIME, 6-25.

6. Ahimelech the Hittite — Mentioned here only. Abishai… Joab — Both sons of Zeruiah, and nephews of David. Compare 1 Chronicles 2:16. These brothers ever devoted themselves with the utmost loyalty and zeal to their uncle, both during the time of his wanderings and after he became king. See on 2 Samuel 2:18. Abishai said, I will go — Did Ahimelech decline through fear of danger?

V. 7. Came-That is, to Saul’s host. It might seem a bold and strange attempt; but it may be considered:

1. That David had a particular assurance that God would preserve him to the kingdom.

2. That he had a special instinct from God, to this work; and possibly God might inform him, that he had cast them into a deep sleep, that he might have this second opportunity of manifesting his innocency towards Saul.

Verses 6, 7. Ahimelech the Hittite — A valiant man of that nation, who was a proselyte to the Jewish religion; and not only followed David, but was always near to his person. Abishai — Brother to Joab, the son of Zeruiah, David’s sister. His father is not named, either because he was now dead, or because he was an obscure person. Abishai said, I will go — Either Ahimelech declined it, as too hazardous an enterprise; or Abishai, being a forward young man, offered himself while the other stood deliberating. David and Abishai came to the people by night — A bold attempt for two men to come into the midst of an army of three thousand chosen men. But it should be considered, 1st, That David had a particular assurance that God would preserve him to the kingdom; and, 2d, That he probably had a particular impression from God, exciting him to this work, and, possibly, God might reveal to him that he had cast them into this deep sleep, in order that David might have this second opportunity of manifesting his innocence toward Saul.

7. Spear… at his bolster — Or, at his head, as we have rendered the Hebrew at 1 Samuel 19:13. “I noticed at all the encampments which we passed,” says Dr. Thomson, “that the sheik’s tent was distinguished from the rest by a tall spear stuck upright in the ground in front of it; and it is the custom, when a party is out on an excursion for robbery or for war, that when they halt to rest, the spot where the chief reclines or sleeps is thus designated.”

Verse 8. God hath delivered thine enemy into thine hand] Here Abishai uses the same language as did David’s men, when Saul came into the cave at En-gedi, (see 1 Samuel 24:4, &c.,) and David uses the same language in reply.

Verses 8, 9. Now, therefore, let me smite him — Although David would not kill him himself, when he had the like opportunity, 1 Samuel 24:4; yet Abishai thought he might give him leave to do it; and he pledged himself to nail him to the ground with his spear at one thrust, so that he should make no noise by crying out. And David said, Destroy him not — Saul having been made king by God’s special appointment, David looked upon it as a high crime to offer any violence to him: as if he had said, Though he be a tyrant, yet he is our lord and king; and I, although designed king, am yet his subject; and therefore I cannot kill him without sin, nor will I consent that thou shouldst do it.

8. I will not smite him the second time — So complete will be the execution of the first stroke that there will be no need of a second.

V. 9. Destroy him not, &c.-Though Saul be a tyrant, yet he is our Lord and king; and I, though designed king, as yet am his subject; and therefore cannot kill him without sin, nor will I consent that thou shouldst do it.

Verses 8, 9. Now, therefore, let me smite him — Although David would not kill him himself, when he had the like opportunity, 1 Samuel 24:4; yet Abishai thought he might give him leave to do it; and he pledged himself to nail him to the ground with his spear at one thrust, so that he should make no noise by crying out. And David said, Destroy him not — Saul having been made king by God’s special appointment, David looked upon it as a high crime to offer any violence to him: as if he had said, Though he be a tyrant, yet he is our lord and king; and I, although designed king, am yet his subject; and therefore I cannot kill him without sin, nor will I consent that thou shouldst do it.

DAVID SPARES SAUL A SECOND TIME, 6-25.

6. Ahimelech the Hittite — Mentioned here only. Abishai… Joab — Both sons of Zeruiah, and nephews of David. Compare 1 Chronicles 2:16. These brothers ever devoted themselves with the utmost loyalty and zeal to their uncle, both during the time of his wanderings and after he became king. See on 2 Samuel 2:18. Abishai said, I will go — Did Ahimelech decline through fear of danger?

Verse 10. The Lord shall smite him] He shall die by a stroke of the Divine judgment; or his day shall come to die-he shall die a natural death; which in the course of things must be before mine, and thus I shall get rid of mine enemy; or he shall descend into the battle, and perish-he shall fall by the enemies of his country. These are the three ordinary ways by which man accomplishes, as a hireling, his day. Murder David could not consider to be lawful; this would have been taking the matter out of God’s hand, and this David would not do.

Verses 10, 11. The Lord shall smite him, &c. — David leaves it to the sovereign will and pleasure of God to put an end to Saul’s life when he saw best; either by a sudden stroke, or in the course of nature, or by causing him to fall in battle. Take the spear — Which will show where we have been, and what we could have done. And the cruise of water — Set there either for Saul to drink, if he were thirsty, or to wash himself, as was prescribed to the Israelites by the law, for many accidental pollutions.

DAVID SPARES SAUL A SECOND TIME, 6-25.

6. Ahimelech the Hittite — Mentioned here only. Abishai… Joab — Both sons of Zeruiah, and nephews of David. Compare 1 Chronicles 2:16. These brothers ever devoted themselves with the utmost loyalty and zeal to their uncle, both during the time of his wanderings and after he became king. See on 2 Samuel 2:18. Abishai said, I will go — Did Ahimelech decline through fear of danger?

V. 11. Take the spear-Which will shew where we have been, and what we could have done.

Verses 10, 11. The Lord shall smite him, &c. — David leaves it to the sovereign will and pleasure of God to put an end to Saul’s life when he saw best; either by a sudden stroke, or in the course of nature, or by causing him to fall in battle. Take the spear — Which will show where we have been, and what we could have done. And the cruise of water — Set there either for Saul to drink, if he were thirsty, or to wash himself, as was prescribed to the Israelites by the law, for many accidental pollutions.

11. The cruse of water — Of which the king might drink if he awoke thirsty. “The cruse of water at Saul’s head.” adds Thomson, “is in exact accordance with the customs of the people at this day. No one ventures to travel over these deserts without his cruse of water, and it is very common to place one at the bolster, so that the owner can reach it during the night.”

Verse 12. David took the spear and the cruse] The spear, we have already seen, was the emblem of power and regal dignity. But it is usual, in Arab camps, for every man to have his lance stuck in the ground beside him, that he may be ready for action in a moment. The cruse of water resembled, in some measure, the canteens of our soldiers. In such a climate, where water was always scarce, it was necessary for each man to carry a little with him, to refresh him on his march. A deep sleep from the Lord] It is the same word which is used, Genesis 2:21, to describe the sleep which God caused to fall upon Adam, when he formed Eve out of his side.

12. David took the spear and the cruse — From this the most careless reader might see that we have in this chapter a different occurrence from that of chap. 24. There David cuts off a piece of Saul’s garment for a trophy; here he takes his spear and cruse. And, it may be added, there Saul was in a cave, here in the midst of the baggage wagons of his army; there he was performing an act of nature, here he was fast asleep. A deep sleep from the Lord was fallen upon them — So that Divine Providence favoured David in his daring enterprise.

V. 13. Afar off-That his person might be out of their reach, and yet his voice might be heard; which in a clear air, and in the silence of the night might be heard at a great distance.

Verses 13, 14. And stood on the top of a hill — On such a rock or precipice that there was no coming to him but by taking a circuit round. So that it might be said, in respect of the way whereby only they could come to him, that he stood afar off, and that there was a great distance between them; and yet, though his person might thus be out of their reach, his voice might be distinctly heard, which in a clear air, and in the silence of the night, it might be at a considerable distance. David cried to the people — It is probable this was early in the morning.

13. To the other side — Of the wady or valley which lay between the place of Saul’s encampment and the top of a hill afar off from which David cried to the people. “Saul had probably encamped with his fighting men on the slope of the hill Hachilah, so that a valley separated him from the opposite hill, from which David had no doubt reconnoitred the camp and then gone down to it, (verse 6,) and to which [hill] he returned after the deed was accomplished.” — Keil.

V. 14. Cried to the people-It is probable this was early in the morning.

Verses 13, 14. And stood on the top of a hill — On such a rock or precipice that there was no coming to him but by taking a circuit round. So that it might be said, in respect of the way whereby only they could come to him, that he stood afar off, and that there was a great distance between them; and yet, though his person might thus be out of their reach, his voice might be distinctly heard, which in a clear air, and in the silence of the night, it might be at a considerable distance. David cried to the people — It is probable this was early in the morning.

14. David cried to the people — “The people in these mountainous countries are able, from long practice, so to pitch their voices as to be heard distinctly at distances almost incredible. They talk with persons across enormous wadies, and give the most minute directions, which are perfectly understood. In the stillness of evening, after the people have returned home from their distant fields, the public crier of villages on Lebanon ascends the mountain side, above the place, or to the roof of some prominent house, and gives forth his proclamation with such distinctness that all can hear and understand it.” — Thomson.

Verse 15. Art not thou a valiant man?] This is a strong irony. Ye are worthy to die; ye are sons of death-ye deserve death for this neglect of your king. And had not Saul been so deeply affected with David’s generosity in preserving his life, he had doubtless put Abner and his chief officers to death; though they were not to blame, as their apparent neglect was the effect of a supernatural sleep.

Verses 15-17. Wherefore hast thou not kept, &c. — Observed better military discipline for the preservation of the king’s person? There came one of the people — Into the king’s camp, and had a fair opportunity to destroy him. Because ye have not kept your master — Guarded him better from any danger. It is probable they despised David’s small forces, and, therefore, were so negligent. It is my voice, my lord, O king — He still acknowledges Saul’s authority, and the allegiance he owed him, though he had done him so many injuries.

DAVID SPARES SAUL A SECOND TIME, 6-25.

6. Ahimelech the Hittite — Mentioned here only. Abishai… Joab — Both sons of Zeruiah, and nephews of David. Compare 1 Chronicles 2:16. These brothers ever devoted themselves with the utmost loyalty and zeal to their uncle, both during the time of his wanderings and after he became king. See on 2 Samuel 2:18. Abishai said, I will go — Did Ahimelech decline through fear of danger?

Verses 15-17. Wherefore hast thou not kept, &c. — Observed better military discipline for the preservation of the king’s person? There came one of the people — Into the king’s camp, and had a fair opportunity to destroy him. Because ye have not kept your master — Guarded him better from any danger. It is probable they despised David’s small forces, and, therefore, were so negligent. It is my voice, my lord, O king — He still acknowledges Saul’s authority, and the allegiance he owed him, though he had done him so many injuries.

DAVID SPARES SAUL A SECOND TIME, 6-25.

6. Ahimelech the Hittite — Mentioned here only. Abishai… Joab — Both sons of Zeruiah, and nephews of David. Compare 1 Chronicles 2:16. These brothers ever devoted themselves with the utmost loyalty and zeal to their uncle, both during the time of his wanderings and after he became king. See on 2 Samuel 2:18. Abishai said, I will go — Did Ahimelech decline through fear of danger?

Verses 15-17. Wherefore hast thou not kept, &c. — Observed better military discipline for the preservation of the king’s person? There came one of the people — Into the king’s camp, and had a fair opportunity to destroy him. Because ye have not kept your master — Guarded him better from any danger. It is probable they despised David’s small forces, and, therefore, were so negligent. It is my voice, my lord, O king — He still acknowledges Saul’s authority, and the allegiance he owed him, though he had done him so many injuries.

17. Saul knew David’s voice — The distance and the dimness of the early morning hindered him from recognising David by sight.

DAVID SPARES SAUL A SECOND TIME, 6-25.

6. Ahimelech the Hittite — Mentioned here only. Abishai… Joab — Both sons of Zeruiah, and nephews of David. Compare 1 Chronicles 2:16. These brothers ever devoted themselves with the utmost loyalty and zeal to their uncle, both during the time of his wanderings and after he became king. See on 2 Samuel 2:18. Abishai said, I will go — Did Ahimelech decline through fear of danger?

V. 19. The Lord-If the Lord hath by the evil spirit which he hath sent, or by his secret providence, directed thy rage against me for the punishment of thine, or my sins. An offering-Let us offer up a sacrifice to God to appease his wrath against us. Driven me-From the land which God hath given to his people for their inheritance, and where he hath established his presence and worship. Go serve-This was the language of their actions. For by driving him from God’s land, and the place of his worship, into foreign and idolatrous lands, they exposed him to the peril of being either ensnared by their counsels, or examples; or forced by their power to worship idols.

Verse 19. Let him accept an offering] If God have stirred thee up against me, why, then, let him deliver my life into thy hand, and accept it as a sacrifice. But as the word is hjnm minchah, a gratitude-offering, perhaps the sense may be this: Let God accept a gratitude-offering from thee, for having purged the land of a worker of iniquity; for, were I not such, God would never stir thee up against me.

But if they be the children of men] If men have, by false representations, lies, and slanders, stirred thee up against an innocent man, then let them be cursed before the Lord. If I am guilty, I deserve to die; if not, those who seek my life should be destroyed.

Saying, Go, serve other gods.] His being obliged to leave the tabernacle, and the place where the true worship of God was performed, and take refuge among idolaters, said in effect, Go, serve other gods.

Verse 19. If the Lord hath stirred thee up against me — If he hath, by the evil spirit which he hath sent, or by his secret providence, directed thy rage against me for the punishment of thine or my sins; let him accept an offering — Let us offer up a sacrifice to him to appease his wrath against us. They have driven me — From the land which God hath given to his people for their inheritance, and where he hath established his presence and worship. Saying, Go, serve other gods — This was the language of their actions. For by driving him from God’s land, and the place of his worship, into foreign and idolatrous lands, they exposed him to the peril of being either insnared by their counsels or examples, or forced by their power to worship idols.

19. If the Lord have stirred thee up against me — That God sometimes impels men into evil actions is seen from 2 Samuel 16:10; 24:1; but those very examples show that such instigation is but a part of the punishment of sins already committed. God tempts no man to sin, and the instigations to evil above referred to are not temptations, but judgments for sins already done and demanding punishment. David therefore tells the king that if the Lord has stirred him up to this evil persecution, then he (Saul) should regard himself as a sinner, and seek reconciliation by an offering. Let him accept an offering — Both at thy hands and at mine. David here implies that he himself is a sinner and may need atonement, but that fact does not lessen Saul’s sin. If… the children of men — Such as the Ziphites and Doeg the Edomite. Go, serve other gods — This was the effect of their driving him out of the inheritance of the Lord, that is, from among the chosen people, Israel. They thereby obliged him to be far away from the tabernacle and all the sacred services required by the law. Perhaps Psalms xlii and xliii were composed about this time.

V. 20. Before the Lord-Remember, if thou dost it, God the judge of all men seeth it, and will avenge it; though I will not avenge myself.

Verse 20. As when one doth hunt a partridge] It is worthy of remark that the Arabs, observing that partridges, being put up several times, soon become so weary as not to be able to fly; they in this manner hunt them upon the mountains, till at last they can knock them down with their clubs. It was in this manner that Saul hunted David, coming hastily upon him, and putting him up from time to time, in hopes that he should at length, by frequent repetitions of it, be able to destroy him. See Harmer.

Verse 20. Before the face of the Lord — The Lord seeing it, and being the avenger. Remember, if thou dost it, God, the judge of all men, observes and will call thee to account for it, though I will not avenge myself. Is come out to seek a flea — Is come out for a purpose beneath him, and not of importance enough to deserve his trouble. As when one doth hunt a partridge — The Hebrew word arq, kore, does not seem to be rightly translated partridge here. Rabbi Salomon renders it cuculus, cuckow, so called from its crying. It certainly must be the name of a bird of no value for food, or any other use; and therefore the pursuing it on the mountains, through difficult places, was a useless and insignificant labour.

20. Before the face of the Lord — Rather, At a distance from, or far off from, the face of the Lord. That is, in a distant land, or an enemy’s country. A flea — An insignificant insect. Compare 1 Samuel 24:14. As when one doth hunt a partridge in the mountains — Additional comparison, instead of dead dog, in 1 Samuel 24:14. The partridge does not so much frequent the mountains as the fields and lowlands; it would therefore be idle for one to hunt a single partridge far off on the mountains, when he could find flocks of them in the lower brushwoods and the fields.

V. 21. My soul, &c.-This second instance of David’s tenderness wrought more upon Saul than the former. He owns himself melted and quite overcome by David’s kindness to him. My soul was precious in thine eyes, which I thought had been odious. He acknowledges he had done very ill to persecute him: I have acted against God’s law, I have sinned: and against my own interest, I have played the fool, in pursuing him as an enemy, who was indeed one of my best friends. And herein I have erred exceedingly, have wronged both thee and myself. Nothing can be more full and ingenuous than this confession: God surely now touched his heart. And he promises to persecute him no more: nor does it appear that he ever attempted it.

Verse 21. I have sinned] Perhaps the word ytacj chatathi, “I have sinned,” should be read, I have erred, or, have been mistaken. I have taken thee to be a very different man from what I find thee to be. Taken literally it was strictly true. He often purposed the spilling of David’s blood; and thus, again and again, sinned against his life.

Verse 21. Then said Saul, I have sinned — This second instance of David’s tenderness wrought more upon Saul than the former. He owns himself melted, and quite overcome by David’s kindness to him. My soul was precious in thine eyes — which I thought had been odious. He acknowledges he had done very ill to persecute him: I have acted against God’s law; I have sinned: and against my own interest; I have played the fool — In pursuing thee as an enemy, who wast, indeed, one of my best friends. And herein I have erred exceedingly — Have wronged both thee and myself. Nothing can be more full and ingenuous than this confession. God surely now touched his heart. And he promises to persecute him no more: nor does it appear that he ever attempted it afterward.

DAVID SPARES SAUL A SECOND TIME, 6-25.

6. Ahimelech the Hittite — Mentioned here only. Abishai… Joab — Both sons of Zeruiah, and nephews of David. Compare 1 Chronicles 2:16. These brothers ever devoted themselves with the utmost loyalty and zeal to their uncle, both during the time of his wanderings and after he became king. See on 2 Samuel 2:18. Abishai said, I will go — Did Ahimelech decline through fear of danger?

Verses 22-24. Behold the king’s spear, &c. — He did not think it proper to put himself in Saul’s power by going and presenting it himself to him. The Lord render to every man his righteousness — In these words David shows the assurance he had that, however Saul dealt by him, the Lord would vindicate his cause on account of his integrity and righteous dealing. So let my life be much set by, &c. — He prays that God would spare his life as he had spared Saul’s, and show him similar mercy, and then he trusted that he should be delivered out of all his troubles.

DAVID SPARES SAUL A SECOND TIME, 6-25.

6. Ahimelech the Hittite — Mentioned here only. Abishai… Joab — Both sons of Zeruiah, and nephews of David. Compare 1 Chronicles 2:16. These brothers ever devoted themselves with the utmost loyalty and zeal to their uncle, both during the time of his wanderings and after he became king. See on 2 Samuel 2:18. Abishai said, I will go — Did Ahimelech decline through fear of danger?

Verses 22-24. Behold the king’s spear, &c. — He did not think it proper to put himself in Saul’s power by going and presenting it himself to him. The Lord render to every man his righteousness — In these words David shows the assurance he had that, however Saul dealt by him, the Lord would vindicate his cause on account of his integrity and righteous dealing. So let my life be much set by, &c. — He prays that God would spare his life as he had spared Saul’s, and show him similar mercy, and then he trusted that he should be delivered out of all his troubles.

DAVID SPARES SAUL A SECOND TIME, 6-25.

6. Ahimelech the Hittite — Mentioned here only. Abishai… Joab — Both sons of Zeruiah, and nephews of David. Compare 1 Chronicles 2:16. These brothers ever devoted themselves with the utmost loyalty and zeal to their uncle, both during the time of his wanderings and after he became king. See on 2 Samuel 2:18. Abishai said, I will go — Did Ahimelech decline through fear of danger?

Verses 22-24. Behold the king’s spear, &c. — He did not think it proper to put himself in Saul’s power by going and presenting it himself to him. The Lord render to every man his righteousness — In these words David shows the assurance he had that, however Saul dealt by him, the Lord would vindicate his cause on account of his integrity and righteous dealing. So let my life be much set by, &c. — He prays that God would spare his life as he had spared Saul’s, and show him similar mercy, and then he trusted that he should be delivered out of all his troubles.

DAVID SPARES SAUL A SECOND TIME, 6-25.

6. Ahimelech the Hittite — Mentioned here only. Abishai… Joab — Both sons of Zeruiah, and nephews of David. Compare 1 Chronicles 2:16. These brothers ever devoted themselves with the utmost loyalty and zeal to their uncle, both during the time of his wanderings and after he became king. See on 2 Samuel 2:18. Abishai said, I will go — Did Ahimelech decline through fear of danger?

V. 25 Blessed, &c.-So strong was his conviction now, that he could not forbear blessing him, foretelling his success, applauding David, and condemning himself, even in the hearing of his own soldiers. And this, it seems, was their last interview. After this they saw each other no more.

Verse 25. Thou shalt both do great things, and also shalt still prevail.] The Hebrew is lkwt יכל וגם hc[t hc[ גם gam asoh thaaseh, vegam yachol tuchal; “Also in doing thou shalt do, and being able thou shalt be able; which the Targum translates, also in reigning thou shalt reign, and in prospering thou shalt prosper; which in all probability is the meaning. There is a vast deal of dignity in this speech of David, arising from a consciousness of his own innocence. He neither begs his life from Saul, nor offers one argument to prevail upon him to desist from his felonious attempts, but refers the whole matter to God, as the judge and vindicator of oppressed innocence. Saul himself is speechless, except in the simple acknowledgment of his sin; and in the behalf of their king not one of his officers has one word to say! It is strange that none of them offered now to injure the person of David; but they saw that he was most evidently under the guardian care of God, and that their master was apparently abandoned by him. Saul invites David to return, but David knew the uncertainty of Saul’s character too well to trust himself in the power of this infatuated king. How foolish are the counsels of men against God! When he undertakes to save, who can destroy? And who can deliver out of his hands?

I SAMUEL

Verse 25. Blessed be thou, my son David — Saul perceived that it was in vain to contend any longer against David, whom he saw God intended for great things. And so strong was his conviction now of this, as well as of his own sin and folly, that he could not forbear blessing him, foretelling his success, applauding him, and condemning himself, even in the hearing of his own soldiers. And this, it seems, was their last interview. After this they saw each other no more.

Ver. 25. So David went on his way; and would not trust his life in the hands of the Benjamites.

25. Saul returned to his place — To his home in Gibeah. These rivals never saw each other again.