1 Samuel 26:1-4. Saul's renewed pursuit of David 1. _And the Ziphites came_ On the theory that this is only another account of the incidents related in 1 Samuel 23:19 to 1 Samuel 24:22, see Note VII. p. 243. The view there taken that the narratives refer to different events, is assumed in the notes... [ Continue Reading ]
_three thousand chosen men_ Cp. 1 Samuel 24:2. This was the number of his standing army. See 1 Samuel 13:2.... [ Continue Reading ]
_by the way_ Close to some well-known high road. Cp. 1 Samuel 24:3. _he saw_ i.e. perceived or learned. Cp. 1 Samuel 23:15.... [ Continue Reading ]
Saul's life again in David's power 5. _in the trench_ See on 1 Samuel 17:20. The Sept. rendering "in a chariot" is a mistake.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Ahimelech the Hittite_ Not mentioned elsewhere. Uriah was also a Hittite. The Hittites, or descendants of Heth, the second son of Canaan, occupied Kirjath-Arba, afterwards called Hebron, in the days of Abraham (Genesis 23:2 ff.). Esau married Hittite wives (Genesis 26:34). The Hittites are repeated... [ Continue Reading ]
_to the people_ i.e. to Saul's army. Cp. 1 Samuel 14:45. _his spear_ See on 1 Samuel 18:10. _at his bolster_ AT HIS HEAD; and so in 1 Samuel 26:11_; 1 Samuel 26:16_. Cp. 1 Samuel 19:13.... [ Continue Reading ]
_hath delivered_ Lit. _shut up_, as in 1 Samuel 24:18. _at once_ Not "immediately," but "WITH ONE STROKE.... [ Continue Reading ]
_David said_, &c. AND DAVID SAID, NAY, BUT JEHOVAH SHALL STRIKE HIM, &c. The person of the anointed king is inviolable: his life is in Jehovah's hands. It may be ended either (_a_) by a sudden stroke, such as that which smote Nabal (1 Samuel 25:38); or (_b_) by a natural death; or (_c_) by death in... [ Continue Reading ]
_cruse_ A small cup or jar. The word is found in Icelandic, Danish, and other languages, and is probably akin to _crock_and _crucible_.... [ Continue Reading ]
_from Saul's bolster_ FROM SAUL'S HEAD. _a deep sleep_ The word is used especially of _supernaturally_caused sleep, as in Genesis 2:21; Genesis 15:12.... [ Continue Reading ]
David's final expostulation with Saul 13. _a great space being between them_ This precaution indicates that David trusted Saul less now than upon the former occasion. Cp. 1 Samuel 26:22.... [ Continue Reading ]
_that criest to the king_ The Sept. omits "to the king;" but the Vulg. gives the sense rightly; "Who art thou that criest and disturbest the king?... [ Continue Reading ]
_a_[_valiant man_ Heb. simply, A MAN, i.e. one worthy of the name. _who is like to thee in Israel_ Abner was evidently the most powerful man in Saul's court. His course of action after Saul's death shews plainly the influence he had gained. _kept_ i.e. kept guard over.... [ Continue Reading ]
_worthy to die_ Lit. _sons of death_. Cp. 1 Samuel 20:31.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Saul knew David's voice_ It was still too dark to see him at a distance. Saul's question is the same as in 1 Samuel 24:16, but there it stands in quite a different connexion.... [ Continue Reading ]
_And he said_, &c. With David's speech here compare that in 1 Samuel 24:9 ff. Here he affirms his innocence indirectly by challenging Saul to give his reasons for persecuting him: there he appeals directly to his having spared Saul's life as a proof of his loyalty.... [ Continue Reading ]
_If the Lord_&c. Saul may be acting as the executioner of a divine punishment. In that case David desires to obtain pardon by a propitiatory offering. This seems the obvious explanation. But according to the view of many commentators, David suggests that this perverse persecution is the consequence... [ Continue Reading ]
_before the face of the Lord_ Slay me not, lest Jehovah avenge my blood upon thee. But it is possible to render "FAR FROM THE PRESENCE OF JEHOVAH:" i.e. let me not die a violent death in a heathen land: and this suits the context better. _a flea_ A SINGLE FLEA. Cp. 1 Samuel 24:14. The Sept. however... [ Continue Reading ]
_I have sinned_, &c. Compare and contrast 1 Samuel 24:16 ff.... [ Continue Reading ]
_let one of the young men_, &c. For he durst not now venture to put himself in Saul's power, as he appears to have done upon the former occasion. Cp. 1 Samuel 26:13.... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Lord render_, &c. Better, SHALL render. In 1 Samuel 24:19 the equivalent of these words is put Into Saul's mouth. David is not sounding his own praises, but as before (1 Samuel 24:12) declaring his confidence that God will eventually recompense him for his upright and loyal behaviour. Cp. Psalm... [ Continue Reading ]
_was much set by_ For the expression cp. 1 Samuel 18:30, though a different Heb. word is used here: lit. "was great." _deliver me out of all tribulation_ Cp. Psalms 34:17; Psalms 54:7.... [ Continue Reading ]
_to his place_ i.e. to his home. Cp. 1 Samuel 2:20.... [ Continue Reading ]