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John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 26:12

So David took the spear, and the cruse of water, from Saul's bolster ,.... Abishai either refusing to take them, since he might not take away his life; or it may be rather David thought better of it, and took them himself, lest Abishai should be tempted, when so near to Saul, and his spear in his hand, and should thrust him with it; though David may be said to take them by the hands of Abishai: and they gat them away ; with the above things along with them: and no man saw it , nor... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 26:5

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... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 26:6

Abishai the son of Zeruiah - She was David's sister; and therefore Abishai and Joab were nephews to David. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 26:8

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 , etc.), and David uses the same language in reply. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 26:10

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... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 26:12

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 ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 26:1-12

The moral use of Biblical difficulties. The facts are— 1 . At the request of the Ziphites, Saul goes out in pursuit of David, who by spies ascertains his true position. 2 . David, observing Saul's camp, goes to it by night with Abishai while all are asleep. 3 . Abishai urges David to seize the opportunity to slay Saul, but is rebuked by the declaration that if Saul dies it shall be in such way as God may ordain, and not by the self-chosen hand of David. 4 . David carries... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 26:2-4

Three thousand chosen men . Not chosen for this expedition, but the force which Saul always kept under arms ( 1 Samuel 13:2 ). By the way. The high road which led down to Arad. David abode in the wilderness. Hebrew, "abides." Instead of fleeing in haste as before, he remains apparently on the higher ground, as he speaks in 1 Samuel 26:6 of going down to Saul's camp. And he saw . I.e. learned, was told. It was only when his scouts brought him their report that he knew that Saul... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 26:5

David arose. It seems as if David could scarcely believe that Saul would thus a second time pursue him; but when the scouts informed him that it was really so, he went in person to reconnoitre Saul's camp. From the opposite hill he was able to see that he lay in the trench, i.e. the barricade formed by the wagons. At night Saul's place would be in the centre, with Abner near him, while the rest would lie sleeping around, but all of them within the rampart. When David reconnoitred them... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 26:6

Ahimelech the Hittite. Though a portion of this once powerful people ( Genesis 15:20 ; 1:26 ) was reduced to the position of bondmen ( 1 Kings 9:20 ), yet others had retained their independence, and their kings even are spoken of ( ibid. 10:29; 2 Kings 7:6 ). As Ahimelech is mentioned before Abishai, he must have held an honourable place with. David, as did subsequently another Hittite, Uriah ( 2 Samuel 11:3 ). Abishai the son of Zeruiah. Zeruiah is described in 1 Chronicles... read more

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