1 Samuel 26:1, 1 Samuel 26:3 NVIPT

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Samuel 26:1-5

Saul’s encampment near the hill of Hachilah 26:1-5The Ziphites betrayed David a second time (cf. 1 Samuel 23:19). David was again hiding by the hill of Hachilah (1 Samuel 23:19). When Saul came down from Gibeah with his 3,000 (or three military units of) soldiers, he camped near the main road. David had only 600 men (1 Samuel 23:13; 1 Samuel 25:13). David evidently stayed on the other side of the hill (1 Samuel 26:3). Perhaps he went up on the hill at night to survey Saul’s encampment and there... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 26:1-25

David spares Saul’s Life a Second Time1. Hachilah] near the wilderness of Ziph: see 1 Samuel 23:19. 4. Was come in very deed] Heb. ’was come to Nakon.’ Nakon = ’a set place’ (RM), though it may have been the corruption of a place-name, such as Maon.6. Hittite] So he belonged to one of the original inhabitants of the country. We might expect to find some of them among David’s followers: cp. 1 Samuel 22:2. Uriah, another Hittite, played an important part in David’s history. Abishai] is here... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 1 Samuel 26:1

(1) The Ziphites came unto Saul.—There is grave difficulty connected with the recital contained in this chapter. Is it another account of the incident told in 1 Samuel 24, 26 by a different narrator? This is the opinion of some modern expositors of weight: for instance, Ewald and the Bishop of Bath and Wells in the Speaker’s Commentary. The question at issue is as follows:—We have in this First Book of Samuel, in 1 Samuel 23:24, 1 Samuel 23:26, two recitals of David sparing his great... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 26:1-25

CHAPTER XXXI.DAVID TWICE SPARES THE LIFE OF SAUL.1 Samuel 24:1-22; 1 Samuel 26:1-25.THE invasion of the Philistines had freed David from the fear of Saul for a time, but only for a time. He knew full well that when the king of Israel had once repelled that invasion he would return to prosecute the object on which his heart was so much set. For a while he took refuge among the rocks of Engedi, that beautiful spot of which we have already spoken, and which has been embalmed in Holy Writ, as... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - 1 Samuel 26:1-25

CHAPTER 26 1. The Ziphites and Saul’s pursuit (1 Samuel 26:1-4 ) 2. David again spares Saul (1 Samuel 26:5-12 ) 3. David’s words to Abner (1 Samuel 26:13-16 ) 4. David’s words to Saul (1 Samuel 26:17-20 ) 5. Saul’s confession and David’s reply (1 Samuel 26:21-25 ) Hachilah, where we find David now, was six miles east of Ziph and about halfway to En-gedi. The Ziphites once more reveal his hiding place to Saul. And Saul was rushing forward to his doom when with his three thousand... read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 26:1-25

It seems tragically foolish on Saul's part that he should respond as he did to another message from the Ziphites to the effect that David was hiding in the hill country of Hachilah (v.1). He had told David only a short time before this, "I know well that thou shalt surely be king" (ch.24:20). Now he seems to have forgotten this and forgotten the kindness of David to him, and again takes three thousand chosen men to hunt David as a defenseless deer. Of course David and his men knew the... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 26:1-25

MORE BROKEN PROMISES DAVID AND ABIGAIL (1 Samuel 25:0 ) The romance of this chapter has a setting like this: The Wilderness of Paran on the south was a common pasture like our prairies, and for this reason open to marauders from among the Arabs. David and his men must have been a protection to their countrymen from such incursions, and in the habit of receiving practical acknowledgments of their service. Nabal was a rich sheep owner who must have been indebted to them, and “good business,”... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - 1 Samuel 26:1-25

Twice Reconciled 1Sa 26:25 WE have seen the reconciliation of Saul, and had some reason to believe, from the tender words which Saul said, that he and David would be friends evermore. "Saul lifted up his voice and wept; and he said unto David, Thou art more righteous than I; for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil." When a man like Saul has wept, and spoken words so morally noble, it is but fair to credit him with sincerity and permanence. We have no hesitation in... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - 1 Samuel 26:1

CONTENTS The history of David's persecution by Saul is again opened, and continued through this Chapter. The Ziphites inform Saul against David. Saul goes in quest of him. David is favoured with another opportunity of slaying Saul, but will not avail himself of it. A similar interview takes place to what happened before between David and Saul; after which they depart one from the other. 1 Samuel 26:1 (1) ¶ And the Ziphites came unto Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself in the... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 26:1

Ziph. Having declared themselves so decidedly against David, they apprehended the utmost danger if he should ascend the throne. --- Hill. Hebrew, "Gabaa," as the Vulgate leaves it, ver. 3. It lay to the right hand of Ziph, (chap. xxiii. 19,) or "of Jesimon." (Septuagint) read more