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Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 26:13-16

The top of a hill. Hebrew, "the top of the hill," the particular mountain from which David had reconnoitred Saul's camp ( 1 Samuel 26:5 ). A great space being between them. At En-gedi Saul was alone, and had placed himself in David's power; he therefore had followed him closely. Here Saul had his army round him, and David had entered his camp by stealth. It is not, therefore, till he had placed an ample interval between them that he calls to Abner , and asks in derision, Art thou not... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 26:13-25

Afflictions and righteousness. The facts are— 1 . David seeks to arouse the attention of Saul by an appeal to Abner, blended with reproof of his negligence. 2 . Saul, on recognising David's voice, is answered by him in terms expressive of loyal homage. 3 . David appeals to Saul with respect to his conduct, pointing out its harshness and unreasonableness. 4 . Saul, valuing his own life just spared, admits the force of the plea, and promises to desist from persecution. 5 ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 26:17-19

Is this thy voice? So 1 Samuel 24:16 . In the darkness the only way of recognising David was by his voice. If Jehovah have stirred thee up, etc. This is one of the many passages indicative of the intensity with which the Israelites had grasped the idea of the omnipresence of the Deity, and of his being the one power by whose energy all things exist and all acts are done (see on 1 Samuel 2:2 ). Alike evil and good come from God, for he alone is the source of all; but it does not... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 26:20

Let not my blood fall to the earth before the face of Jehovah. Hebrew, "far from the presence of Jehovah." The point of David's appeal is not that his life may be spared, but that he may not thus be driven far away from the land where Jehovah manifests himself; nor does he seem so much to contemplate Saul's putting him to death as the probability that sooner or later the life of an exile will be cut short by one or other of the many dangers by which he is surrounded. A flea. Hebrew, "a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 26:21

I have sinned. Saul's answer here is very different from that in 1 Samuel 24:17-21 , where the main idea was wonder that David should with such magnanimity spare the life of an enemy so manifestly delivered into his hand. Here a sense of vexation seems uppermost, and of annoyance, not merely because his purpose was frustrated, but because his own military arrangements had been so unsoldierlike. I have played the fool. His first enterprise had ended in placing his life in David's power,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 26:21

A fool returns to his folly. I. THE BIBLE IS FULL OF REDUPLICATION . It teaches by line upon line, precept upon precept, and narrative upon narrative. There are repetitions of the same story or song. There are also separate and independent narratives which go over similar ground, and teach the same lessons, the second confirming the first. Joseph is described as having had duplicate dreams with one and the same meaning. So also Pharaoh. Nebuchadnezzar's dream of empires is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 26:22-24

Behold the king's spear. Rather, "Behold the spear, O king." The other is an unnecessary correction of the Kri. Having restored to Saul this ensign of his authority, David prays that Jehovah may render to every man his righteousness , i.e. may requite David for his upright conduct towards Saul, and by implication punish Saul himself for his unjust conduct. And also his faithfulness, his fidelity, and steady allegiance. This refers exclusively to David, who gives as proof of his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 26:25

Thou shalt both do, etc. Better, "Thou shalt both do mightily, and thou shalt surely prevail." The words are very general as compared with those in 1 Samuel 24:20 , 1 Samuel 24:21 , where Saul expressed his conviction that David Would be king, and intrusted his family to his care. The poverty of sentiment here, and the mere vexation expressed in 1 Samuel 24:21 , justify Keil's remark that Saul's character had deteriorated in the interval, and that he was more hardened now than on the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 26:15

This incidental testimony to Abner’s great eminence as a warrior is fully borne out by David’s dirge at Abner’s death 2 Samuel 3:31-34, 2 Samuel 3:38, as well as by his whole history. At the same time David’s bantering tone in regard to Abner, coupled with what he says in 1 Samuel 26:19, makes it proable that David attributed Saul’s persecution of him in some degree to Abner. Abner would be likely to dread a rival in the young conqueror of Judah (compare 2 Samuel 2:8). read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 26:19

If the Lord have stirred thee up - The meaning is clear from the preceding history. “An evil spirit from God troubling him” was the beginning of the persecution. And this evil spirit was sent in punishment of Saul’s sin 1 Samuel 16:1, 1 Samuel 16:14. If the continued persecution was merely the consequence of this evil spirit continuing to vex Saul, David advises Saul to seek God’s pardon, and, as a consequence, the removal of the evil spirit, by offering a sacrifice. But if the persecution was... read more

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