1 Samuel 26:2-25 NIV

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 26:6

Ahimelech the Hittite - Only mentioned here. Uriah was also a Hittite.Abishai - He was son of Zeruiah, David’s sister, but probably about the same age as David. He because very famous as a warrior 2 Samuel 23:18, but was implicated with his brother Joab in the murder of Abner in retaliation for the death of their brother Asahel 2 Samuel 3:30. 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

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 26:1-2

1 Samuel 26:1-2. 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... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 26:5

1 Samuel 26:5. 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 במעגל bammanggal, in the carriage, or rather, within the circle of the carriages, that he might be safe from any sudden attack. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 26:6-7

1 Samuel 26:6-7. 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... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 26:21

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 26:21

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 26:22-24

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 26:25

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 26:6

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

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

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 26:1-2

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 26:5

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 26:6-7

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