1 Samuel 26:12-22 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 26:6-12

Here is, I. David's bold adventure into Saul's camp in the night, accompanied only by his kinsman Abishai, the son of Zeruiah. He proposed it to him and to another of his confidants (1 Sam. 26:6), but the other either declined it as too dangerous an enterprise, or at least was content that Abishai, who was forward to it, should run the risk of it rather than himself. Whether David was prompted to do this by his own courage, or by an extraordinary impression upon his spirits, or by the oracle,... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 26:13-20

David having got safely from Saul's camp himself, and having brought with him proofs sufficient that he had been there, posts himself conveniently, so that they might hear him and yet not reach him (1 Sam. 26:13), and then begins to reason with them upon what had passed. I. He reasons ironically with Abner, and keenly banters him. David knew well that it was from the mighty power of God that Abner and the rest of the guards were cast into so deep a sleep, and that God's immediate hand was in... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 26:21-25

Here is, I. Saul's penitent confession of his fault and folly in persecuting David and his promise to do so no more. This second instance of David's respect to him wrought more upon him than the former, and extorted from him better acknowledgements, 1 Sam. 26:21. 1. He owns himself melted and quite overcome by David's kindness to him: ?My soul was precious in thy eyes this day, which, I thought, had been odious!? 2. He acknowledges he has done very wrong to persecute him, that he has therein... read more

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 26:13

Then David went over to the other side ,.... To a hill on the other side, opposite to Hachilah, where Saul lay encamped; or "passed over the passage" F17 ויעבר העבר "et transivit transitum", Montanus. , the valley that lay between the two hills, and perhaps passed over a brook that ran in the valley, which is not unusual; so Josephus F18 Antiqu. l. 6. c. 13. sect. 9. says, that he went over a brook and came to the top of a mountain: and stood on the top of an hill afar off... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 26:14

And David cried unto the people ,.... To the army of Saul with a loud voice, that he might be heard: and to Abner the son of Ner ; particularly to him, because he was general of the army: saying, answerest thou not, Abner ? it seems he had called to him more than once, and he had returned no answer; perhaps not being thoroughly awake, or not knowing whose voice it was, and from whence it came: then Abner answered and said, who art thou that criest to the king ? but it does... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 26:15

And David said to Abner, art not thou a valiant man ?.... Or a man F21 איש "vir", V. L. Pagninus, Montanus, Tigurine version, Piscator. , a man of great fame for courage and valour, a man of great authority, who had the next post in the army under Saul, but had not behaved like a man, worthy of his character and office: and who is like to thee in Israel ? none that bare so great a name, or was in so high an office, who therefore should have been careful to have acted... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 26:16

This thing is not good that thou hast done ,.... Yea, it was very bad, a great fault, and very blameworthy, if he had neglected to set a watch over the king, whose business it was as a general; the words are expressed in a figure called "meiosis", in which less is said than was intended: as the Lord liveth, ye are worthy to die, because ye have not kept your master, the Lord's anointed ; if a watch was set, and these had fallen asleep, and neglected their duty, or had deserted... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 26:17

And Saul knew David's voice ,.... Though Abner at first did not, as appears by his words, but Saul did, by being this time thoroughly awake through the discourse that passed between David and Abner: and said, is this thy voice, my son David ? the same question he put before, when he followed him out of the cave; see Gill on 1 Samuel 24:16 , and David said, it is my voice, my lord, O king ; he not only owns him to be king, whom he sought not to depose, but his own liege lord and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 26:18

And he said, wherefore doth my lord thus pursue after his servant ?.... Suggesting that it was both below him to do it, and against his interest; for David was his servant, and he would gladly have continued in his service, and done his business, but he drove him from it, and pursued him as a traitor, when he had not been guilty of any offence to his knowledge: and therefore puts the following questions: for what have I done? or what evil is in mine hand ? what crime had he committed,... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 26:6-12

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 26:13-20

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 26:21-25

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 26:13

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 26:14

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 26:15

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 26:16

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 26:17

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 26:18

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