1 Samuel 26:16 NIV

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

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

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

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 26:15-17

1 Samuel 26:15-17. Wherefore hast thou not kept, &c. Observed better military discipline for the preservation of the king’s person? There came one of the people Into the king’s camp, and had a fair opportunity to destroy him. Because ye have not kept your master Guarded him better from any danger. It is probable they despised David’s small forces, and, therefore, were so negligent. It is my voice, my lord, O king He still acknowledges Saul’s authority, and the allegiance he owed... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 26:1-25

The move to Philistia (26:1-27:12)Although he had every intention of killing Nabal, David still refused to harm Saul; but Saul remained determined to harm David (26:1-5). When another opportunity arose to kill Saul, David refused to act. He was content to leave the matter with God, who would remove Saul when he saw fit (6-12).Once again David produced proof that he had no evil intentions towards Saul (13-17). But clearly David was becoming tired of this continual flight from the mad king. Not... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Samuel 26:16

not. Hebrew. `al. (Absolute.) read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 26:16

13-20. Then David . . . stood on the top of an hill afar off . . . and cried to the people—(See on :-). The extraordinary purity and elasticity of the air in Palestine enable words to be distinctly heard that are addressed by a speaker from the top of one hill to people on that of another, from which it is separated by a deep intervening ravine. Hostile parties can thus speak to each other, while completely beyond the reach of each other's attack. It results from the peculiar features of the... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Samuel 26:13-16

David’s rebuke of Abner 26:13-16David crossed a ravine to put some distance between himself and Saul. David addressed Abner because he was responsible for leaving the Lord’s anointed unprotected. The person who came to destroy Saul was Abishai (1 Samuel 26:15; cf. 1 Samuel 26:8). David, rather than Saul’s bodyguard Abner, was responsible for sparing his life. Abner deserved to die for his failure in duty, but David spared his life too. David more faithfully defended Saul’s life than even Saul’s... 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