1 Samuel 26:4

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 26:1-5

Here, 1. Saul gets information of David's movements and acts offensively. The Ziphites came to him and told him where David now was, in the same place where he was when they formerly betrayed him, 1 Sam. 23:19. Perhaps (though it is not mentioned) Saul had given them intimation, under-hand, that he continued his design against David, and would be glad of their assistance. If not, they were very officious to Saul, aware of what would please him, and very malicious against David, to whom they... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 26:4

David therefore sent out spies ,.... To observe if he was coming or come, and where he was, that he might not be surprised by him; for though David knew the Lord was and would be his protection, he thought proper to be upon his guard, and to make use of means for his safety: and understood that Saul was come in very deed ; that he was most certainly come, and come to some certain place; which he himself went to reconnoitre, as in 1 Samuel 26:5 . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 26:1-12

The moral use of Biblical difficulties. The facts are— 1 . At the request of the Ziphites, Saul goes out in pursuit of David, who by spies ascertains his true position. 2 . David, observing Saul's camp, goes to it by night with Abishai while all are asleep. 3 . Abishai urges David to seize the opportunity to slay Saul, but is rebuked by the declaration that if Saul dies it shall be in such way as God may ordain, and not by the self-chosen hand of David. 4 . David carries... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 26:2-4

Three thousand chosen men . Not chosen for this expedition, but the force which Saul always kept under arms ( 1 Samuel 13:2 ). By the way. The high road which led down to Arad. David abode in the wilderness. Hebrew, "abides." Instead of fleeing in haste as before, he remains apparently on the higher ground, as he speaks in 1 Samuel 26:6 of going down to Saul's camp. And he saw . I.e. learned, was told. It was only when his scouts brought him their report that he knew that Saul... 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

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 26:4

4, 5. David . . . sent out spies . . . and David arose, and came to the place where Saul had pitched—Having obtained certain information of the locality, he seems, accompanied by his nephew ( :-), to have hid himself, perhaps disguised, in a neighboring wood, or hill, on the skirts of the royal camp towards night, and waited to approach it under covert of the darkness. :-. DAVID STAYS ABISHAI FROM KILLING SAUL, BUT TAKES HIS SPEAR AND CRUSE. read more

Thomas Constable

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

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

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