1 Samuel 26

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 26

David's troubles from Saul here begin again; and the clouds return after the rain, when one would have hoped the storm had blown over, and the sky had cleared upon that side; but after Saul had owned his fault in persecuting David, and acknowledged David's title to the crown, yet here he revives the persecution, so perfectly lost was he to all sense of honour and virtue. I. The Ziphites informed him where David was (1 Sam. 26:1), and thereupon he marched out with a considerable force in quest... read more

Matthew Henry

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

Matthew Henry

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

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST SAMUEL 26 This chapter relates that Saul, upon the information of the Ziphites, went out again with an armed force to seek David, 1 Samuel 26:1 ; of which David having intelligence, and of the place where he pitched, came with one of his men and reconnoitred his camp, and finding Saul and his men asleep, took away his spear, and the cruse of water at his head, and departed, without taking away his life, though solicited to it by his servant, 1 Samuel 26:4 ; which... read more

John Gill

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

And the Ziphites came unto Saul to Gibeah ,.... Of Benjamin, called sometimes Gibeah of Saul, because it was the place of his birth and residence; hither Saul had returned after his last interview with David; whether, notwithstanding what had passed between him and David, he had privately encouraged the Ziphites to watch David, and give him information of him where he was, and when it was a proper opportunity to seize him; or whether the Ziphites were so officious as of themselves to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 26:2

Then Saul arose ,.... Immediately, glad of an opportunity to seize on David, having the same disposition towards him as ever; and perhaps had repented he had not laid hold on him when he followed him out of the cave: and went down to the wilderness of Ziph : or towards it: having three thousand chosen men of Israel ; young men, so called, because usually chosen for business, and for war particularly, rather than old men; the same number he took with him when he sought him at Engedi, ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 26:3

And Saul pitched in the hill of Hachilah, which is before Jeshimon, by the way ,.... To the wilderness; the very same place where the Ziphites suggested David was: but David abode in the wilderness ; not in the hill of Hachilah, but in the wilderness of Ziph itself: and he saw that Saul came after him into the wilderness ; he understood, by some information he had, that Saul had set out from Gibeah, and was coming to seek for him in the wilderness of Ziph; perhaps Jonathan had... 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

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