1 Samuel 26:1-4 NIV

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 26:1

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 26:1

The Ziphites came - This is the second time that these enemies of David endeavored to throw him into the hands of Saul. See 1 Samuel 23:19 . read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 26:2

Three thousand chosen men - Though they knew that David was but six hundred strong, yet Saul thought it was not safe to pursue such an able general with a less force than that mentioned in the text; and, that he might the better depend on them, they were all elect or picked men out of the whole of his army. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 26:1

DAVID A SECOND TIME SPARES SAUL 'S LIFE ( 1 Samuel 26:1-25 .). EXPOSITION SAUL , ON INFORMATION FROM THE ZIPHITES , AGAIN SEEKS TO DESTROY DAVID ( 1 Samuel 26:1-3 ). The Ziphites came unto Saul. There are so many points of similarity between this narrative and that contained in 1 Samuel 23:19-24 ; 1 Samuel 24:1-22 , that it has been argued that in these two accounts we have substantially the same fact, only modified by two different... 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

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

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

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

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

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 26:1

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 26:2

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 26:1

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 26:1-12

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 26:2-4

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