1 Samuel 26:2

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 26:2

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

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 26:1-12

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

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 26:1-2

1 Samuel 26:1-2. Doth not David hide himself with us? The number of men whom David supported would not allow him to continue long in the same place, and therefore he was often obliged to shift his quarters for subsistence. We now find him again in the wilderness of Ziph. How much time had elapsed between his marriage of Abigail and his going thither, we are not informed, nor is it easy to determine, but it is probable it was considerable. Then Saul arose Probably he would have pursued... 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 26:2

men . Hebrew. 'ish. App-14 . 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

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