Psalms 109:16 - Exposition

Because that he remembered not to show mercy . Saul certainly was a persecutor of this kind—implacable; one whom compassion never touched; who, after he had once become David's enemy, never under any circumstances showed him mercy. But otherwise the description scarcely seems to point to Saul. But persecuted the poor and needy man (see 1 Samuel 18:10 ; 1 Samuel 19:1 , 1 Samuel 19:10 , 1 Samuel 19:11 ; 1 Samuel 20:31 ; 1 Samuel 23:8 , 1 Samuel 23:14 , 1 Samuel 23:25 ; 1 Samuel 24:2 ; 1 Samuel 26:2-20 ; 1 Samuel 27:1 , etc.). That he might even slay the broken in heart ; literally, and the broken in heart (or, yea, the broken in heart ) to slay him. It was certainly Saul's object to slay David ( 1 Samuel 18:11 ; 1 Samuel 19:1 , 1 Samuel 19:10 ; 1 Samuel 20:1 , etc.). It was probably also Ahithophel's ( 2 Samuel 17:2 ).