1 Samuel 26:1-12

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

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 26:5

And David arose, and came to the place where Saul had pitched ,.... Came near it, within sight of it; so that he could take a view of it with his naked eye, and observe where and in what manner he was encamped: and David beheld the place where Saul lay, and Abner the son of Ner , the captain of his host ; where he and his general had their quarters in the camp: and Saul lay in the trench ; or circuit; not in the foss or ditch thrown up, in which an army sometimes lies entrenched;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 26:6

Then answered David ,.... Or addressed himself to the two following persons: and said to Ahimelech the Hittite ; who was either an Hittite by birth, but was become a proselyte, or he was an Israelite that had dwelt among the Hittites, and so had this name given him; the former seems most probable; some say F11 Hieron. Trad. Heb. in lib. Reg. fol. 76. M. this was Uriah the Hittite: and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah, brother to Joab ; Zeruiah was the sister of David, 1... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 26:7

So David and Abishai came to the people by night ,.... Josephus F12 Antiqu. l. 6. c. 13. sect. 9. wrongly says, that he took with him both Abishai and Ahimelech; he chose to have but one, for the greater secrecy. This was a bold enterprise, for two men to go into a camp of three thousand men, though it was in the night; when though they might suppose the greater part of them were asleep, yet they could not well suppose this of all, and especially of the guards or sentinels; but no... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 26:8

Then said Abishai to David ,.... Seeing Saul fast asleep, and a spear so near him: God hath delivered thine enemy into thine hand this day : or at this time, properly it was night: now therefore let me smite him, I pray thee, with the spear ; with Saul's own spear, which was stuck in the ground at his bolster. He remembered that David would not put forth his hand to stay him before, when he had an opportunity; and since now another offered, he did not move it to him to do it, but... read more

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