Bible Commentaries
1 Samuel 26

Introduction

Overview

1 Samuel 26:1, Saul, by the discovery of the Ziphites, comes to Hachilah against David; 1 Samuel 26:4, David coming into the trench stays Abishai from killing Saul, but takes his spear and cruse; 1 Samuel 26:13, David reproves Abner; 1 Samuel 26:17, and exhorts Saul; 1 Samuel 26:21, Saul acknowledges his sin.

Verse 1

Ziphites: Joshua 15:24, Joshua 15:55

Doth not: 1 Samuel 26:3, 1 Samuel 23:19, Psalms 54:1, *title

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 19:19 - General 1 Chronicles 2:42 - Ziph 1 Chronicles 28:4 - the house of my father Psalms 140:2 - continually Hebrews 11:38 - wandered

Verse 2

Saul arose: 1 Samuel 23:23-25, 1 Samuel 24:17, Psalms 38:12, Psalms 140:4-9

three thousand: 1 Samuel 24:2

Reciprocal: Genesis 37:20 - and we Numbers 24:1 - saw Joshua 15:55 - Ziph Psalms 17:11 - compassed Psalms 120:7 - when

Verse 3

Hachilah: 1 Samuel 26:1, 1 Samuel 23:19

Reciprocal: Psalms 17:11 - compassed

Verse 4

Joshua 2:1, Matthew 10:16

Reciprocal: Genesis 42:9 - Ye are spies 1 Samuel 24:15 - deliver

Verse 5

Abner: 1 Samuel 9:1, 1 Samuel 14:50, 1 Samuel 14:51, 1 Samuel 17:55, 2 Samuel 2:8-12, 2 Samuel 3:7, 2 Samuel 3:8, 2 Samuel 3:27, 2 Samuel 3:33-38, 1 Chronicles 9:39

trench: or, midst of his carriages, 1 Samuel 17:20, The word maugal never signifies a ditch or rampart, but a chariot or waggon way. Nor does it seem to denote a ring of carriages, as Buxtorf and others interpret the word; for it is not probable that Saul would encumber his army with baggage in so rapid a pursuit, nor that so mountainous a country was practicable for waggons. It appears simply to mean here, the circular encampment (from agal, "round") which these troops formed, in the midst of which, as being the place of honour, Saul reposed. An Arab camp, D'Arvieux informs us, is always circular, when the disposition of the ground will permit, the prince being in the middle, and the troops at a respectful distance around him. Add to which, their lances are fixed near them in the ground all the day long, ready for action.

Verse 6

Hittite: Genesis 10:15, Genesis 15:20, 2 Samuel 11:6, 2 Samuel 11:21, 2 Samuel 11:24, 2 Samuel 12:9, 2 Samuel 23:39

to Abishai: 2 Samuel 2:18, 2 Samuel 16:9, 2 Samuel 16:10, 2 Samuel 18:5, 2 Samuel 23:18, 1 Chronicles 2:16

Zeruiah: 1 Chronicles 2:15, 1 Chronicles 2:16

Who will go: 1 Samuel 14:6, 1 Samuel 14:7, Judges 7:10, Judges 7:11

Reciprocal: Genesis 23:3 - Heth 2 Samuel 20:6 - Abishai 1 Chronicles 11:20 - Abishai 1 Chronicles 18:12 - Moreover

Verse 7

sleeping: 1 Thessalonians 5:2, 1 Thessalonians 5:3

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 26:12 - So David

Verse 8

God: 1 Samuel 26:23, 1 Samuel 23:14, 1 Samuel 24:4, 1 Samuel 24:18, 1 Samuel 24:19, Joshua 21:44, Judges 1:4

delivered: Heb. shut up, 1 Samuel 24:18, Deuteronomy 32:30, Psalms 31:8, Romans 11:32, *marg. Galatians 3:22, Galatians 3:23

the second time: Nahum 1:9

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 23:7 - God hath 1 Samuel 24:10 - bade me 1 Samuel 26:15 - there came 2 Samuel 18:28 - delivered up 2 Samuel 19:22 - What have 2 Samuel 20:10 - struck him not again 2 Kings 6:21 - shall 1 Chronicles 18:12 - Moreover Job 12:14 - he shutteth Job 31:31 - the men Proverbs 24:11 - General Isaiah 33:15 - stoppeth Jeremiah 40:15 - Let Hosea 11:9 - return Matthew 5:39 - That Luke 9:55 - and rebuked

Verse 9

who can stretch: 1 Samuel 24:6, 1 Samuel 24:7, 2 Samuel 1:14, 2 Samuel 1:16, Psalms 105:15

Reciprocal: Exodus 22:28 - nor curse 1 Samuel 12:5 - his anointed 1 Samuel 23:7 - God hath 1 Samuel 24:10 - the Lord's 1 Samuel 25:33 - avenging 1 Samuel 26:16 - Lord's 1 Samuel 26:23 - I would not 2 Samuel 19:21 - cursed 2 Samuel 20:21 - lifted 1 Kings 21:3 - The Lord 2 Kings 8:15 - And it came Psalms 7:4 - I have Psalms 119:61 - but I Psalms 119:87 - but I forsook Proverbs 24:11 - General Lamentations 4:20 - the anointed

Verse 10

the Lord liveth: 1 Samuel 24:15, 1 Samuel 25:26, 1 Samuel 25:38, Psalms 94:1, Psalms 94:2, Psalms 94:23, Luke 18:7, Romans 12:19, Revelation 18:8

his day: Genesis 47:29, Deuteronomy 31:14, Job 7:1, Job 14:5, Job 14:14, Psalms 37:10, Psalms 37:13, Ecclesiastes 3:2, Hebrews 9:27

he shall descend: 1 Samuel 31:6, Deuteronomy 32:35

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 24:12 - Lord judge 1 Samuel 25:33 - avenging 2 Samuel 12:15 - struck the child 1 Kings 17:12 - As the Lord 1 Chronicles 17:8 - have cut off 2 Chronicles 13:20 - Lord Job 34:20 - without Psalms 7:16 - General Psalms 31:15 - My times Psalms 59:10 - let Psalms 62:3 - ye shall Psalms 63:10 - They shall fall Psalms 143:12 - of thy mercy Proverbs 24:16 - but Micah 7:9 - until

Verse 11

that I should: 1 Samuel 24:6, 1 Samuel 24:12, 2 Samuel 1:14, 2 Samuel 1:16

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 10:1 - a vial 1 Samuel 26:16 - Lord's 1 Samuel 26:23 - I would not 2 Samuel 23:17 - Be it far Psalms 17:3 - shalt Psalms 94:23 - cut them Luke 18:7 - avenge

Verse 12

So David: 1 Samuel 26:7, 1 Samuel 24:4

a deep sleep: Genesis 2:21, Genesis 15:12, Esther 6:1, Isaiah 29:10

Reciprocal: Psalms 76:6 - dead

Verse 13

the top: 1 Samuel 24:8, Judges 9:7, david, by retiring to a place of safety before he called to Abner, seems to have manifested more distrust of Saul than he had done on a former occasion. Yet he desired that Saul and all Israel should be informed of his conduct at this time. Abner and his soldiers, by neglecting to guard Saul when he slept, had exposed his life, and merited to be treated as his enemies, though he confided in them as friends; for, although their sound sleep was undoubtedly supernatural, yet there might be a neglect of placing sentinels, arising from contempt of David's small company. Saul also deemed David his enemy, though he had before spared and protected his life.

Reciprocal: Genesis 22:4 - saw Isaiah 40:9 - get

Verse 14

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 2:8 - Abner Isaiah 40:9 - get

Verse 15

there came: 1 Samuel 26:8

Reciprocal: Daniel 4:19 - My Lord Matthew 26:40 - What

Verse 16

worthy to die: Heb. the sons of death, 1 Samuel 20:31, 2 Samuel 12:5, 2 Samuel 19:28, Psalms 79:11, Psalms 102:20, *marg. Ephesians 2:3

Lord's: 1 Samuel 26:9, 1 Samuel 26:11, 1 Samuel 24:6

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 21:22 - General 1 Kings 2:26 - worthy of death Lamentations 4:20 - the anointed Matthew 26:40 - What

Verse 17

Is this thy: 1 Samuel 24:8, 1 Samuel 24:16

Reciprocal: Genesis 32:4 - my lord Genesis 42:10 - General 2 Kings 8:5 - My lord

Verse 18

Wherefore: 1 Samuel 24:9, 1 Samuel 24:11-14, Psalms 7:3-5, Psalms 35:7, Psalms 69:4

what have I: 1 Samuel 17:29, John 8:46, John 10:32, John 18:23

Reciprocal: Genesis 20:9 - What hast 1 Samuel 29:8 - But what have Psalms 59:3 - not Psalms 109:3 - fought Psalms 119:78 - without Psalms 119:161 - Princes Jeremiah 37:18 - General Lamentations 3:52 - without Daniel 6:22 - and also Mark 14:48 - Are

Verse 19

let my lord: 1 Samuel 25:24, Genesis 44:18

stirred: 1 Samuel 16:14-23, 1 Samuel 18:10, 2 Samuel 16:11, 2 Samuel 24:1, 1 Kings 22:22, 1 Chronicles 21:1

accept: Heb. smell, Genesis 8:21, Leviticus 26:31, Psalms 119:1-8

cursed: Proverbs 6:16-19, Proverbs 30:10, Galatians 1:8, Galatians 1:9, Galatians 5:12, 2 Timothy 4:14

they have driven: Deuteronomy 4:27, Deuteronomy 4:28, Joshua 22:25-27, Psalms 42:1, Psalms 42:2, Psalms 120:5, Isaiah 60:5, Romans 14:15

abiding: Heb. cleaving

the inheritance: 2 Samuel 14:16, 2 Samuel 20:19

Reciprocal: Genesis 16:8 - I flee Genesis 20:9 - What hast Exodus 32:21 - General Deuteronomy 27:15 - Cursed be Judges 5:23 - Curse ye Judges 17:2 - cursedst 1 Samuel 24:9 - General 1 Kings 11:14 - the Lord 1 Kings 16:2 - hast made my people 2 Chronicles 21:16 - the Lord 2 Chronicles 36:22 - the Lord stirred Psalms 7:3 - if I Psalms 27:12 - false Psalms 37:3 - so shalt Proverbs 28:10 - causeth Jeremiah 43:5 - took Micah 2:9 - from their children

Verse 20

let not my: 1 Samuel 2:9, 1 Samuel 25:29

the king: 1 Samuel 24:14, Matthew 26:47, Matthew 26:55

a flea: Parosh, (in Arabic borghooth, Syriac, poorthano,) the well known little contemptible and troublesome insect, the flea, seems to be so called from its agility in leaping and skipping, from para, "free," and raash, "to leap, bound." David, by comparing himself to this insect, seems to import, that while it would cost Saul much pains to catch him, he would obtain but very little advantage from it.

a partridge: Korai certainly denotes the partridge, which is called in Arabic, kiraa. It seems to be so called from the cry or cur which it utters when calling its young.

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 24:11 - thou huntest 2 Samuel 9:8 - a dead dog Psalms 49:5 - heels Psalms 124:6 - who hath not Jeremiah 16:16 - hunters Micah 7:2 - hunt

Verse 21

I have sinned: 1 Samuel 15:24, 1 Samuel 15:30, 1 Samuel 24:17, Exodus 9:27, Numbers 22:34, Matthew 27:4

I will no: 1 Samuel 27:4

my soul: 1 Samuel 26:24, 1 Samuel 18:30, Psalms 49:8, Psalms 116:15

Reciprocal: Exodus 10:16 - I have Joshua 7:15 - wrought 2 Samuel 19:19 - did perversely 2 Samuel 24:10 - foolishly 2 Kings 1:14 - let my life 1 Chronicles 21:8 - I have done Psalms 7:4 - without Psalms 36:3 - The words Psalms 62:9 - of high Proverbs 19:19 - man Jeremiah 34:11 - General Romans 12:20 - if thine

Verse 23

render: 1 Kings 8:32, Nehemiah 13:14, Psalms 7:8, Psalms 7:9, Psalms 18:20-26

I would not: 1 Samuel 26:9, 1 Samuel 26:11, 1 Samuel 24:6, 1 Samuel 24:7

Reciprocal: Genesis 30:33 - righteousness 1 Samuel 22:14 - And who 1 Samuel 24:4 - I will deliver 1 Samuel 24:12 - Lord judge 1 Samuel 24:18 - Lord 1 Samuel 25:31 - avenged 1 Samuel 26:8 - God 2 Samuel 22:21 - rewarded 1 Chronicles 12:17 - God Job 33:26 - he will Psalms 17:3 - shalt Psalms 18:23 - upright Psalms 25:21 - General Titus 2:10 - showing

Verse 24

as thy life: Psalms 18:25, Matthew 5:7, Matthew 7:2

let him deliver: Genesis 48:16, Psalms 18:1, *title Psalms 18:48, Psalms 34:17, Psalms 34:18, Psalms 144:2, Acts 14:22, 2 Corinthians 1:9, 2 Corinthians 1:10, 2 Thessalonians 3:2, Revelation 7:14

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 26:21 - my soul 2 Samuel 22:1 - and out 2 Kings 1:14 - let my life 1 Chronicles 12:17 - God Psalms 7:4 - I have Psalms 54:7 - For he Psalms 119:87 - but I forsook

Verse 25

Blessed: 1 Samuel 24:19, Numbers 24:9, Numbers 24:10

prevail: Genesis 32:28, Isaiah 54:17, Hosea 12:4, Romans 8:35, Romans 8:37

So David: 1 Samuel 24:22, Proverbs 26:25

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 17:37 - Go 1 Samuel 18:28 - General