1 Sam. 26 Saul, by the discovery of the Ziphites, cometh to Hachilah against David, 1 Sam. 26:1–3; who cometh with Abishai to Saul’s camp; stayeth him from killing Saul, but taketh his spear and cruse, 1 Sam. 26:4–12. He upbraideth Abner, 1 Sam. 26:16; exhorteth Saul, 1 Sam.

Having once betrayed him before, they thought their case desperate with David; and therefore did more strenuously assist Saul in discovering him, in order to his ruin. Doth not David hide himself? he is returned to his former haunt; of which see 1 Sam. 23:19.

i.e. He understood by information, probably from his dear friend Jonathan.

Came to the place where Saul had pitched; came near to the skirts of Saul’s camp; which he might easily discover from some neighboring hill or wood, and yet not be discerned himself. And it is probable he came thither disguised, and towards night.

Ahimelech the Hittite; so called, either because he was one of that nation, but converted to the Jewish religion; compare 2 Sam. 11:3, 2 Sam. 15:18; or from his habitation amongst, or some relation, to some of that people. Zeriah; David’s sister: see 1 Chron. 2:16.

To the people, i. e. to Saul’s host and camp. It might seem a bold and strange attempt; but many things are to be considered: 1. That heroical persons have oft attempted things of no less difficulty and danger than this was; as many credible historians relate. 2.

I will nail him to the ground at one blow, that I shall not need a second stroke.

Though Saul be a cruel tyrant, and rejected by God, yet he is our sovereign lord and king; and I, though designed king, as yet am but a private person, and his subject; and therefore cannot kill him without sin, nor will I consent that thou shouldst do it.

The Lord shall smite him, by some sudden and mortal stroke. Or his day shall come to die, according to the course of nature.

Take thou now the spear, which will show where we have been, and what we could have done. The cruse of water might be put there, either to wash himself, in case of any accidental pollution, which oft happened in the night; or to refresh him, and quench his thirst in that hot climate and season; or…

Sent upon them by the Lord, for David’s advantage.

That his person might be out of their reach, and yet his voice might be heard; which in a clear air, and in the silence of the night, might be heard at a great distance.

Or, with or beside the king, i.e. so near to him, so as to disturb the king.

Who is like to thee, for courage and conduct? and therefore thy fault herein is the greater.

This thing is not good, i.e. it is very bad, a great crime. A figure called meiosis, as Prov. 18:5, Prov. 19:2.

My son David; as thou wast my son by marriage, so thou hast expressed the care and affection of a son to me now a second time.

If the Lord have stirred thee up against me; if the Lord have by the evil spirit which he hath sent, or by his secret providence, directed thy rage against me for the punishment of thine or my sins. Let him accept an offering; let us offer up a sacrifice to God to appease his wrath against us.

Let not my blood fall to the earth; do not attempt to spill my innocent blood like water upon the ground. Before the face of the Lord; remember, if thou dost it, God the judge of all men seeth it, and will avenge it of thee, though I will not avenge myself.

He not only confesseth, but aggravateth his fault, because his conscience was fully convinced, though his heart was not changed.

I desire that God would deal no otherwise with me than I have dealt with thee.

David went on his way; knowing Saul’s unstable and deceitful heart, he would not trust to any of his professions or promises, but kept out of his reach.