Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 Samuel 26

AND the Ziphites came unto Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself in the hill of Hachilah, which is before Jeshimon ?

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 Ruine.

He is returned to his former haunt: of which see Chap. 23. 19. This place might be convenient for him, either for its nearness to Abigails Estate: or because he might think, that Saul was mollified, and the Ziphites cautioned by the unsuccessfullness of their former Attempt; or because he could from thence, make good his Retreat into other places, if need were.

Marginal references: Chap. 23▪ 19▪ Psa. 54▪ [illegible: 1 word]

3 And Saul pitched in the hill of Hachilah which is before Jeshimon by the way: but David abode in the wilderness, and he saw that Saul came after him into the wilderness.

i. e. He understood by Information, probably, from his dear friend Ionathan.

5 ¶ And David arose, and came to the place where Saul had pitched : and David beheld the place where Saul lay, and Abner the son of Ner the captain of his host: and Saul lay in the trench , and the people pitched round about him.

Came near to the skirts of Saul's Camp; which he might easily discover from some neighbouring Hill, or Wood; and yet, not be discerned himself. And it is probable, he came thither disguised, and towards Night.

Encompassed with his Carriages for better security. Compare, 1 Sam. 17. 20.

Marginal references: Chap. 14. 50. 17. 55.; Or, midst of [illegible: 1+ letters]is carriages.

6 Then answered David, and said to Ahimelech the Hittite , and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah , brother to Joab, saying, Who will go down with me to Saul to the camp? And Abishai said, I will go down with thee.

So called, either because he was one of that Nation, but Converted to the Iewish Religion: Compare 2 Sam. 11. 3. and 15. 18. Or, from his Habitation amongst, or some Relation to some of that People.

David's Sister: See 1 Chron. 2. 16. His Father is not named; either because he was now dead; or because he was an obscure person.

7 So David and Abishai came to the people by night, and behold, Saul lay sleeping within the trench, and his spear stuck in the ground at his bolster: but Abner and the people lay round about him.

i. e. To Saul's Host and Camp. It might seem a bold and strange At[illegible: 1+ letters]empt; 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. That David did, and might easily perceive, that they were all fast asleep. 3. That David had a particular Assurance, that God would preserve him to the Kingdom. 4. That he had a special Instinct from God, to this Work; and possibly God might inform him, that he had cast them into a dead sleep, that he might have this second opportunity of manifesting his Innocency towards Saul, and the Justice of his Cause.

8 Then said Abishai to David, God hath delivered thine enemy into thine hand this day: now therefore let me smite him, I pray thee, with the spear, even to the earth at once, and I will not smite him the second time .

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

Marginal references: Heb. shut up.

9 And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against the LORD's anointed, and be guiltless ?

Though Saul be a cruel Tyrant, and rejected by God, yet he is our Soveraign Lord and King; and I, tho[illegible: 1+ letters]gh designed King, as yet am but a private Person, and his Subject; and therefore cannot kill [illegible: 1+ letters]im without Sin, nor will I consent that thou shouldst do it.

10 David said furthermore, As the LORD liveth, the LORD shall smite him , or his day shall come to die , or he shall descend into battel and perish.

By some sudden and mortal Stroke.

According to the course of Nature.

11 The LORD forbid that I should stretch forth mine hand against the LORDS anointed: but, I pray thee, take thou now the spear that is at his bolster , and the cruse of water , and let us go.

Which will shew where we have been, and what we could have done.

Which 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 for divers other uses.

12 So David took the spear, and the cruse of water from Sauls bolster, and they gat them away, and no man saw it, nor knew it, neither awaked: for they were all asleep, because a deep sleep from the LORD was fallen upon them.

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

Marginal references: Heb. of the LORD.

13 ¶ Then David went over to the other side, and stood on the top of an hill afar off (a great space being between them.)

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.

14 And David cried to the people, and to Abner the son of Ner, saying, Answerest thou not Abner? Then Abner answered and said, Who art thou that criest to the king ?

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

15 And David said to Abner, Art not thou a valiant man? and who is like to thee in Israel? Wherefore then hast thou not kept thy lord the king? for there came one of the peopl[illegible: 1+ letters] in to destroy the king thy lord.

For Courage, and Conduct: and therefore thy fault herein is the greater.

Marginal references: Heb. a man.

16 This thing is not good that thou hast done: as the LORD liveth, ye are worthy to die, because ye have not kept your master the LORD's anointed. And now see where the kings spear is, and the cruse of water that was at his bolster.

i. e. It is very bad, a great Crime. A Figure called Meiosis, as Prov. 18. 5. and 19. 2.

Marginal references: Heb. sons of death.

17 And Saul knew Davids voice, and said, Is this thy voice, my son David? and David said, It is my voice, my lord, O king.

As thou wast my Son by Marriage, so thou hast expressed the care and affection of a Son to me now a second time.

19 Now therefore, I pray thee, let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If the LORD have stirred thee up against me , let him accept an offering : but if they be the children of men , cursed be they before the LORD: for they have [illegible: 1 word] me out this day from abiding in the in [illegible: 1+ letters]eritance of the LORD , saying, Go, serve other gods .

If the Lord hath 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 us offer up a Sacrifice to God to appease his Wrath against us.

Who by their crafty insinuations, and calumnies, have incensed thee against me. He sheweth his Prudence, and Revere[illegible: 1+ letters]ce, and Meekness; that he Accuseth not the King, but translateth the fault wholly upon his Evil Ministers; as the Israelites do in like Case, Exod. 5. 16.

From the Land which God hath given to his People for their Inheritance, and where he hath Established his Presence, and Worship.

This was the Language of their Actions. For by driving him from Gods Land, and the place of his Worship, into Foreign and Idolatrous Lands, they exposed him to the peril of being either ensnared by their Counsels, or Examples; or forced by their threats and power to worship Idols.

Marginal references: Heb. smell▪; Heb. cleaving.

20 Now therefore let not my blood fall to the earth before the face of the LORD : for the king of Israel is come out to seek a flea , as when one doth hunt a partridg in the mountains .

Do not attempt to spill my Innocent Blood like water upon the ground.

Remember, if thou doest it, God the Judge of all men seeth it, and will avenge it of thee; though I will not avenge my self.

Remember, if thou doest it, God the Judge of all men seeth it, and will avenge it of thee; though I will not avenge my self.

Hard to be taken, and not worth catching; a mean and contemptible person.

Where his advantage doth no way compensate his Labour.

Marginal references: Chap. 24. 14.

21 ¶ Then said Saul, I have sinned. Return, my son David, for I will no more do thee harm, because my soul was precious in thine eyes this day: behold, I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly .

He not one[illegible: 1+ letters]y [illegible: 1+ letters]onfesseth, but aggravateth his fauit, because his Conscience was fully convinced, though his Heart was not changed.

23 The LORD render to every man his righteousness and his faithfulness : for the LORD delivered thee into my hand to day, but I would not stretch [illegible: 1+ letters]ourth mine hand against the LORDS anointed.

[illegible: 1+ letters] desire, that God would deal no otherwise with me, than I have [illegible: 1 word] with [illegible: 1 word].

25 Then Saul said to David, Blessed be thou, my son David: thou shalt both do great things, and also shalt still prevail. So David went on his way , and Saul returned to his place.

Knowing Saul's unstable and deceitful Heart, he would no[illegible: 1+ letters] trust to any of his Professions, or Promises, but kept out of his rea[illegible: 1+ letters]h.

Marginal references: Heb. in doing thou shalt do: Dan. 11. 28, 32.