26:2 Then Saul arose, and went down to the wilderness of Ziph,
having three thousand a chosen men of Israel with him, to
seek David in the wilderness of Ziph.
(a) That is, of the most skilful and valiant soldiers.
26:6 Then answered David and said to Ahimelech the b Hittite,
and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah, brother to c Joab,
saying, Who will go down with me to Saul to the camp? And
Abishai said, I will go down with thee.
(b) Who was a stranger, and not an Israelite.
(c) Who afterward was David's chief captain.
26:8 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 d second time.
(d) Meaning, he would make him sure at one stroke.
26:9 And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not: for who can
stretch forth his hand e against the LORD'S anointed, and
be guiltless?
(e) That is, in his own private cause: for Jehu slew two
kings at God's appointment, (2Ki 9:24).
26:15 And David said to Abner, [Art] not thou a [valiant] f
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 people in to destroy the king thy lord.
(f) Esteemed most valiant and fit to save the king?
26:17 And Saul knew David's voice, and said, [Is] this thy
voice, g my son David? And David said, [It is] my voice,
my lord, O king.
(g) By this it appears, that the hypocrite persecuted
David against his own conscience and contrary to his
promise.
26:19 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 h accept an offering: but if [they
be] the children of men, cursed [be] they before the LORD;
for they have driven me out this day from abiding in the
inheritance of the LORD, saying, Go, serve i other gods.
(h) Let his anger toward us be pacified by a sacrifice.
(i) As much as lay in them, they compelled him to idolatry
because they forced him to flee to the idolaters.
26:21 Then said Saul, I have sinned: return, my son David: for I
will no more do thee harm, because my soul was k
precious in thine eyes this day: behold, I have played the
fool, and have erred exceedingly.
(k) Because you saved my life this day.
26:23 The LORD render to every man his l righteousness and his
faithfulness: for the LORD delivered thee into [my] hand
to day, but I would not stretch forth mine hand against
the LORD'S anointed.
(l) Thus he protests his innocency toward Saul, not
defending his justice in the sight of God, in whose
presence none is righteous, (Ps 14:3,130:3).
26:25 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 m place.
