1 Samuel 26

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

Then Saul arose, and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, having three thousand chosen men of Israel with him, to seek David in the Wilderness of Ziph.

And Saul pitched in the hill of Hachilah which is before Jeshimon by the way: but David abode in the wilderness, and he saw i. e. He understood by Information, probably, from his dear friend Ionathan. that Saul came after him into the wilderness.

David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul was come in very deed.

¶ And David arose, and came to the place where Saul had pitched 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.: 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 Encompassed with his Carriages for better security. Compare, 1 Sam. 17. 20., and the people pitched round about him.

Then answered David, and said to Ahimelech the Hittite 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., and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah 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., 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 David and Abishai came to the people i. e. To Saul's Host and Camp. It might seem a bold and strange At... 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. 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.

Then said Abishai to David, God has 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..

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... gh designed King, as yet am but a private Person, and his Subject; and therefore cannot kill... im without Sin, nor will I consent that thou shouldst do it.?

David said furthermore, As the LORD liveth, the LORD shall smite him By some sudden and mortal Stroke., or his day shall come to die According to the course of Nature., or he shall descend into battel and perish.

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 Which will show where we have been, and what we could have done., and the cruse of water 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., and let us go.

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

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

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.?

And David said to Abner, Art not thou a valiant man? and who is like to thee For Courage, and Conduct: and therefore thy fault herein is the greater. in Israel? Wherefore then hast thou not kept thy lord the king? for there came one of the peopl... in to destroy the king thy lord.

This thing is not good i. e. It is very bad, a great Crime. A Figure called Meiosis, as Prov. 18. 5. and 19. 2. 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.

And Saul knew Davids voice, and said, Is this thy voice, my son As thou wast my Son by Marriage, so thou hast expressed the care and affection of a Son to me now a second time. David? and David said, It is my voice, my lord, O king.

And he said, Wherefore does my lord pursue thus after his Servant? for what have I done? or what evil is in mine hand?

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 If the Lord has by the evil Spirit which he has 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.: but if they be the children of men Who by their crafty insinuations, and calumnies, have incensed thee against me. He shows his Prudence, and Revere... 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., cursed be they before the LORD: for they have me out this day from abiding in the in... eritance of the LORD From the Land which God has given to his People for their Inheritance, and where he has Established his Presence, and Worship., saying, Go, serve other gods 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..

Now therefore 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 doest it, God the Judge of all men seeth it, and will avenge it of thee; though I will not avenge my self.: for the king of Israel is come out to seek a flea 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., as when one does hunt a partridg in the mountains Hard to be taken, and not worth catching; a mean and contemptible person. Where his advantage does no way compensate his Labour..

¶ 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... y... onfesseth, but aggravateth his fauit, because his Conscience was fully convinced, though his Heart was not changed..

And David answered and said, Behold the kings spear, and let one of the young men come over and fetch it.

The LORD render to every man his righteousness and his faithfulness... desire, that God would deal no otherwise with me, than I have with.: for the LORD delivered thee into my hand to day, but I would not stretch... ourth mine hand against the LORDS anointed.

And behold, as thy life was much set by this day in mine eyes, so... et my life be much set by in the eyes of the LORD, and let him deliver me out of all tribulation.

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 Knowing Saul's unstable and deceitful Heart, he would no... trust to any of his Professions, or Promises, but kept out of his rea... h., and Saul returned to his place.