United Commentaries

1Sam.26.1-25

This was the last time Saul and David were together. The Ziphites told Saul for the second time where David was hiding (see 23:19-20), and David spared Saul’s life a second time as he did in the cave at En-gedi (see ch 24).

1Sam.26.1

Men from Ziph had previously volunteered to capture David and hand him over to Saul (23:19-20).

Hakilah . . . Jeshimon is the same geographical location they had mentioned to Saul before (23:19). David had not moved far, probably because the hilly terrain was dotted with numerous caves, providing many good hiding places.

1Sam.26.3

Saul had come after David again, despite his earlier remorse (24:17-21). Saul had become incapable of acting rationally or speaking truthfully.

1Sam.26.5

Abner son of Ner: See study note on 20:25.

1Sam.26.6

This is the only reference to Ahimelech the Hittite.

Zeruiah was David’s sister (1 Chr 2:16), so Abishai was David’s nephew. The sons of Zeruiah (Abishai, Joab, and Asahel) were three of David’s most faithful followers (e.g., 2 Sam 2:18), but they sometimes caused David difficulty (see 2 Sam 3:39; 16:10; 19:22).

1Sam.26.8

God has surely handed your enemy over to you: Cp. 24:4.

1Sam.26.9

the Lord’s anointed: See study note on 24:6.

1Sam.26.10

David was confident that God would judge between him and Saul just as he had done between him and Nabal (see 25:38). Saul did die . . . in battle against the Philistines (31:6).

1Sam.26.14

Abner: See study note on 20:25.

1Sam.26.16

deserve to die: Death was the punishment for dereliction of duty.

1Sam.26.17

Is that you, my son David? Cp. 24:16.

1Sam.26.19

If the Lord has stirred you up against me: David was perplexed by Saul’s behavior and concerned with the possibility of unintentional sin on his part.

a human scheme: Possibly a reference to Doeg (22:9-10).

worship pagan gods: The sentiment parallels Ps 137:4. Anyone who was exiled from the holy land was unable to worship the Lord by participating in sacrifice at the central sanctuary.

1Sam.26.20

a single flea: Cp. 24:14.

1Sam.26.21

I have sinned: Saul had seen the error of his ways once before (24:16-19). David had no good reason to trust him this time (see 27:1).

I have been a fool: This Hebrew term (sakal, “play the fool,” see also 13:13) is different from the word meaning “fool” (nabal) used in ch 25. However, the two words have parallel meanings. Saul and Nabal are parallel figures.

1Sam.26.23

David did not harm Saul (24:6; 26:9) because Saul was the Lord’s anointed one (see study note on 24:6).

1Sam.26.24

may the Lord value my life, even as I have valued yours: David could not count on Saul to reciprocate. Thus, his fate was in God’s hands.

1Sam.26.25

Saul returned home, and this may have been David’s last personal encounter with him.