Chapter Twenty-Six

David’s new magnanimity toward Saul (see 1 Sam 24:1).

1 Samuel 26:1. The Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah from the south and said, “Behold, David is hiding with us on the hill of Hachila, which is on the right of Jeshimon. The Ziphites. See the note to 1 Sam 22:5.

1 Samuel 26:8. Abishai said to David, “God has now given your enemy into your hand. Let me pin him to the ground with his spear with a single blow, and I will not strike him twice. “And I will not strike him twice,” that is, I hope that Saul’s life will end after the very first blow of the spear.

1 Samuel 26:11. Take the spear that is at his head, and the water jar, and let us go to ourselves. 1 Samuel 26:12. David took the spear and the water jar from beside Saul’s head, and they went away; and no one saw, and no one knew, and no one woke up, but all slept, for sleep from the Lord had fallen upon them. In 1 Sam 26:15-16 it is explained why the spear and the jar were taken.

1 Samuel 26:15. David said to Abner, “Are you not a man? And who is like you in Israel? Why then have you not kept watch over your lord the king? For someone came to destroy the king, your lord. “Are you not a man,” that is, are you not a real man? “And who is like you in Israel” in strength and valor, and also in position at the throne of the king who is related to you and favorably disposed toward you? (1 Sam 14:50).

1 Samuel 26:19. Now, let my lord the king hear the words of his servant: if the Lord has stirred you up against me, let that be a pleasing offering; but if it is the children of men, may they be cursed before the Lord, for they have driven me out this day from my share in the Lord’s inheritance, saying, “Go, serve other gods. “Go, serve other gods,” that is, depart from the land of the Lord’s chosen people and wander in the lands of the gentiles, among those who worship idols.

1 Samuel 26:20. Let not my blood be spilled to the ground before the face of the Lord; for the king of Israel has come out to seek one flea, as one hunts the partridge on the mountains. “Gone out to seek one flea, hunts the partridge.” See the note to 1 Sam 24:15.

1 Samuel 26:25. Saul said to David, “You are blessed, my son David, and you will accomplish great things and prevail greatly.” David went on his way, and Saul returned to his place. See 1 Sam 24:21-22.