Albert Barnes Commentary 1 Samuel 26
Albert Barnes Commentary
1 Samuel 26
Albert Barnes Commentary
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 the desert?" — 1 Samuel 26:1 (ASV)
The incident described in this chapter, the meeting between Saul and David, is very similar to the one recorded in 1 Samuel 24, and it is unlikely that such an event would have happened more than once. The existing discrepancies can be explained by the theory that one narrative fully describes certain incidents about which the other is silent. Overall, the most probable conclusion is that the two narratives describe the same event. (Compare the two narratives of Creation in Genesis 1 and Genesis 2:4 and following; the two narratives of David’s war in 2 Samuel 8 and 2 Samuel 10; and those of the death of Ahaziah in 2 Kings 9:27 and following and 2 Chronicles 22:9.)
"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." — 1 Samuel 26:6 (ASV)
Ahimelech the Hittite – He is only mentioned here. Uriah was also a Hittite.
Abishai – He was the son of Zeruiah, David’s sister, but was probably about the same age as David. He became very famous as a warrior (2 Samuel 23:18) but was implicated with his brother Joab in the murder of Abner in retaliation for the death of their brother Asahel (2 Samuel 3:30).
"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 watch over thy lord the king? for there came one of the people in to destroy the king thy lord." — 1 Samuel 26:15 (ASV)
This incidental testimony to Abner’s great eminence as a warrior is fully confirmed by David’s dirge at Abner’s death (2 Samuel 3:31–34, 38), as well as by his entire history. At the same time, David’s bantering tone toward Abner, coupled with what he says in 1 Samuel 26:19, makes it probable that David attributed Saul’s persecution of him in some degree to Abner. Abner would be likely to dread a rival in the young conqueror of Judah (compare to 2 Samuel 2:8).
"Now therefore, I pray thee, let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If it be Jehovah that hath stirred thee up against me, let him accept an offering: but if it be the children of men, cursed be they before Jehovah: for they have driven me out this day that I should not cleave unto the inheritance of Jehovah, saying, Go, serve other gods." — 1 Samuel 26:19 (ASV)
If the Lord has stirred you up - The meaning is clear from the preceding history. An “evil spirit from God troubling him” was the beginning of the persecution, and this evil spirit was sent as punishment for Saul’s sin (1 Samuel 16:1, 14). If the continued persecution was merely the consequence of this evil spirit continuing to vex Saul, David advises Saul to seek God’s pardon and, as a result, the removal of the evil spirit by offering a sacrifice.
But if the persecution was the consequence of the false accusations of slanderers, then “cursed” be his enemies. By their actions, they drove David from the only land where the LORD was worshiped, forcing him to take refuge in the country of pagans and idolaters (28:36).
Jump to: