And Saul sent the messengers [again] to see David
Not to visit him, or to see how he was, or inquire of his health, in a kind manner, but to see his person, whether he was sick or not, and whether he was there or not; for Saul might suspect some deceit was used, because the messengers took the report of Michal, and saw not David, nor attempted to see him; but now they have strict orders to see him, and not take Michal's word as before, ( 1 Samuel 19:14 ) ; wherefore the supplement again may be left out:
saying, bring him up to me in the bed;
if so bad that he was not able to rise, or not fit to be taken out of his bed, his orders were, that he should be brought to him in it; resolved he was to have him, sick or well:
that I may slay him:
not content that he should die a natural death, or willing to wait for it, he is in haste, being full of wrath and malice, to slay him himself.