1 Samuel 26:1-7

1 et venerunt Ziphei ad Saul in Gabaa dicentes ecce David absconditus est in colle Achilae quae est ex adverso solitudinis

2 et surrexit Saul et descendit in desertum Ziph et cum eo tria milia virorum de electis Israhel ut quaereret David in deserto Ziph

3 et castrametatus est Saul in Gabaa Achilae quae erat ex adverso solitudinis in via David autem habitabat in deserto videns autem quod venisset Saul post se in desertum

4 misit exploratores et didicit quod venisset certissime

5 et surrexit David et venit ad locum ubi erat Saul cumque vidisset locum in quo dormiebat Saul et Abner filius Ner princeps militiae eius Saulem dormientem in tentorio et reliquum vulgus per circuitum eius

6 ait David ad Ahimelech Cettheum et Abisai filium Sarviae fratrem Ioab dicens quis descendet mecum ad Saul in castra dixitque Abisai ego descendam tecum

7 venerunt ergo David et Abisai ad populum nocte et invenerunt Saul iacentem et dormientem in tentorio et hastam fixam in terra ad caput eius Abner autem et populum dormientes in circuitu eius

1 Samuel 26:1-7 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST SAMUEL 26

This chapter relates that Saul, upon the information of the Ziphites, went out again with an armed force to seek David, 1Sa 26:1-3; of which David having intelligence, and of the place where he pitched, came with one of his men and reconnoitred his camp, and finding Saul and his men asleep, took away his spear, and the cruse of water at his head, and departed, without taking away his life, though solicited to it by his servant, 1Sa 26:4-12; which spear and cruse of water he produced to the reproach of Abner, Saul's general, and as a testimony of his sincere regard to Saul, and that he had no design upon his life, 1Sa 26:13-20; of which Saul being convinced, blessed David, and returned home again, 1Sa 26:21-25.