1 Samuel 26:8

8 dixitque Abisai ad David conclusit Deus hodie inimicum tuum in manus tuas nunc ergo perfodiam eum lancea in terra semel et secundo opus non erit

1 Samuel 26:8 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 26:8

Then said Abishai to David
Seeing Saul fast asleep, and a spear so near him:

God hath delivered thine enemy into thine hand this day:
or at this time, properly it was night:

now therefore let me smite him, I pray thee, with the spear;
with Saul's own spear, which was stuck in the ground at his bolster. He remembered that David would not put forth his hand to stay him before, when he had an opportunity; and since now another offered, he did not move it to him to do it, but begged leave to do it himself; which he might think would be granted, since there was such a remarkable hand of Providence in it, which seemed to direct to such a step:

even to the earth at once, and I will not [smite] him the second time;
signifying, that he would give such a home blow or thrust, that the spear should pierce through him, and fasten him to the ground, that there would be no need to repeat it.

1 Samuel 26:8 In-Context

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
8 dixitque Abisai ad David conclusit Deus hodie inimicum tuum in manus tuas nunc ergo perfodiam eum lancea in terra semel et secundo opus non erit
9 et dixit David ad Abisai ne interficias eum quis enim extendit manum suam in christum Domini et innocens erit
10 et dixit David vivit Dominus quia nisi Dominus percusserit eum aut dies eius venerit ut moriatur aut in proelium descendens perierit
The Latin Vulgate is in the public domain.