1 Samuel 26

1 Samuel 26:1

Fled - One Philistine could never have thus put ten thousand Israelites to flight, unless their rock, being forsaken by them, had justly sold them and shut them up.

1 Samuel 26:2

Free - Free from all those tributes and charges which either the court or the camp required.

1 Samuel 26:5

Naughtiness - Thy false - confidence, and vain gloried curiosity. See the folly and wickedness of envy! How groundless its jealousies are, how unjust its censures, how unfair it representations? God preserve us from such a spirit!

1 Samuel 26:6

A cause - Of my thus speaking? Is this giant invincible? Is our God unable to oppose him, and subdue him? However David is not deterred from his undertaking, by the hard words of Eliab. They that undertake public services must not think it strange, if they be opposed by those from whom they had reason to expect assistance, but must humbly go on with their work, in the face, not only of their enemies threats, but of their friends slights, suspicions, and censures.

1 Samuel 26:7

He tarried - For being secretly moved by God’s spirit to undertake the combat. He speaks with divers persons about it, that it might come to the king’s ear.

1 Samuel 26:9

Let no man’s heart, &c. - It would have reflected upon his prince to say, Let not thy heart fail: therefore he speaks in general terms, Let no man’s heart fail. A little shepherd, come but this morning from keeping sheep, has more courage than all the mighty men of Israel! Thus doth God often do great things for his people by the weak things of the world.

1 Samuel 26:10

A youth - Not above 20 years old; and a novice, a raw and unexperienced soldier.

1 Samuel 26:14

The Lord, &c. - The lion and the bear were only enemies to me and my sheep, and it was in defence of them I attacked them. But this Philistine is an enemy to my God and his people, and it is for their honour that I attack him.

1 Samuel 26:15

Armour - With armour taken out of his armoury. He seems to speak of some military vestments which were then used in war, and were contrived for defence; such as buff - coats are now.

1 Samuel 26:16

Proved them - I have no skill or experience in the managements of this kind of arms.

1 Samuel 26:17

Staff - His shepherd’s staff. These arms in themselves were contemptible, yet chosen by David; because he had no skill to use other arms; because he had inward assurance of the victory, even by these weapons; and because such a conquest would be more honourable to God, and most shameful, and discouraging to the Philistines.

1 Samuel 26:18

Drew near - Probably a signal was made, that his challenge was accepted.

1 Samuel 26:19

Fair - Not having so much as the countenance of a martial person.

1 Samuel 26:20

Dog - Dost thou think to beat me as easily as thou wouldst thy dog?

1 Samuel 26:23

A God - Heb. that God, the only true God, is for Israel; or on Israel’s side, and against you. Or, that Israel hath a God, a God indeed, one who is able to help them; and not such an impotent idol as you serve.

1 Samuel 26:24

Saveth - That is, that he can save without these arms, and with the most contemptible weapons. The battle - That is, the events of war are wholly in his power. He will - David speaks thus confidently, because he was assured of it by a particular inspiration.

1 Samuel 26:25

Drew nigh - Like a stalking mountain. Ran - So far was he from fear!