Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Samuel 26:7
So David and Abishai came to the people by night: and, behold, Saul lay sleeping within the trench, and his spear stuck in the ground at his bolster: but Abner and the people lay round about him.
7. to the people ] i.e. to Saul’s army. Cp. 1Sa 14:45.
his spear ] See on 1Sa 18:10.
at his bolster ] At his head; and so in 1Sa 26:11 ; 1Sa 26:16. Cp. 1Sa 19:13.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
1Sa 26:7
Saul lay sleeping within the trench.
The danger of spiritual lethargy
The circumstances of Saul, and the manner in which he was treated by David, may have a warning voice to unbelievers, careless, thoughtless, and slumbering in their sins. The King of Israel was bound to David by every tie of gratitude, as to the man who had saved his life and kingdom. Yet with all unthankfulness the most flagrant did he aim if possible to destroy him. With this unrighteous purpose, he had followed David into the wilderness of Ziph, and every malignant feeling was arrayed against the man after Gods own heart. And what is the unbelievers state in reference to God? Hath not the Most High visited him with providential and spiritual mercies? Look how eternal love is manifested, in that Christ hath died for him, the just for the unjust, that He might bring him to God. What is the result? Hath this flow of goodness softened and melted him into deep repentance, adoring gratitude, and holy reconciliation? No; look how the offender is pursuing the Lord to dishonour Him–mark how the carnal mind is enmity against God. The lips, to which God hath given language, ere opened to blaspheme Him. The feet, to which He hath given motion, walk in the way of scorners. In prosecution of his unrighteous purpose, Saul had pitched in the hill of Hachilah, whither David and Abishai his sisters son followed him. And when they came, behold Saul lay sleeping within the trench, and the spear stuck in the ground at his bolster; but Abner, the captain of his host, and the people lay round about him. His army, confident and well appointed, were at his bidding and hard at hand; he looked for no resistance, but expected soon and safely to possess and destroy his enemy, and he fell asleep in the fulness of security. In that warfare which the rebellious sinner wages with his offended Maker, how often doth self-confidence lull his soul to sleep in the trench! His heart is lulled to sleep by the deceitfulness of sin. The very forbearance he hath received serves to deepen his lethargy. Satan leads him blindfold into danger. Jonah slept in the storm; Samson slept in the lap of Delilah, while the Philistines were upon him; Sisera slept in the tent of Jael the Kenite; and thus doth the soul without Christ sleep amidst the terrors of impending wrath. A deep sleep had fallen upon Saul from the Lord. O tremble, lest, while ye are wrapped up in this insensibility, an offended God should continue and deepen the spirit of slumber upon you in judgment. Saul slept securely, but he was in the power of his enemies. David had good reason to regard him as a foe; and how shall God regard you who depart from him? Abishai said unto David, God hath delivered thine enemy into thy hand this day. Is your spiritual slumber so deep that ye cannot hear Satan express a similar desire? Doth he not long to put, forth his hand for a first and final stroke against your lives? (R. P. Buddicom, M. A.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
To the people, i. e. to Sauls host and camp. It might seem a bold and strange attempt; but many things are to be considered:
1. That heroical persons have oft attempted things of no less difficulty and danger than this was; as many credible historians relate.
2. That David did and might easily perceive that they were all fast asleep.
3. That David had a particular assurance that God would preserve him to the kingdom.
4. That he had a special instinct from God to this work; and possibly God might inform him that he had cast them into a dead sleep, that he might have this second opportunity of manifesting his innocency towards Saul, and the justice of his cause.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
So David and Abishai came to the people by night,…. Josephus l wrongly says, that he took with him both Abishai and Ahimelech; he chose to have but one, for the greater secrecy. This was a bold enterprise, for two men to go into a camp of three thousand men, though it was in the night; when though they might suppose the greater part of them were asleep, yet they could not well suppose this of all, and especially of the guards or sentinels; but no doubt David was moved to this, not merely by the dint of his natural courage, but by the Spirit of God, by whom he might be assured of protection, and that Saul and the people were cast into a deep sleep by the Lord, as they were, 1Sa 26:12; and this the Lord moved him to, that he might have an opportunity a second time to convince Saul of his innocence, and that he had no design upon his life:
and, behold, Saul lay sleeping within the trench;
[See comments on 1Sa 26:5];
and his spear stuck in the ground at his bolster; ready to take up and defend himself, should he be surprised; or this was his sceptre, which he always carried about with him, as an ensign of royalty, and by which very probably David knew which was Saul’s tent or couch, where he slept:
but Abner and the people lay round about him; as in 1Sa 26:5.
l Antiqu. l. 6. c. 13. sect. 9.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(7) Within the trench.As above, in 1Sa. 26:5, within the barrier of the wagons.
His spear . . . at his bolster.Bolster, literally, the place where his head is, better rendered at his head; and so in 1Sa. 26:11-12; 1Sa. 26:16. The same Hebrew word occurs in the narration of Jacobs dream (Gen. 28:11); it is there rendered in our English Version, his pillows. It was the tall spear which ever seems to have been in Sauls hand, or placed close to him. We read of it in battle in his hand, and in the council chamber and at the state banquet it was within his reach, and now it was evidently reared upright beside the sleeping king. I noticed at all the encampments which we passed that the sheiks tent was distinguished from the rest by a tall spear stuck upright in the ground in front of it; and it is the custom when a party set out on an excursion for robbery or for war, that when they halt to rest the spot where the chief reclines or rests is thus designatedThomson, Land and the Book.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
7. Spear at his bolster Or, at his head, as we have rendered the Hebrew at 1Sa 19:13. “I noticed at all the encampments which we passed,” says Dr. Thomson, “that the sheik’s tent was distinguished from the rest by a tall spear stuck upright in the ground in front of it; and it is the custom, when a party is out on an excursion for robbery or for war, that when they halt to rest, the spot where the chief reclines or sleeps is thus designated.”
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
1Sa 26:7-12. So David and Abishai came to the people, &c. This was a bold and hazardous undertaking, which would have been certain death to David had he been discovered. But David was bold and intrepid; and his and Abishai’s gallantry in this affair deserves certainly to be no less celebrated than that of Ulysses and Diomed, when they went as spies to the Trojan camp. But there is more in David to be commended than his gallantry. Who can help admiring his magnanimity and piety? What man, but David, with a crown so near in view, would have resisted the fair and inviting temptation? David rejects it with abhorrence, from the principles of religion and duty. Glorious moderation and fortitude of mind! Was ever resolution more generous and loyal? One stroke would have fixed his enemy dead on the spot, put an end to his fears, and mounted him on a throne: and yet, he starts back at the proposal of it: the prospect of a throne will not tempt him to a base, disloyal, and cruel action. Houbigant observes, that the sleep of Adam in Paradise is expressed in the same words as the present; whence he concludes that, as well as this, to have been supernatural. Some imagine, that the cruse mentioned in this 12th verse was a clepsydra, or one of those water watch measures used by the ancients in their camps; others, that it was only a vessel of water kept for washing, in case of legal pollutions; and others, that it was placed there for drink, in case of thirst; which the heat of the season might well cause, as it was about the time of sheep-shearing.
REFLECTIONS.David, having observed the camp, resolves on a dangerous enterprize; though, it is to be presumed, he had some divine admonition for this step, which would otherwise appear rash and unwarrantable.
1. He goes down to Saul’s camp in the night with Abishai, who offered to be his companion. A deep sleep from God had seized the host: Saul lay in the midst of the camp, and his army asleep around him, to the very sentinels. So soon can God disarm the mighty, and leave them a prey to the feeble.
2. Abishai, eager to improve the advantage which so remarkable a providence gave them, concludes that God designed Saul’s destruction, and offers, at a stroke, to dispatch him.
3. David refuses the offer, and stays his hand. He uses the same arguments as before, viz. the sacred office with which Saul was invested, and the allegiance therefore due to him. He doubted not but God would avenge his quarrel by some sudden judgment; Saul would fall in battle, or die a natural death; and he is content to wait the Lord’s leisure, rather choosing to suffer in the flesh for a while, than by such a blow to bring guilt on his conscience. Note; They who know the evil of sin, will think a crown too dearly purchased by the least transgression.
4. Though he will not hurt him, he takes away with him the evidences of his power to have done so, his spear and cruse; and thus in safety they retire. Note; They are secure in the midst of danger, from whom God gives a charge to the angel of death to withhold his hand.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
1Sa 26:7 So David and Abishai came to the people by night: and, behold, Saul lay sleeping within the trench, and his spear stuck in the ground at his bolster: but Abner and the people lay round about him.
Ver. 7. So David and Abishai came. ] Ahimelech belike durst not venture, or else David was willing to have but only one with him, for secrecy sake.
But Abner and the people lay round about him.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
spear. This is still the mark of the chiefs tent. Compare 1Sa 18:10.
bolster = head.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
sleeping: 1Th 5:2, 1Th 5:3
Reciprocal: 1Sa 26:12 – So David