1 Samuel 26

1 Samuel 26

Pink points out, “The action of Saul here provides a solemn illustration of a well-known principle. If sin be not dethroned and mortified, it will soon recover its strength and when a suitable temptation is presented, break out again with renewed force.” (Life of David - chapter 20 His Chastening) 1 Samuel 26:3 Saul camped in the hill of Hachilah, which is before Jeshimon, beside the road, and David was staying in the wilderness. When he saw that Saul came after him into the wilderness, BGT 1 Samuel 26:3 καὶ παρενέβαλεν Σαουλ ἐν τῷ βουνῷ τοῦ Εχελα ἐπὶ προσώπου τοῦ Ιεσσαιμουν ἐπὶ τῆς ὁδοῦ καὶ Δαυιδ ἐκάθισεν ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ καὶ εἶδεν Δαυιδ ὅτι ἥκει Σαουλ ὀπίσω αὐτοῦ εἰς τὴν ἔρημον LXE 1 Samuel 26:3 And Saul encamped in the hill of Echela in front of Jessemon, by the way, and David dwelt in the wilderness: and David saw that Saul came after him into the wilderness. KJV 1 Samuel 26:3 And Saul pitched in the hill of Hachilah, which is before Jeshimon, by the way. But David abode in the wilderness, and he saw that Saul came after him into the wilderness. NET 1 Samuel 26:3 Saul camped by the road on the hill of Hakilah near Jeshimon, but David was staying in the desert. When he realized that Saul had come to the desert to find him, CSB 1 Samuel 26:3 Saul camped beside the road at the hill of Hachilah opposite Jeshimon. David was living in the wilderness and discovered Saul had come there after him. ESV 1 Samuel 26:3 And Saul encamped on the hill of Hachilah, which is beside the road on the east of Jeshimon. But David remained in the wilderness. When he saw that Saul came after him into the wilderness, NIV 1 Samuel 26:3 Saul made his camp beside the road on the hill of Hakilah facing Jeshimon, but David stayed in the desert. When he saw that Saul had followed him there, NLT 1 Samuel 26:3 Saul camped along the road beside the hill of Hakilah, near Jeshimon, where David was hiding. When David learned that Saul had come after him into the wilderness, NRS 1 Samuel 26:3 Saul encamped on the hill of Hachilah, which is opposite Jeshimon beside the road. But David remained in the wilderness. When he learned that Saul came after him into the wilderness, NJB 1 Samuel 26:3 Saul pitched camp on the Hill of Hachilah, which is on the edge of the wastelands near the road. David was then living in the desert and saw that Saul had come after him into the desert. NAB 1 Samuel 26:3 Saul camped beside the road on the hill of Hachilah, at the edge of the wasteland. David, who was living in the desert, saw that Saul had come into the desert after him YLT 1 Samuel 26:3 And Saul encampeth in the height of Hachilah, which is on the front of the desert, by the way, and David is abiding in the wilderness, and he seeth that Saul hath come after him in to the wilderness; GWN 1 Samuel 26:3 Saul camped by the road at the hill of Hachilah near Jeshimon, but David stayed in the desert. When he realized Saul had come to the desert for him, Hachilah: 1Sa 26:1 1Sa 23:19 1 Samuel 26 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Hachilah directly W of En-gedi SAUL CAMPS AT HACHILAH Saul camped in the hill of Hachilah, which is before Jeshimon (see map), beside the road, and David was staying in the wilderness (midbār; Lxx - eremos) - This sets the stage geographically for the unusual confrontation in chapter 26. When he saw ("he realized") that Saul came after him into the wilderness (midbār; Lxx - eremos) - Perhaps David was hoping that Saul's tears in 1 Samuel 24:16+ were genuine, but he soon learned that Saul was pursuing him again. Saul was close with 3000 troops, a "strong enemy" force, but David was safe for the Lord protected him, David attesting... He delivered me from my strong enemy, And from those who hated me, for they were too mighty for me. -- Ps 18:17 HACHILAH - [see map above] means obscurity, dark or the darksome hill. It is one of the peaks of the long ridge of el-Kolah, running out of the Ziph plateau, "on the south of Jeshimon" (i.e., of the "waste"), the district to which one looks down from the plateau of Ziph (1 Sam. 23:19). After his reconciliation with Saul at Engedi (24:1-8), David returned to Hachilah, where he had fixed his quarters. The Ziphites treacherously informed Saul of this, and he immediately (26:1-4) renewed his pursuit of David, and "pitched in the hill of Hachilah." David and his nephew Abishai stole at night into the midst of Saul's camp, when they were all asleep, and noiselessly removed the royal spear and the cruse from the side of the king, and then, crossing the intervening valley to the height on the other side, David cried to the people, and thus awoke the sleepers. He then addressed Saul, who recognized his voice, and expostulated with him. Saul professed to be penitent; but David could not put confidence in him, and he now sought refuge at Ziklag. David and Saul never afterwards met. (1Sa 26:13-25). 1 Samuel 26:4 David sent out spies, and he knew that Saul was definitely coming. BGT 1 Samuel 26:4 καὶ ἀπέστειλεν Δαυιδ κατασκόπους καὶ ἔγνω ὅτι ἥκει Σαουλ ἕτοιμος ἐκ Κεϊλα LXE 1 Samuel 26:4 And David sent spies, and ascertained that Saul was come prepared out of Keila. KJV 1 Samuel 26:4 David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul was come in very deed. NET 1 Samuel 26:4 David sent scouts and verified that Saul had indeed arrived. CSB 1 Samuel 26:4 So David sent out spies and knew for certain that Saul had come. ESV 1 Samuel 26:4 David sent out spies and learned that Saul had indeed come. NIV 1 Samuel 26:4 he sent out scouts and learned that Saul had definitely arrived. NLT 1 Samuel 26:4 he sent out spies to verify the report of Saul's arrival. NRS 1 Samuel 26:4 David sent out spies, and learned that Saul had indeed arrived. NJB 1 Samuel 26:4 Accordingly, David sent out spies and learned that Saul had indeed arrived. NAB 1 Samuel 26:4 and sent out scouts, who confirmed Saul's arrival. YLT 1 Samuel 26:4 and David sendeth spies, and knoweth that Saul hath come unto Nachon, GWN 1 Samuel 26:4 David sent spies to confirm that Saul had arrived. BBE 1 Samuel 26:4 And so David sent out watchers, and got word from them that Saul was certainly coming. Jos 2:1 Mt 10:16 1 Samuel 26 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries DAVID SENDS SPIES TO MONITOR SAUL David sent out spies, and he knew that Saul was definitely coming - Hebrew = "and David sent scouts and he knew that Saul had certainly come.” There is "intel" from above and "intel" on earth. I am sure David prayed to God for protection, but he was a wise commander and gathered intel on Saul. His spies reported that Saul was on the move and was camped at Hachilah. 1 Samuel 24 and 1 Samuel 27 are distinct, different encounters although some writers think they are related... 1 Samuel 24 1 Samuel 27 Locations Cave - En Gedi Camp - near Hachilah Time Day Night Activity Saul relieves self Saul asleep Words spoken David only to Saul David to Abner & Saul 1 Samuel 26:5 David then arose and came to the place where Saul had camped. And David saw the place where Saul lay, and Abner the son of Ner, the commander of his army; and Saul was lying in the circle of the camp, and the people were camped around him. BGT 1 Samuel 26:5 καὶ ἀνέστη Δαυιδ λάθρᾳ καὶ εἰσπορεύεται εἰς τὸν τόπον οὗ ἐκάθευδεν ἐκεῖ Σαουλ καὶ ἐκεῖ Αβεννηρ υἱὸς Νηρ ἀρχιστράτηγος αὐτοῦ καὶ Σαουλ ἐκάθευδεν ἐν λαμπήνῃ καὶ ὁ λαὸς παρεμβεβληκὼς κύκλῳ αὐτοῦ LXE 1 Samuel 26:5 And David arose secretly, and goes into the place where Saul was sleeping, and there was Abenner the son of Ner, the captain of his host: and Saul was sleeping in a chariot, and the people had encamped along round about him. KJV 1 Samuel 26:5 And David arose, and came to the place where Saul had pitched: and David beheld the place where Saul lay, and Abner the son of Ner, the captain of his host: and Saul lay in the trench, and the people pitched round about him. NET 1 Samuel 26:5 So David set out and went to the place where Saul was camped. David saw the place where Saul and Abner son of Ner, the general in command of his army, were sleeping. Now Saul was lying in the entrenchment, and the army was camped all around him. CSB 1 Samuel 26:5 Immediately, David went to the place where Saul had camped. He saw the place where Saul and Abner son of Ner, the general of his army, were lying down. Saul was lying inside the inner circle of the camp with the troops camped around him. ESV 1 Samuel 26:5 Then David rose and came to the place where Saul had encamped. And David saw the place where Saul lay, with Abner the son of Ner, the commander of his army. Saul was lying within the encampment, while the army was encamped around him. NIV 1 Samuel 26:5 Then David set out and went to the place where Saul had camped. He saw where Saul and Abner son of Ner, the commander of the army, had lain down. Saul was lying inside the camp, with the army encamped around him. NLT 1 Samuel 26:5 David slipped over to Saul's camp one night to look around. Saul and Abner son of Ner, the commander of his army, were sleeping inside a ring formed by the slumbering warriors. NRS 1 Samuel 26:5 Then David set out and came to the place where Saul had encamped; and David saw the place where Saul lay, with Abner son of Ner, the commander of his army. Saul was lying within the encampment, while the army was encamped around him. NJB 1 Samuel 26:5 Setting off, David went to the place where Saul had pitched camp. He saw the place where Saul and Abner son of Ner, commander of his army, had bedded down. Saul had bedded down inside the camp with the troops bivouacking round him. NAB 1 Samuel 26:5 David himself then went to the place where Saul was encamped and examined the spot where Saul and Abner, son of Ner, the general, had their sleeping quarters. Saul's were within the barricade, and all his soldiers were camped around him. YLT 1 Samuel 26:5 and David riseth, and cometh in unto the place where Saul hath encamped, and David seeth the place where Saul hath lain, and Abner son of Ner, head of his host, and Saul is lying in the path, and the people are encamping round about him. GWN 1 Samuel 26:5 Then David went to the place where Saul had camped. David saw the place where Saul and Ner's son Abner, the commander of the army, were lying. Saul was lying in the camp, and the troops were camped around him. BBE 1 Samuel 26:5 And David got up and came to the place where Saul's tents were: and David had a view of the place where Saul was sleeping with Abner, the son of Ner, the captain of his army: and Saul was sleeping inside the ring of carts, and the tents of the people were all round him. Abner: 1Sa 9:1 14:50,51 17:55 2Sa 2:8-12 3:7,8,27,33-38 1Ch 9:39 1 Samuel 26 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Proverbs 28:1 The wicked flee when no one is pursuing, But the righteous are bold as a lion. SAUL SLEEPING ENCIRCLED BY HIS MEN David then arose and came to the place where Saul had camped - Presumably David's men are some distance away from Saul but David rose himself to go on this secret mission. Why did David go himself when he could have sent one of his men? As the scene unfolds we see that God had supernaturally caused Saul and his soldiers to sleep sound so that David would not be detected. Therefore, it would seem reasonable to conclude that the reason David went to Saul's camp was because the Spirit of God was leading him. And David saw the place where Saul lay, and Abner the son of Ner, the commander of his army - Recall Abner was described in 1Sa 14:50 as the captain of the Saul's army and the son of Ner, Saul's uncle (a touch of nepotism). In their last meeting Saul "accidentally" came into the cave and in contact with David, but now David is actively seeking contact with Saul. and Saul was lying in the circle of the camp, and the people were camped around him - KJV = "Saul lay in the trench, and the people pitched round about him." b= "Now Saul was lying in the entrenchment." Saul was clearly well-protected by his soldiers around him. However, given that God was leading David, Saul's protection was useless to prevent David's approach. TSK Note on "lying in the circle (trench)" - trench: or, midst of his carriages, 1Sa 17:20 The word {maugal} never signifies a ditch or rampart, but a chariot or wagon way. Nor does it seem to denote a ring of carriages, as Buxtorf and others interpret the word; for it is not probable that Saul would encumber his army with baggage in so rapid a pursuit, nor that so mountainous a country was practicable for wagons. It appears simply to mean here, the circular encampment (from {agal,} "round") which these troops formed, in the midst of which, as being the place of honour, Saul reposed. An Arab camp, D'Arvieux informs us, is always circular, when the disposition of the ground will permit, the prince being in the middle, and the troops at a respectful distance around him. Add to which, their lances are fixed near them in the ground all the day long, ready for action. Abner - [EBD] means father of light; i.e., "enlightening", the son of Ner and uncle of Saul. He was commander-in-chief of Saul's army (1 Sam. 14:50; 17:55; 20:25). He first introduced David to the court of Saul after the victory over Goliath (1 Sam. 17:57). After the death of Saul, David was made king over Judah, and reigned in Hebron. Among the other tribes there was a feeling of hostility to Judah; and Abner, at the head of Ephraim, fostered this hostility in the interest of the house of Saul, whose son Ish-bosheth he caused to be proclaimed king (2 Sam. 2:8). A state of war existed between these two kings. A battle fatal to Abner, who was the leader of Ish-boseth's army, was fought with David's army under Joab at Gibeon (2 Sam. 2:12). Abner, escaping from the field, was overtaken by Asahel, who was "light of foot as a wild roe," the brother of Joab and Abishai, whom he thrust through with a back stroke of his spear (2 Sam. 2: 18-32). Being rebuked by Ish-bosheth for the impropriety of taking to wife Rizpah, who had been a concubine of King Saul, he found an excuse for going over to the side of David, whom he now professed to regard as anointed by the Lord to reign over all Israel. David received him favourably, and promised that he would have command of the armies. At this time Joab was absent from Hebron, but on his return he found what had happened. Abner had just left the city; but Joab by a stratagem recalled him, and meeting him at the gate of the city on his return, thrust him through with his sword (2 Sam. 3:27, 31-39; 4:12. Comp. 1 Kings 2:5, 32). David lamented in pathetic words the death of Abner, "Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel?" (2 Sam. 3:33-38.) 1 Samuel 26:6 Then David said to Ahimelech the Hittite and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab's brother, saying, "Who will go down with me to Saul in the camp?" And Abishai said, "I will go down with you." BGT 1 Samuel 26:6 καὶ ἀπεκρίθη Δαυιδ καὶ εἶπεν πρὸς Αχιμελεχ τὸν Χετταῖον καὶ πρὸς Αβεσσα υἱὸν Σαρουιας ἀδελφὸν Ιωαβ λέγων τίς εἰσελεύσεται μετ᾽ ἐμοῦ πρὸς Σαουλ εἰς τὴν παρεμβολήν καὶ εἶπεν Αβεσσα ἐγὼ εἰσελεύσομαι μετὰ σοῦ LXE 1 Samuel 26:6 And David answered and spoke to Abimelech the Chettite, and to Abessa the son Saruia the brother of Joab, saying, Who will go in with me to Saul into the camp? And Abessa said, I will go in with thee. KJV 1 Samuel 26:6 Then answered David and said to Ahimelech the Hittite, and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah, brother to Joab, saying, Who will go down with me to Saul to the camp? And Abishai said, I will go down with thee. NET 1 Samuel 26:6 David said to Ahimelech the Hittite and Abishai son of Zeruiah, Joab's brother, "Who will go down with me to Saul in the camp?" Abishai replied, "I will go down with you." CSB 1 Samuel 26:6 Then David asked Ahimelech the Hittite and Joab's brother Abishai son of Zeruiah, "Who will go with me into the camp to Saul?" "I'll go with you," answered Abishai. ESV 1 Samuel 26:6 Then David said to Ahimelech the Hittite, and to Joab's brother Abishai the son of Zeruiah, "Who will go down with me into the camp to Saul?" And Abishai said, "I will go down with you." NIV 1 Samuel 26:6 David then asked Ahimelech the Hittite and Abishai son of Zeruiah, Joab's brother, "Who will go down into the camp with me to Saul?" "I'll go with you," said Abishai. NLT 1 Samuel 26:6 "Who will volunteer to go in there with me?" David asked Ahimelech the Hittite and Abishai son of Zeruiah, Joab's brother."I'll go with you," Abishai replied. NRS 1 Samuel 26:6 Then David said to Ahimelech the Hittite, and to Joab's brother Abishai son of Zeruiah, "Who will go down with me into the camp to Saul?" Abishai said, "I will go down with you." NJB 1 Samuel 26:6 Speaking to Ahimelech the Hittite and Abishai son of Zeruiah and brother of Joab, David said, 'Who will come down with me to the camp, to Saul?' Abishai answered, 'I will go down with you.' NAB 1 Samuel 26:6 David asked Ahimelech the Hittite, and Abishai, son of Zeruiah and brother of Joab, "Who will go down into the camp with me to Saul?" Abishai replied, "I will." YLT 1 Samuel 26:6 And David answereth and saith unto Ahimelech the Hittite, and unto Abishai son of Zeruiah, brother of Joab, saying, 'Who doth go down with me unto Saul, unto the camp?' and Abishai saith, 'I -- I go down with thee.' GWN 1 Samuel 26:6 David asked Ahimelech the Hittite and Abishai, who was Zeruiah's son and Joab's brother, "Who will go with me to Saul in the camp?" Abishai answered, "I'll go with you." Hittite: Ge 10:15 15:20 2Sa 11:6,21,24 12:9 23:39 Abishai: 2Sa 2:18 16:9,10 18:5 23:18 1Ch 2:16 Zeruiah: 1Ch 2:15,16 Who will go: 1Sa 14:6,7 Jdg 7:10,11 1 Samuel 26 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries DAVID LOOKS FOR VOLUNTEERS IN DANGEROUS MISSION Then David said to Ahimelech the Hittite and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab's brother, saying, "Who will go down with me to Saul in the camp?" And Abishai said, "I will go down with you." - Only one man agreed to go with David, the son of David's sister! Only one had the courage. It is notable that there was another Hittite in David’s service named Uriah whose courage prevented David's attempt to cover his sin (2Sa 11:6–7; 2Sa 23:39). David has yet to explain the purpose of his secret mission but it is clearly dangerous mission in the middle of 3000 crack troops! Abishai - means father of (i.e., "desirous of") a gift, the eldest son of Zeruiah, David's sister. He was the brother of Joab and Asahel (2 Sam. 2:18; 1 Chr. 2:16). Abishai was the only one who accompanied David when he went to the camp of Saul and took the spear and the cruse of water from Saul's bolster (1 Sam. 26:5-12). He had the command of one of the three divisions of David's army at the battle with Absalom (2 Sam. 18:2,5,12). He slew the Philistine giant Ishbi-benob, who threatened David's life (2 Sam. 21:15-17). He was the chief of the second rank of the three "mighties" (2 Sam. 23:18, 19; 1 Chr. 11:20,21); and on one occasion withstood 300 men, and slew them with his own spear (2 Sam. 23:18). Abishai is the name of the Semitic chief who offers gifts to the lord of Beni-Hassan. Abishai, Asahel, and Joab were sons of David’s sister Zeruiah (1Ch 2:16) and nephews of David. Saul’s captain Abner killed Asahel, and Joab and Abishai chased him and killed him, much to David’s sorrow (2 Sam. 2–3). Abishai became one of David’s best military leaders and saved David’s life when he was attacked by a giant (2 Sam. 21:15–17). 1 Samuel 26:7 So David and Abishai came to the people by night, and behold, Saul lay sleeping inside the circle of the camp with his spear stuck in the ground at his head; and Abner and the people were lying around him. BGT 1 Samuel 26:7 καὶ εἰσπορεύεται Δαυιδ καὶ Αβεσσα εἰς τὸν λαὸν τὴν νύκτα καὶ ἰδοὺ Σαουλ καθεύδων ὕπνῳ ἐν λαμπήνῃ καὶ τὸ δόρυ ἐμπεπηγὸς εἰς τὴν γῆν πρὸς κεφαλῆς αὐτοῦ καὶ Αβεννηρ καὶ ὁ λαὸς αὐτοῦ ἐκάθευδεν κύκλῳ αὐτοῦ LXE 1 Samuel 26:7 So David and Abessa go in among the people by night: and behold, Saul was fast asleep in the chariot, and his spear was stuck in the ground near his head, and Abenner and his people slept round about him. KJV 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. NET 1 Samuel 26:7 So David and Abishai approached the army at night and found Saul lying asleep in the entrenchment with his spear stuck in the ground by his head. Abner and the army were lying all around him. CSB 1 Samuel 26:7 That night, David and Abishai came to the troops, and Saul was lying there asleep in the inner circle of the camp with his spear stuck in the ground by his head. Abner and the troops were lying around him. ESV 1 Samuel 26:7 So David and Abishai went to the army by night. And there lay Saul sleeping within the encampment, with his spear stuck in the ground at his head, and Abner and the army lay around him. NIV 1 Samuel 26:7 So David and Abishai went to the army by night, and there was Saul, lying asleep inside the camp with his spear stuck in the ground near his head. Abner and the soldiers were lying around him. NLT 1 Samuel 26:7 So David and Abishai went right into Saul's camp and found him asleep, with his spear stuck in the ground beside his head. Abner and the soldiers were lying asleep around him. NRS 1 Samuel 26:7 So David and Abishai went to the army by night; there Saul lay sleeping within the encampment, with his spear stuck in the ground at his head; and Abner and the army lay around him. NJB 1 Samuel 26:7 So in the dark David and Abishai made their way towards the force, where they found Saul lying asleep inside the camp, his spear stuck in the ground beside his head, with Abner and the troops lying round him. NAB 1 Samuel 26:7 So David and Abishai went among Saul's soldiers by night and found Saul lying asleep within the barricade, with his spear thrust into the ground at his head and Abner and his men sleeping around him. YLT 1 Samuel 26:7 And David cometh -- and Abishai -- unto the people by night, and lo, Saul is lying sleeping in the path, and his spear struck into the earth at his pillow, and abner and the people are lying round about him. GWN 1 Samuel 26:7 So David and Abishai went among Saul's troops that night. Saul was lying asleep inside the camp with his spear stuck in the ground near his head. Abner and the soldiers were lying around him. BBE 1 Samuel 26:7 So David and Abishai came down to the army by night: and Saul was sleeping inside the ring of carts with his spear planted in the earth by his head: and Abner and the people were sleeping round him. sleeping: 1Th 5:2,3 1 Samuel 26 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages (on spear): 1 Samuel 18:10-11+ (CONTEXT = 1Sa 18:7-9) Now it came about on the next day that an evil spirit from God came mightily upon Saul, and he raved in the midst of the house, while David was playing the harp with his hand, as usual; and a spear was in Saul’s hand. 11 Saul hurled the spear for he thought, “I will pin David to the wall.” But David escaped from his presence twice. 1 Samuel 19:9-10+ Now there was an evil spirit from the LORD on Saul as he was sitting in his house with his spear in his hand, and David was playing the harp with his hand. 10 Saul tried to pin David to the wall with the spear, but he slipped away out of Saul’s presence, so that he stuck the spear into the wall. And David fled and escaped that night. 1 Samuel 20:33+ Then Saul hurled his spear at him (HIS OWN SON) to strike him down; so Jonathan knew that his father had decided to put David to death. SAUL SLEEPING WITH SPEAR BY HEAD So David and Abishai came to the people by night, and behold (hinneh; Lxx = idou), Saul lay sleeping inside the circle of the camp with his spear stuck in the ground at his head; and Abner and the people were lying around him - Saul assumed he was safe, but he was not! One is reminded of Psalm 128:1 "Unless the LORD guards the city, the watchman keeps awake in vain." Spear is a keyword in chapter 26 occurring 6x in 6v - 1Sa 26:7 1Sa 26:8 1Sa 26:11 1Sa 26:12 1Sa 26:16 1Sa 26:22 Henry Blackaby - 1 Samuel 26:7–11 Opportunities aren’t always what they appear to be. Don’t be too quick to assume an opportunity is from God just because it’s in front of you. Christians talk a lot about God opening doors, and indeed he does. But we need to be discerning because not every open door is from God. David’s experience is a case in point. King Saul had made his life miserable for years. David’s days were spent on the run; his nights, hiding in caves. And all the while, David had to accept the fact that he, not Saul, was supposed to be the king. Then it came! An incredible opportunity that would solve all David’s problems. There was Saul, asleep and defenseless at David’s feet! David’s friend immediately assumed this chance must be from God. Who would ever blame David for killing Saul? His friend even offered to do the job for him. But David knew God better than that. He understood that God would take care of Saul himself, in his own time. David was a warrior; he had taken many lives before. But this was different. Even though Saul had been his enemy, David realized that God had called Saul and that God would deal with Saul in his own way. So David spared Saul’s life. This would not be the last time he would do so. Ultimately, David did become king, and Saul did get what he deserved, but it wasn’t because David took matters into his own hands. We, too, must distinguish between temptation and opportunity. What seems to make perfect sense to us may be totally contrary to God’s will. How can we know the difference? We must learn to know God’s heart as David did, and God will give us the ability to discern the difference. (Borrow The Experience) 1 Samuel 26:8 Then Abishai said to David, "Today God has delivered your enemy into your hand; now therefore, please let me strike him with the spear to the ground with one stroke, and I will not strike him the second time." BGT 1 Samuel 26:8 καὶ εἶπεν Αβεσσα πρὸς Δαυιδ ἀπέκλεισεν σήμερον κύριος τὸν ἐχθρόν σου εἰς τὰς χεῖράς σου καὶ νῦν πατάξω αὐτὸν τῷ δόρατι εἰς τὴν γῆν ἅπαξ καὶ οὐ δευτερώσω αὐτῷ LXE 1 Samuel 26:8 And Abessa said to David, The Lord has this day shut up thine enemy into thine hands, and now I will smite him to the earth with the spear to the ground once for all, and I will not smite him again. KJV 1 Samuel 26:8 Then said Abishai to David, God hath delivered thine enemy into thine hand this day: now therefore let me smite him, I pray thee, with the spear even to the earth at once, and I will not smite him the second time. NET 1 Samuel 26:8 Abishai said to David, "Today God has delivered your enemy into your hands. Now let me drive the spear right through him into the ground with one swift jab! A second jab won't be necessary!" CSB 1 Samuel 26:8 Then Abishai said to David, "Today God has handed your enemy over to you. Let me thrust the spear through him into the ground just once. I won't have to strike him twice!" ESV 1 Samuel 26:8 Then Abishai said to David, "God has given your enemy into your hand this day. Now please let me pin him to the earth with one stroke of the spear, and I will not strike him twice." NIV 1 Samuel 26:8 Abishai said to David, "Today God has delivered your enemy into your hands. Now let me pin him to the ground with one thrust of my spear; I won't strike him twice." NLT 1 Samuel 26:8 "God has surely handed your enemy over to you this time!" Abishai whispered to David. "Let me pin him to the ground with one thrust of the spear; I won't need to strike twice!" NRS 1 Samuel 26:8 Abishai said to David, "God has given your enemy into your hand today; now therefore let me pin him to the ground with one stroke of the spear; I will not strike him twice." NJB 1 Samuel 26:8 Abishai then said to David, 'Today God has put your enemy in your power; so now let me pin him to the ground with his own spear. Just one stroke! I shall not need to strike him twice.' NAB 1 Samuel 26:8 Abishai whispered to David: "God has delivered your enemy into your grasp this day. Let me nail him to the ground with one thrust of the spear; I will not need a second thrust!" YLT 1 Samuel 26:8 And Abishai saith unto David, 'God hath shut up to-day thine enemy into thy hand; and, now, let me smite him, I pray thee, with a spear, even into the earth at once -- and I do repeat it to him.' GWN 1 Samuel 26:8 Abishai said to David, "Today God has turned your enemy over to you. Please let me nail him to the ground with one stab of the spear. I won't have to do it twice!" BBE 1 Samuel 26:8 Then Abishai said to David, God has given up your hater into your hands today; now let me give him one blow through to the earth with his spear, and there will be no need to give him a second. God: 1Sa 26:23 1Sa 23:14 1Sa 24:4,18,19 Jos 21:44 Jdg 1:4 delivered: Heb. shut up, 1Sa 24:18 De 32:30 Ps 31:8 Ro 11:32 *marg: Ga 3:22,23 the second time: Na 1:9 1 Samuel 26 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Abishai Ready to Strike ABISHAI EAGER TO ASSASSINATE SAUL Then Abishai said to David, "Today God has delivered your enemy into your hand - Abishai repeats the humanistic logic of David's men in 1Sa 24:4 interpreting their ability to approach Saul as a clear sign that God had again delivered Saul into David's hand. Human logic can be cloaked in theological garb! In a sense he was correct, for unless the LORD had put the soldiers soundly asleep, they never could have approached Saul. But opportunities need to be interpreted in the context of God's will and clearly it was not in God's will that His anointed by killed this night! Abishai seems ever-ready to take immediate action against David’s enemies. He made this same proposal when Shimei cursed David as David fled from Jerusalem during the revolt of Absalom (2 Samuel 16:9). Brian Bell - It would have been easy to argue that David had been wrong in the cave & that God was giving him a second chance to kill Saul. But David’s decision was based on principle & not circumstances (See Wiersbe). The principle emerged from 1Sa 25:39 that it was the LORD'S job (cf 1Sa 26:10, 13) Abishi was a brave man; but brave men are not always wise. -- Brian Bell now therefore, please let me strike him with the spear to the ground with one stroke, and I will not strike him the second time - NET = "Now let me drive the spear right through him into the ground with one swift jab! A second jab won't be necessary!" This time Abishai does not even tell David to kill Saul, for he likely knows what David's reply will be. So he says he will do the "dirty work" and that way David could keep his hands clean! His hands might have been clean externally, but his heart would have been unclean internally! Abishai goes on to emphasize that he won't need to strike a second time, for his first blow would kill Saul. In so doing, Saul would not know what hit him, would die immediately, and would not suffer. Abishai assures David it would be a merciful killing.