Historical chapter commentary
Verse 1. Ziph. Having declared themselves so decidedly against David, they apprehended the utmost danger if he should ascend the throne.—Hill. Hebrew “Gabaa,” as the Vulg. leaves it, verse 3. It lay to the right hand of Ziph, (Calmet. 23:19,) or “of Jesimon.” Sept.
Verse 4. Certainly, or in a place strongly secured by nature. Septuagint “well armed.”
Verse 5. Tent, or covered chariot, such as the Scythians use in their marches. Justin i. or in a “royal tent.” Septuagint λαμπηνη, (Pollux. Menochius.) “richly ornamented,” (Lucifer of Cagliari) “in the midst” (Aquila) of his troops. Calmet.—David might see all was quiet from an eminence, or he might be informed by his spies. Menochius.
Verse 6. Hethite. He had probably embraced the Jewish religion.—Abisai was the son of Sarvia, David’s sister, and made a great figure at court. Calmet.—David was directed by God to manifest his clemency ( Menochius.) and reverence for Saul in this perilous attempt. Bible.
Verse 8. My. Hebrew “the spear,” which was fixed in the ground at Saul’s pillow. Prot. “let me smite him, I pray thee, with the spear, even to the earth, at once, and I will not smite him a second time.” Bible.
Verse 9. Guiltless. Saul was still his king, how wicked soever, and this title rendered his person inviolable. The eastern nations are very seldom guilty of rebellion, or of murdering their kings; a thing of which we find so many examples in the Roman, English, and French histories. Calmet.—A private man could not lay violent hands upon the king without a crime; and therefore David represses Abisai, and commits his cause to God. Calmet. 24:13. Menochius.—He will not permit any one to destroy the life of the king, though he was already anointed to succeed him. Worthington.
Verse 10. To die a natural death. Thus those who are slain, are said to die before their day. Psalms 54:2–8. Jesus was not taken, because his hour was not yet come. John 2:4 and 7:30. Calmet.—David waits with patience, that God might take off his adversary by sickness, old age, or the sword. Menochius.—He will not ascend the throne before the time appointed, and he will not kill Saul, except it be in battle, in his own defence. Bible.
Verse 12. Water, for refreshment, or for purifications.—Lord. It is not necessary to have recourse to a miracle, ( Calmet.) though it must have been by a special providence that all continued in such a deep sleep, ( Bible.) to give David an opportunity of manifesting his innocence. Worthington.
Verse 15. Israel. This was a cutting irony. Calmet.—Salien attributes to it the enmity which Abner bore to David for above seven years. Menochius.
Verse 16. Death; that is you deserve to die. Such negligence was punishable with death, according to the Roman laws; & qui excubias. Grot.
Verse 19. Sacrifice, that he may be appeased; (Jonathan. Vatab.) or rather, I am willing to fall a victim, ( Menochius.) and pray that thy sacrifice may be acceptable, and all thy designs against me succeed. Psalms 19:4.—They are. The opposition of this sentence to the preceding seems to require “let them be,” and so forth What in effect did not those deserve who wished to make David adore false gods? Calmet.—Lord in the land of Israel.—Gods. They said so, at least by their actions. Menochius.—All other countries were in a manner abandoned to idol-worship, so that a person could not dwell in them, without the most imminent danger. See 2 Kennicott. 14:16. Psalms 83:12. Calmet.
Verse 20. Before, the contrary to the decrees of the Lord, ( Bible.) who will be my avenger.—Hunted, (persequiur) is here used in a passive sense; ( Calmet.) or it may be rendered, “as a partridge pursues” what it feeds upon. Bible.
Verse 21. Precious, and treated as such, with care and respect. See 4 Kennicott. 1:14. Psalms 48:9. Isaiah 43:4.—Ignorant. Yet Saul was inexcusable. 2 Kennicott. 24:10, and so forth
Verse 22. It. He would not keep the spear, lest it might seem disrespectful.
Verse 24. Set by. Lit. “magnified,” or deemed very precious. Bible.—Distress. These were the last words which David addressed to Saul; and they seem to have made a deep impression upon him. But as no dependance could be placed on Saul’s most solemn promises, David resolved, by God’s advice, to retire to the country of Geth. Salien. A. 2978.
Verse 25. Prevail, and mount the throne.—Place, Gabaa. Menochius.