1 Samuel 26
David Guzik · Citado em PreceptAustin
1 Samuel 26
Guzik says "Since David was so right and Saul was so wrong, it would have been easy for David to project a superior attitude towards Saul, but he didn’t." 1 Samuel 26:18 He also said, "Why then is my lord pursuing his servant? For what have I done? Or what evil is in my hand? BGT 1 Samuel 26:18 καὶ εἶπεν ἵνα τί τοῦτο καταδιώκει ὁ κύριός μου ὀπίσω τοῦ δούλου αὐτοῦ ὅτι τί ἡμάρτηκα καὶ τί εὑρέθη ἐν ἐμοὶ ἀδίκημα LXE 1 Samuel 26:18 And he said, Why does my lord thus pursue after his servant? for in what have I sinned? and what unrighteousness has been found in me? KJV 1 Samuel 26:18 And he said, Wherefore doth my lord thus pursue after his servant? for what have I done? or what evil is in mine hand? NET 1 Samuel 26:18 He went on to say, "Why is my lord chasing his servant? What have I done? What wrong have I done? CSB 1 Samuel 26:18 Then he continued, "Why is my lord pursuing his servant? What have I done? What evil is in my hand? ESV 1 Samuel 26:18 And he said, "Why does my lord pursue after his servant? For what have I done? What evil is on my hands? NIV 1 Samuel 26:18 And he added, "Why is my lord pursuing his servant? What have I done, and what wrong am I guilty of? NLT 1 Samuel 26:18 Why are you chasing me? What have I done? What is my crime? NRS 1 Samuel 26:18 And he added, "Why does my lord pursue his servant? For what have I done? What guilt is on my hands? NJB 1 Samuel 26:18 Why is my lord pursuing his servant?' he said. 'What have I done? What crime have I committed? NAB 1 Samuel 26:18 He continued: "Why does my lord pursue his servant? What have I done? What evil do I plan? YLT 1 Samuel 26:18 and he saith, 'Why is this -- my lord is pursuing after his servant? for what have I done, and what is in my hand evil? GWN 1 Samuel 26:18 "Why are you pursuing me?" he added. "What have I done? What crime have I committed? BBE 1 Samuel 26:18 And he said, Why does my lord go armed against his servant? what have I done? or what evil is there in me? Why then: 1Sa 24:9,11-14 Ps 7:3-5 35:7 69:4 what have I: 1Sa 17:29 Joh 8:46 10:32 18:23 1 Samuel 26 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries DAVID QUESTIONS WHY IS HE STILL "ISRAEL'S MOST WANTED!" He also said, "Why then is my lord ('adon; Lxx = kurios) pursuing his servant ('ebed; Lxx - doulos)? - Notice that in this dialogue with Saul David calls Saul my lord three times (1Sa 26:17, 18, 19). Recall David addresses Saul as "my lord ('adon; Lxx = kurios) the king," in 1Sa 24:8 (cf 1Sa 24:10). David also refers to himself twice as Saul's servant (1Sa 26:19). For what have I done? Or what evil is in my hand? - His questions are another way for him to say he is innocent and not deserving of Saul's mad manhunt to murder him. Lord (0113) 'adon is a masculine noun meaning lord or master. he basic meaning of ʾādôn is "lord," "king," "master," "superintendent" or "owner." Examples of ʾādôn in reference to men are Gen. 45:8, 9; Ps. 105:21 ("head" of, or "superintendent" of, a household); 1 Ki. 16:24; Gen. 40:7; Exo. 21:4, 6, 8, 32 ("proprietor," "master"); Neh. 3:5 ("governor"); Gen. 42:10, 30, 33 ("prince"); 1 Ki. 1:27 ("king"). The most frequent usage is of a human lord, but it is also used of divinity. Generally, it carries the nuances of authority rather than ownership. When used of humans, it refers to authority over slaves (Ge. 24:9; Jdg. 19:11); people (1 Ki. 22:17); a wife (Gen. 18:12; Amos 4:1); or a household (Gen. 45:8; Ps. 105:21). When used of divinity, it frequently occurs with yehōwāh, signifying His sovereignty (Ex. 34:23; Josh. 3:13; Isa. 1:24). Adon in First Samuel - 1 Sam. 1:15; 1 Sam. 1:26; 1 Sam. 16:16; 1 Sam. 20:38; 1 Sam. 22:12; 1 Sam. 24:6; 1 Sam. 24:8; 1 Sam. 24:10; 1 Sam. 25:10; 1 Sam. 25:14; 1 Sam. 25:17; 1 Sam. 25:24; 1 Sam. 25:25; 1 Sam. 25:26; 1 Sam. 25:27; 1 Sam. 25:28; 1 Sam. 25:29; 1 Sam. 25:31; 1 Sam. 25:41; 1 Sam. 26:15; 1 Sam. 26:16; 1 Sam. 26:17; 1 Sam. 26:18; 1 Sam. 26:19; 1 Sam. 29:4; 1 Sam. 29:8; 1 Sam. 29:10; 1 Sam. 30:13; 1 Sam. 30:15; 1 Samuel 26:19 "Now therefore, please let my lord the king listen to the words of his servant. If the LORD has stirred you up against me, let Him accept an offering; but if it is men, cursed are they before the LORD, for they have driven me out today so that I would have no attachment with the inheritance of the LORD, saying, 'Go, serve other gods.' BGT 1 Samuel 26:19 καὶ νῦν ἀκουσάτω δὴ ὁ κύριός μου ὁ βασιλεὺς τὸ ῥῆμα τοῦ δούλου αὐτοῦ εἰ ὁ θεὸς ἐπισείει σε ἐπ᾽ ἐμέ ὀσφρανθείη θυσίας σου καὶ εἰ υἱοὶ ἀνθρώπων ἐπικατάρατοι οὗτοι ἐνώπιον κυρίου ὅτι ἐξέβαλόν με σήμερον μὴ ἐστηρίσθαι ἐν κληρονομίᾳ κυρίου λέγοντες πορεύου δούλευε θεοῖς ἑτέροις LXE 1 Samuel 26:19 And now let my lord the king hear the word of his servant. If God stirs thee up against me, let thine offering be acceptable: but if the sons of men, they are cursed before the Lord, for they have cast me out this day so that I should not be established in the inheritance of the Lord, saying, Go, serve other Gods. KJV 1 Samuel 26:19 Now therefore, I pray thee, let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If the LORD have stirred thee up against me, let him accept an offering: but if they be the children of men, cursed be they before the LORD; for they have driven me out this day from abiding in the inheritance of the LORD, saying, Go, serve other gods. NET 1 Samuel 26:19 So let my lord the king now listen to the words of his servant. If the LORD has incited you against me, may he take delight in an offering. But if men have instigated this, may they be cursed before the LORD! For they have driven me away this day from being united with the LORD's inheritance, saying, 'Go on, serve other gods!' CSB 1 Samuel 26:19 Now, may my lord the king please hear the words of his servant: If it is the LORD who has incited you against me, then may He accept an offering. But if it is people, may they be cursed in the presence of the LORD, for today they have driven me away from sharing in the inheritance of the LORD saying, 'Go and worship other gods.' ESV 1 Samuel 26:19 Now therefore let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If it is the LORD who has stirred you up against me, may he accept an offering, but if it is men, may they be cursed before the LORD, for they have driven me out this day that I should have no share in the heritage of the LORD, saying, 'Go, serve other gods.' NIV 1 Samuel 26:19 Now let my lord the king listen to his servant's words. If the LORD has incited you against me, then may he accept an offering. If, however, men have done it, may they be cursed before the LORD! They have now driven me from my share in the LORD's inheritance and have said, 'Go, serve other gods.' NLT 1 Samuel 26:19 But now let my lord the king listen to his servant. If the LORD has stirred you up against me, then let him accept my offering. But if this is simply a human scheme, then may those involved be cursed by the LORD. For they have driven me from my home, so I can no longer live among the LORD's people, and they have said, 'Go, worship pagan gods.' NRS 1 Samuel 26:19 Now therefore let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If it is the LORD who has stirred you up against me, may he accept an offering; but if it is mortals, may they be cursed before the LORD, for they have driven me out today from my share in the heritage of the LORD, saying, 'Go, serve other gods.' NJB 1 Samuel 26:19 May my lord king now listen to his servant's words: if Yahweh has incited you against me, may he be appeased with an offering; but if human beings have done it, may they be accursed before Yahweh, since they have as effectively banished me today from sharing in Yahweh's heritage as if they had said, "Go and serve other gods!" NAB 1 Samuel 26:19 Please, now, let my lord the king listen to the words of his servant. If the LORD has incited you against me, let an offering appease him; but if men, may they be cursed before the LORD, because they have exiled me so that this day I have no share in the LORD'S inheritance, but am told: 'Go serve other gods!' YLT 1 Samuel 26:19 And, now, let, I pray thee, my lord the king hear the words of his servant: if Jehovah hath moved thee against me, let Him accept a present; and if the sons of men -- cursed are they before Jehovah, for they have cast me out to-day from being admitted into the inheritance of Jehovah, saying, Go, serve other gods. GWN 1 Samuel 26:19 Your Majesty, please listen to my words. If the LORD has turned you against me, let him be satisfied with an offering. But if mere mortals have turned you against me, let them be cursed by the LORD. They have prevented me from having a share of the LORD's inheritance. 'Go and serve other gods,' they tell me. BBE 1 Samuel 26:19 Let my lord the king give ear now to the words of his servant. If it is the Lord who is moving you against me, let him take an offering: but if it is the children of men, may they be cursed before the Lord, for driving me out today and keeping me from my place in the heritage of the Lord, saying, Go, be the servant of other gods. let my lord: 1Sa 25:24 Ge 44:18 stirred: 1Sa 16:14-23 18:10 2Sa 16:11 24:1 1Ki 22:22 1Ch 21:1 accept: Heb. smell, Ge 8:21 Lev 26:31 Ps 119:1-8 cursed: Pr 6:16-19 30:10 Ga 1:8,9 5:12 2Ti 4:14 they have driven: De 4:27,28 Jos 22:25-27 Ps 42:1,2 120:5 Isa 60:5 Ro 14:15 the inheritance: 2Sa 14:16 20:19 1 Samuel 26 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Now therefore, please let my lord ('adon; Lxx = kurios) the king listen to the words of his servant ('ebed; Lxx - doulos)- This is the third time David refers to Saul as lord in this dialogue and the second time he calls himself his servant. With great humility and submissiveness, David is seeking Saul's full attention. If the LORD has stirred you up against me, let Him accept an offering - Literally "let him smell an offering." Robert Chisholm summarizes his analysis of this passage writing "David’s warning to Saul suggests that he may have realized, probably from personal experience, that God was inciting Saul to seek his life. Far from exonerating Saul, this divine enticement to evil was a sign of divine disfavor against an underlying sin and necessitated an offering of appeasement." Robert Vannoy - David knows no reason why God should be angry with him; but if for some reason God is behind Saul’s determined effort to kill him, David appeals for God to accept an offering of appeasement (cf. 1Sa 16:5)—in any event, to let the matter be settled between David and God without Saul’s involvement. (Borrow NIV Study Bible)
1 Samuel 26
Guzik comments that " Abishai also weaves into the matter an element of poetic justice: the spear used to kill Saul would be the king’s own spear, stuck in the ground by his head. The spear that was thrown at David in attempted murder before (1Sa 18:10-11+ and 1Sa 19:9-10+) would now be used as the instrument of the LORD’s righteous judgment. It all might have seemed to be perfectly given from the hand of God. NET NOTE on spear - Here “the spear” almost certainly refers to Saul’s own spear, which according to the previous verse was stuck into the ground beside him as he slept. This is reflected in a number of English versions: TEV, CEV “his own spear”; NLT “that spear.” Cf. NIV, NCV “my spear,” in which case Abishai refers to his own spear rather than Saul’s, but this is unlikely since (1) Abishai would probably not have carried a spear along since such a weapon would be unwieldy when sneaking into the enemy camp; and (2) this would not explain the mention of Saul’s own spear stuck in the ground beside him in the previous verse. 1 Samuel 26:9 But David said to Abishai, "Do not destroy him, for who can stretch out his hand against the LORD'S anointed and be without guilt?" BGT 1 Samuel 26:9 καὶ εἶπεν Δαυιδ πρὸς Αβεσσα μὴ ταπεινώσῃς αὐτόν ὅτι τίς ἐποίσει χεῖρα αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ χριστὸν κυρίου καὶ ἀθῳωθήσεται LXE 1 Samuel 26:9 And David said to Abessa, Do not lay him low, for who shall lift up his hand against the anointed of the Lord, and be guiltless? KJV 1 Samuel 26:9 And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against the LORD'S anointed, and be guiltless? NET 1 Samuel 26:9 But David said to Abishai, "Don't kill him! Who can extend his hand against the LORD's chosen one and remain guiltless?" CSB 1 Samuel 26:9 But David said to Abishai, "Don't destroy him, for who can lift a hand against the LORD's anointed and be blameless?" ESV 1 Samuel 26:9 But David said to Abishai, "Do not destroy him, for who can put out his hand against the LORD's anointed and be guiltless?" NIV 1 Samuel 26:9 But David said to Abishai, "Don't destroy him! Who can lay a hand on the LORD's anointed and be guiltless? NLT 1 Samuel 26:9 "No!" David said. "Don't kill him. For who can remain innocent after attacking the LORD's anointed one? NRS 1 Samuel 26:9 But David said to Abishai, "Do not destroy him; for who can raise his hand against the LORD's anointed, and be guiltless?" NJB 1 Samuel 26:9 David said to Abishai, 'Do not kill him, for who could raise his hand against Yahweh's anointed and go unpunished? NAB 1 Samuel 26:9 But David said to Abishai, "Do not harm him, for who can lay hands on the LORD'S anointed and remain unpunished? YLT 1 Samuel 26:9 And David saith unto Abishai, 'Destroy him not; for who hath put forth his hand against the anointed of Jehovah, and been acquitted?' GWN 1 Samuel 26:9 "Don't kill him!" David told Abishai. "No one has ever attacked the LORD's anointed king and remained free of guilt. BBE 1 Samuel 26:9 And David said to Abishai Do not put him to death; for who, without sin, may put out his hand against the man on whom the Lord has put the holy oil? who can stretch: 1Sa 24:6,7 2Sa 1:14,16 Ps 105:15 1 Samuel 26 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries DAVID'S REBUTTAL TO NOT TOUCH LORD'S ANOINTED But David said to Abishai, "Do not destroy him, for who can stretch out his hand against the LORD'S anointed (mashiach ;Lxx = Christos) and be without guilt (naqah - to be clean, acquitted)?" - David says that Abishai will be guilty of going against God's will as He was the One Who anointed Saul and it was only for Him to remove Saul. David is steadfast in his understanding of the the sanctity of the LORD'S anointed, for he himself had been anointed by Samuel (1Sa 16:6+). Note the contrast in Abishai who saw Saul as the enemy (1Sa 26:8) and David saw him as the LORD'S anointed! This contrast demonstrates the difference of a man (Abishai) after a man's heart and David who was in process of becoming a man after God's own heart! Anointed (mashiach ;Lxx = Christos is a keyword occurring 4 times chapter 26 - 1Sa 26:9; 1Sa 26:11; 1Sa 26:16; 1Sa 26:23; Robert Vannoy on LORD'S anointed - See 1Sa 24:10; 26:9, 11, 16, 23; 2 Sa 1:14, 16. Because Saul’s royal office carried divine sanction by virtue of his anointing (see note on 9:16), David is determined not to wrest the kingship from Saul but to leave its disposition to the Lord who gave it (1Sa 2412, 15; 26:10). (Borrow NIV Study Bible) Guzik - It wasn’t that David thought Saul was right. David knew more than anyone that Saul was deeply in sin. But David knew that even a sinning Saul was still the anointed king over Israel (1 Samuel 10:1). That would only change when God changed it. We might think that David had a more righteous reason than ever to kill Saul. Now, Saul went back on a previous promise to leave David alone. In David’s position many would say, “I showed love and let him off once before. I’m full of love, but I’m not stupid. Saul had his chance and he blew it.” Cyril
1 Samuel 26
Guzik - David knew very well that the LORD or other men had not stirred up Saul but that it came from Saul’s own bitterness, carnality, and jealousy. for they have driven me out today so that I would have no attachment with the inheritance of the LORD, saying, 'Go, serve other gods.' - NLT - "For they have driven me from my home, so I can no longer live among the LORD's people, and they have said, 'Go, worship pagan gods.'" David explains that if it was men who aroused Saul to seek David, why they should be cursed. Robert Vannoy on the inheritance of the LORD - David appeals to Saul’s conscience by describing his present exclusion from the fellowship of God’s people and from living at peace in the Lord’s land. Go, serve other gods. In their view, to be expelled from the Lord’s land was to be separated from the Lord’s sanctuary (an OT form of excommunication) and left to serve the gods of whatever land in which one might settle (see Jos 22:24–27 and note on 1 Ki 5:17). (Borrow NIV Study Bible) Guzik - David revealed his own heart’s struggle under the pressure from Saul’s relentless persecution. What hurt David the most was that he couldn’t go to the house of God and openly be with the people of God, living his life after the LORD as he longed to. The pressure of all this tempted David to consider leaving Israel altogether and to go among those who worshipped other gods. (ED: He had already gone among the Philistines in Gath in 1Sa 21:10 and will go again to Gath in 1Sa 27:2ff.) R B Chisholm - excerpt from Does God Deceive?” BSac 155 (1998): 19–21. DAVID’S WARNING TO SAUL After David spared Saul’s life for the second time, David pleaded his innocence before the king. David was not sure why Saul wanted to kill him, but he suspected an outside influence. He reasoned with the king as follows: “If the Lord has incited you against me, then may he accept an offering. If, however, men have done it, may they be cursed before the Lord” (1Sa 26:19a). From David’s perspective one option was that the Lord Himself had “incited” the king to seek his life.24 If this were the case, David assumed an offering (מִנְחָה) should be made to the Lord, and so he prayed that the Lord would find it acceptable.25 David did not indicate who would make this offering. Perhaps he was acknowledging, at least theoretically, that he had done something wrong, in which case Saul was God’s instrument of judgment and David himself needed to seek divine favor.26 However, David’s protestations of innocence before and after this (1Sa 26:18, 23–24), combined with Saul’s confession of sin (1Sa 26:21), militate against this interpretation. David’s reference to the possibility of God’s instigating Saul’s hostility must be interpreted in light of the entire preceding narrative. Because of Saul’s blatant rebellion the Lord had decreed the demise of the king and his family (1Sa 15:26–29; cf. 13:13–14). Shortly afterward, the Lord withdrew His personal spirit from Saul and dispatched an evil (or injurious) spirit to replace him (1Sa 16:14–16, 23; 18:10; 19:9).27 David was brought to Saul’s court to bring relief to the king when he was tormented by this spirit (1Sa 16:23). On two occasions this spirit incited Saul to attempt to kill David. Of course the Lord was with David (1Sa 18:12) and Saul’s attempts failed. This evil spirit was an instrument of divine judgment on a man whose demise had been unconditionally decreed. This spirit’s activity made it apparent to all that Saul was unfit to rule and was the object of divine disfavor. David knew from personal experience that there was a divine force behind Saul’s destructive behavior, so it is understandable that he would consider this option when addressing the king’s motives. David undoubtedly also realized that this divine force was an instrument of judgment. (After all, he had been anointed to replace Saul as king and had experienced the power of the divine spirit; 1Sa 16:12–13.) When one is the object of divine judgment, it is appropriate to appease the angered deity with an offering, as David advised. To summarize, David’s warning to Saul suggests that he may have realized, probably from personal experience, that God was inciting Saul to seek his life. Far from exonerating Saul, this divine enticement to evil was a sign of divine disfavor against an underlying sin and necessitated an offering of appeasement. 24 The verb translated “incited” is the Hiphil of סוּת. Elsewhere the Hiphil of this verb is used of a daughter “charming” her father into giving her a present (Josh. 15:18 = Jdg. 1:14), of riches enticing a man (Job 36:18), of one individual persuading or inciting another to follow a certain course of action (1 Kings 21:25; 2 Kings 18:32 = Isaiah 36:18; 2 Chron. 18:2; 32:11, 15; Jer. 38:22; 43:3), of a prophet enticing people to worship idols (Deut. 13:6), and of Satan inciting God to test Job (Job 2:3). With God as subject the word is used of His drawing an enemy away from Jehoshaphat (2 Chron 18:31) and of His wooing or attempting to lure people from destruction to blessing (Job 36:16). The word also appears in 2 Samuel 24:1, where God’s anger caused Him to entice David to sin, and in the parallel text, 1 Chronicles 21:1, in which an adversary of Israel did the enticing. These texts are discussed later. 25 “May he accept” translates יָרַח (a denominative Hiphil from רֵיחַ), which could be rendered more literally, “may he smell with pleasure” (cf. the use of this verb in Gen. 8:21; Ge 27:27). For another example of a מִנְחָה being an offering of appeasement see 1 Samuel 3:14. 26 See Henry P. Smith, A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Books of Samuel, International Critical Commentary (Edinburgh: Clark, 1899), 232 27 This spirit is called “an evil spirit from the Lord” (רוּחַ־רָעָה מֵאֵת יהוה), “an evil spirit of God” (רוּחַ־אֱלֹהִים רָעָה), “a spirit of God” (רוּחַ־אֱלֹהִים), “the evil spirit” (רוּחַ הָרָעָה), and “an evil spirit of the Lord” (רוּחַ יהוה רָעָה). Norman Geisler - When Cultists Ask - 1 SAMUEL 26:19—Does this verse say that we should hate our enemies, as the Children of God cult teaches? MISINTERPRETATION: Moses David, leader of the Children of God cult, appealed to this verse to justify hating his enemies. He wrote: “I’m sorry, I guess I’m not so loving as Jesus—I’m more like King David (1 Sam. 26:19). Jesus could forgive His enemies, but I curse my enemies. But God said David was a man after his own heart, so maybe I’m more like God, ‘cause I want to curse them for hurting my little ones!” (David, 1977, GP No. 577, pp. 1, 2). CORRECTING THE MISINTERPRETATION: Such a conclusion is farfetched and needs little response. Even in this passage David manifested his love for his enemy (Saul) by not killing him when he could have. David did not hate his enemies. Even in the so-called “cursing” Psalms he speaks of loving his enemies and praying for them. He wrote, “In return for my friendship they accuse me, but I am a man of prayer. They repay me evil for good, and hatred for my friendship” (Ps. 109:4–5). Rather than take revenge on them, David committed his enemies to the justice of God, who renders to each according to his deeds. 1 Samuel 26:20 "Now then, do not let my blood fall to the ground away from the presence of the LORD; for the king of Israel has come out to search for a single flea, just as one hunts a partridge in the mountains." BGT 1 Samuel 26:20 καὶ νῦν μὴ πέσοι τὸ αἷμά μου ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν ἐξ ἐναντίας προσώπου κυρίου ὅτι ἐξελήλυθεν ὁ βασιλεὺς Ισραηλ ζητεῖν τὴν ψυχήν μου καθὼς καταδιώκει ὁ νυκτικόραξ ἐν τοῖς ὄρεσιν LXE 1 Samuel 26:20 And now let not my blood fall to the ground before the Lord, for the king of Israel has come forth to seek thy life, as the night hawk pursues its prey in the mountains. KJV 1 Samuel 26:20 Now therefore, let not my blood fall to the earth before the face of the LORD: for the king of Israel is come out to seek a flea, as when one doth hunt a partridge in the mountains. NET 1 Samuel 26:20 Now don't let my blood fall to the ground away from the LORD's presence, for the king of Israel has gone out to look for a flea the way one looks for a partridge in the hill country." CSB 1 Samuel 26:20 So don't let my blood fall to the ground far from the LORD's presence, for the king of Israel has come out to search for a flea, like one who pursues a partridge in the mountains." ESV 1 Samuel 26:20 Now therefore, let not my blood fall to the earth away from the presence of the LORD, for the king of Israel has come out to seek a single flea like one who hunts a partridge in the mountains." NIV 1 Samuel 26:20 Now do not let my blood fall to the ground far from the presence of the LORD. The king of Israel has come out to look for a flea--as one hunts a partridge in the mountains." NLT 1 Samuel 26:20 Must I die on foreign soil, far from the presence of the LORD? Why has the king of Israel come out to search for a single flea? Why does he hunt me down like a partridge on the mountains?" NRS 1 Samuel 26:20 Now therefore, do not let my blood fall to the ground, away from the presence of the LORD; for the king of Israel has come out to seek a single flea, like one who hunts a partridge in the mountains." NJB 1 Samuel 26:20 So I pray now that my blood shall not be shed on soil remote from Yahweh's presence, when the king of Israel has mounted an expedition to take my life, as one might hunt a partridge in the mountains!' NAB 1 Samuel 26:20 Do not let my blood flow to the ground far from the presence of the LORD. For the king of Israel has come out to seek a single flea as if he were hunting partridge in the mountains." GWN 1 Samuel 26:20 Don't let my blood fall to the ground, away from the LORD's presence. The king of Israel has come to search for one flea like someone hunting a partridge in the hills." BBE 1 Samuel 26:20 Then do not let my blood be drained out on the earth away from the face of the Lord: for the king of Israel has come out to take my life, like one going after birds in the mountains. do not let my blood fall 1Sa 2:9 25:29 the king: 1Sa 24:14 Mt 26:47,55 a flea: {Parosh,} (in Arabic {borghooth,} Syriac, {poorthano,}) the well known little contemptible and troublesome insect, the flea, seems to be so called from its agility in leaping and skipping, from {para,} "free," and {raash,} "to leap, bound." David, by comparing himself to this insect, seems to import, that while it would cost Saul much pains to catch him, he would obtain but very little advantage from it. 1 Samuel 26 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Partridge Not in a Pear Tree Now then, do not let my blood fall to the ground away from the presence of the LORD - NLT = "Must I die on foreign soil, far from the presence of the LORD?" For the king of Israel has come out to search for a single flea, just as one hunts a partridge in the mountains - NET = "for the king of Israel has gone out to look for a flea the way one looks for a partridge in the hill country." The picture of David as a flea congers up two thoughts (1) the insignificance and/or contemptible aspect of fleas and (2) the fact that they are difficult to catch. Partridges don’t like to fly. They run from one cover to another, like David did. Vannoy - David suggests that Saul is making a fool of himself in his fanatical pursuit of an innocent man who poses no threat to him. (Borrow NIV Study Bible) Davis points out, “David also likened Saul’s pursuit to a partridge hunt in the mountains. It is appropriate that the illustration used here made reference to the partridge hunt in Palestine. The nature of the hunt paralleled quite accurately the situation of David. The common species of partridge in the Holy Land attempts to save itself by running rather than by flight. The bird is continually chased until it is fatigued. Then it is knocked down with sticks thrown along the ground. This in a very vivid way reflects the nature of Saul’s pursuit. Even more interesting is the fact that David compared Saul’s actions to a partridge hunt in the mountains, a very unlikely place.” (Borrow The Birth of a Kingdom : Studies in I-II Samuel and I Kings 1-11) Bob Roe has an interesting comment on meaning of a single flea...hunts a partridge - That is an intriguing metaphor. Remember before when David said, "You have come out to look for a dead dog and a single flea." Of course, dead dogs won't bite. A single flea is ridiculous when you are infested with Philistines. So he makes Saul look ridiculous, "You come out here to look for one single flea." (1 Samuel 26 Wilderness of Ziph, David Spares Saul Again) Adam Clarke offers a slightly different take on partridge writing “It is worthy of remark that the Arabs, observing that partridges, being put up several times, soon become so weary as not to be able to fly; they in this manner hunt them upon the mountains, till at last they can knock them down with their clubs. It was in this manner that Saul hunted David, coming hastily upon him, and putting him up from time to time, in hopes that he should at length, by frequent repetitions of it, be able to destroy him.” Flea - David at the cave of Adullam thus addressed his persecutor Saul (1 Sa 24:14): "After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea?" He thus speaks of himself as the poor, contemptible object of the monarch's pursuit, a "worthy object truly for an expedition of the king of Israel with his picked troops!" This insect is in Eastern language the popular emblem of insignificance. G Campbell
1 Samuel 26
Guzik adds that "The last time Saul was in this situation he was overcome with emotion. His feelings seemed right but his life was not changed (1 Samuel 24:16-21). This time there is something cold and mechanical about Saul’s words. The words seem right but the feelings aren’t there. I have sinned - This is the third time Saul confesses his sin having twice spoken the same words to Samuel - "I have sinned." (1Sa 15:24,30+) Four men in the Bible said they had sinned. Would you like to know their names? Pharaoh (Ex 9:27), Balaam (Nu 22:34), Achan (Josh 7:20) and Judas (Mt 27:4). With Saul that makes five men who admitted the were sinners but there is no evidence any of them ever sought or received the Savior from sin!!! God doesn't as much listen to our words, As He looks at our hearts! F B
1 Samuel 26
Guzik explains "David trusted in God who blesses the righteous and the faithful. David knew the truth of Hebrews 6:10 before it was written: For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name. i. David understood the principle Jesus spoke of in Matthew 7:2: With the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. David wanted the large measure of God’s mercy for himself, so David gave Saul the large measure of mercy. That generous measure of mercy will be a great blessing to David later in his life." God's Payday After serving for 40 years on the African mission field, Henry C. Morrison returned home by boat. On that same boat, returning from one of his big-game hunts in Africa, was Theodore Roosevelt. Upon docking in New York, President Roosevelt received a great fanfare. Bands were playing, crowds were excitedly trying to get a glimpse of the famous president, and reporters were there to take down his every word. No one, however, was there to meet Henry Morrison and his wife. As he left the docks, he felt quite dejected. After all, Morrison thought, I should get some recognition for forty years in the Lord's service. It was then that his wife reminded him, "But Henry, you're not home yet." David knew that God someday will repay every man for his righteousness and his faithfulness. This realization prevented David from slaying Saul when he had the chance. He could have taken advantage of Saul's helplessness, but instead he did what was right. David chose the way of righteousness and faithfulness. You can be sure that God is no man's debtor. When we walk in righteousness and faithfulness, we can be sure that God will repay. It may happen on earth, but most certainly our greatest rewards will be when we get to heaven. If we seek to do what is right in God's sight and to serve Him faithfully wherever He calls us, we can safely leave the rewards to Him. God will never disappoint us. If you are discouraged by a lack of recognition or appreciation, remember that God will repay your righteousness and faithfulness. Even if He waits until you get to heaven, you can be confident that someday will be payday. Remember, you aren't home yet! (Back to the Bible) (Ed: Watch the classic sermon by Robert G Lee entitled PayDay Someday) God will have a payday someday. 1 Samuel 26:24 "Now behold, as your life was highly valued in my sight this day, so may my life be highly valued in the sight of the LORD, and may He deliver me from all distress." BGT 1 Samuel 26:24 καὶ ἰδοὺ καθὼς ἐμεγαλύνθη ἡ ψυχή σου σήμερον ἐν ταύτῃ ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς μου οὕτως μεγαλυνθείη ἡ ψυχή μου ἐνώπιον κυρίου καὶ σκεπάσαι με καὶ ἐξελεῖταί με ἐκ πάσης θλίψεως LXE 1 Samuel 26:24 And, behold, as thy life has been precious this very day in my eyes, so let my life be precious before the Lord, and may he protect me, and deliver me out of all affliction. KJV 1 Samuel 26:24 And, behold, as thy life was much set by this day in mine eyes, so let my life be much set by in the eyes of the LORD, and let him deliver me out of all tribulation. NET 1 Samuel 26:24 In the same way that I valued your life this day, may the LORD value my life and deliver me from all danger." CSB 1 Samuel 26:24 Just as I considered your life valuable today, so may the LORD consider my life valuable and rescue me from all trouble." ESV 1 Samuel 26:24 Behold, as your life was precious this day in my sight, so may my life be precious in the sight of the LORD, and may he deliver me out of all tribulation." NIV 1 Samuel 26:24 As surely as I valued your life today, so may the LORD value my life and deliver me from all trouble." NLT 1 Samuel 26:24 Now may the LORD value my life, even as I have valued yours today. May he rescue me from all my troubles." NRS 1 Samuel 26:24 As your life was precious today in my sight, so may my life be precious in the sight of the LORD, and may he rescue me from all tribulation." NJB 1 Samuel 26:24 As today I set great value by your life, so may Yahweh set great value by my life and deliver me from every tribulation!' NAB 1 Samuel 26:24 As I valued your life highly today, so may the LORD value my life highly and deliver me from all difficulties." YLT 1 Samuel 26:24 and lo, as thy soul hath been great this day in mine eyes, so is my soul great in the eyes of Jehovah, and He doth deliver me out of all distress.' GWN 1 Samuel 26:24 As I placed great value on your life today, may the LORD place great value on my life and rescue me from all trouble." BBE 1 Samuel 26:24 And so, as your life was dear to me today, may my life be dear to the Lord, and may he make me free from all my troubles. as your life : Ps 18:25 Mt 5:7 7:2 deliver: Ge 48:16 Ps 18:1, Ps 18:48, Ps 34:17,18, Ps 144:2 Ac 14:22 2Co 1:9,10 2Th 3:2 Rev 7:14 1 Samuel 26 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries DAVID MAKES HIS FINAL APPEAL TO THE LORD Now behold (hinneh; Lxx = idou), as your life was highly valued in my sight this day so may my life be highly valued in the sight of the LORD - Heb “your life was great this day in my eyes.” GWN - "As I placed great value on your life today, may the LORD place great value on my life" David desires that his life be valued much in the eyes of the LORD. And may He deliver me from all distress - David entrusts his life and his fate to the LORD. Notice David is not saying "Lord my life be distress free!" He knows distress will come as that is one of the primary courses in God's classroom to make us more like His Son. Gene Getz - With these concluding words, David was saying he would never take Saul's life. However, he also was saying that the only one who could ultimately protect his life from Saul was the Lord. Never again would he trust the king. PRINCIPLE - When we've forgiven others and do not retaliate, it does not necessarily mean we can have a trusting relationship. Distress (trouble, anguish, affliction) (06869) tsarah from tsar = literally a narrow, confining space, figuratively dire straits from which escape is difficult) is a noun which depicts tightness (figuratively trouble) and implies great strain or stress psychologically and spiritually (as in Ge 42:21). The root word deals with harassment and torment engendered by an enemy and thus speaks of adversity, affliction, tribulation, trouble. Tsarah is used to describe the cursing to Israel for disobedience (Dt 31:17, 21 = troubles). See also study on related verb tsarar. One of most famous uses is the "time of Jacob's distress" (Je30:7KJV = the time of Jacob's trouble; Lxx = thlipsis). Both Jeremiah and Daniel are alluding to the last 3.5 yrs of Daniel's 70th week which will be for Israel (and the world) a "time of distress (trouble; Lxx = thlipsis)" The Lxx translates tsarah with thlipsis which literally means a pressing together and figuratively speaks of suffering brought on by outside circumstances. Thlipsis is a strong term which does not refer to minor inconveniences, but to real hardships. Medically thlipsis was used of the pulse (pressure). Thlipsis described the pressing together of grapes. It conveyed the idea of being squeezed or placed under pressure or crushed beneath a weight. When, according to the ancient law of England, those who willfully refused to plead guilty, had heavy weights placed on their breasts, and were pressed and crushed to death, this was literally thlipsis. Thlipsis thus refers not to mild discomfort but to great difficulty. That is the "fruit" these men will reap for rejecting God's gracious gesture of stretching out His hand (Pr 1:24). 1 Samuel 26:25 Then Saul said to David, "Blessed are you, my son David; you will both accomplish much and surely prevail." So David went on his way, and Saul returned to his place. BGT 1 Samuel 26:25 καὶ εἶπεν Σαουλ πρὸς Δαυιδ εὐλογημένος σύ τέκνον καὶ ποιῶν ποιήσεις καὶ δυνάμενος δυνήσει καὶ ἀπῆλθεν Δαυιδ εἰς τὴν ὁδὸν αὐτοῦ καὶ Σαουλ ἀνέστρεψεν εἰς τὸν τόπον αὐτοῦ LXE 1 Samuel 26:25 And Saul said to David, Blessed be thou, my son; and thou shalt surely do valiantly, and surely prevail. And David went on his way, and Saul returned to his place. KJV 1 Samuel 26:25 Then Saul said to David, Blessed be thou, my son David: thou shalt both do great things, and also shalt still prevail. So David went on his way, and Saul returned to his place. NET 1 Samuel 26:25 Saul replied to David, "May you be rewarded, my son David! You will without question be successful!" So David went on his way, and Saul returned to his place. CSB 1 Samuel 26:25 Saul said to him, "You are blessed, my son David. You will certainly do great things and will also prevail." Then David went on his way, and Saul returned home. ESV 1 Samuel 26:25 Then Saul said to David, "Blessed be you, my son David! You will do many things and will succeed in them." So David went his way, and Saul returned to his place. NIV 1 Samuel 26:25 Then Saul said to David, "May you be blessed, my son David; you will do great things and surely triumph." So David went on his way, and Saul returned home. NLT 1 Samuel 26:25 And Saul said to David, "Blessings on you, my son David. You will do many heroic deeds, and you will surely succeed." Then David went away, and Saul returned home. NRS 1 Samuel 26:25 Then Saul said to David, "Blessed be you, my son David! You will do many things and will succeed in them." So David went his way, and Saul returned to his place. NJB 1 Samuel 26:25 Saul then said, 'May you be blessed, my son David! In what you undertake, you will certainly succeed.' David then went on his way and Saul returned home. NAB 1 Samuel 26:25 Then Saul said to David: "Blessed are you, my son David! You shall certainly succeed in whatever you undertake." David went his way, and Saul returned to his home. YLT 1 Samuel 26:25 And Saul saith unto David, 'Blessed art thou, my son David, also working thou dost work, and also prevailing thou dost prevail.' And David goeth on his way, and Saul hath turned back to his place. GWN 1 Samuel 26:25 Then Saul said, "Blessed are you, my servant David. You will accomplish many things and certainly will succeed." So David went his way, while Saul returned home. BBE 1 Samuel 26:25 Then Saul said to David, May a blessing be on you, David, my son; you will do great things and without doubt you will overcome. Then David went on his way, and Saul went back to his place. Blessed: 1Sa 24:19 Nu 24:9,10 you will both accomplish much and surely prevail: Ge 32:28 Isa 54:17 Ho 12:4 Ro 8:35,37 So David: 1Sa 24:22 Pr 26:25 1 Samuel 26 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries SAUL'S ACKNOWLEDGMENT THAT DAVID WOULD PREVAIL Then Saul said to David, "Blessed are you, my son David; you will both accomplish much and surely prevail - Saul knowingly or unknowingly prophesies that David would succeed, the implication being he would be the next king and would be a good king unlike Saul. So David went on his way, and Saul returned to his place - David was not about to take Saul up on his offer for David to return. He has seen Saul change like the wind and so he will part from Saul. Sin separates and Saul's sins separated him from everything that is good and worthwhile, (1) from God Himself (1Sa 15:26+, 1Sa 16:14+), (2) from the man of God, God's prophet Samuel (1Sa 15:37+) and (3) from the man after God's own heart, David, for this would be the last time Saul would ever see David! Matthew Poole rightly says "Knowing Saul’s unstable and deceitful heart, he would not trust to any of his professions or promises, but kept out of his reach." Don Anderson - This was the last time that David and Saul would speak to one another on earth. David hid from Saul for four more years, then Saul died in battle. (ED: NOT SURE WHERE HE GETS "FOUR MORE YEARS.") Theodore Epp points out, “It was following this that David and Saul exchanged words for the last time on earth. Saul said to David, ‘Blessed be thou, my son David. Thou shalt both do great things and also shall still prevail.’ So David went in his way and Saul returned to his place. In another passage we are told that ‘Saul sought him no more,’ yet David hid from Saul for four more years, not being sure when the king might seek his life again. At the end of that time, Saul died in battle.”