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.

So David {H1732} and Abishai {H52} came {H935} to the people {H5971} by night {H3915}: and, behold, Saul {H7586} lay {H7901} sleeping {H3463} within the trench {H4570}, and his spear {H2595} stuck {H4600} in the ground {H776} at his bolster {H4763}: but Abner {H74} and the people {H5971} lay {H7901} round about {H5439} him.

So David and Avishai went to the soldiers by night. Sha'ul was lying there asleep inside the barricade. His spear was stuck in the ground next to his head, with Avner and the troops asleep all around him.

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. And Abner and the troops were lying around him.

So David and Abishai came to the people by night: and, behold, Saul lay sleeping within the place of the wagons, with his spear stuck in the ground at his head; and Abner and the people lay round about him.

Commentary

Context of 1 Samuel 26:7

This verse describes a pivotal moment in the ongoing conflict between King Saul and David. Saul, driven by jealousy and paranoia, relentlessly pursued David, seeking to kill him, despite David's unwavering loyalty. This particular incident occurs after the Ziphites betray David's hiding place to Saul. David, accompanied by his nephew Abishai, infiltrates Saul's encampment by night, finding Saul asleep and vulnerable. This scenario is a powerful parallel to an earlier event in 1 Samuel chapter 24, where David also had the opportunity to kill Saul but chose not to. The scene highlights Saul's deep slumber and the close proximity of David to his pursuer, emphasizing the divine hand in bringing Saul into David's power.

Key Themes and Messages

  • David's Integrity and Respect for God's Anointed: Despite Saul's unjust persecution, David steadfastly refused to harm him. This act demonstrates David's profound respect for the office of the king, recognizing Saul as "the Lord's anointed," even when Saul was clearly acting outside of God's will. This principle underscores David's character and his trust in divine justice.
  • Divine Providence and Opportunity: The ease with which David and Abishai enter the camp and find Saul sleeping, with his guards (including Abner) also asleep, is a testament to God's providence. The Lord delivered Saul into David's hand, creating an undeniable opportunity for David to end his troubles.
  • Trust in God's Timing and Vengeance: David's decision not to kill Saul, despite Abishai's urging, reveals his deep conviction that vengeance belongs to the Lord. Rather than taking matters into his own hands, David chose to wait for God to act, embodying a principle found later in scripture concerning leaving vengeance to God.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV text says "Saul lay sleeping within the trench." The Hebrew word here is ma'gal (ืžึทืขึฐื’ึผึธืœ), which literally means "an entrenchment" or "a circular encampment." This suggests Saul's forces were arranged in a defensive circle, yet David and Abishai were able to penetrate it. The phrase "his spear stuck in the ground at his bolster" uses the Hebrew mera'ashotav (ืžึฐืจึทืึฒืฉืึนืชึธื™ื•), meaning "at his head." This detail vividly portrays Saul's vulnerability, with his primary weapon within easy reach, yet he was utterly unaware of the danger.

Practical Application

The account in 1 Samuel 26:7 offers valuable lessons for believers today:

  • Responding to Injustice: David's example teaches us to respond to persecution and injustice with integrity and patience, trusting God to be our vindicator rather than seeking personal revenge. We are called to not repay evil for evil.
  • Respect for Authority: Even when those in authority are flawed or act unjustly, David's actions remind us of the importance of respecting the office they hold, particularly if it is divinely ordained.
  • Trusting God's Sovereignty: This narrative encourages us to trust in God's perfect timing and His sovereign control over all circumstances. He opens and closes doors, and He will bring about justice in His own way and time.
Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:2

    For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:3

    For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
โ† Back