Matthew Henry

Then the king ordered the guards at his side, “Turn and kill the priests of the LORD, because they too sided with David.

“He alleged, in his order that which was utterly false and unproved to him, that they knew when David fled; whereas they knew nothing of the matter. But malice and murder are commonly supported with lies. [2.]”

He also put to the sword Nob, the city of the priests, with its men and women, children and infants, oxen, donkeys, and sheep.

“For that sin God left him to this. [2.] The accomplishment of the threatenings long since pronounced against the house of Eli; for Ahimelech and his family were descendants from him. Though Saul was unrighteous in doing this, yet God was righteous in permitting it.”

Then David said to Abiathar, “I knew that Doeg the Edomite was there that day, and that he was sure to tell Saul.

“Note, It is a great trouble to a good man to find himself in any way an occasion of the calamities of the church and ministry.”

Stay with me; do not be afraid, for he who seeks your life is seeking mine as well. You will be safe with me.”

“David, having now time to recollect himself, speaks with assurance of his own safety, and promises that Abiathar shall have the full benefit of his protection.”

Now it was reported to David, “Look, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and looting the threshing floors.”

“The way for any country to be quiet is to let God's church be quiet in it. If Saul fight against David, the Philistines shall fight against his country.”

(Now Abiathar son of Ahimelech had brought the ephod with him when he fled to David at Keilah.)

“It was a great comfort to David, in his banishment, that when he could not go to the house of God he had some of the choicest treasures of that house brought to him, the high priest and his breast-plate of judgment.”

When Saul was told that David had gone to Keilah, he said, “God has delivered him into my hand, for he has trapped himself by entering a town with gates…

“An ungrateful wretch he was, and for ever unworthy to have any service or kindness done him. Well might David complain of his enemies that they rewarded him evil for good, and that for his love they ere his adversaries, Ps. xxxv.”

When Saul was told that David had gone to Keilah, he said, “God has delivered him into my hand, for he has trapped himself by entering a town with gates…

“David, though a strong believer, needed the help of his friends for the perfecting of what was lacking in his faith; and herein Jonathan was helpful to him, by reminding him of the promise of God, the holy oil wherewith he was anointed, the presence…”

While David was in Horesh in the Wilderness of Ziph, he saw that Saul had come out to take his life.

“No, he makes no such attempt; he keeps God's way, waits God's time, and is content to secure himself in woods and wildernesses, though with some it might seem a reproach to that courage for which he had been famous.”

While David was in Horesh in the Wilderness of Ziph, he saw that Saul had come out to take his life.

“As it had been from the beginning, so it was now, and will be, he that is born after the flesh persecuteth him that is born after the spirit, Gal. iv.”

saying, “Do not be afraid, for my father Saul will never lay a hand on you. And you will be king over Israel, and I will be your second-in-command.

“This, he tells him, Saul knew very well, Jonathan having sometimes heard him say as much, whence it appears what a wicked man Saul was, to persecute one whom God favoured, and what a foolish man he was, in thinking to prevent that which God…”

So the two of them made a covenant before the LORD. And David remained in Horesh, while Jonathan went home.

“Our covenant with God should be often renewed, and therein our communion with him kept up. David and Jonathan now parted, and never came together again, that we find, in this world; for Jonathan said what he wished, not what he had ground to expect…”

Now, O king, come down whenever your soul desires, and we will be responsible for delivering him into your hand.”

“Saul had not sent to examine or threaten them, but of their own accord, and even without asking a reward (as Judas did-- What will you give me? ), they offered to betray David to him who, they knew, thirsted after his blood.”

Saul was proceeding along one side of the mountain, and David and his men along the other side.

“It was that, since Saul neglected the public safety, he might take care of it, notwithstanding the ill treatment that was given him; for he must render good for evil, and therein be a type of him who not only ventured his life, but laid…”

After Saul had returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, “David is in the wilderness of En-gedi.”

“But it is not enough for Saul that David is thus cooped up; he cannot be easy while he is alive. Providence brings Saul alone into the same cave wherein David and his men had hidden themselves,”

Soon Saul came to the sheepfolds along the road, where there was a cave, and he went in to relieve himself.

“Some by the covering of the feet understand the easing of nature, and think that this was Saul's errand into the cave: but the former interpretation is more probable.”

With these words David restrained his men, and he did not let them rise up against Saul. Then Saul left the cave and went on his way.

“He would not only not do this evil thing himself, but he would not suffer those about him to do it.”

See, my father, look at the corner of your robe in my hand. For I cut it off, but I did not kill you.

“"He is my lord, and the Lord's anointed, whom I ought to protect, and to whom I owe faith and allegiance, and therefore I said, I will not touch a hair of his head."”

May the LORD be our judge and decide between you and me. May He take notice and plead my case and deliver me from your hand.”

“Saul's penitent reply to David's speech. It was strange that he had patience to hear him out, considering how outrageous he was against him, and how cutting David's discourse was.”

and said to David, “You are more righteous than I, for you have rewarded me with good, though I have rewarded you with evil.

“He should have said, Thou are righteous, but I am wicked; but the utmost he will own is this: Thou art more righteous than I.”

Now I know for sure that you will be king, and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hands.

“Note, Sooner or later, God will force even those that are of the synagogue of Satan to know and own those that he has loved, and to worship before their feet; for so is the promise, Rev. iii.”

So now, swear to me by the LORD that you will not cut off my descendants or wipe out my name from my father’s house.”

“Saul by his disobedience had ruined his own soul, and never took care by repentance to prevent that ruin, and yet is very solicitous that his name might not be destroyed nor his seed cut off.”

So David gave his oath to Saul. Then Saul returned home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.

“It is dangerous venturing upon the mercy of a reconciled enemy. We read of those who believed in Christ, and yet he did not commit himself to them because he knew all men.”

Now there was a man in Maon whose business was in Carmel. He was a very wealthy man with a thousand goats and three thousand sheep, which he was shearing…

“He was a disgrace to his family, and then it was no honour to him. Degeneranti genus opprobrium--A Good extraction is a reproach to him who degenerates from it.”

They were a wall around us, both day and night, the whole time we were herding our sheep near them.

“David demands not what he wanted as a debt, either by way of tribute as he was a king, or by way of contribution as he was a general, but asks it as a boon to a friend, that was his humble servant.”