1 Samuel 26:5 Commentary and Bible Study

David had sent out spies and learned where Saul was camped, but instead of fleeing from him, he went to him. He seemed to be intent on an encounter with Saul, and to know what he was going to do. ‘And David arose, and came to the place where Saul had pitched.’ This is remarkable because David beheld the place where Saul lay, and it was near Abner, the captain, the general, of his host, ‘and Saul lay in the trench, and the people pitched round about him.’ In other words, Saul was in the very centre of the encampment asleep. Indeed, they were all asleep, and Abner too. ‘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. ⁷ So David and Abishai’ – they show great courage here – ‘came to the people by night: and, behold, Saul lay sleeping within the trench, and his spear’ – that symbol of kingship – ‘stuck in the ground at his bolster: but Abner and the people lay round about him.’ What happened was that Abner who was Saul’s general and in charge of his men, and who was supposed to be protecting him, was unaware of the danger. Saul was sleeping in the middle of the camp, and yet God sent a deep sleep upon Saul's men, and David and his nephew, who had half volunteered for the task, were able to walk through that entire guard that would have been bent on the defence of Saul, and steel right up to the king. At what stage David knew that God would impose a deep sleep on Saul and Abner and all the soldiers with him is not made clear. David goes with Abishai right into the centre of the camp. Did he know in advance that God would do this, or did he only perceive it as he ventured into that camp: that everyone was struck – no sentries awake, no guards – with a deep sleep? For the second time Saul is found defenceless, sleeping, and David is able, with Abishai, to prove that he has stood over Saul’s body. The first time he cut off the hem of his robe; this time, he removes a spear and a cruise of water. David demonstrates that he had the opportunity to take his life, but he obeyed the Lord in this respect: he is not going to kill the Lord's anointed, however he behaves. It is for God to inflict that judgment, not for David. But the interesting thing is, for the second time, Saul appears to repent. It was God who brought this strange turn of events.