1Sa 26:2
26:2 Then Saul arose, and went down to the wilderness of Ziph,
     having three thousand {a} chosen men of Israel with him, to
     seek David in the wilderness of Ziph.

     (a) That is, of the most skilful and valiant soldiers.

1Sa 26:6
26:6 Then answered David and said to Ahimelech the {b} Hittite,
     and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah, brother to {c} Joab,
     saying, Who will go down with me to Saul to the camp? And
     Abishai said, I will go down with thee.

     (b) Who was a stranger, and not an Israelite.
     (c) Who afterward was David's chief captain.

1Sa 26:8
26:8 Then said Abishai to David, God hath delivered thine enemy
     into thine hand this day: now therefore let me smite him, I
     pray thee, with the spear even to the earth at once, and I
     will not [smite] him the {d} second time.

     (d) Meaning, he would make him sure at one stroke.

1Sa 26:9
26:9 And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not: for who can
     stretch forth his hand {e} against the LORD'S anointed, and
     be guiltless?

     (e) That is, in his own private cause: for Jehu slew two
         kings at God's appointment, 2Ki 9:24.

1Sa 26:15
26:15 And David said to Abner, [Art] not thou a [valiant] {f}
      man?  and who [is] like to thee in Israel? wherefore then
      hast thou not kept thy lord the king? for there came one
      of the people in to destroy the king thy lord.

      (f) Esteemed most valiant and fit to save the king?

1Sa 26:17
26:17 And Saul knew David's voice, and said, [Is] this thy
      voice, {g} my son David? And David said, [It is] my voice,
      my lord, O king.

      (g) By this it appears, that the hypocrite persecuted
          David against his own conscience and contrary to his
          promise.

1Sa 26:19
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 {h} 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 {i} other gods.

      (h) Let his anger toward us be pacified by a sacrifice.
      (i) As much as lay in them, they compelled him to idolatry
          because they forced him to flee to the idolaters.

1Sa 26:21
26:21 Then said Saul, I have sinned: return, my son David: for I
      will no more do thee harm, because my soul was {k}
      precious in thine eyes this day: behold, I have played the
      fool, and have erred exceedingly.

      (k) Because you saved my life this day.

1Sa 26:23
26:23 The LORD render to every man his {l} righteousness and his
      faithfulness: for the LORD delivered thee into [my] hand
      to day, but I would not stretch forth mine hand against
      the LORD'S anointed.

      (l) Thus he protests his innocency toward Saul, not
          defending his justice in the sight of God, in whose
          presence none is righteous, Ps 14:3,130:3.

1Sa 26:25
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 {m} place.

      (m) To Gibeah of Benjamin.