1 Samuel (1 Kings) 26 · Scripture

1

And the Ziphites come out of the dry country to Saul to the hill, saying, Behold, David hides himself with us in the hill Echela, opposite Jessemon.

ΚΑΙ ἔρχονται οἱ Ζιφαῖοι ἐκ τῆς αὐχμώδους πρὸς τὸν Σαοὺλ εἰς τὸν βουνὸν λέγοντες· ἰδοὺ Δαυὶδ σκεπάζεται μεθ᾿ ἡμῶν ἐν τῷ βουνῷ τοῦ ᾿Εχελὰ τοῦ κατὰ πρόσωπον τοῦ ᾿Ιεσσαιμοῦν.

И҆ прїидо́ша зїфе́є ѿ зно́йныѧ къ саꙋ́лꙋ на хо́лмъ, глаго́люще: сѐ, даві́дъ скры́сѧ ᲂу҆ на́съ на холмѣ̀ є҆хела́ѳъ, прѧ́мѡ і҆ессемо́нꙋ.

2

And Saul arose, and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, and with him [went] three thousand men chosen out of Israel, to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph.

καὶ ἀνέστη Σαοὺλ καὶ κατέβη εἰς τὴν ἔρημον Ζίφ καὶ μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ τρεῖς χιλιάδες ἀνδρῶν ἐκλεκτοὶ ἐξ ᾿Ισραὴλ ζητεῖν τὸν Δαυὶδ ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ Ζίφ.

И҆ воста̀ саꙋ́лъ, и҆ сни́де въ пꙋсты́ню зі́фъ, и҆ съ ни́мъ трѝ ты́сѧщы мꙋже́й и҆збра́нныхъ ѿ і҆и҃лѧ, и҆ска́ти даві́да въ пꙋсты́ни зі́фъ.

3

And Saul encamped in the hill of Echela in front of Jessemon, by the way, and David dwelt in the wilderness: and David saw that Saul came after him into the wilderness.

καὶ παρενέβαλε Σαοὺλ ἐν τῷ βουνῷ τοῦ ᾿Εχελὰ τῷ ἐπὶ προσώπου τοῦ ᾿Ιεσσαιμοῦν ἐπὶ τῆς ὁδοῦ, καὶ Δαυὶδ ἐκάθισεν ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ. καὶ εἶδε Δαυὶδ ὅτι ἥκει Σαοὺλ ὀπίσω αὐτοῦ εἰς τήν ἔρημον,

И҆ ѡ҆полчи́сѧ саꙋ́лъ на холмѣ̀ є҆хела́ѳъ и҆́же прѧ́мѡ і҆ессемо́нꙋ при пꙋтѝ, даві́дъ же сѣдѧ́ше въ пꙋсты́ни. И҆ ви́дѣ даві́дъ, ꙗ҆́кѡ и҆́детъ саꙋ́лъ в̾слѣ́дъ є҆гѡ̀ въ пꙋсты́ню,

4

And David sent spies, and ascertained that Saul was come prepared out of Keila.

καὶ ἀπέστειλε Δαυὶδ κατασκόπους καὶ ἔγνω ὅτι ἥκει Σαοὺλ ἕτοιμος ἐκ Κεϊλά.

и҆ посла̀ даві́дъ соглѧда̑таи, и҆ разꙋмѣ̀, ꙗ҆́кѡ и҆́детъ саꙋ́лъ гото́въ и҆з̾ кеі́лѧ:

5

And David arose secretly, and goes into the place where Saul was sleeping, and there [was] Abenner the son of Ner, the captain of his host: and Saul was sleeping in a chariot, and the people had encamped along round about him.

καὶ ἀνέστη Δαυὶδ λάθρᾳ καὶ εἰσπορεύεται εἰς τὸν τόπον, οὗ ἐκάθευδεν ἐκεῖ Σαούλ, καὶ ἐκεῖ ᾿Αβεννὴρ υἱὸς Νὴρ ἀρχιστράτηγος αὐτοῦ, καὶ Σαοὺλ ἐκάθευδεν ἐν λαμπήνῃ, καὶ ὁ λαὸς παρεμβεβληκὼς κύκλῳ αὐτοῦ.

и҆ воста̀ даві́дъ ѡ҆́тай, и҆ вни́де въ мѣ́сто, и҆дѣ́же почива́ше саꙋ́лъ, и҆ та́мѡ бѧ́ше а҆вени́ръ сы́нъ ни́ровъ, пе́рвый воево́да є҆гѡ̀, и҆ саꙋ́лъ спа́ше въ колесни́цѣ ца́рстѣй, и҆ лю́дїе ѡ҆полчи́вшесѧ ѡ҆́крестъ є҆гѡ̀.

6

And David answered and spoke to Abimelech the Chettite, and to Abessa the son Saruia the brother of Joab, saying, Who will go in with me to Saul into the camp? And Abessa said, I will go in with thee.

καὶ ἀπεκρίθη Δαυὶδ και εἶπε πρὸς ᾿Αβιμέλεχ τὸν Χετταῖον καὶ πρὸς ᾿Αβεσσὰ υἱὸν Σαρουΐας ἀδελφὸν ᾿Ιωὰβ λέγων· τίς εἰσελεύσεται μετ᾿ ἐμοῦ πρὸς Σαοὺλ εἰς τὴν παρεμβολήν; καὶ εἶπεν ᾿Αβεσσά· ἐγὼ εἰσελεύσομαι μετὰ σοῦ.

И҆ ѿвѣща̀ даві́дъ и҆ речѐ ко а҆вїмеле́хꙋ хетте́инꙋ и҆ ко а҆ве́ссѣ сы́нꙋ сарꙋ́инꙋ бра́тꙋ і҆ѡа́влю, глаго́лѧ: кто̀ вни́детъ со мно́ю къ саꙋ́лꙋ въ по́лкъ; И҆ речѐ а҆ве́сса: а҆́зъ вни́дꙋ съ тобо́ю.

7

So David and Abessa go in among the people by night: and behold, Saul was fast asleep in the chariot, and his spear was stuck in the ground near his head, and Abenner and his people slept round about him.

καὶ εἰσπορεύεται Δαυὶδ καὶ ᾿Αβεσσὰ εἰς τὸν λαὸν τὴν νύκτα, καὶ ἰδοὺ Σαοὺλ καθεύδων ὕπνῳ ἐν λαμπήνῃ, καὶ τὸ δόρυ αὐτοῦ ἐμπεπηγὸς εἰς τὴν γῆν πρὸς κεφαλῆς αὐτοῦ, καί ᾿Αβεννὴρ καὶ ὁ λαὸς αὐτοῦ ἐκάθευδε κύκλῳ αὐτοῦ.

И҆ внидо́ста даві́дъ и҆ а҆ве́сса въ лю́ди но́щїю: и҆ сѐ, саꙋ́лъ спѧ́й сно́мъ въ колесни́цѣ ца́рстѣй, и҆ копїѐ є҆гѡ̀ водрꙋже́но въ зе́млю при главѣ̀ є҆гѡ̀, а҆вени́ръ же и҆ во́ини є҆гѡ̀ спа́хꙋ ѡ҆́крестъ є҆гѡ̀.

8

And Abessa said to David, The Lord has this day shut up thine enemy into thine hands, and now I will smite him to the earth with the spear to the ground once [for all], and I will not smite him again.

καὶ εἶπεν ᾿Αβεσσὰ πρὸς Δαυίδ· ἀπέκλεισε Κύριος σήμερον τὸν ἐχθρόν σου εἰς χεῖράς σου, καὶ νῦν πατάξω αὐτὸν τῷ δόρατι εἰς τὴν γῆν ἅπαξ καὶ οὐ δευτερώσω αὐτῷ.

И҆ речѐ а҆ве́сса къ даві́дꙋ: заключѝ гдⷭ҇ь дне́сь врага̀ твоего̀ въ рꙋ́цѣ твоѝ, и҆ нн҃ѣ поражꙋ̀ є҆го̀ копїе́мъ въ зе́млю є҆ди́ножды, и҆ не повторю̀ є҆мꙋ̀.

Cyprian †258

8–11
But what great and wonderful and Christian patience is to be found in David from whom Christ descended according to the flesh! David often had the opportunity to kill King Saul, his persecutor, who was eager to destroy him. Yet when Saul was subject to him and in his power, David preferred to save his life and did not retaliate on his enemy but, on the contrary, even avenged him when he was killed. In short, many prophets have been killed, many martyrs have been honored with glorious deaths, and all have attained their heavenly crowns through the merit of patience, for a crown for sorrow and suffering cannot be obtained unless patience in sorrow and suffering precede.
Treatise IX. On the Advantage of Patience 10

Athanasius of Alexandria †373

8–11
For the truth is not preached with swords or with darts, nor by means of soldiers, but by persuasion and counsel. But what persuasion is there where fear of the emperor prevails? Or what counsel is there, when he who withstands them receives at last banishment and death? Even David, although he was a king and had his enemy in his power, did not prevent the soldiers by an exercise of authority when they wished to kill his enemy, but, as the Scripture says, David persuaded his men by arguments, and did not allow them to rise up and put Saul to death. But [the devil], being without arguments of reason, forces all men by his power, that it may be shown to all that their wisdom is not according to God but merely human, and that they who favor the Arian doctrines have indeed no king but Caesar; for by his means it is that these enemies of Christ accomplish whatsoever they wish to do.
History of the Arians 4.33

Bede †735

And Abisai said to David: God has delivered your enemy into your hand today, etc. The disciples, now endowed with spiritual faith, understood that all things were given into the hands of the Savior by the Father; but still hindered by carnal ignorance, they thought that the proud and despisers of his word should be sought to be devoured by fire sent from heaven. Whom he immediately recalling from this intention, determined that rather patience was to be had, saying: For the Son of Man did not come to destroy souls, but to save them (Luke IX). Certainly, what David adds:
Commentary on Samuel

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?

καὶ εἶπε Δαυὶδ πρὸς ᾿Αβεσσά· μὴ ταπεινώσῃς αὐτόν, ὅτι τίς ἐποίσει χεῖρα αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ χριστὸν Κυρίου καὶ ἀθωωθήσεται;

И҆ речѐ даві́дъ ко а҆ве́ссѣ: не ᲂу҆бива́й є҆гѡ̀, ꙗ҆́кѡ кто̀ простре́тъ рꙋ́кꙋ свою̀ на хрїста̀ гдⷭ҇нѧ, и҆ непови́ненъ бꙋ́детъ;

Gregory of Nyssa †395

But this is marvelous not only for the fact that he grants life to the one who is doing everything against his life, but because David, although he had been anointed to the office of king and knew that he would not otherwise partake of that position unless Saul were out of the way, judged it better to suffer ill patiently in his private low estate than to enter upon the kingship by satisfying his anger against the one who had caused him grief.
On the Inscriptions of the Psalms 2.16.266

After that, the opportunity to kill the enemy presented itself to him twice. Once in the cave Saul fell into David’s hands unawares, and again in the tent when he was relaxed in sleep. David stood over him when he was asleep, and when he could have satisfied all his anger by murdering the one who pursued him, he did not lay a hand on him himself, and he said to the one eager for the kill, “Do not destroy.” The voice which prevents destruction in the case of this man is obviously the voice of God.For this reason, just as those who produce the more notable inscriptions on stones cut the characters deeply by frequently applying the chisel with blows to the carving of the letters, so the Holy Spirit contrives, by means of continuous repetition, that this great saying may become more distinct and quite clear on the stela of our memory, so that this inscription, having been carved in us distinctly and without confusion, might be known well in the time of misfortunes. For, in my opinion, the goal of the economy of the Holy Spirit is to set forth the previous accomplishments of holy ones for guidance for the life after these accomplishments, the representation leading us forward to good which is equal and similar. For whenever the soul swells with revenge against someone who is provoking it, and the blood around the heart boils with anger against the one who has grieved the soul, then, when one has looked up at this stela which the Holy Spirit set up for David, and has read the word on it which David uttered on behalf of him who was eager for his own blood, he will not fail to calm the troubled thoughts in his soul and appease his passion by his desire to imitate the same things.
On the Inscriptions of the Psalms 2.15.246-47

Bede †735

For who has stretched out his hand against the Lord's anointed? etc., according to the ongoing exposition indeed demonstrates that no one is free from the crime of sacrilege, who attempts to invade the kingdom of the Jewish people, given specially to him by the Lord, and consecrated with holy oil, and to profane the city and the temple dedicated to divine worship, disregarding the fear of God. But according to the supplicant's sense of the statement, it teaches with what great reverence divine sacraments must be treated, even though they are dispensed by the hands of the wicked; how much honor is due to persons devoted to the service of the sacred altar, how much presumption should be restrained from harming these persons, no matter how wickedly they live, because of the mark of any rank, since he himself, the exile, innocent, refrained from killing the most unjust persecutor of him, solely because of the holy oil of anointing which he had received in the figure of Christ either of the name or of the kingdom which he was not to preserve, and restrained his soldier by command and himself by divine fear. Therefore, we must be careful not to presume to defame and attack the reputation of bishops, presbyters, deacons indiscriminately.
Commentary on Samuel

10

And David said, [As] the Lord lives, if the Lord smite him not, or his day come and he die, or he go down to battle and be added [to his fathers, do not so].

καὶ εἶπε Δαυίδ· ζῇ Κύριος, ἐὰν μὴ Κύριος παίσῃ αὐτόν, ἢ ἡ ἡμέρα αὐτοῦ ἔλθῃ καὶ ἀποθάνῃ, ἢ εἰς πόλεμον καταβῇ καὶ προστεθῇ·

И҆ речѐ даві́дъ: жи́въ гдⷭ҇ь, а҆́ще не гдⷭ҇ь порази́тъ є҆го̀, и҆лѝ де́нь є҆гѡ̀ прїи́детъ, и҆ ᲂу҆́мретъ, и҆лѝ на бра́нь сни́детъ и҆ поги́бнетъ:

11

The Lord forbid it me that I should lift up my hand against the anointed of the Lord: and now take, I pray thee, the spear from his bolster, and the pitcher of water, and let us return home.

μηδαμῶς μοι παρὰ Κυρίου ἐπενεγκεῖν χεῖρά μου ἐπὶ χριστὸν Κυρίου· καὶ νῦν λαβὲ δὴ τὸ δόρυ ἀπὸ προσκεφαλῆς αὐτοῦ καὶ τὸν φακὸν τοῦ ὕδατος, καὶ ἀπέλθωμεν ἡμεῖς καθ᾿ ἑαυτούς.

да не бꙋ́детъ мѝ ѿ гдⷭ҇а нанестѝ рꙋ́кꙋ мою̀ на хрїста̀ гдⷭ҇нѧ: и҆ нн҃ѣ возмѝ копїѐ ѿ возгла́вїѧ є҆гѡ̀ и҆ сосꙋ́дъ водны́й, и҆ ѿи́демъ мы̀ ѡ҆ себѣ̀.

12

So David took the spear, and the pitcher of water from his bolster, and they went home: and there was no one that saw, and no one that knew, and there was no one that awoke, all being asleep, for a stupor from the Lord had fallen upon them.

καὶ ἔλαβε Δαυὶδ τὸ δόρυ καὶ τὸν φακὸν τοῦ ὕδατος ἀπὸ προσκεφαλῆς αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἀπῆλθον καθ᾿ ἑαυτούς· καὶ οὐκ ἦν ὁ βλέπων καὶ οὐκ ἦν ὁ γινώσκων καὶ οὐκ ἦν ὁ ἐξεγειρόμενος, πάντες ὑπνοῦντες, ὅτι θάμβος Κυρίου ἐπέπεσεν ἐπ᾿ αὐτούς.

И҆ взѧ̀ даві́дъ копїѐ и҆ сосꙋ́дъ водны́й ѿ возгла́вїѧ є҆гѡ̀, и҆ ѿидо́ста ѡ҆ себѣ̀: и҆ не бѣ̀ и҆́же бы ви́дѣлъ и҆лѝ разꙋмѣ́лъ, и҆ не бѧ́ше востаю́щагѡ, вси́ бо спа́хꙋ, ꙗ҆́кѡ со́нъ крѣ́покъ ѿ гдⷭ҇а нападѐ на нѧ̀.

13

So David went over to the other side, and stood on the top of a hill afar off, and [there was] a good distance between them.

καὶ διέβη Δαυὶδ εἰς τὸ πέραν καὶ ἔστη ἐπὶ τὴν κορυφὴν τοῦ ὄρους μακρόθεν, καὶ πολλὴ ἡ ὁδὸς ἀνὰ μέσον αὐτῶν.

И҆ пре́йде даві́дъ на ѡ҆́нъ по́лъ и҆ ста̀ на версѣ̀ горы̀ и҆здале́ча, и҆ мно́гъ бѣ̀ пꙋ́ть междꙋ̀ и҆́ми.

14

And David called to the people, and spoke to Abenner, saying, Wilt thou not answer, Abenner? and Abenner answered and said, Who art thou that callest?

καὶ προσεκαλέσατο Δαυὶδ τὸν λαὸν καὶ τῷ ᾿Αβεννὴρ ἐλάλησε λέγων· οὐκ ἀποκριθήσῃ ᾿Αβεννήρ; καὶ ἀπεκρίθη ᾿Αβεννὴρ καὶ εἶπε· τίς εἶ σὺ ὁ καλῶν με;

И҆ воззва̀ даві́дъ къ лю́демъ, и҆ а҆вени́рꙋ речѐ глаго́лѧ: не ѿвѣща́еши ли, а҆вени́ре; И҆ ѿвѣща̀ а҆вени́ръ и҆ речѐ: кто̀ ты̀ є҆сѝ зовы́й мѧ̀;

15

And David said to Abenner, [Art] not thou a man? and who [is] like thee in Israel? Why then dost thou not guard thy lord the king? for one out of the people went in to destroy thy lord the king.

καὶ εἶπε Δαυὶδ πρὸς ᾿Αβεννήρ· οὐκ ἀνὴρ σύ; καὶ τίς ὡς σὺ ἐν ᾿Ισραήλ; καὶ διατί οὐ φυλάσσεις τὸν κύριόν σου τὸν βασιλέα; ὅτι εἰσῆλθεν εἷς ἐκ τοῦ λαοῦ διαθφεῖραι τὸν κύριόν σου τὸν βασιλέα.

И҆ речѐ даві́дъ ко а҆вени́рꙋ: не мꙋ́жъ ли є҆сѝ ты̀; и҆ кто̀, ꙗ҆́коже ты̀, во і҆и҃ли; и҆ почто̀ не храни́ши господи́на твоегѡ̀ царѧ̀; ꙗ҆́кѡ вни́де є҆ди́нъ ѿ люді́й ᲂу҆би́ти господи́на твоего̀ царѧ̀:

16

And this thing [is] not good which thou hast done. [As] the Lord lives, ye are worthy of death, ye who guard your lord the king, the anointed of the Lord: and now behold, I pray you, the spear of the king, and the cruse of water: where are the articles that should be at his head?

καὶ οὐκ ἀγαθὸν τὸ ῥῆμα τοῦτο, ὃ πεποίηκας· ζῇ Κύριος, ὅτι υἱοὶ θανατώσεως ὑμεῖς οἱ φυλάσσοντες τὸν βασιλέα τὸν κύριον ὑμῶν τὸν χριστὸν Κυρίου. καὶ νῦν ἰδὲ δή· τὸ δόρυ τοῦ βασιλέως καὶ ὁ φακὸς τοῦ ὕδατος ποῦ ἐστι τὰ πρὸς κεφαλῆς αὐτοῦ;

и҆ не бла́го сїѐ (ѕѣлѡ̀), є҆́же сотвори́лъ є҆сѝ: жи́въ гдⷭ҇ь, ꙗ҆́кѡ сы́нове сме́рти вы̀, не хранѧ́щїи го́спода своего̀ царѧ̀ хрїста̀ гдⷭ҇нѧ: и҆ нн҃ѣ ви́ждь, гдѣ̀ є҆́сть копїѐ царе́во и҆ сосꙋ́дъ водны́й, ꙗ҆̀же бѣ́ша при главѣ̀ є҆гѡ̀;

Ephrem the Syrian †373

Envy persecuted David, and jealousy the Son of David. David was blocked up in the depths of the cave, and the Son of David in the depths of the underworld. It was imagined that David was guilty and despised, and that death was conquered and laid low. David cried out, “Where is your spear, O King?” and the Son of David, “Where is your victory, O Death?” Saul hurled his spear against David, and, although it did not strike him, the wall was witness to its blow. The crucifiers struck the Son of David with a lance, and although his power was not injured, his body was a witness to their blow. David was not struck, nor was the Son of David injured.
Commentary on Tatian’s Diatessaron 21.12

Bede †735

Now therefore see where the king's spear is, etc. See, they say, now where the scepter of your power is, which you have lost both on earth and ceased to hope for in heaven; where is the shadowy observance of the law, which you have thirsted for with all your heart, in which you boasted that the hands of your deeds could be washed from all stain of sins. All alike, because you have lost Christ, and the temple itself is gone. Indeed, all these things, even if not yet completed in the times of the apostles, were for the most part begun in and before their times and still occurring while they were alive, as anyone who reads the history of old will find. For finally, Herod the Great, and his sons, amid the countless calamities they inflicted on the Jews, also took away the holy garment from the priests, and never allowed them the permission to minister in it; they changed the order of the priesthood at their whim, tearing up the legal order. Pilate defiled the temple by secretly introducing images of Caesar during the night, following the impiety of Herod, who had first profaned it by setting up a golden eagle in it and commanded that the young men who tried to remove it for religious reasons be burned alive. Caius [Caligula] ordered that both the temple and all their synagogues be profaned with the sacrifices of the gentiles and filled with statues and images, and commanded that he himself be worshipped as a god there. As for the degradation of the kingdom, until it perished utterly, there is no end to speaking of it.
Commentary on Samuel

17

And Saul recognized the voice of David, and said, [Is] this thy voice, son David? and David said, I [am] thy servant, [my] lord, O king.

καὶ ἐπέγνω Σαοὺλ τὴν φωνὴν Δαυὶδ καὶ εἶπεν· ἡ φωνή σου αὕτη, τέκνον Δαυίδ; καὶ εἶπε Δαυίδ· δοῦλός σου, κύριε βασιλεῦ.

И҆ позна̀ саꙋ́лъ гла́съ даві́довъ и҆ речѐ: тво́й ли гла́съ се́й, ча́до даві́де; И҆ речѐ даві́дъ: а҆́зъ ра́бъ тво́й, го́споди царю̀.

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?

καὶ εἶπεν· ἱνατί τοῦτο καταδιώκει ὁ κύριος ὀπίσω τοῦ δούλου αὐτοῦ; ὅτι τί ἡμάρτηκα καὶ τί εὑρέθη ἐν ἐμοὶ ἀδίκημα;

И҆ речѐ даві́дъ: почто̀ го́ниши раба̀ твоего̀, го́споди царю̀; ꙗ҆́кѡ что̀ (тѝ) согрѣши́хъ; и҆ ка́ѧ ѡ҆брѣ́тесѧ во мнѣ̀ непра́вда;

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.

καὶ νῦν ἀκουσάτω ὁ κύριός μου ὁ βασιλεὺς τὸ ρῆμα τοῦ δούλου αὐτοῦ· εἰ ὁ Θεὸς ἐπισείει σε ἐπ᾿ ἐμέ, ὀσφανθείη θυσίας σου· καὶ εἰ υἱοὶ ἀνθρώπων, ἐπικατάρατοι οὗτοι ἐνώπιον Κυρίου, ὅτι ἐξέβαλόν με σήμερον μὴ ἐστηρίχθαι ἐν κληρονομίᾳ Κυρίου λέγοντες· πορεύου, δούλευε θεοῖς ἑτέροις.

и҆ нн҃ѣ да послꙋ́шаетъ госпо́дь мо́й ца́рь глаго́лѡвъ раба̀ своегѡ̀: а҆́ще бг҃ъ поѡщрѧ́етъ тѧ̀ на мѧ̀, да бꙋ́детъ благово́нна же́ртва твоѧ̀: а҆́ще же сы́нове человѣ́честїи, про́клѧти сі́и пред̾ гдⷭ҇емъ, ꙗ҆́кѡ и҆згна́ша мѧ̀ дне́сь не ᲂу҆тверди́тисѧ въ жре́бїи гдⷭ҇ни, глаго́люще: пойдѝ, рабо́тай богѡ́мъ чꙋжди̑мъ:

Bede †735

If the Lord incites you against me, etc. If, he says, led by the Spirit of God you persecute me, it is necessary that I appease the divine mercy with sacrifices and prayers; but if not by the will of the Lord, but against His will, having been corrupted by the deception of wicked men, you thought it right to rage for a time against the innocent; it is certain that those are held worthy of a curse in the divine examination, who, by wicked persuasions repelling me from His tabernacle and holy land, compel me to live among idolaters, whom I utterly detest. And if this flame of persecution has arisen from men, as I said, it is just in every way that my blood should not be shed by the impious, which the hands of persecutors have thus far unjustly sought. According to the mystical understanding, it is the voice of the members of Christ, that is, of His faithful, who, caught by the persecution of wicked men, are accustomed to diligently examine their hearts. And if for their sins they recognize that punishment of chastisement is inflicted upon them by the Lord through such men, they immediately strive to purge these with sacrifices of due contrition. But if they see themselves unjustly suffering injuries or deaths from the impious, so that they may be called away from the path of truth, they indeed understand those who do these things as deserving eternal curse from the Lord; because they wish to turn the faithful of Christ from the inheritance of the Catholic faith even to the idolatry of gentility or any kind of heresy. However, those who innocently suffer these things rejoice, being saved by the Lord from all death and corruption, and indeed even anticipating receiving the palm of their patience. We can also accept it as said in the person of the apostles to the persecuting Jews: If the Lord incites you to persecute us, His wrath is appeased by our prayers; but if, which is more true, the sons of men, they are accursed by the Lord, who have driven us out preaching divine things, so that we do not dwell in Judea and Jerusalem; they said, Depart; and because you believe Jesus to be God, serve Him rather among the nations, who are accustomed to worship alien gods.
Commentary on Samuel

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.

καὶ νῦν μὴ πέσοι τὸ αἷμά μου ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν ἐξεναντίας προσώπου Κυρίου, ὅτι ἐξελήλυθεν ὁ βασιλεὺς ᾿Ισραὴλ ζητεῖν ψυχήν μου, καθὼς καταδιώκει ὁ νυκτικόραξ ἐν τοῖς ὄρεσι.

и҆ нн҃ѣ да не паде́тъ кро́вь моѧ̀ на зе́млю пред̾ лице́мъ гдⷭ҇нимъ, ꙗ҆́кѡ и҆зы́де ца́рь і҆и҃левъ и҆ска́ти дꙋшѝ моеѧ̀, и҆ го́нитъ ꙗ҆́коже нощны́й вра́нъ по гора́мъ.

21

And Saul said, I have sinned: turn, son David, for I will not hurt thee, because my life was precious in thine eyes; and to-day I have been foolish and have erred exceedingly.

καὶ εἶπε Σαούλ· ἡμάρτηκα· ἐπίστρεφε τέκνον Δαυίδ, ὅτι οὐ κακοποιήσω σε ἀνθ᾿ ὧν ἔντιμος ψυχή μου ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς σου καὶ ἐν τῇ σήμερον· μεματαίωμαι καὶ ἠγνόηκα πολλὰ σφόδρα.

И҆ речѐ саꙋ́лъ: согрѣши́хъ: возврати́сѧ, ча́до даві́де, ꙗ҆́кѡ ктомꙋ̀ не сотворю́ ти ѕла̀, занѐ честна̀ дꙋша̀ моѧ̀ пред̾ ѻ҆чи́ма твои́ма въ де́нь се́й: безꙋ́мнѡ сотвори́хъ, и҆ погрѣши́хъ мно́гѡ ѕѣлѡ̀.

22

And David answered and said, Behold, the spear of the king: let one of the servants come over and take it.

καὶ ἀπεκρίθη Δαυὶδ καὶ εἶπεν· ἰδοὺ τὸ δόρυ τοῦ βασιλέως· διελθέτω εἷς τῶν παιδαρίων καὶ λαβέτω αὐτό.

И҆ ѿвѣща̀ даві́дъ и҆ речѐ: сѐ, копїѐ царе́во, да прїи́детъ ѻ҆́трокъ є҆ди́нъ и҆ во́зметъ є҆̀:

23

And the Lord shall recompense each according to his righteousness and his truth, since the Lord delivered thee this day into my hands, and I would not lift my hand against the Lord’s anointed.

καὶ Κύριος ἐπιστρέψει ἑκάστῳ κατὰ τὰς δικαιοσύνας αὐτοῦ καὶ τὴν πίστιν αὐτοῦ, ὡς παρέδωκέ σε Κύριος σήμερον εἰς χεῖράς μου καὶ οὐκ ἠθέλησα ἐπενεγκεῖν χεῖρά μου ἐπὶ χριστὸν Κυρίου·

и҆ гдⷭ҇ь да возврати́тъ коемꙋ́ждо по пра́вдѣ є҆гѡ̀ и҆ по вѣ́рѣ є҆гѡ̀: ꙗ҆́коже предаде́ тѧ гдⷭ҇ь дне́сь въ рꙋ́цѣ моѝ, и҆ не восхотѣ́хъ нанестѝ рꙋкѝ моеѧ̀ на хрїста̀ гдⷭ҇нѧ:

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.

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.

и҆ сѐ, ꙗ҆́коже возвели́чисѧ дꙋша̀ твоѧ̀ дне́сь во ѻ҆́чїю моє́ю, та́кѡ да возвели́читсѧ дꙋша̀ моѧ̀ пред̾ гдⷭ҇емъ, и҆ да покры́етъ мѧ̀ и҆ и҆́зметъ мѧ̀ ѿ всѧ́кїѧ печа́ли.

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.

καὶ εἶπε Σαοὺλ πρὸς Δαυίδ· εὐλογημένος σύ, τέκνον, καὶ ποιῶν ποιήσεις καὶ δυνάμενος δυνήσῃ. καὶ ἀπῆλθε Δαυὶδ εἰς τὴν ὁδὸν αὐτοῦ, καὶ Σαοὺλ ἀνέστρεψεν εἰς τὸν τόπον αὐτοῦ.

И҆ речѐ саꙋ́лъ къ даві́дꙋ: благослове́нъ ты̀, ча́до, и҆ творѧ́й сотвори́ши и҆ могі́й возмо́жеши. И҆ ѿи́де даві́дъ въ пꙋ́ть сво́й, а҆ саꙋ́лъ возврати́сѧ на мѣ́сто своѐ.