1 Samuel 26:8 - Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

Bible Comments

I will not smite him the second time. — The meaning of the savage words of Abishai is accurately given in Lange’s paraphrase, “I will pin him to the ground so thoroughly with one blow that it will not need another to kul him;” “et secundo non opus erit” as the Vulg. well renders it.

1 Samuel 26:8

8 Then said Abishai to David, God hath deliveredb 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 second time.