And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle.
Ver. 28. Eliab's anger was kindled.] But without cause; merely out of pride and envy: and such hard measure our Saviour met with among his brethren the Jews, to whom his Father sent him. Eliab envied him his former favour and preferment at court, and now feared his further advancement above himself and the other brethren: and hence this bitterness, and those evil surmises.
And with whom hast thou left, &c., ] q.d., Get thee home again to thy hook, and thy harp. See 1 Samuel 17:22 .
I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart.] Here he taketh upon him that which belongeth to God alone, Jer 17:10 and judgeth of David's heart by his own. Well might Augustine say that envy is vitium diabolicum, a devilish vice, such as wherein is found the venom of most other vices.
For thou art come down.] He knew that David came not till sent by his father: but malice careth not how true the charge is, but how cutting.