When Saul heard that David was discovered, and the men that [were] with him, (now Saul abode in Gibeah under a tree in Ramah, having his spear in his hand, and all his servants [were] standing about him;)
Ver. 6. When Saul heard that David was discovered, and the men that were with him.] This vexed him at the heart, and rendered all his felicities miserable. Philip Comineus saith that if he should write of all the princes of his time, that in the judgment of men seemed to live in great felicity, and yet to those that knew them familiarly, lived in a miserable estate, that matter alone would require a reasonable volume.
“ Miser atque infelix eat etiam rex,
Nec quenquam (mihi crede) facit diadema beatum. ”
Under a tree in Ramah. ] Or, Under a grove in a high place; which is the better reading.
Having his spear in his hand. ] Perhaps for a sceptre, or else quasi paratus ut supplicium sumeret ipse de deprehenso, to show that himself was ready to do execution upon anyone that was found guilty.