And the king said unto the footmen that stood about him, Turn, and slay the priests of the LORD; because their hand also is with David, and because they knew when he fled, and did not show it to me. But the servants of the king would not put forth their hand to fall upon the priests of the LORD.
Read Chapter 22
George Leo Haydock
AD 1849
Messengers. Hebrew, "runners. "These officers remained at court and were people of great account, (Calmet) like the king's guards, 2 Kings xv. 1., and 3 Kings i. 5. (Haydock)
Lord, out of reverence, and being convinced of their innocence. (Menochius)
The obedience which we owe to superiors is subordinate to that which we must always show towards God and justice. (Calmet)
Saul unjustly condemned them as the abettors of his competitor. (Worthington)