I did not pretend religion before men for my own ends, but did approve my heart and ways to the all-seeing God. And I kept myself from mine iniquity, i e. from that sin which I was most inclined or tempted to; either,

1. From my hereditary and natural corruption, so far that it should not have dominion over me, nor break forth into any presumptuous or scandalous sins. Or rather,

2. From the sin of killing Saul, which might be called his sin, because this might seem most agreeable and desirable to him, both as a man and as a soldier, and as anointed to be king, as being a likely way both to revenge, and to preserve, and to advance himself; to which also he might seem to be both invited by the fair opportunity which Providence had put into his hand, 1 Samuel 24:4, 1 Samuel 26:8, and necessitated by Saul's implacable malice, and his own perpetual and extreme dangers and distresses; and to which he was so strongly tempted by his own followers, in the place now quoted.

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