1 Samuel 26

In 1 Samuel 26, David once again finds himself with an opportunity to kill King Saul, who is still pursuing him despite David’s previous act of mercy. In this chapter, David’s men encourage him to take Saul’s life, but David refuses, demonstrating his deep respect for God's anointed king. This chapter highlights David’s restraint and his trust in God's timing for justice.

1 Samuel 26:1-5 (NKJV)
1 Now the Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah, saying, “Is David not hiding in the hill of Hachilah, opposite Jeshimon?”
2 Then Saul arose and went down to the Wilderness of Ziph, having three thousand chosen men of Israel with him, to seek David in the Wilderness of Ziph.
3 And Saul encamped in the hill of Hachilah, which is opposite Jeshimon, by the road. But David stayed in the wilderness, and he saw that Saul came after him into the wilderness.
4 David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul had indeed come.
5 So David arose and came to the place where Saul had encamped. And David saw the place where Saul lay, and Abner the son of Ner, the commander of his army. Now Saul lay within the camp, with the people encamped all around him.

David continues to be pursued by Saul despite previously sparing his life. The Ziphites, betraying David again, inform Saul of David's location. Saul gathers a large force of three thousand men to hunt David down. David, always cautious, sends out spies to confirm Saul’s approach. Once confirmed, David scouts the area personally and observes Saul’s vulnerable position, asleep with his army surrounding him. This situation echoes a previous incident where David had a chance to kill Saul but chose to spare him.

1 Samuel 26:6 (NKJV)
6 Then David answered, and said to Ahimelech the Hittite and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah, brother of Joab, saying, “Who will go down with me to Saul in the camp?” And Abishai said, “I will go down with you.”

David, assessing the situation, seeks someone brave enough to join him in infiltrating Saul’s camp. Abishai, known for his courage and loyalty, volunteers to accompany David. David’s willingness to approach Saul’s camp demonstrates his boldness and continued trust in God’s protection despite the danger. Abishai’s willingness to follow shows his loyalty and confidence in David’s leadership.

1 Samuel 26:7 (NKJV)
7 So David and Abishai came to the people by night; and there Saul lay sleeping within the camp, with his spear stuck in the ground by his head. And Abner and the people lay all around him.

David and Abishai move stealthily through the night and reach Saul’s camp. Saul, his trusted commander Abner, and the army are all deeply asleep, leaving Saul vulnerable. His spear, symbolizing both his authority and his intent to kill David, is nearby. This scenario again places David in a position where he could easily take Saul’s life, testing his resolve and principles.

1 Samuel 26:8-9 (NKJV)
8 Then Abishai said to David, “God has delivered your enemy into your hand this day. Now therefore, please, let me strike him at once with the spear, right to the earth; and I will not have to strike him a second time!”
9 But David said to Abishai, “Do not destroy him; for who can stretch out his hand against the Lord’s anointed, and be guiltless?”

Abishai, seeing Saul’s vulnerable position, interprets the moment as divine providence, urging David to let him kill Saul with a single, decisive strike. However, David refuses, reminding Abishai that Saul is still the Lord’s anointed king. David shows deep reverence for God’s choice, refusing to take justice into his own hands, even though Saul has wronged him repeatedly.

1 Samuel 26:10-12 (NKJV)
10 David said furthermore, “As the Lord lives, the Lord shall strike him, or his day shall come to die, or he shall go out to battle and perish.
11 The Lord forbid that I should stretch out my hand against the Lord’s anointed. But please, take now the spear and the jug of water that are by his head, and let us go.”
12 So David took the spear and the jug of water by Saul’s head, and they got away; and no man saw or knew it or awoke. For they were all asleep, because a deep sleep from the Lord had fallen on them.

David expresses his faith that God will handle Saul’s fate in His own time, whether through natural death or battle. He rejects the idea of killing Saul and instead opts to take Saul’s spear and water jug as evidence of how close he came without harming him. The text emphasizes that God had caused a deep sleep to fall upon Saul’s men, ensuring David’s safe escape.

1 Samuel 26:13-16 (NKJV)
13 Now David went over to the other side and stood on the top of a hill afar off, a great distance being between them.
14 And David called out to the people and to Abner the son of Ner, saying, “Do you not answer, Abner?” Then Abner answered and said, “Who are you, calling out to the king?”
15 So David said to Abner, “Are you not a man? And who is like you in Israel? Why then have you not guarded your lord the king? For one of the people came in to destroy your lord the king.
16 This thing that you have done is not good. As the Lord lives, you deserve to die, because you have not guarded your master, the Lord’s anointed. And now see where the king’s spear is, and the jug of water that was by his head.”

David distances himself and calls out to Abner, Saul’s commander, mocking him for failing to protect Saul adequately. He reveals that someone had come into the camp with the intent to harm Saul, thus putting Abner’s life in jeopardy. David’s display of the spear and water jug proves how close Saul had come to death, but also serves as evidence of David’s mercy.

1 Samuel 26:17-19 (NKJV)
17 Then Saul knew David’s voice, and said, “Is that your voice, my son David?” David said, “It is my voice, my lord, O king.”
18 And he said, “Why does my lord thus pursue his servant? For what have I done, or what evil is in my hand?
19 Now therefore, please, let my lord the king hear the words of his servant: If the Lord has stirred you up against me, let Him accept an offering. But if it is the children of men, may they be cursed before the Lord, for they have driven me out this day from sharing in the inheritance of the Lord, saying, ‘Go, serve other gods.’"

Recognizing David’s voice, Saul addresses him warmly. David responds respectfully but questions Saul’s relentless pursuit, asking what he has done wrong. David offers a solution: if his troubles are from God, he is willing to make a sacrifice to appease Him. However, if others have influenced Saul, David curses those responsible, as they have forced him into a life away from his rightful inheritance and worship of God.

1 Samuel 26:20-21 (NKJV)
20 So now, do not let my blood fall to the earth before the face of the Lord. For the king of Israel has come out to seek a flea, as when one hunts a partridge in the mountains.”
21 Then Saul said, “I have sinned. Return, my son David. For I will harm you no more, because my life was precious in your eyes this day. Indeed, I have played the fool and erred exceedingly.”

David compares himself to a small, insignificant target like a flea or a bird, asking Saul why he would pursue someone so unthreatening. Saul admits his wrongdoing, acknowledging his sin and the foolishness of his pursuit. He promises not to harm David again, recognizing the value David placed on his life by sparing him.

1 Samuel 26:22-24 (NKJV)
22 And David answered and said, “Here is the king’s spear. Let one of the young men come over and get it.
23 May the Lord repay every man for his righteousness and his faithfulness; for the Lord delivered you into my hand today, but I would not stretch out my hand against the Lord’s anointed.
24 And indeed, as your life was valued much this day in my eyes, so let my life be valued much in the eyes of the Lord, and let Him deliver me out of all tribulation.”

David returns Saul’s spear, showing further proof of his integrity and trust in God’s justice. He prays that God will repay each person for their righteousness, affirming that he spared Saul’s life out of respect for God’s anointing. David asks God to value his life just as he valued Saul’s, trusting in divine protection from his enemies.

1 Samuel 26:25 (NKJV)
25 Then Saul said to David, “May you be blessed, my son David! You shall both do great things and also still prevail.” So David went on his way, and Saul returned to his place.

Saul ends the encounter by blessing David, acknowledging that David will achieve great things and ultimately prevail. The chapter concludes with both men parting ways, with Saul returning to his life and David continuing his journey, still trusting in God’s timing for his eventual rise to kingship.