1 Samuel 26:10

KJV

David said furthermore, [As] the LORD liveth, the LORD shall smite him; or his day shall come to die; or he shall descend into battle, and perish.

KJV (with Strong's)

David {H1732} said {H559} furthermore, As the LORD {H3068} liveth {H2416}, the LORD {H3068} shall smite {H5062} him; or his day {H3117} shall come {H935} to die {H4191}; or he shall descend {H3381} into battle {H4421}, and perish {H5595}.

Complete Jewish Bible

David then added, "As ADONAI lives, ADONAI will strike him down, or the day will come for him to die, or he will go down to battle and be swept away.

Berean Standard Bible

David added, “As surely as the LORD lives, the LORD Himself will strike him down; either his day will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish.

American Standard Version

And David said, As Jehovah liveth, Jehovah will smite him; or his day shall come to die; or he shall go down into battle and perish.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 26:10 encapsulates David's profound faith and unwavering commitment to God's ultimate sovereignty, even when confronted with relentless persecution from King Saul. This pivotal declaration, made during David's second clear opportunity to eliminate his tormentor, articulates his conviction that justice and judgment belong exclusively to the LORD. David outlines three potential divine methods for Saul's demise—direct divine intervention, natural death, or death in battle—thereby demonstrating his absolute trust in God's perfect timing and righteous judgment, rather than resorting to personal vengeance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse marks a critical juncture in the long-running narrative of David's flight from King Saul. It occurs during the second significant instance where David, despite being relentlessly pursued and hunted by Saul, has a clear opportunity to take Saul's life but steadfastly refuses. Chapter 26 opens with the Ziphites once again betraying David's hiding place to Saul, prompting Saul to pursue David with 3,000 chosen men. David, accompanied by Abishai, infiltrates Saul's sleeping camp under the cover of night. When Abishai urges David to strike Saul, believing God has delivered their enemy into their hands, David's response in [1 Samuel 26:9](/1_samuel/26-9 "1 Samuel 26:9 - David Refuses to Harm Saul") and the subsequent declaration in [1 Samuel 26:10](/1_samuel/26-10 "1 Samuel 26:10 - David's Trust in Divine Justice") firmly articulate his principle: vengeance and judgment are God's prerogative alone. This incident powerfully echoes and reinforces David's similar act of restraint in the cave of En Gedi, detailed earlier in [1 Samuel 24](/1_samuel/24 "1 Samuel 24 - David Spares Saul at En Gedi"), establishing a consistent pattern of David's character and his deep reverence for God's anointed.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The concept of "the LORD's anointed" (Hebrew: _māšîaḥ_, from which "Messiah" derives) was central to ancient Israelite kingship. Kings were not merely political leaders but were divinely chosen and consecrated through anointing with oil, symbolizing God's Spirit resting upon them. To lay a hand on the LORD's anointed, even a wicked king like Saul, was considered an affront to God Himself, who had established that authority. David's profound respect for this sacred office, despite Saul's egregious attempts on his life, stands in stark contrast to the common practice of usurping power through assassination in the ancient Near East. Furthermore, in a culture where personal honor and vengeance were often expected, David's decision to defer judgment to God was radical, reflecting a deep theological conviction rooted in the Mosaic Law, which taught that vengeance belongs to the LORD (e.g., [Deuteronomy 32:35](/deuteronomy/32-35 "Deuteronomy 32:35 - Vengeance Belongs to God")).

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in 1 Samuel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Respect for God's Anointed**, highlighting David's unwavering reverence for the divinely established office of kingship, even when the incumbent, Saul, was unfaithful and actively sought David's life. David's consistent refusal to harm Saul (as seen also in [1 Samuel 24:6](/1_samuel/24-6 "1 Samuel 24:6 - David's Conscience Regarding Saul")) sets him apart as a man after God's own heart, demonstrating a righteousness that prioritizes God's will over personal gain or retribution. Secondly, the verse powerfully illustrates **Divine Justice and Sovereignty**. David firmly believes that God Himself will deal with Saul, outlining three specific ways God might bring about Saul's end: direct divine intervention ("the LORD shall smite him"), natural death ("his day shall come to die"), or death in battle ("he shall descend into battle, and perish"). This highlights David's conviction in God's absolute control over life and death, and His ultimate justice, a sentiment echoed in later biblical texts like [Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Do Not Avenge Yourselves"). Finally, David's actions exemplify **Patience and Trust in God's Timing**. Rather than taking matters into his own hands, David chose to wait on the Lord, enduring years of unjust persecution. This demonstrates profound patience and trust that God's plan and timing are perfect, even when facing severe personal threat, a principle often commended in the wisdom literature (e.g., [Psalm 37:7](/psalms/37-7 "Psalm 37:7 - Rest in the Lord")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **liveth (Hebrew, _chay_):** This word, derived from a root meaning "to live," emphasizes the active, dynamic, and enduring existence of God. When used in the solemn oath "As the LORD liveth," it invokes God's very being as the guarantee of the truth and certainty of David's statement. It underscores the profound weight of his words and his deep conviction that God is alive, actively present, and just, and will indeed act according to His character. It is an affirmation of God's reality and His involvement in human affairs, contrasting with the inertness of idols.
* **smite (Hebrew, _nâgaph_):** This verb signifies to push, gore, defeat, or inflict. In a theological context, it often implies a direct, sudden, and often fatal blow or judgment from God. It can refer to a plague, a defeat in battle, or a direct divine intervention resulting in death or incapacitation. In this context, it suggests a supernatural act of God's judgment, distinct from natural causes or military conflict, highlighting God's immediate and personal involvement in executing justice.
* **perish (Hebrew, _çâphâh_):** This word's primary meaning is to scrape together or away, leading to concepts of accumulating or, more relevantly here, scattering, removing, or ruining. When applied to death, especially in battle, it emphasizes the finality and utter destruction that would befall Saul. It highlights the ultimate consequence of his actions, whether by direct divine hand or by the natural course of warfare, signifying a complete end to his life.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"David said furthermore, [As] the LORD liveth":** David's declaration is introduced with a solemn oath, emphasizing the absolute certainty and divine authority behind his words. By invoking the living God, David underscores that his refusal to act is not out of fear or weakness, but out of a deep reverence for God's sovereignty and His exclusive right to judge. This sets the tone for the divine pronouncements that follow, grounding them in God's active presence.
* **"the LORD shall smite him":** This clause presents the first of three possible ways David envisions God's judgment upon Saul. It refers to a direct, supernatural act of God, implying a sudden and decisive divine intervention, perhaps through illness, plague, or some other miraculous means. This option highlights God's immediate and personal involvement in executing justice, bypassing human agency entirely.
* **"or his day shall come to die":** This second possibility suggests a more natural course of events, implying that Saul would eventually die of old age or illness, as part of the natural human lifespan. This acknowledges God's control over the timing of all lives, even without a dramatic "smite." It reflects David's patience and willingness to wait for God's ordinary providence, recognizing that God works through both extraordinary and ordinary means.
* **"or he shall descend into battle, and perish":** The final scenario anticipates Saul's death in warfare. This option is particularly poignant given Saul's military background and the ongoing conflicts with the Philistines. It foreshadows Saul's actual death, which occurs in battle against the Philistines in [1 Samuel 31](/1_samuel/31 "1 Samuel 31 - The Death of Saul"), demonstrating David's prophetic insight and God's ultimate fulfillment of His own timing and method of justice, even through human conflict.

#### Literary Devices
1 Samuel 26:10 is rich in literary devices that amplify David's character and theological convictions. The most prominent is the **Oath**, "As the LORD liveth," which functions as a solemn, binding declaration, lending immense weight and certainty to David's subsequent pronouncements. This oath elevates David's words from mere speculation to a divinely guaranteed truth, emphasizing his deep reverence for God's active presence. The verse also employs a **Tricolon** (a series of three parallel clauses), outlining three distinct possibilities for Saul's demise: divine smiting, natural death, or death in battle. This tripartite structure provides a comprehensive scope of God's sovereign control over life and death, encompassing both extraordinary divine intervention and the ordinary course of human events. Furthermore, the verse contains powerful **Foreshadowing**, as Saul's eventual death in battle (as recorded in [1 Samuel 31](/1_samuel/31 "1 Samuel 31 - The Death of Saul")) aligns precisely with one of David's prophetic pronouncements, demonstrating God's ultimate control over the unfolding narrative. Finally, David's speech employs **Contrast**, setting his patient trust in God's justice against Abishai's impulse for immediate, human-orchestrated vengeance, thereby highlighting David's unique spiritual discernment and moral integrity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
David's declaration in 1 Samuel 26:10 is a profound theological statement on divine sovereignty and justice. It asserts that God, as the ultimate arbiter, holds the exclusive right to determine the end of individuals, especially those He has appointed. David's refusal to take vengeance into his own hands is not merely an act of restraint but an act of worship, acknowledging God's perfect timing and righteous judgment. This posture reflects a deep understanding that human attempts at retribution often fall short of true justice and can usurp God's role. It teaches that even in the face of grave injustice and personal threat, believers are called to trust in God's ultimate vindication and to wait patiently for His perfect plan to unfold. This principle liberates individuals from the burden of personal vengeance and places it squarely in the hands of a just and sovereign God.

* [Deuteronomy 32:35](/deuteronomy/32-35 "Deuteronomy 32:35 - Vengeance Belongs to God"): "Vengeance is mine, and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste."
* [Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Do Not Avenge Yourselves"): "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord."
* [Psalm 37:7](/psalms/37-7 "Psalm 37:7 - Rest in the Lord"): "Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
David's unwavering trust in God's timing and justice, even when his life was in peril, provides a powerful model for believers navigating personal injustice and adversity today. In a world that often encourages immediate gratification and personal retribution, David's example calls us to a higher standard of faith and patience. When we are wronged, betrayed, or persecuted, the natural inclination is to seek swift justice or to retaliate. However, David demonstrates that true spiritual maturity involves relinquishing the burden of vengeance and entrusting our cause to the perfectly just and sovereign God. This does not mean passively accepting evil or failing to seek legal recourse where appropriate, but rather actively choosing to respond in a way that honors God, trusting that He will ultimately right all wrongs, in His way and in His time. It invites us to cultivate a posture of submission to divine providence, finding peace in the knowledge that God sees, God knows, and God will act.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life are you tempted to take matters into your own hands rather than waiting for God's timing and justice?**
* **How does David's respect for "the LORD's anointed," despite Saul's wickedness, challenge your perspective on respecting flawed authority figures in your own life?**
* **What practical steps can you take to release the desire for personal vengeance and cultivate a deeper trust in God's sovereignty, especially when facing injustice?**

### FAQ
**Why did David not kill Saul, even though Saul was clearly trying to kill David?**

Answer: David's refusal to kill Saul, even when given multiple opportunities (as seen in [1 Samuel 24](/1_samuel/24 "1 Samuel 24 - David Spares Saul") and [1 Samuel 26](/1_samuel/26 "1 Samuel 26 - David Spares Saul Again")), stemmed from his profound reverence for God's sovereignty and the sacred office of kingship. Saul, despite his unfaithfulness and murderous intent, was still "the LORD's anointed" (Hebrew: _māšîaḥ_). David understood that Saul's authority, though misused, originated from God. To lay a hand on Saul would be to directly oppose God's choice and usurp His prerogative to remove or judge a king. David consistently deferred judgment to God, trusting that the LORD Himself would deal with Saul in His own perfect timing and manner, as articulated in [1 Samuel 26:10](/1_samuel/26-10 "1 Samuel 26:10 - David's Trust in Divine Justice"). This demonstrates David's deep faith that God would ultimately bring about justice without David having to compromise his integrity or God's divine order.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
David's refusal to take vengeance and his patient trust in God's sovereign timing in 1 Samuel 26:10 powerfully foreshadow the ultimate "Anointed One," Jesus Christ. Like David, Jesus was unjustly pursued and persecuted, yet He never retaliated or sought personal vengeance. When faced with betrayal, false accusations, and crucifixion, Jesus, the true [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), submitted Himself to the Father's will, trusting in divine justice rather than earthly power. [Isaiah 53:7](/isaiah/53-7 "Isaiah 53:7 - He was oppressed and afflicted") prophesied that He would be "oppressed and afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth," a truth echoed in [1 Peter 2:23](/1_peter/2-23 "1 Peter 2:23 - When reviled, he did not revile in return"), which states, "When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly." Jesus' death on the cross, far from being a defeat, was the ultimate act of divine justice and love, where God "smote" His own Son for the sins of humanity, fulfilling the need for judgment while extending grace ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God demonstrates his own love for us")). Thus, David's patient waiting for God to act finds its perfect and redemptive fulfillment in Christ's complete submission to the Father's plan, culminating in a victory far greater than any earthly triumph over an enemy, securing eternal salvation for all who believe.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Deuteronomy 31:14

¶ And the LORD said unto Moses, Behold, thy days approach that thou must die: call Joshua, and present yourselves in the tabernacle of the congregation, that I may give him a charge. And Moses and Joshua went, and presented themselves in the tabernacle of the congregation.

Genesis 47:29

And the time drew nigh that Israel must die: and he called his son Joseph, and said unto him, If now I have found grace in thy sight, put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh, and deal kindly and truly with me; bury me not, I pray thee, in Egypt:

1 Samuel 25:38

And it came to pass about ten days [after], that the LORD smote Nabal, that he died.

1 Samuel 31:6

So Saul died, and his three sons, and his armourbearer, and all his men, that same day together.

Romans 12:19

Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but [rather] give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance [is] mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Psalms 37:13

The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.

1 Samuel 25:26

Now therefore, my lord, [as] the LORD liveth, and [as] thy soul liveth, seeing the LORD hath withholden thee from coming to [shed] blood, and from avenging thyself with thine own hand, now let thine enemies, and they that seek evil to my lord, be as Nabal.