1 Samuel 26:14

KJV

And David cried to the people, and to Abner the son of Ner, saying, Answerest thou not, Abner? Then Abner answered and said, Who [art] thou [that] criest to the king?

KJV (with Strong's)

And David {H1732} cried {H7121} to the people {H5971}, and to Abner {H74} the son {H1121} of Ner {H5369}, saying {H559}, Answerest {H6030} thou not, Abner {H74}? Then Abner {H74} answered {H6030} and said {H559}, Who art thou that criest {H7121} to the king {H4428}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Then David called out to the troops and to Avner the son of Ner. "Avner! Aren't you going to answer?" Avner answered, "Who are you, calling to the king?"

Berean Standard Bible

And David shouted to the troops and to Abner son of Ner, “Will you not answer me, Abner?” “Who calls to the king?” Abner replied.

American Standard Version

and David cried to the people, and to Abner the son of Ner, saying, Answerest thou not, Abner? Then Abner answered and said, Who art thou that criest to the king?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 26:14 captures a pivotal moment of confrontation where David, having secretly infiltrated Saul's camp and spared his life for the second time, publicly challenges Abner, Saul's chief commander, for his egregious failure to protect the king. David's loud cry from a distance serves to expose Abner's negligence and highlight Saul's vulnerability, setting the stage for a dramatic revelation of David's integrity and God's providential care.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the broader narrative of Saul's relentless pursuit of David, driven by jealousy and paranoia. Immediately preceding this, David and Abishai, under divine guidance, had entered Saul's sleeping encampment. They found Saul asleep with his spear and water cruse by his head, and Abishai urged David to strike him down. However, David, demonstrating his unwavering respect for "the Lord's anointed," refused to harm Saul, echoing a similar act of mercy in [the cave at Engedi](/1_samuel/24 "1 Samuel 24 - David Spares Saul in the Cave"). Instead, David took Saul's spear and water cruse as proof of his presence and his decision to spare the king's life, as detailed in [1 Samuel 26:7-12](/1_samuel/26-7 "1 Samuel 26:7-12 - David Takes Saul's Spear and Water Cruse"). Having withdrawn to a safe distance on an opposite hill, David then uses this verse to initiate a public challenge to Abner, forcing an acknowledgment of the security breach.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, the king's personal safety was paramount, and his chief military commander, like Abner, bore direct responsibility for it. A breach of security as profound as an intruder reaching the king's side while the entire camp slept was an unthinkable dereliction of duty, potentially punishable by death. The "spear and water cruse" were not merely personal items but symbols of the king's authority and life, respectively, making their removal a profound statement of vulnerability. David's public challenge from a distance, across the valley, was a culturally significant act designed to shame Abner and, by extension, Saul, in the presence of their own men, forcing them to confront the reality of their negligence and the injustice of their pursuit of David.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in 1 Samuel. It underscores **Divine Protection** over David, as he is able to move freely and safely even within his enemy's camp, highlighting God's hand in preserving His chosen one. It further emphasizes **David's Integrity and Righteousness**, contrasting his unwavering respect for God's anointed with Saul's unholy pursuit. David's refusal to take vengeance into his own hands, even when presented with a clear opportunity, is central to his character and prophetic of the true King. Conversely, the scene highlights **Saul's Vulnerability and Abner's Negligence**, revealing the disarray and lack of vigilance within Saul's camp, a stark contrast to David's disciplined and God-fearing conduct. David's actions here are a direct appeal for justice and accountability, demonstrating his trust that God will ultimately vindicate him, as seen in [1 Samuel 26:23-24](/1_samuel/26-23 "1 Samuel 26:23-24 - David's Trust in God's Vindication").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Cried (Hebrew, _qara'_):** This verb signifies a loud, public call or proclamation, often with an urgent or challenging tone. David's "crying" was not a whisper but a shout designed to be heard across the valley, ensuring that not only Abner but also the entire camp would be roused and made aware of the security breach and the subsequent confrontation. It implies a deliberate act to draw attention and demand a public response.
* **Answerest (Hebrew, _anah'_):** This verb means "to answer," "to respond," or "to testify." David's rhetorical question, "Answerest thou not, Abner?", is a direct challenge, demanding an explanation for Abner's failure. It implies accountability and a forced reckoning, highlighting Abner's professional and moral dereliction of duty.
* **King (Hebrew, _melek'_):** Abner's confused response, "Who art thou that criest to the king?", underscores the gravity of the perceived offense. To "cry to the king" implies a direct address, possibly a complaint or a challenge, which would typically be handled through proper channels, not by an unknown person shouting from a distance. Abner's immediate concern is the king's safety and the impropriety of the address, rather than the identity of the speaker.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And David cried to the people, and to Abner the son of Ner, saying,"**: David's action is deliberate and public. He addresses not only Abner, the direct object of his challenge, but also "the people" – the entire sleeping Israelite army. This ensures that his subsequent words will be widely heard, exposing Abner's negligence and Saul's vulnerability to the very men who were supposed to protect them. It's a strategic move to gain moral high ground and force a public reckoning.
* **"Answerest thou not, Abner?"**: This is David's sharp, rhetorical question, designed to shame Abner. It highlights Abner's failure to respond to the security breach, implying a profound lack of vigilance and responsibility. David is essentially saying, "Why are you silent? Why have you failed in your duty to protect the king?" The question demands an explanation for an inexcusable lapse in military discipline and loyalty.
* **"Then Abner answered and said, Who [art] thou [that] criest to the king?"**: Abner's initial response reveals his confusion, surprise, and indignation. He does not immediately recognize David's voice, perhaps due to distance or the unexpected nature of the challenge. His question focuses on the audacity of someone daring to call out to the king, indicating his concern for royal protocol and the king's safety, even as his own negligence is being exposed. This sets the stage for David to reveal his identity and the irrefutable evidence of Abner's failure.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent literary devices to heighten the drama and emphasize its themes. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question** ("Answerest thou not, Abner?"), which David uses not to elicit information but to make a forceful accusation and to shame Abner publicly. This question underscores Abner's negligence and forces him into a defensive posture. **Dramatic Irony** is also at play, as Abner is unaware that the voice belongs to David, the very man he and Saul are relentlessly pursuing, and the one who has just spared Saul's life. The audience, however, is fully aware of David's identity and actions, creating tension and highlighting the blindness of Saul's camp. Furthermore, there is a strong **Contrast** established between David's vigilance, integrity, and respect for God's anointed, and Abner's (and by extension, Saul's) laxity, paranoia, and unjust pursuit. This contrast serves to elevate David's character and underscore the moral decay within Saul's kingdom.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Samuel 26:14, while a moment of human confrontation, deeply reflects God's sovereign hand in protecting His chosen servant and bringing about His purposes. David's ability to expose Abner's negligence without harming Saul is a testament to his faith that God would execute justice and establish His kingdom in His own timing, rather than through human violence or manipulation. This scene underscores the principle that divine vindication often comes through unexpected means, revealing the failures of the proud and exalting the humble. It highlights the stark difference between those who operate by human strength and those who trust in the Lord's providential care, even in the face of grave injustice.

* [Psalm 18:48](/psalms/18-48 "Psalm 18:48 - God Delivers David")
* [Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Leave Vengeance to God")
* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Goes Before Destruction")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
David's bold yet righteous confrontation of Abner offers profound lessons for believers today. It reminds us that there are times when speaking truth to power, even at personal risk, is necessary to expose injustice and call for accountability. David's actions were not born of malice or personal vengeance, but from a desire to highlight the absurdity and unrighteousness of Saul's pursuit, while simultaneously demonstrating his own integrity. This challenges us to consider how we respond when wronged or persecuted. Do we take matters into our own hands, or do we, like David, trust God to be our vindicator and expose the truth in His perfect timing? It also serves as a powerful reminder for those in positions of leadership, whether in the church, home, or workplace, of the critical importance of vigilance, responsibility, and integrity. Negligence in duty, especially when entrusted with the care of others, has real consequences and can be publicly exposed.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be tempted to take matters into my own hands, rather than trusting God for vindication?**
* **How can I speak truth to power or confront injustice with integrity and a right heart, as David did?**
* **What responsibilities have I been entrusted with, and how can I ensure I am not negligent in fulfilling them?**
* **How does David's character in this passage challenge my own responses to persecution or unfair treatment?**

### FAQ
**Why didn't Abner recognize David's voice immediately?**

Answer: Abner likely didn't recognize David's voice due to several factors. First, David was calling from a significant distance across the valley, making clear identification difficult, especially in the pre-dawn hours. Second, Abner and the entire camp were asleep and likely disoriented upon being suddenly awakened by a loud shout. Third, the sheer audacity of someone calling out to the king from outside the camp was so unexpected that Abner's initial reaction was confusion and indignation at the breach of protocol, rather than an attempt to identify the speaker. He was likely more focused on the security implications than on the specific voice.

**What was the significance of David taking Saul's spear and water cruse?**

Answer: The spear and water cruse were highly symbolic items. The spear represented Saul's royal authority, military power, and personal defense. The water cruse represented his life and sustenance. By taking these items from directly beside Saul's head, David demonstrated that he had been close enough to kill the king but chose not to. This act served as irrefutable proof of his presence in the camp, his ability to harm Saul, and his deliberate decision to spare "the Lord's anointed." It was a powerful, non-violent way to expose Abner's negligence and to underscore David's own integrity and respect for divine appointment, even in the face of Saul's relentless pursuit, as detailed in [1 Samuel 26:12](/1_samuel/26-12 "1 Samuel 26:12 - David Takes Saul's Spear and Water Cruse").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of David's integrity and his refusal to harm "the Lord's anointed" in 1 Samuel 26:14, even when Saul was his relentless persecutor, powerfully foreshadows the perfect integrity and ultimate vindication of Jesus Christ. David, the type of the coming King, consistently refused to seize the throne through violence or human means, trusting God's timing and method for his ascension. This finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ, the true Son of David and the perfect "Lord's Anointed" (Messiah), who, though having all power and authority, willingly submitted to the Father's will, even unto death on the cross, rather than calling down legions of angels or seizing an earthly kingdom by force ([Matthew 26:53](/matthew/26-53 "Matthew 26:53 - Jesus Refuses to Call Angels")). Just as David was unjustly pursued but ultimately vindicated by God, so too was Christ, who endured the ultimate injustice, raised from the dead and exalted to the highest place ([Philippians 2:8-11](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8-11 - Christ's Humiliation and Exaltation")). David's public exposure of Abner's negligence, while highlighting Saul's vulnerability, points to Christ's perfect vigilance and His absolute authority over all powers, including those that seek to harm His people ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). Ultimately, David's actions here are a shadow of the perfect King who, through His own suffering and submission, secured a kingdom that cannot be shaken, a kingdom founded not on human vengeance but on divine righteousness and grace ([Hebrews 12:28](/hebrews/12-28 "Hebrews 12:28 - A Kingdom That Cannot Be Shaken")).

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.