1 Samuel 26:15

KJV

And David said to Abner, [Art] not thou a [valiant] man? and who [is] like to thee in Israel? wherefore then hast thou not kept thy lord the king? for there came one of the people in to destroy the king thy lord.

KJV (with Strong's)

And David {H1732} said {H559} to Abner {H74}, Art not thou a valiant man {H376}? and who is like to thee in Israel {H3478}? wherefore then hast thou not kept {H8104} thy lord {H113} the king {H4428}? for there came {H935} one {H259} of the people {H5971} in to destroy {H7843} the king {H4428} thy lord {H113}.

Complete Jewish Bible

David said to Avner, "Aren't you the brave one! Who is there in Isra'el to compare with you? So why haven't you kept watch over your lord the king? Someone came in to kill the king, your lord!

Berean Standard Bible

So David said to Abner, “You are a man, aren’t you? And who in Israel is your equal? Why then did you not protect your lord the king when one of the people came to destroy him?

American Standard Version

And David said to Abner, Art not thou a valiant man? and who is like to thee in Israel? wherefore then hast thou not kept watch over thy lord the king? for there came one of the people in to destroy the king thy lord.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 26:15 captures David's public shaming of Abner, King Saul's chief commander, for failing to protect the king. Having infiltrated Saul's camp and taken his spear and water jug as proof of his access, David calls out to Abner from a distance, rhetorically questioning his reputation as a "valiant man" given his profound negligence. This verse highlights Abner's dereliction of duty and simultaneously underscores David's unwavering integrity and respect for God's anointed, even when presented with a clear opportunity to eliminate his relentless pursuer.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal moment in the ongoing narrative of David's flight from King Saul. It immediately follows David's second opportunity to kill Saul, mirroring the earlier incident in [1 Samuel 24](/1_samuel/24 "1 Samuel 24 - David Spares Saul in the Cave"). Here, David and Abishai infiltrate Saul's sleeping camp, demonstrating Saul's vulnerability and Abner's failure. Instead of taking Saul's life, David takes only his spear and water jug, symbolic items of royal authority and sustenance. David then retreats to a distant hilltop, from which he shouts down to Abner, using this public confrontation to expose Abner's negligence and, by extension, Saul's precarious position, all while reaffirming his own innocence and respect for the Lord's anointed. The dramatic irony is palpable: the one Saul seeks to destroy is the very one who preserves his life.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, the king's safety was paramount, and his chief commander (like Abner) bore ultimate responsibility for his protection. The concept of "the Lord's anointed" (מְשִׁיחַ יְהוָה, _meshiach Yahweh_) was deeply significant; it referred to the king, divinely chosen and consecrated, whose person was considered sacred. To harm the king, even a wicked one like Saul who was actively seeking David's life, was to violate a divine prerogative and incur God's wrath. David's actions reflect this profound theological understanding, distinguishing him sharply from Saul, who repeatedly disregarded divine commands. The public challenge from a distance was also a common form of ancient Near Eastern discourse, allowing for confrontation without immediate physical engagement, often used to shame or assert moral superiority.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates several overarching themes within 1 Samuel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it showcases **Divine Protection and Providence** over David, as God causes a "deep sleep" to fall upon Saul's camp, allowing David to enter unimpeded ([1 Samuel 26:12](/1_samuel/26-12 "1 Samuel 26:12 - God Causes a Deep Sleep")). Secondly, it highlights **David's Unwavering Integrity and Respect for God's Anointed**, a consistent character trait that contrasts sharply with Saul's escalating paranoia and disobedience. David's refusal to "stretch out his hand against the Lord's anointed" ([1 Samuel 26:11](/1_samuel/26-11 "1 Samuel 26:11 - David Refuses to Harm Saul")) is a testament to his faith and patience, trusting God to vindicate him and establish His chosen king in His own time. Finally, the passage underscores **Accountability and Dereliction of Duty**, as Abner, a powerful and respected military leader, is publicly shamed for his failure to uphold his most fundamental responsibility.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Valiant (Hebrew, _gibbor'_):** This word (גִּבֹּור) typically refers to a mighty man, a warrior, or a hero. David's use of it here is dripping with sarcasm and irony. He is not genuinely praising Abner's strength but rather highlighting the stark contrast between Abner's renowned reputation as a formidable warrior and his abject failure to protect the king, thereby exposing his negligence and incompetence in this critical moment.
* **Kept (Hebrew, _shamar'_):** The Hebrew verb (שָׁמַר) means "to watch, to guard, to keep, to preserve." It implies a responsibility to protect and maintain. David's question, "wherefore then hast thou not kept thy lord the king?" directly challenges Abner's primary duty. It's not merely a question of physical protection but of a sacred trust that Abner has demonstrably failed to uphold, allowing the king to be exposed to potential harm.
* **Destroy (Hebrew, _shachat'_):** The verb (שָׁחַת) means "to corrupt, to ruin, to destroy, to spoil." David uses this word to describe the *potential* action of "one of the people" (himself), emphasizing the gravity of the threat that Abner allowed to approach the king. While David himself did not intend to destroy Saul, his presence and ability to take the king's items demonstrated that such destruction was indeed possible due to Abner's lapse.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And David said to Abner, [Art] not thou a [valiant] man?":** David initiates the confrontation with a rhetorical question, immediately challenging Abner's identity and reputation. The implied answer is "Yes, you are supposed to be a valiant man," setting up the subsequent accusation of his failure. This opening is designed to shame Abner publicly.
* **"and who [is] like to thee in Israel?":** This continues the sarcastic line of questioning, further inflating Abner's supposed status only to deflate it with the following indictment. David acknowledges Abner's high standing and unique position as Saul's chief commander, making his failure all the more egregious.
* **"wherefore then hast thou not kept thy lord the king?":** This is the core accusation. David directly confronts Abner about his dereliction of duty. As the king's protector, Abner had one primary responsibility, and he failed to execute it. This question demands an explanation for a grave breach of trust and responsibility.
* **"for there came one of the people in to destroy the king thy lord.":** David provides the irrefutable evidence of Abner's failure. He refers to himself as "one of the people" to heighten the irony and underscore how easily an ordinary individual (or even an enemy) could have accessed the king. The phrase "to destroy the king thy lord" highlights the dire consequences of Abner's negligence, even though David himself chose not to act on that potential.

#### Literary Devices
The passage is rich with **Rhetorical Question**, which David employs to shame Abner and highlight his negligence, rather than seeking information. The questions "Art not thou a valiant man?" and "who is like to thee in Israel?" are not genuine inquiries but powerful statements of accusation. This is coupled with potent **Sarcasm** and **Irony**, as David uses terms like "valiant man" to mock Abner's supposed prowess in light of his profound failure to protect the king. The **Contrast** between Abner's celebrated reputation and his actual incompetence, as well as the contrast between Saul's relentless pursuit of David and David's self-restraint, further amplifies the dramatic tension and moral message of the passage. David's actions and words expose the hypocrisy and spiritual blindness within Saul's camp.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Samuel 26:15 profoundly illustrates the principle of divine sovereignty and the importance of respecting God's established authority, even when that authority is flawed or hostile. David's refusal to harm Saul, despite repeated opportunities, demonstrates a deep theological conviction that vengeance and the removal of God's anointed belong solely to God ([1 Samuel 26:10](/1_samuel/26-10 "1 Samuel 26:10 - David's Trust in God's Judgment")). This passage also highlights the theme of accountability, particularly for those in positions of leadership and trust. Abner's failure serves as a stark warning about the consequences of negligence and a lack of vigilance, especially when entrusted with the care of others. David's integrity, contrasted with Abner's lapse, becomes a powerful testament to living righteously under pressure, trusting God for vindication rather than resorting to human means.

* [1 Samuel 24:6](/1_samuel/24-6 "1 Samuel 24:6 - David Spares Saul")
* [Psalm 105:15](/psalm/105-15 "Psalm 105:15 - Do Not Touch My Anointed Ones")
* [Romans 13:1-2](/romans/13-1 "Romans 13:1-2 - Submission to Governing Authorities")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This dramatic encounter between David and Abner offers timeless lessons for believers today. Firstly, it challenges us to consider our own vigilance and accountability in the responsibilities God has entrusted to us, whether in our families, churches, workplaces, or communities. Are we "keeping" what has been committed to our care with diligence and integrity? Secondly, David's consistent restraint in the face of extreme provocation serves as a powerful model for maintaining our integrity and trusting God's timing and justice, even when we are wronged. It reminds us that true strength is often found not in retaliation or seizing power, but in patient endurance and reliance on God's sovereign hand. We are called to live by faith, knowing that God sees, God protects, and God will ultimately vindicate His own, often through means we cannot foresee.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Where might we be tempted to compromise our integrity when facing injustice or personal attacks, and how can David's example guide us?**
* **How does this passage challenge our understanding of true strength and vigilance in our spiritual lives and daily responsibilities?**
* **In what ways can we trust God's sovereignty and protection, even when others fail in their duties or actively seek to harm us?**

### FAQ
**Why didn't David kill Saul, especially since Saul was trying to kill him?**

Answer: David consistently refused to harm "the Lord's anointed" ([1 Samuel 24:6](/1_samuel/24-6 "1 Samuel 24:6 - David Spares Saul")). This was not out of fear of Saul, but out of profound reverence for God's choice and authority. David believed that vengeance belonged to God alone and that God would remove Saul in His own time and way ([1 Samuel 26:10](/1_samuel/26-10 "1 Samuel 26:10 - David's Trust in God's Judgment")). His actions demonstrated his faith, integrity, and patience, trusting God's justice above his own desire for immediate relief or retribution.

**What was the significance of taking the spear and water jug?**

Answer: The spear was a symbol of Saul's royal authority and personal power, often seen as an extension of the king himself ([1 Samuel 18:10-11](/1_samuel/18-10 "1 Samuel 18:10-11 - Saul's Spear Attacks David")). The water jug represented his sustenance and life. By taking these items without harming Saul, David achieved several objectives: he provided undeniable proof of his access to the king, demonstrating Abner's severe negligence; he showed Saul his vulnerability, forcing him to confront the reality of his unprotected state; and most importantly, he provided tangible evidence of his own restraint and innocence, proving that he had no intention of usurping the throne through violence.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Samuel 26:15, with David's restraint and respect for the Lord's anointed, powerfully foreshadows the perfect righteousness and ultimate mission of Jesus Christ. David, though wronged, refused to take vengeance into his own hands, trusting God's timing and justice. This pales in comparison to Christ, the true and ultimate Anointed One, who, though possessing all power and authority ([Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - All Authority Given to Jesus")), willingly submitted to the Father's will, even unto death on a cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Humiliation")). Jesus did not come to destroy His enemies with worldly power, but to save them through self-sacrifice ([John 3:17](/john/3-17 "John 3:17 - God Sent His Son to Save the World")). He allowed Himself to be "delivered up" ([Acts 2:23](/acts/2-23 "Acts 2:23 - God's Predetermined Plan")) by those who sought His life, trusting His Father for vindication and resurrection ([1 Peter 2:23](/1_peter/2-23 "1 Peter 2:23 - Christ's Example of Suffering")). David's refusal to harm Saul illustrates a shadow of the perfect humility and obedience of Christ, who, by not wielding His power for self-preservation, secured the ultimate victory over sin and death, establishing a kingdom not of this world ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom Not of This World")).

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.