1 Samuel 26:16

KJV

This thing [is] not good that thou hast done. [As] the LORD liveth, ye [are] worthy to die, because ye have not kept your master, the LORD'S anointed. And now see where the king's spear [is], and the cruse of water that [was] at his bolster.

KJV (with Strong's)

This thing {H1697} is not good {H2896} that thou hast done {H6213}. As the LORD {H3068} liveth {H2416}, ye are worthy {H1121} to die {H4194}, because ye have not kept {H8104} your master {H113}, the LORD'S {H3068} anointed {H4899}. And now see {H7200} where the king's {H4428} spear {H2595} is, and the cruse {H6835} of water {H4325} that was at his bolster {H4763}.

Complete Jewish Bible

It's not good, what you've done! As ADONAI lives, you deserve to die; because you didn't keep watch over your lord, ADONAI's anointed. And now, see where the king's spear is, and the jug of water that was next to his head!"

Berean Standard Bible

This thing you have done is not good. As surely as the LORD lives, all of you deserve to die, since you did not protect your lord, the LORD’s anointed. Now look around. Where are the king’s spear and water jug that were by his head?”

American Standard Version

This thing is not good that thou hast done. As Jehovah liveth, ye are worthy to die, because ye have not kept watch over your lord, Jehovah’s anointed. And now see where the king’s spear is, and the cruse of water that was at his head.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In 1 Samuel 26:16, David delivers a scathing rebuke to Abner, King Saul's commander, for his egregious failure to protect the king. Having secretly infiltrated Saul's sleeping camp and taken the king's spear and water cruse from beside his head, David uses these tangible items as irrefutable proof of his presence and, more significantly, his deliberate choice to spare Saul's life, thereby demonstrating his own integrity and profound respect for "the LORD'S anointed" despite Saul's relentless pursuit.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse marks a pivotal moment in the escalating conflict between Saul and David, representing the second instance where David has a direct opportunity to kill Saul but chooses instead to spare his life (the first being in [the cave at En Gedi](/1_samuel/24 "1 Samuel 24 - David Spares Saul in the Cave")). In this narrative, David and his companion Abishai stealthily penetrate Saul's encampment while the king and his men are asleep. Abishai urges David to seize the moment and kill Saul, but David firmly refuses, appealing to Saul's sacred status as "the LORD'S anointed." Rather than taking Saul's life, David takes only his spear and water cruse, items deeply symbolic of the king's person and authority. From a safe distance on a nearby hill, David then shouts down to Abner, using these retrieved items as undeniable evidence of his mercy and Abner's gross dereliction of duty. This public shaming effectively forces Saul to acknowledge David's righteousness, albeit temporarily, and highlights David's consistent character.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical setting is the tumultuous period of Israel's early monarchy, as the nation transitions from a loose tribal confederacy to a centralized kingdom under Saul, with David divinely appointed as his successor. Saul's increasing paranoia, fueled by jealousy of David's popularity and success, led to a relentless and unjust persecution, forcing David into the wilderness as a fugitive. Culturally, the king's life was considered sacrosanct, particularly because he was "the LORD'S anointed," meaning he had been consecrated by God for his office. To harm the king, even a wicked one, was seen as an offense against God Himself. A military commander like Abner bore the ultimate responsibility for the king's personal security, making his failure in this regard a grave offense, potentially punishable by death. The spear was a common weapon and a potent symbol of royal authority, often kept within arm's reach of the king, while the water cruse represented his vital sustenance, making their removal a profound symbolic act of vulnerability and a clear demonstration of David's proximity and restraint.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of 1 Samuel. Foremost is **David's unwavering respect for God-ordained authority**, even when that authority (Saul) is corrupt and actively seeks his demise. Despite immense provocation, David consistently refuses to take vengeance into his own hands, demonstrating a profound trust in God's sovereign timing and justice, a principle echoed in [David's earlier refusal to harm Saul](/1_samuel/24-6 "1 Samuel 24:6 - David Refuses to Harm Saul"). This highlights David's **integrity and righteous character**, which stands in stark contrast to Saul's escalating paranoia and ungodly actions. The incident also underscores **divine sovereignty and protection** over David; his ability to enter and leave the heavily guarded camp undetected, taking the items without waking anyone, points to God's hand in delivering Saul into David's power, yet guiding David's merciful response. Finally, it exposes **Abner's negligence and dereliction of duty**, a failure so severe it warranted a death sentence in David's estimation, emphasizing the high stakes of protecting God's anointed leader.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **"thing" (Hebrew, _dâbâr_):** This word (H1697) refers to a "word" or, by implication, a "matter" or "thing." In this context, it encompasses Abner's entire action (or inaction) – his failure to guard the king. David uses it to broadly condemn the entire situation as a grave offense, not just a minor oversight, highlighting the weightiness of the matter at hand.
* **"good" (Hebrew, _ṭôwb_):** While the KJV translates it as "not good," the Hebrew word (H2896) means "good" in its widest sense, encompassing beauty, favor, prosperity, and moral rectitude. David's statement, "This thing is not good," therefore carries a strong moral condemnation, implying that Abner's action (or lack thereof) is morally reprehensible, inappropriate, and contrary to what is right and proper for a royal guard.
* **"worthy to die" (Hebrew, _bên mâveth_):** This phrase (H1121, H4194), literally "son of death" or "sons of death" in the plural, is a legal and theological declaration meaning that Abner and his men deserve capital punishment. It is not merely an expression of anger but a statement of the extreme gravity of their negligence. As the king's protectors, their failure to "keep" (guard, protect) "the LORD'S anointed" was a capital offense, emphasizing the sanctity of the king's person and office in ancient Israel.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"This thing [is] not good that thou hast done.":** David immediately confronts Abner with a direct and severe moral indictment. He is not merely stating a fact but passing judgment on Abner's gross negligence in failing to protect the king, a duty of paramount importance for a military commander. This sets the tone for the rebuke, emphasizing the seriousness of the oversight and Abner's culpability.
* **"[As] the LORD liveth, ye [are] worthy to die, because ye have not kept your master, the LORD'S anointed.":** David invokes a solemn oath, "As the LORD liveth" (H3068, H2416), to underscore the absolute truth and gravity of his accusation. He declares Abner and his men deserving of death, not out of personal vengeance, but because they failed in their sacred duty to protect "your master" (H113, the king) and, more importantly, "the LORD'S anointed" (H3068, H4899). This highlights the divine aspect of the king's office and the severe consequences of failing to guard God's chosen one.
* **"And now see where the king's spear [is], and the cruse of water that [was] at his bolster.":** This final clause provides the irrefutable, tangible evidence of David's presence and his merciful act. The spear (H2595), a symbol of Saul's authority and life, and the water cruse (H6835, H4325), essential for his sustenance, were taken from his immediate vicinity ("at his bolster" - H4763, near his head). Their absence serves as undeniable proof that David could have easily killed Saul but chose not to, simultaneously exposing Abner's negligence and vindicating David's intentions.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent literary devices that amplify its dramatic impact and theological depth. **Irony** is profoundly evident, as the hunted fugitive, David, becomes the unexpected protector of his hunter, King Saul, thereby exposing the king's vulnerability and his commander's abject failure. The **Symbolism** of the spear and water cruse is crucial; these items represent Saul's life, authority, and the very proximity David had to end it, yet chose mercy. Their removal serves as undeniable, tangible proof of David's presence and his deliberate restraint. There is also a strong element of **Contrast** between David's integrity, patience, and unwavering respect for God's anointed, and Abner's negligence, and by extension, between David's righteous character and Saul's unrighteous, paranoid persecution. David's bold declaration, coupled with the tangible evidence, creates a dramatic and confrontational scene, designed to elicit shame and recognition of his innocence from Saul and his men.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly illustrates David's commitment to God's sovereignty and his refusal to usurp divine prerogative. Despite being unjustly persecuted by Saul, David consistently demonstrates a deep reverence for the office of "the LORD'S anointed," choosing to trust God's timing for his own ascension rather than taking matters into his own hands. This act of mercy and restraint, even when presented with a clear opportunity for vengeance, highlights a core biblical principle: that justice belongs to God, and believers are called to respond to evil with good, trusting in divine vindication. David's actions serve as a powerful example of waiting patiently for the Lord and not repaying evil for evil, even when it seems humanly justifiable.

* [Romans 13:1](/romans/13-1 "Romans 13:1 - Submission to Governing Authorities")
* [1 Peter 2:23](/1_peter/2-23 "1 Peter 2:23 - Christ's Example of Non-Retaliation")
* [Psalm 37:7](/psalms/37-7 "Psalm 37:7 - Rest in the Lord and Wait Patiently")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
David's encounter with Abner and his actions toward Saul offer profound lessons for believers today. In a world often driven by retaliation and self-vindication, David's choice to spare Saul, not once but twice, stands as a powerful testament to the transformative power of mercy and faith in God's ultimate justice. This passage challenges us to examine our own responses to injustice and personal wrongdoings. Do we seek to take matters into our own hands, or do we trust God to be our vindicator? It calls us to cultivate a spirit of respect for authority, even when those in power are flawed or act unjustly, recognizing that all authority is ultimately permitted by God. Furthermore, David's patience in waiting for God's timing to elevate him, rather than seizing the throne by force, encourages us to exercise similar patience in our own lives, trusting that God's plans will unfold perfectly and in His time.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does David's response to Saul challenge our natural inclination for retaliation when wronged?**
* **In what areas of our lives are we called to show respect for God-ordained authority, even when we disagree or find them flawed?**
* **What "spear and water cruse" might God provide as evidence of His protection and our integrity in difficult situations?**

### FAQ
**Why did David take the spear and water cruse, and not something else?**

Answer: David specifically took the spear and water cruse because they were highly symbolic and personal items intimately associated with the king's life, authority, and immediate well-being. The spear was his weapon, a symbol of his power and protection, often kept at his side. The water cruse represented his very life source, essential for survival in the wilderness. By taking these items from directly beside Saul's head ("at his bolster"), David provided undeniable proof that he had been close enough to kill the king but chose not to. This act served multiple purposes: it demonstrated his mercy, vindicated his innocence against Saul's false accusations, and most importantly, exposed Abner's gross negligence in failing to protect his master, the king. It was a tangible, irrefutable sign of David's presence and his deliberate restraint, leaving no room for doubt about his actions or intentions, as seen in the broader narrative of [David's integrity](/1_samuel/24 "1 Samuel 24 - David Spares Saul").

**Was Abner truly "worthy to die" for this oversight?**

Answer: From a legal, military, and cultural perspective in ancient Israel, Abner's failure was indeed a capital offense. As the commander of Saul's army, Abner's primary duty was the king's security. Allowing a perceived enemy (David) to penetrate the king's inner circle, stand over him, and take his personal effects while he slept was a catastrophic breach of duty. Had David chosen to kill Saul, Abner would have been directly responsible for the king's death. David's declaration that Abner and his men were "worthy to die" was not just an angry outburst but a statement of the severe legal and moral consequences of their dereliction of duty, especially concerning "the LORD'S anointed." It underscored the sacredness of the king's person and the gravity of failing to protect him, reflecting the high standards of accountability expected of those entrusted with the care of [God's chosen leaders](/romans/13-1 "Romans 13:1 - Submission to Governing Authorities").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
David's profound respect for "the LORD'S anointed" in 1 Samuel 26:16, even when that anointed one (Saul) was his relentless persecutor, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate Anointed One, Jesus Christ. David, though himself divinely chosen and anointed to be king, refused to take the throne by force or through vengeance, trusting God's timing and method. This mirrors Christ, the true King and Messiah, who, though possessing all power and authority in heaven and on earth ([Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - All Authority in Heaven and on Earth")), did not come to conquer by worldly might but to serve and suffer. When unjustly persecuted and delivered into the hands of His enemies, Jesus did not retaliate ([1 Peter 2:23](/1_peter/2-23 "1 Peter 2:23 - Christ's Example of Non-Retaliation")), but willingly laid down His life as a ransom for many ([Mark 10:45](/mark/10-45 "Mark 10:45 - The Son of Man Came to Serve")). His ultimate "spear and cruse" were the cross and the empty tomb, tangible proofs of His self-sacrificial love and His decisive victory over sin and death, achieved not through violence, but through obedience and grace. Just as David spared Saul, the greater Son of David, Jesus, offers mercy and salvation to those who were His enemies ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God Demonstrates His Love for Us")). He is the true King who protects His people, not by a physical spear, but by His Spirit, and whose authority is established not by human might but by divine appointment and resurrection power, reigning eternally at the right hand of God ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - The Son Upholds the Universe")).

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

1 Samuel 20:31

For as long as the son of Jesse liveth upon the ground, thou shalt not be established, nor thy kingdom. Wherefore now send and fetch him unto me, for he shall surely die.

2 Samuel 19:28

For all [of] my father's house were but dead men before my lord the king: yet didst thou set thy servant among them that did eat at thine own table. What right therefore have I yet to cry any more unto the king?

1 Samuel 26:11

The LORD forbid that I should stretch forth mine hand against the LORD'S anointed: but, I pray thee, take thou now the spear that [is] at his bolster, and the cruse of water, and let us go.

Psalms 79:11

Let the sighing of the prisoner come before thee; according to the greatness of thy power preserve thou those that are appointed to die;

1 Samuel 26:9

And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against the LORD'S anointed, and be guiltless?

Psalms 102:20

To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death;

2 Samuel 12:5

And David's anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, [As] the LORD liveth, the man that hath done this [thing] shall surely die: