1 Samuel 26:21

KJV

¶ Then said Saul, I have sinned: return, my son David: for I will no more do thee harm, because my soul was precious in thine eyes this day: behold, I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then said {H559} Saul {H7586}, I have sinned {H2398}: return {H7725}, my son {H1121} David {H1732}: for I will no more do thee harm {H7489}, because my soul {H5315} was precious {H3365} in thine eyes {H5869} this day {H3117}: behold, I have played the fool {H5528}, and have erred {H7686} exceedingly {H7235}{H3966}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then Sha'ul said, "I have sinned. Come back, my son David. I won't harm you any longer, because you regarded my life as precious today. Yes, I have behaved like a fool. I was altogether in the wrong."

Berean Standard Bible

Then Saul replied, “I have sinned. Come back, David my son. I will never harm you again, because today you considered my life precious. I have played the fool and have committed a grave error!”

American Standard Version

Then said Saul, I have sinned: return, my son David; for I will no more do thee harm, because my life was precious in thine eyes this day: behold, I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 26:21 captures a fleeting but profound moment of remorse from King Saul, who, after David's second act of mercy in sparing his life, confesses his sin, acknowledges David's integrity, and admits the profound foolishness of his relentless pursuit. This verse serves as a poignant, albeit temporary, turning point in the tumultuous relationship between Saul and David, highlighting the disarming power of grace in the face of persecution and the tragic, cyclical nature of Saul's spiritual decline.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the emotional and theological climax of the second major narrative where David, despite being relentlessly pursued by Saul, has a clear opportunity to kill the king but refrains. This episode closely mirrors the earlier account in [1 Samuel 24](/1_samuel/24 "David Spares Saul in the Cave of En-gedi"), reinforcing David's unwavering respect for God's anointed and his commitment to allowing divine justice to prevail. In this specific instance, David and Abishai infiltrate Saul's sleeping camp, taking Saul's spear and water jug as irrefutable proof of their proximity and David's restraint. Saul's words in [1 Samuel 26:21](/1_samuel/26-21 "Saul's Confession to David") are his direct, emotional response to David's powerful appeal for justice and understanding, articulated in [1 Samuel 26:17-20](/1_samuel/26-17-20 "David's Appeal to Saul and Saul's Response"). The chapter concludes with Saul returning home and David continuing his flight, underscoring the temporary and ultimately unfulfilled nature of Saul's repentance.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The narrative is set against the backdrop of ancient Israel's transition from a tribal confederacy to a monarchy, a period marked by significant political and spiritual upheaval. Saul, as the first king, was God's chosen leader, yet his reign was increasingly marred by disobedience and spiritual decline. The concept of "the Lord's anointed" (מְשִׁיחַ יְהוָה, _māšîaḥ Yahweh_) carried immense weight; to harm the king, even a disobedient one, was considered an act against God's direct appointment. David's consistent refusal to lay a hand on Saul, despite Saul's murderous intent, was a profound demonstration of piety and adherence to this sacred principle, sharply contrasting with Saul's own disregard for divine commands, as evidenced in [1 Samuel 13](/1_samuel/13 "Saul's Disobedience and Rejection") and [1 Samuel 15](/1_samuel/15 "Saul's Disobedience Regarding the Amalekites"). David's precarious existence as a fugitive in the wilderness, often in places like the wilderness of Ziph, highlights the constant danger he faced and the divine protection he experienced.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within 1 Samuel. Firstly, it vividly illustrates the **stark contrast between Saul's declining kingship and David's rising, righteous leadership**. Saul's confession of foolishness and error stands in opposition to David's consistent integrity, patience, and trust in God's timing. Secondly, it powerfully underscores the theme of **divine sovereignty and protection**. Despite Saul's relentless and irrational attempts to kill David, God continually protects His chosen servant, often through David's own acts of mercy that disarm his enemy. Thirdly, the verse offers a poignant commentary on the **nature of repentance**. Saul's remorse, while seemingly genuine in the moment, proves to be fleeting, unable to break the destructive cycle of his jealousy and paranoia. This highlights the difference between sorrow *for* sin's consequences and true, lasting repentance *from* sin, which requires a transformed heart and a sustained turning to God, a transformation Saul ultimately fails to achieve, as seen in his continued pursuit of David and his tragic end in [1 Samuel 31](/1_samuel/31 "The Death of Saul").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **sinned (Hebrew, _ḥâṭâʼ'_):** From the primitive root H2398, this verb properly means "to miss the mark." Figuratively and generally, it signifies to sin, to forfeit, lack, or transgress. Saul's declaration, "I have sinned," is a direct and explicit acknowledgment of his moral culpability and wrongdoing against David and, by extension, against God's will. It marks a rare moment of self-condemnation from the king, signifying a recognition of his deliberate deviation from righteousness.
* **precious (Hebrew, _yâqar'_):** From the primitive root H3365, this adjective means valuable, costly, esteemed, or dear. Saul's statement that his "soul was precious in thine eyes this day" reveals his recognition that David, despite being hunted, valued Saul's life and dignity. This acknowledgment underscores David's profound respect for human life and, specifically, for the life of the Lord's anointed, even when that anointed one was his persecutor. It highlights the powerful, disarming effect of David's mercy on Saul.
* **played the fool (Hebrew, _çâkal'_):** From H5528, a verb meaning "to be silly." In this context, it signifies acting foolishly or stupidly, often implying a severe lack of moral discernment or prudence. Saul's use of this phrase is a profound admission of his irrational, morally bankrupt, and self-destructive behavior. He recognizes that his relentless pursuit of David was not only unjust but utterly senseless, driven by a foolish jealousy rather than wisdom or divine guidance, and that he has "erred exceedingly" (H7686, H3966) in doing so.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ Then said Saul, I have sinned:"** This opening phrase marks Saul's immediate and explicit confession of guilt. It is a direct acknowledgment of his moral failure and wrongdoing against David, prompted by David's powerful demonstration of mercy and integrity. This is a rare moment of humility for the tormented king, breaking his pattern of self-justification.
* **"return, my son David:"** This is a plea for David to cease his flight and come back, signifying a temporary cessation of hostilities. The address "my son David" is a term of affection and reconciliation, indicating a desire to restore their broken relationship, at least for this moment, and perhaps to re-establish David's place in the court.
* **"for I will no more do thee harm,"** This is a solemn promise from Saul to cease his persecution of David. This declaration is a direct response to David's actions, recognizing that David's mercy has disarmed Saul's murderous intent. However, the tragic irony, known to the reader, is that this promise, like previous ones, will prove to be short-lived, reflecting Saul's inability to sustain true change.
* **"because my soul was precious in thine eyes this day:"** Saul's explanation for his change of heart. He acknowledges that David valued his life, despite Saul's malicious intent and repeated attempts to kill him. This recognition of David's profound mercy and respect for the Lord's anointed deeply impacts Saul, revealing the power of grace to momentarily penetrate even a hardened heart.
* **"behold, I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly."** This is a powerful, dual confession of profound self-condemnation. Saul admits that his actions were not just mistakes but irrational, morally bankrupt, and gravely misguided. The intensity of "exceedingly" (H3966) emphasizes the depth of his self-awareness regarding the extent of his deviation from wisdom and righteousness, acknowledging a significant moral and spiritual wandering.

#### Literary Devices
The passage is rich with **Irony**, as Saul, the powerful king, is forced to confess his foolishness and sin to David, the hunted fugitive whom he relentlessly seeks to kill. David, the one pursued, demonstrates true kingly character through his mercy and restraint, while Saul, the actual king, acts with irrational, self-destructive folly. There is a strong **Contrast** between Saul's impulsive, envious, and disobedient nature and David's patient, God-fearing integrity. Saul's fleeting remorse stands in stark opposition to David's consistent righteousness and trust in divine justice. The phrase "played the fool, and have erred exceedingly" employs **Parallelism** and **Emphasis**, using two strong, synonymous verbs ("played the fool" and "erred") intensified by an adverb ("exceedingly") to underscore the profound depth of Saul's self-condemnation and the extensive nature of his moral wandering. Finally, the scene evokes **Pathos**, as the reader witnesses the tragic decline of Saul, a king once chosen by God, now reduced to admitting his own profound foolishness and error, yet seemingly unable to escape the cycle of his spiritual torment and ultimately unable to achieve lasting repentance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully illustrates the tension between human will and divine sovereignty, and the profound impact of mercy. Saul's confession, though genuine in the moment, highlights the superficiality of a repentance not rooted in a truly transformed heart. It underscores that while external acts of grace can elicit temporary remorse, true change requires a deeper spiritual work. David's actions, however, exemplify a profound trust in God's justice and timing, refusing to take vengeance into his own hands. This trust is a theological statement, affirming God's ultimate control over the destiny of kings and the establishment of His kingdom. The scene also foreshadows the principle that mercy triumphs over judgment, and that responding to evil with good can, at times, disarm an enemy, even if only momentarily.

* [1 Samuel 24:4-7](/1_samuel/24-4-7 "David Spares Saul in the Cave")
* [Romans 12:19-21](/romans/12-19-21 "Vengeance Belongs to the Lord; Overcome Evil with Good")
* [Hosea 6:6](/hosea/6-6 "God Desires Steadfast Love, Not Sacrifice")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Saul's confession in 1 Samuel 26:21 offers a profound reflection on the nature of sin, the complexities of repentance, and the transformative power of grace. It reminds us that even those who are deeply entrenched in sin can experience moments of clarity and remorse, acknowledging their wrongdoings. However, the tragedy of Saul's life is that these moments, though seemingly sincere, were fleeting, never leading to a lasting change of heart or a true turning away from his destructive path. For believers, David's response serves as a powerful model: to extend mercy even to those who persecute us, to trust God with justice and vindication, and to respond with integrity rather than retaliation. It challenges us to consider whether our confessions of sin lead to genuine transformation, marked by a sustained turning from our destructive patterns, or are merely temporary expressions of regret aimed at alleviating immediate discomfort. Ultimately, this passage calls us to cultivate a heart that values life, extends grace, and trusts in divine sovereignty, even when faced with injustice and personal harm, seeking to overcome evil with good.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does Saul's temporary confession reveal about the nature of repentance, and what distinguishes it from true, lasting transformation rooted in a changed heart?**
* **How does David's consistent mercy towards Saul, despite repeated persecution, challenge our natural inclination to seek revenge or immediate justice in our own lives?**
* **In what ways might we, like Saul, "play the fool" or "err exceedingly" in our own lives through irrational or morally misguided actions, and what prevents us from truly turning from those paths?**
* **How can we cultivate a heart that values the "soul" or well-being of others, extending grace and respect even to those who may be hostile or unjust towards us?**

### FAQ
**Why did Saul's repentance not last, given his seemingly sincere confession?**

Answer: Saul's confession, while emotionally charged and seemingly sincere in the moment, was ultimately superficial because it did not stem from a transformed heart or a genuine commitment to God's will. His remorse was primarily a reaction to David's overwhelming act of grace and proof of innocence, rather than a deep, internal conviction of sin against God. Throughout his reign, Saul demonstrated a pattern of impulsive behavior, jealousy, and disobedience to God's commands, as seen in his unauthorized sacrifice in [1 Samuel 13:8-14](/1_samuel/13-8-14 "Saul's Disobedience at Gilgal") and his failure to utterly destroy the Amalekites in [1 Samuel 15:1-9](/1_samuel/15-1-9 "Saul Disobeys God Regarding the Amalekites"). His repentance was often conditional or self-serving, aimed at alleviating immediate distress or maintaining his public image, rather than pursuing true reconciliation with God and genuine change of character. This fleeting nature of his remorse highlights the critical difference between sorrow *for* consequences and true sorrow *over* sin, which leads to lasting transformation and a turning towards righteousness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Samuel 26:21, with Saul's confession and David's remarkable act of mercy, profoundly foreshadows the ultimate act of divine mercy found in Jesus Christ. David, the innocent one, hunted by a king consumed by jealousy and irrational hatred, responds not with vengeance but with grace, valuing the life of his persecutor. This points directly to Jesus, the true [Son of David](/matthew/1-1 "The Genealogy of Jesus Christ"), who, though utterly innocent and perpetually persecuted by a fallen world, did not merely spare His enemies but laid down His life for them. Saul's admission, "my soul was precious in thine eyes this day," finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ, whose very mission was to make our souls precious in the eyes of God through His atoning sacrifice. He did not just refrain from doing us harm; He absorbed the harm we deserved, becoming sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "Christ Became Sin for Us")). Saul's confession, "behold, I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly," echoes the universal human condition of sin and rebellion against God, a profound foolishness that alienates us from our Creator ([Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "All Have Sinned")). Yet, unlike Saul's temporary remorse, Christ offers a path to genuine, lasting repentance and reconciliation. He is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), not merely acknowledging our foolishness but providing the wisdom and righteousness we lack. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus fulfills David's mercy by offering complete forgiveness and new life to those who were once His enemies, transforming their foolishness into the wisdom of God ([1 Corinthians 1:25](/1_corinthians/1-25 "The Foolishness of God is Wiser Than Human Wisdom") and [Colossians 1:21-22](/colossians/1-21-22 "Reconciliation Through Christ")).

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 15:24

¶ And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice.

1 Samuel 24:17

And he said to David, Thou [art] more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil.

Exodus 9:27

And Pharaoh sent, and called for Moses and Aaron, and said unto them, I have sinned this time: the LORD [is] righteous, and I and my people [are] wicked.

1 Samuel 15:30

Then he said, I have sinned: [yet] honour me now, I pray thee, before the elders of my people, and before Israel, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD thy God.

Matthew 27:4

Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What [is that] to us? see thou [to that].

1 Samuel 26:24

And, behold, as thy life was much set by this day in mine eyes, so let my life be much set by in the eyes of the LORD, and let him deliver me out of all tribulation.

1 Samuel 27:4

And it was told Saul that David was fled to Gath: and he sought no more again for him.