1 Samuel 26:23

KJV

The LORD render to every man his righteousness and his faithfulness: for the LORD delivered thee into [my] hand to day, but I would not stretch forth mine hand against the LORD'S anointed.

KJV (with Strong's)

The LORD {H3068} render {H7725} to every man {H376} his righteousness {H6666} and his faithfulness {H530}: for the LORD {H3068} delivered {H5414} thee into my hand {H3027} to day {H3117}, but I would {H14} not stretch forth {H7971} mine hand {H3027} against the LORD'S {H3068} anointed {H4899}.

Complete Jewish Bible

ADONAI will give every person a reward suited to his uprightness and faithfulness. ADONAI put you in my power today, but I would not raise my hand against ADONAI's anointed.

Berean Standard Bible

May the LORD repay every man for his righteousness and faithfulness. For the LORD delivered you into my hand today, but I would not stretch out my hand against the LORD’s anointed.

American Standard Version

And Jehovah will render to every man his righteousness and his faithfulness; forasmuch as Jehovah delivered thee into my hand to-day, and I would not put forth my hand against Jehovah’s anointed.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 26:23 encapsulates David's unwavering trust in God's perfect justice and his profound reverence for divine authority, even when presented with a clear opportunity to eliminate his persecutor, King Saul. This verse serves as a powerful declaration of David's principled refusal to harm "the LORD'S anointed," choosing instead to entrust his vindication and future to God's sovereign hand and righteous judgment, thereby contrasting his character with Saul's vengeful pursuit.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the narrative of David's flight from King Saul, who is relentlessly seeking to kill him. It marks the second significant occasion (the first being in [1 Samuel 24](/1_samuel/24 "1 Samuel 24 - David Spares Saul in the Cave")) where David, despite having Saul completely at his mercy, chooses not to harm him. In this specific instance, David, accompanied by Abishai, infiltrates Saul's sleeping camp at night and takes Saul's spear and water jug as proof of his proximity and forbearance. This act is not one of aggression, but a powerful, non-violent demonstration of David's integrity and his respect for God's chosen king. David then calls out to Saul from a distance, confronting Abner and Saul's men for their failure to protect the king, and then explaining his own actions directly to Saul, culminating in this profound declaration.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The concept of the "LORD'S anointed" (Hebrew: _meshiach Yahweh_) was profoundly significant in ancient Israel. Kings were not merely political leaders but were understood to be chosen and consecrated by God through the ritual of anointing with oil, signifying a divine appointment and a sacred status. To lay hands on the king, even a wicked one, was to defy God's direct appointment and potentially usurp His authority. This cultural understanding underscored the gravity of David's decision. Furthermore, the practice of blood vengeance was common, making David's restraint all the more remarkable. David's actions also took place in the wilderness of Ziph, a remote and rugged region that provided refuge but also tested the endurance and faith of those hiding there.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully articulates several core themes prevalent throughout the books of Samuel. It highlights **Divine Sovereignty and Justice**, as David explicitly states his belief that "the LORD render to every man his righteousness and his faithfulness," entrusting ultimate judgment and vindication to God rather than taking matters into his own hands, a principle echoed in [Deuteronomy 32:35](/deuteronomy/32-35 "Deuteronomy 32:35 - Vengeance is Mine"). It also underscores **Respect for God-Ordained Authority**, even when the authority figure (Saul) is acting contrary to God's will and persecuting the innocent. David's refusal to harm "the LORD'S anointed" demonstrates a deep reverence for the office, regardless of the occupant's personal failings, a respect that would later be a hallmark of his own reign. Finally, David's actions exemplify **Faithfulness and Integrity**, showcasing his commitment to living by God's principles and waiting on God's timing for his own ascension to the throne, rather than seizing power through violence or treachery, a patience that characterized his journey to kingship, as seen in [2 Samuel 5:3](/2_samuel/5-3 "2 Samuel 5:3 - David Anointed King Over All Israel").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Righteousness (Hebrew, _tsedaqah'_):** צְדָקָה. This term encompasses more than just individual moral uprightness; it refers to justice, integrity, and conformity to a divine standard. When David prays for the LORD to "render to every man his righteousness," he is appealing to God's character as the perfectly just judge who will ensure that each person receives what is due to them according to their actions and fidelity to His covenant. It implies a divine reckoning that rectifies wrongs and rewards uprightness.
* **Faithfulness (Hebrew, _'emunah'_):** אֱמוּנָה. Derived from the root meaning "to be firm, stable, trustworthy," _'emunah_ signifies fidelity, steadfastness, and trustworthiness. David's appeal to God's faithfulness underscores his conviction that God will remain true to His promises and character, upholding those who are faithful to Him (like David) and dealing with those who are unfaithful (like Saul) in accordance with His divine order. It speaks to the reliability and constancy of God's character.
* **Anointed (Hebrew, _meshiach'_):** מָשִׁיחַ. This term, from which "Messiah" is derived, refers to someone consecrated by God for a special office, typically a king, priest, or prophet, through the ritual of anointing with oil. Saul was "the LORD'S anointed" because Samuel had anointed him king at God's command ([1 Samuel 10:1](/1_samuel/10-1 "1 Samuel 10:1 - Samuel Anoints Saul")). David's refusal to harm him was not out of personal affection, but out of profound reverence for the sacred office and the divine choice that designated Saul as king, recognizing that to strike Saul would be to strike against God's own appointment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The LORD render to every man his righteousness and his faithfulness:"** This opening clause is a powerful declaration of David's theological conviction and a prayer. He asserts his belief that God is the ultimate arbiter of justice, who will unfailingly judge and repay each individual according to their moral conduct and loyalty. David is entrusting his own vindication, and implicitly Saul's judgment, entirely to God's perfect and righteous hand.
* **"for the LORD delivered thee into [my] hand to day,"** David acknowledges God's sovereign involvement in the situation. He recognizes that the opportunity to kill Saul was not a mere coincidence but a divinely orchestrated moment. This highlights the immense temptation David faced and underscores the deliberate, principled choice he made *against* taking advantage of the situation for personal gain or revenge.
* **"but I would not stretch forth mine hand against the LORD'S anointed."** This is the pivotal statement of the verse, revealing the core of David's character and his deep reverence for God. Despite Saul's relentless and unjust persecution, David refuses to harm the king because Saul holds a sacred status as God's chosen and consecrated leader. To "stretch forth mine hand" would be an act of rebellion against God's established order and a usurpation of God's prerogative to raise up and depose kings.

#### Literary Devices
The verse powerfully employs **Contrast** and **Irony**. The **contrast** is stark between Saul's unrighteous pursuit of David, driven by envy and fear, and David's righteous restraint, driven by faith and reverence for God's authority. While Saul seeks to take David's life, David, when given the opportunity, refuses to take Saul's. This highlights David's moral superiority and his suitability for kingship, especially when juxtaposed with Saul's increasingly erratic and disobedient behavior. The **irony** lies in the fact that the hunted man (David) twice spares the life of his hunter (Saul), demonstrating a higher moral ground and a deeper understanding of divine justice than the reigning king. The entire scene, culminating in this declaration, functions as a **Theological Declaration**, where David articulates his worldview rooted in God's ultimate justice and sovereignty, serving as a didactic moment within the narrative.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Samuel 26:23 is a profound theological statement on divine justice, human responsibility, and the nature of God-ordained authority. David's actions and words demonstrate a radical trust in God's perfect timing and His ultimate vindication. He understands that vengeance belongs to the Lord, and that God will unfailingly render to each person according to their deeds. This principle frees David from the burden of personal retaliation, allowing him to act with integrity and mercy even towards his enemy. His unwavering respect for "the LORD'S anointed," despite Saul's unworthiness, highlights the sacredness of God's appointments and the gravity of interfering with His sovereign will. This verse thus serves as a powerful testament to living by faith, demonstrating patience, and upholding righteousness even under severe provocation.

* [Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Vengeance is Mine, I Will Repay")
* [Deuteronomy 32:35](/deuteronomy/32-35 "Deuteronomy 32:35 - Vengeance and Retribution Belong to God")
* [Psalm 18:20](/psalms/18-20 "Psalm 18:20 - The LORD Dealt with Me According to My Righteousness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
David's principled stand in 1 Samuel 26:23 offers timeless lessons for believers navigating personal conflicts and injustices. It challenges us to cultivate a profound trust in God's ultimate justice, recognizing that He sees all and will perfectly render to each person according to their righteousness and faithfulness. This frees us from the destructive impulse of revenge, encouraging us to extend grace and forgiveness even to those who wrong us, knowing that God is our ultimate vindicator. Furthermore, David's respect for Saul's office, despite Saul's failings, prompts us to consider our own attitudes toward authority figures, whether in government, church, or workplace. While we are called to speak truth and stand against evil, David's example teaches us to honor the position, even when the individual within it is flawed, trusting God to deal with their unrighteousness in His time. It is a powerful call to patience, integrity, and unwavering faith in God's sovereign plan, even when our circumstances seem to demand immediate, self-serving action.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life are you tempted to take matters into your own hands rather than trusting God's justice and timing?**
* **How can David's respect for "the LORD'S anointed" inform your approach to flawed leaders or authorities in your own life?**
* **What does it mean for you personally to "render to every man his righteousness and his faithfulness" in your interactions today?**
* **How does David's integrity in this moment challenge you to live consistently with your faith, even when no one is watching or when it seems disadvantageous?**

### FAQ
**Why did David refer to Saul as "the LORD'S anointed" when Saul was clearly acting against God's will?**

Answer: David's reference to Saul as "the LORD'S anointed" (Hebrew: _meshiach Yahweh_) was not an endorsement of Saul's current behavior or moral character, but a recognition of his sacred office. Saul had been divinely chosen and consecrated by God through the prophet Samuel ([1 Samuel 10:1](/1_samuel/10-1 "1 Samuel 10:1 - Samuel Anoints Saul")) to be the king of Israel. For David, to lay hands on Saul, even in self-defense or as an act of justice, would have been an act of rebellion against God's sovereign appointment. David understood that God alone had the right to raise up and cast down kings. His respect was for the office and God's ordination, not for the man's personal conduct, demonstrating a profound reverence for divine authority and a commitment to waiting for God's timing for the transfer of power.

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

Answer: The act of taking Saul's spear and water cruse was highly symbolic. The spear was a symbol of Saul's royal authority and military power, often kept at his head while he slept, signifying his readiness for battle and his status as king. The water cruse represented his life and sustenance. By taking these items, David demonstrated that he had been close enough to kill Saul, to strip him of his power, and to end his life, yet he chose not to. These objects served as undeniable proof to Saul and his men that David had been in a position to harm the king but had deliberately refrained. It was a non-violent, yet powerful, statement of David's innocence, his integrity, and his unwavering respect for "the LORD'S anointed," contrasting sharply with Saul's murderous intent.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
David's refusal to "stretch forth mine hand against the LORD'S anointed" in 1 Samuel 26:23 powerfully foreshadows the ultimate Anointed One, Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodies righteousness and faithfulness. Just as David, the future king, would not usurp God's timing or method for establishing his reign, so too did Jesus, the true King of Kings, refuse to seize earthly power through violence or political maneuvering. Though He had legions of angels at His command ([Matthew 26:53](/matthew/26-53 "Matthew 26:53 - Jesus Could Call Legions of Angels")), Jesus submitted Himself to the Father's will, even to the point of death on a cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Jesus' Humility and Obedience")). He did not come to condemn the world but to save it ([John 3:17](/john/3-17 "John 3:17 - God Sent His Son to Save the World")), demonstrating supreme faithfulness to God's plan of redemption. The Father indeed "rendered to every man his righteousness and his faithfulness" through Christ's atoning sacrifice, where the perfect righteousness of Christ is imputed to believers ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). Jesus, the Lamb of God, did not "stretch forth His hand" in vengeance but willingly gave Himself up, trusting God for His vindication and ultimate exaltation ([Acts 2:24](/acts/2-24 "Acts 2:24 - God Raised Him Up")). David's principled restraint, born of reverence for God's anointed, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Christ's self-sacrificial love and submission to the divine will, establishing a kingdom not of this world ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - My Kingdom Is 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.

Cross-References

1 Samuel 24:6

And he said unto his men, The LORD forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the LORD'S anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he [is] the anointed of the LORD.

1 Samuel 24:7

So David stayed his servants with these words, and suffered them not to rise against Saul. But Saul rose up out of the cave, and went on [his] way.

Psalms 62:12

Also unto thee, O Lord, [belongeth] mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his work.

Psalms 18:20

¶ The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.

Psalms 18:26

With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself froward.

Psalms 7:8

The LORD shall judge the people: judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity [that is] in me.

Psalms 7:9

Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins.