1 Samuel 26:9

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And David {H1732} said {H559} to Abishai {H52}, Destroy {H7843} him not: for who can stretch forth {H7971} his hand {H3027} against the LORD'S {H3068} anointed {H4899}, and be guiltless {H5352}?

Complete Jewish Bible

But David said to Avishai, "Don't destroy him! Nobody can raise his hand against ADONAI's anointed without becoming guilty!"

Berean Standard Bible

But David said to Abishai, “Do not destroy him, for who can lift a hand against the LORD’s anointed and be guiltless?”

American Standard Version

And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not; for who can put forth his hand against Jehovah’s anointed, and be guiltless?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 26:9 captures a pivotal moment of profound spiritual integrity from David, who, despite being relentlessly pursued by King Saul, adamantly refuses to allow harm to come to the reigning monarch. This verse articulates David's deep reverence for God's divine appointment, emphasizing that to assail "the LORD'S anointed" is to incur divine guilt, thereby demonstrating his unwavering trust in God's sovereign justice rather than resorting to human vengeance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a larger narrative arc detailing King Saul's obsessive pursuit of David, driven by jealousy and paranoia after God's Spirit departed from Saul and came upon David. [1 Samuel 26](/1_samuel/26 "1 Samuel 26 - David Spares Saul a Second Time") recounts David's second opportunity to kill Saul, mirroring the earlier incident in the [cave of Engedi](/1_samuel/24 "1 Samuel 24 - David Spares Saul in the Cave"). In both instances, David's men urge him to eliminate Saul, viewing it as a divinely provided chance. Here, in the wilderness of Ziph, David and Abishai infiltrate Saul's sleeping camp. Abishai, emboldened, offers to strike Saul with his spear, but David's immediate and resolute refusal in [1 Samuel 26:9](/1_samuel/26-9 "1 Samuel 26:9 - David's Refusal to Harm Saul") underscores his consistent character and theological conviction, setting him apart from the vengeful spirit of his age and even his own loyal followers.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The practice of anointing kings with oil was a sacred ritual in ancient Israel, signifying God's choice and consecration of an individual for a specific office. This act imbued the king with a special, almost sacrosanct, status as God's representative on earth. To "stretch forth one's hand" against such an anointed figure was not merely an act of rebellion against the king but a direct affront to God's authority and divine ordination. This cultural understanding of kingship, rooted in the covenant relationship between God and Israel, explains the gravity of David's statement. Despite Saul's unfaithfulness and God's rejection of him as king (as seen in [1 Samuel 15](/1_samuel/15 "1 Samuel 15 - Saul's Disobedience and Rejection")), the anointing itself remained a powerful symbol of God's initial choice, demanding reverence even from those who would succeed him.
* **Key Themes:** [1 Samuel 26:9](/1_samuel/26-9 "1 Samuel 26:9 - David's Refusal to Harm Saul") powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of [1 Samuel](/1_samuel/1 "The Book of 1 Samuel"): **God's Sovereignty in Kingship** is paramount, as David acknowledges that Saul's position, though marred, was divinely instituted. This theme contrasts sharply with human attempts to seize power or exact vengeance. **David's Righteous Character** is consistently highlighted; his actions here, and in [1 Samuel 24](/1_samuel/24 "1 Samuel 24 - David Spares Saul in the Cave"), portray him as "a man after God's own heart" ([1 Samuel 13:14](/1_samuel/13-14 "1 Samuel 13:14 - God Seeks a Man After His Own Heart")), who trusts God's timing and justice rather than his own strength or opportunity. Finally, the theme of **Divine Justice vs. Human Vengeance** is central. David refuses to usurp God's prerogative to judge and remove leaders, demonstrating a profound faith that God would ultimately deal with Saul, as articulated in [Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Vengeance Belongs to the Lord").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Anointed (Hebrew, _mashiaḥ'_):** This term (מָשִׁיחַ) literally means "anointed one" and refers to a person consecrated by pouring oil over their head, signifying divine election and empowerment for a specific office, particularly that of king or priest. In this context, it emphasizes Saul's sacred, God-ordained status, despite his moral failings and God's subsequent rejection of him. David's respect for Saul as "the LORD'S anointed" is a recognition of God's initial act of setting Saul apart, a sacredness that David believes no human should violate.
* **Stretch forth his hand (Hebrew, _shalakh yad'_):** The phrase (שָׁלַח יָד) denotes a violent, aggressive action, specifically to "lay hands on" or "attack." In this context, it carries the strong connotation of sacrilege—an act of impious violence against someone or something consecrated to God. David's question implies that such an act is not merely a political assassination but a direct defiance of God's established order and authority, incurring divine wrath.
* **Guiltless (Hebrew, _naqah'_):** The word (נָקָה) means "to be clean," "to be innocent," or "to be unpunished." David's rhetorical question, "who can... be guiltless?", asserts that anyone who dares to harm God's anointed will not escape divine judgment or punishment. It implies that such an act would render the perpetrator liable before God, incurring a profound spiritual and possibly temporal penalty. David understands that true guiltlessness comes from God's verdict, not from human acquittal or perceived justification.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not:"** This opening clause reveals David's immediate and firm command, acting as a direct restraint on Abishai's eager and pragmatic desire to eliminate Saul. It highlights David's leadership and his commitment to a higher principle, even when faced with a clear opportunity to remove his oppressor. David's instruction is not a hesitation but a decisive ethical and theological stand.
* **"for who can stretch forth his hand against the LORD'S anointed,"** This is the core theological justification for David's command. It takes the form of a rhetorical question, asserting an undeniable truth: no one can violently attack a person consecrated by God without incurring divine judgment. The phrase "the LORD'S anointed" elevates Saul's status beyond mere human kingship, placing him under God's direct protection and making any assault on him an assault on God's chosen representative.
* **"and be guiltless?"** This concluding phrase underscores the inevitable consequence of violating the sacred principle just stated. It implies that any person who dares to harm God's anointed will certainly be held accountable and found guilty by God. David understands that true justice and judgment belong to the Lord, and he refuses to usurp that divine prerogative, trusting that God will deal with Saul in His own perfect timing and way.

#### Literary Devices
[1 Samuel 26:9](/1_samuel/26-9 "1 Samuel 26:9 - David's Refusal to Harm Saul") employs several powerful literary devices. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question**: "who can stretch forth his hand against the LORD'S anointed, and be guiltless?" David is not seeking information; rather, he is asserting an absolute truth, emphasizing the sacrosanct nature of God's chosen king and the certain divine judgment awaiting anyone who violates that sacred trust. This question serves to both instruct Abishai and articulate David's profound theological conviction. Additionally, there is powerful **Irony** in the situation: the righteous David, who is God's true choice for king, refuses to harm the unrighteous Saul, who has been rejected by God but still holds the title of "the LORD'S anointed." This highlights David's humility and trust in God's timing, contrasting sharply with Saul's desperate and ungodly pursuit. Finally, the phrase "the LORD'S anointed" functions as a significant **Motif** throughout the books of Samuel, pointing to the divine institution of kingship and foreshadowing the ultimate Anointed One, the Messiah.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
David's refusal to harm Saul in [1 Samuel 26:9](/1_samuel/26-9 "1 Samuel 26:9 - David's Refusal to Harm Saul") is a profound theological statement on God's sovereignty, the sanctity of divine appointment, and the nature of true justice. It reveals David's deep reverence for God's established order, even when that order seems to be working against him. David understood that Saul, despite his personal failings and God's rejection of him as king, still bore the mark of God's initial anointing. To take Saul's life would be to usurp God's prerogative to remove and establish leaders, an act of defiance against divine authority. This principle extends beyond kingship to a broader trust in God's ultimate justice, reinforcing the idea that vengeance belongs to the Lord. David's actions here set a precedent for righteous conduct, demonstrating that faithfulness to God's principles outweighs personal gain or immediate relief from suffering.

* [Psalm 105:15](/psalms/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")
* [Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Vengeance Belongs to the Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[1 Samuel 26:9](/1_samuel/26-9 "1 Samuel 26:9 - David's Refusal to Harm Saul") offers timeless lessons for believers navigating complex relationships and challenging circumstances. David's unwavering respect for God's anointing, even upon a persecutor, calls us to consider our own attitudes towards those in authority, whether in government, church, or workplace. While we are called to speak truth and address injustice, David's example reminds us that our primary allegiance is to God's sovereign will and His methods. It challenges us to resist the temptation to take matters into our own hands, especially when we feel wronged or believe we have a "clear opportunity" to exact our own form of justice. Instead, we are invited to cultivate a deep trust in God's perfect timing and His ultimate justice, knowing that He sees all and will act righteously. This requires profound humility, patience, and a commitment to maintaining our integrity, reflecting God's character even when others do not. It is a call to live by faith, not by sight or by the impulses of human vengeance.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life are you tempted to "stretch forth your hand" and take matters into your own control, rather than trusting God's timing and justice?**
* **How does David's respect for Saul, despite Saul's unrighteousness, challenge your perspective on respecting authorities you may disagree with or find flawed?**
* **What does it truly mean to trust that "vengeance belongs to the Lord" in your personal relationships and in the broader world?**

### FAQ
**Why did David refer to Saul as "the LORD'S anointed" when God had already rejected Saul as king?**

Answer: David's reference to Saul as "the LORD'S anointed" ([1 Samuel 26:9](/1_samuel/26-9 "1 Samuel 26:9 - David's Refusal to Harm Saul")) highlights his deep respect for the sacredness of God's initial choice and the divine institution of kingship. While God had indeed rejected Saul due to his disobedience ([1 Samuel 15:23](/1_samuel/15-23 "1 Samuel 15:23 - Rebellion is as the Sin of Witchcraft")), Saul had not yet been physically removed from the throne. He still held the office and bore the mark of his original anointing. David, as a man after God's own heart, understood that it was God's prerogative to establish and remove kings, not his. To take Saul's life would be to usurp God's authority and violate the sacred principle of respecting God's chosen representative, regardless of their current spiritual standing or personal failings. David chose to wait for God's perfect timing and method of transition, demonstrating profound faith and humility.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[1 Samuel 26:9](/1_samuel/26-9 "1 Samuel 26:9 - David's Refusal to Harm Saul"), with David's refusal to harm "the LORD'S anointed," profoundly foreshadows the ultimate "Anointed One," Jesus Christ, the true Messiah. David, though righteous, was still a type, pointing to the perfect King who would come. Jesus, the Son of David, perfectly embodied this principle of non-retaliation and submission to God's will. When Peter drew his sword to defend Him in Gethsemane, Jesus commanded, "[Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword](/matthew/26-52 "Matthew 26:52 - Put Your Sword Away")." He further explained, "[Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?](/matthew/26-53 "Matthew 26:53 - Jesus Could Call Legions of Angels")" Jesus, the true King, allowed Himself to be "stretched forth his hand against" by unrighteous men, not because He was powerless, but because it was the Father's will for Him to suffer and die for the sins of the world ([Isaiah 53:5-7](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5-7 - He Was Pierced for Our Transgressions")). Unlike Saul, who was anointed for kingship, Jesus was anointed by the Holy Spirit for His prophetic, priestly, and kingly offices, culminating in His ultimate sacrifice. He was the innocent one against whom hands were stretched forth, yet He remained guiltless, and through His sacrifice, He grants guiltlessness to all who believe in Him ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). Thus, David's profound respect for God's anointing finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Christ, who willingly submitted to the Father's plan, becoming the source of our salvation.

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

2 Samuel 1:14

And David said unto him, How wast thou not afraid to stretch forth thine hand to destroy the LORD'S anointed?

Psalms 105:15

[Saying], Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.

2 Samuel 1:16

And David said unto him, Thy blood [be] upon thy head; for thy mouth hath testified against thee, saying, I have slain the LORD'S anointed.

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.