2 Samuel 1:14

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And David {H1732} said {H559} unto him, How wast thou not afraid {H3372} to stretch forth {H7971} thine hand {H3027} to destroy {H7843} the LORD'S {H3068} anointed {H4899}?

Complete Jewish Bible

David asked him, "How is it that you weren't afraid to raise your hand to destroy ADONAI's anointed?"

Berean Standard Bible

So David asked him, “Why were you not afraid to lift your hand to destroy the LORD’s anointed?”

American Standard Version

And David said unto him, How wast thou not afraid to put forth thy hand to destroy Jehovah’s anointed?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In 2 Samuel 1:14, King David confronts the Amalekite who claims to have delivered the final blow to King Saul. This pivotal verse encapsulates David's profound reverence for the divine appointment of rulers and his unwavering understanding of God's ultimate sovereignty over all earthly authority, even concerning his persecutor. David's rhetorical question expresses deep shock and condemnation, highlighting the sacredness of Saul's office as "the LORD'S anointed" and the grave offense committed by anyone who would presume to take such a life.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at a crucial turning point in Israel's history, immediately following the devastating news of King Saul's death on Mount Gilboa, alongside his sons, including Jonathan, David's dearest friend. The Amalekite, a survivor of the battle, approaches David, bearing Saul's crown and bracelet, and claims to have mercifully dispatched the mortally wounded king at Saul's own request. This account directly contradicts the narrative of Saul's suicide in [1 Samuel 31:4-5](/1_samuel/31-4 "1 Samuel 31:4-5 - Saul's Suicide"). David's response in [2 Samuel 1:11-12](/2_samuel/1-11 "2 Samuel 1:11-12 - David's Mourning for Saul and Jonathan") is one of profound grief, not triumph, as he and his men tear their clothes and mourn for Saul, Jonathan, and the house of Israel. Verse 14 is David's direct, indignant challenge to the Amalekite's audacity, leading directly to the Amalekite's swift execution in [2 Samuel 1:15-16](/2_samuel/1-15 "2 Samuel 1:15-16 - David's Judgment on the Amalekite"), underscoring the severity of the perceived transgression.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The concept of "the LORD'S anointed" was central to the understanding of kingship in ancient Israel. A king was not merely a political leader but one chosen, set apart, and consecrated by God, often through anointing with oil by a prophet, as was the case with both Saul ([1 Samuel 10:1](/1_samuel/10-1 "1 Samuel 10:1 - Saul Anointed King")) and David ([1 Samuel 16:13](/1_samuel/16-13 "1 Samuel 16:13 - David Anointed King")). This divine appointment rendered the king's person sacred, making any act of violence against him an affront to God Himself. David had consistently demonstrated this reverence throughout his years of persecution by Saul, famously refusing to harm Saul even when he had the opportunity, stating, "The LORD forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the LORD'S anointed, to stretch out my hand against him, seeing he is the LORD'S anointed" ([1 Samuel 24:6](/1_samuel/24-6 "1 Samuel 24:6 - David Spares Saul in the Cave")). The Amalekites were also a long-standing, cursed enemy of Israel, with a history of treachery and cruelty ([Deuteronomy 25:17-19](/deuteronomy/25-17 "Deuteronomy 25:17-19 - Remember Amalek")). David's condemnation of the Amalekite, therefore, also resonates with the historical animosity and divine judgment against this people.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within the book of 2 Samuel and the broader Deuteronomistic History. Foremost is the **sacredness of divine appointment and the reverence for God's anointed**. David's reaction solidifies his character as a man who deeply respects God's sovereignty, even when it involves a flawed leader like Saul who sought his life. This contrasts sharply with the Amalekite's presumptuous disregard for divine authority. Another theme is **divine sovereignty over human affairs**, particularly over the rise and fall of kings. David understood that Saul's end was in God's hands, not man's. Furthermore, the verse highlights **David's moral authority and commitment to justice**. His immediate condemnation of the Amalekite, despite the Amalekite's perceived "service," demonstrates that David would rule with righteousness and uphold God's standards, not merely personal gain or vengeance. This sets a crucial precedent for his future reign as king of Israel, emphasizing that his kingdom would be founded on divine principles.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **anointed (Hebrew, _mâshîyach'_):** This term (H4899) refers to someone consecrated or set apart for a special office by God, typically through anointing with oil. In the Old Testament, kings like Saul were divinely appointed and thus considered "the LORD'S anointed," signifying their sacred status and God's unique relationship with them. To harm such a person was seen as an affront to God Himself, who had established them in that position.
* **destroy (Hebrew, _shâchath'_):** The Hebrew verb (H7843) means "to decay, ruin, spoil, or destroy." It implies an act that not only ends life but also corrupts or brings to ruin something that was whole or sacred. In this context, it emphasizes the profound violation of Saul's divinely appointed status, suggesting the Amalekite's act was an attempt to desecrate a sacred order.
* **afraid (Hebrew, _yârêʼ'_):** This Hebrew verb (H3372) encompasses a range of meanings from simple fear to deep awe, reverence, or respect for God. David's rhetorical question, "How wast thou not afraid?", implies a shocking lack of reverential fear before God and His chosen representative. It highlights the Amalekite's spiritual temerity and disregard for the sacredness of the king's office.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And David said unto him,"**: This opening clause signals a direct confrontation. David, having just received the news and mourned, now turns his attention to the messenger, shifting from grief to righteous indignation.
* **"How wast thou not afraid"**: This is a powerful rhetorical question, expressing David's utter astonishment and moral outrage. It implies that any person with a proper understanding of God's authority and the sanctity of His anointed would naturally be filled with a reverential fear that would prevent such an act. It highlights the Amalekite's spiritual blindness or audacious disrespect.
* **"to stretch forth thine hand"**: This phrase denotes a deliberate, active, and violent act. It emphasizes that the Amalekite consciously chose to engage in the action, rather than it being an accident or an unavoidable circumstance. It points to the intentionality of the transgression.
* **"to destroy the LORD'S anointed?"**: This is the core of David's condemnation. The object of the Amalekite's action was not merely a king, but "the LORD'S anointed" – a person consecrated by God Himself. The act of "destroying" such a figure was seen as a direct affront to God's sovereignty and a violation of the divine order. David's question encapsulates his deep theological conviction regarding the sacredness of God's chosen leaders.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in 2 Samuel 1:14 is **Rhetorical Question**. David's query, "How wast thou not afraid to stretch forth thine hand to destroy the LORD'S anointed?", is not posed to elicit information but to express his profound shock, condemnation, and moral outrage. It underscores the Amalekite's audacious disregard for divine authority and the sacredness of Saul's office. This question serves to highlight the enormity of the Amalekite's perceived transgression from David's perspective. Furthermore, there is an element of **Irony** present in the broader narrative surrounding this verse. The Amalekite, expecting praise and reward from David for eliminating his rival, instead faces immediate judgment and execution. This ironic twist emphasizes David's unwavering commitment to God's principles over personal gain or vengeance. Finally, the verse employs **Contrast** by juxtaposing David's consistent, deeply held reverence for Saul as God's anointed, even in the face of relentless persecution, with the Amalekite's casual and presumptuous act of violence against him. This contrast serves to elevate David's character and establish his moral authority as the rightful successor to the throne.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
David's response in 2 Samuel 1:14 is a profound theological statement, revealing a deep understanding of divine sovereignty and the sacred nature of God-ordained authority. Even though Saul had been David's relentless persecutor and a deeply flawed king, David consistently refused to take matters into his own hands, recognizing that Saul's life and reign were ultimately in God's control. To lay a hand on "the LORD'S anointed" was to usurp God's prerogative and demonstrate a lack of reverential fear for the divine order. This principle extends beyond the specific context of kingship to a broader understanding of respecting authority, trusting God's timing for justice, and recognizing that vengeance belongs to the Lord. David's actions set a powerful precedent for righteous leadership, demonstrating that true kingship is characterized by submission to God's will, even when it is personally costly.

* [1 Samuel 24:6](/1_samuel/24-6 "1 Samuel 24:6 - David Spares Saul's Life")
* [1 Samuel 26:9](/1_samuel/26-9 "1 Samuel 26:9 - David Refuses to Harm Saul Again")
* [Romans 13:1-2](/romans/13-1 "Romans 13:1-2 - Submission to Governing Authorities")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
David's indignant question in 2 Samuel 1:14 offers timeless lessons for believers today concerning our posture towards authority, our trust in God's timing, and the sacredness of life. In a world often characterized by disrespect, rebellion, and a desire for immediate gratification or vengeance, David's example calls us to a higher standard. We are reminded that all authority, whether in government, church, or family, is ultimately instituted by God ([Romans 13:1](/romans/13-1 "Romans 13:1 - Submission to Governing Authorities")). While we are called to discern and speak truth to power, our approach should be marked by respect for the office, even when we disagree with the person holding it. Furthermore, David's unwavering trust that God would deal with Saul in His own time challenges us to relinquish our desire for personal retribution and to wait patiently for God's perfect justice to unfold. This verse encourages us to cultivate a reverential fear of God that shapes our interactions, preventing us from taking matters into our own hands or acting presumptuously against those whom God has placed, however imperfectly, in positions of leadership. It underscores that true spiritual maturity involves submitting our desires for control and vengeance to the sovereign hand of God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does David's reaction to the Amalekite challenge our own tendencies to rejoice at the downfall of those who have wronged us?**
* **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 sovereignty?**
* **How can we cultivate a deeper reverence for God's authority, as exemplified by David, in our interactions with various forms of leadership today?**
* **What does this passage teach us about the sanctity of life and the dangers of presuming to act as God's executioner?**

### FAQ

**Why was David so upset by the Amalekite's claim, especially since Saul was his enemy?**

Answer: David's profound distress stemmed from his deep theological conviction that Saul, despite his flaws and relentless persecution of David, was "the LORD'S anointed." This meant Saul's kingship was divinely ordained, and his life was sacred in God's eyes. David understood that to lay a hand on God's anointed, even to deliver a mercy blow, was to usurp God's authority and prerogative. David had consistently refused to harm Saul when he had the opportunity ([1 Samuel 24:6](/1_samuel/24-6 "1 Samuel 24:6 - David Spares Saul") and [1 Samuel 26:9](/1_samuel/26-9 "1 Samuel 26:9 - David Refuses to Harm Saul Again")), demonstrating his unwavering respect for God's choice. His reaction was not about personal vengeance but about upholding divine principles and acknowledging God's sovereignty over life and death, and over the rise and fall of kings.

**What does "the LORD'S anointed" signify in this context?**

Answer: "The LORD'S anointed" (Hebrew: _māšîaḥ Yahweh_) refers to someone consecrated or set apart by God for a specific, sacred office, typically through anointing with oil. In this instance, it refers to King Saul, who was chosen by God and anointed by the prophet Samuel to be the first king of Israel ([1 Samuel 10:1](/1_samuel/10-1 "1 Samuel 10:1 - Samuel Anoints Saul")). This designation meant that Saul held a unique, divinely appointed status. Any act of violence against him was not merely an attack on a human king but was considered a direct affront to God Himself, who had established him in that position. David's question highlights the Amalekite's shocking disregard for this sacred, divinely bestowed authority.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
David's profound reverence for "the LORD'S anointed" in 2 Samuel 1:14 finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the true and eternal Anointed One, the Messiah. While Saul was a flawed human king, anointed for a temporary earthly reign, Jesus is the Son of God, eternally anointed by the Holy Spirit, and King of kings and Lord of lords ([Acts 2:36](/acts/2-36 "Acts 2:36 - Jesus is Lord and Christ")). David's refusal to touch Saul, understanding that vengeance and the end of Saul's reign belonged to God, foreshadows the divine plan for the ultimate Anointed One. No human hand could truly "destroy" Jesus against His will; rather, He willingly laid down His life as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world ([John 10:18](/john/10-18 "John 10:18 - Jesus Lays Down His Life Voluntarily")). He is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), who was led like a lamb to the slaughter, yet opened not His mouth ([Isaiah 53:7](/isaiah/53-7 "Isaiah 53:7 - The Suffering Servant")). The sacredness of Saul's office pales in comparison to the inherent holiness and divine authority of Jesus, whose death was not a destruction by human hands but a redemptive act of God's sovereign love, culminating in His glorious resurrection and exaltation to the highest place ([Philippians 2:8-11](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8-11 - Christ's Humiliation and Exaltation")). Thus, David's reverence for a temporal, earthly anointed one points us to the eternal reverence due to Christ, the perfectly obedient and divinely appointed King and Savior.

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 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 105:15

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

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 31:4

Then said Saul unto his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword, and fell upon it.

Numbers 12:8

With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?

2 Peter 2:10

¶ But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous [are they], selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.