English · CJB

1 Samuel26

The Ziphites again betray David to Saul, who pursues him with three thousand men into the wilderness. David infiltrates Saul's camp by night, finding the king asleep, but refuses to harm "the LORD's anointed" despite Abishai's urging. Instead, David takes Saul's spear and water cruse, later confronting Saul from a distance to demonstrate his restraint, leading Saul to acknowledge his sin and cease the pursuit.

Saul Pursues David Again

1
The people from Zif went to Sha'ul in Giv'ah and said, "David is hiding himself on Hakhilah Hill, across from Yeshimon." ​
2
Then Sha'ul set out and went down to the Zif Desert with three thousand men chosen from Isra'el, to search for David in the Zif Desert.
3
Sha'ul pitched camp on Hakhilah Hill, across from Yeshimon, near the road. David was staying in the desert, and he saw that Sha'ul was coming into the desert after him.
4
So David dispatched spies and determined that Sha'ul had definitely come.

David Enters Saul's Camp

5
David set out and went to where Sha'ul had pitched his camp. He saw where Sha'ul and Avner the son of Ner, the commander of his army, were sleeping. Sha'ul was lying inside the barricade with the troops asleep all around him. ​
6
David said to Achimelekh the Hitti and Avishai the son of Tz'ruyah, Yo'av's brother, "Who will go down with me to Sha'ul in the camp?" Avishai said, "I will go down with you." ​
7
So David and Avishai went to the soldiers by night. Sha'ul was lying there asleep inside the barricade. His spear was stuck in the ground next to his head, with Avner and the troops asleep all around him.
8
Avishai said to David, "God has handed your enemy over to you today; so now, please, let me pin him to the ground with just one stroke of the spear. I won't strike him a second time." ​
9
But David said to Avishai, "Don't destroy him! Nobody can raise his hand against ADONAI's anointed without becoming guilty!" ​
10
David then added, "As ADONAI lives, ADONAI will strike him down, or the day will come for him to die, or he will go down to battle and be swept away. ​
11
ADONAI forbid that I should raise my hand against ADONAI's anointed! But now, we'll take the spear by his head and the jug of water, and get out of here."
12
So David took the spear and the water jug from Sha'ul's head and got away. Nobody saw or knew about it, and no one awoke, because they were all asleep - a deep sleep from ADONAI had fallen over them. ​

David Confronts Abner and Saul

13
David crossed to the other side and climbed to the top of the distant ridge, leaving a considerable space between them. ​
14
Then David called out to the troops and to Avner the son of Ner. "Avner! Aren't you going to answer?" Avner answered, "Who are you, calling to the king?"
15
David said to Avner, "Aren't you the brave one! Who is there in Isra'el to compare with you? So why haven't you kept watch over your lord the king? Someone came in to kill the king, your lord!
16
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!" ​
17
Sha'ul recognized David's voice and said, "Is that your voice, my son David?"David said, "It is my voice, my lord king!"
18
and continued, "Why is my lord chasing his servant? What have I done? What evil am I planning?
19
Please, now, may my lord the king hear what his servant is saying. If it is ADONAI who has stirred you up against me, let him receive an offering. But if it's human beings, then a curse on them before ADONAI! - because, as things stand today, they have driven me out, so that I can no longer share in ADONAI's inheritance - they've said, 'Go, serve other gods!' ​
20
Now don't let my blood fall on the ground away from the presence of ADONAI. The king of Isra'el has gone out in search of a single flea, as if he were hunting partridge in the mountains!" ​

Saul Confesses His Sin

21
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." ​
22
David answered, "Here is the king's spear. Send one of the men over to bring it back.
23
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. ​
24
Look: just as I put great value on your life today, so may my life be given great value by ADONAI. May he deliver me from every kind of trouble!"
25
Sha'ul answered David, "Blessings on you, my son David! No question that you will accomplish everything you set out to do!" So David went on his way, and Sha'ul returned to his place.

Study Notes for 1 Samuel 26

Verse 1

The Ziphites betray David for the second time (cf. 1 Sam 23:19). This relentless pursuit by Saul, despite David's previous demonstration of mercy (1 Sam 24), highlights Saul's deepening paranoia and obsession.

Verse 5

David’s ability to approach Saul’s inner circle undetected emphasizes the failure of Saul’s security, particularly Abner, the captain of the host. Saul lay 'in the trench' (or 'wagon circle'), suggesting a defensive posture.

Verse 6

Ahimelech the Hittite and Abishai (brother of Joab) were key figures in David’s growing band of loyal followers. David’s choice of Abishai, a zealot, sets up the dramatic contrast in the following verses regarding how to deal with Saul.

Verse 8

Abishai interprets the opportunity as a clear sign of divine authorization to kill Saul. This temptation tests David’s commitment to his theological principle outlined in the previous encounter (1 Sam 24).

Verse 9

David’s refusal is based entirely on the sanctity of 'the LORD’S anointed' (*mashiach*). This principle demonstrates David's deep respect for God's sovereign choice and the established order, even when the human agent (Saul) is failing.

Verse 10

David affirms that vengeance and justice belong solely to God. He trusts that God will remove Saul through natural means, battle, or direct divine judgment, relieving David of the guilt of regicide.

Verse 12

The text attributes the deep sleep that fell upon the entire camp directly to the LORD. This detail emphasizes that David’s success and safety were not due to stealth alone, but to divine intervention protecting him and ensuring his righteousness.

Verse 13

By putting a great distance between himself and the camp, David ensures that the ensuing confrontation will not lead to immediate violence, allowing him to speak freely and shame Saul’s forces.

Verse 16

David uses the spear and water cruse as physical evidence of his presence and restraint. He publicly shames Abner for failing to protect the king, thereby highlighting the irony that the king's greatest threat (David) is also his greatest protector.

Verse 19

David addresses the theological dilemma: Is Saul's pursuit divinely inspired (requiring an offering for appeasement) or humanly inspired (requiring a curse on the instigators)? Being driven from 'the inheritance of the LORD' (Israel) meant being forced to serve other gods, a potential spiritual danger for David.

Verse 20

The metaphor of the 'flea' and the 'partridge' minimizes David’s significance, emphasizing the absurdity of the King of Israel mobilizing 3,000 men to hunt one insignificant man. This appeals to Saul’s sense of royal dignity.

Verse 21

Saul’s confession ('I have sinned... I have played the fool') is heartfelt but shallow, mirroring his earlier remorse (1 Sam 24:16-17). While he acknowledges David's righteousness, this temporary repentance does not result in lasting change, as seen in the next chapter.

Verse 23

David articulates the theological basis for his actions: God rewards righteousness and faithfulness (*hesed*). David's choice to spare the anointed king is an act of faithfulness that he expects God to reciprocate in his own life.

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