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.
Then Saul arose, and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, having three thousand chosen men of Israel with him, to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph.
And Saul pitched in the hill of Hachilah, which is before Jeshimon, by the way. But David abode in the wilderness, and he saw that Saul came after him into the wilderness.
And David arose, and came to the place where Saul had pitched: and David beheld the place where Saul lay, and Abner the son of Ner, the captain of his host: and Saul lay in the trench, and the people pitched round about him.
¶ Then answered David and said to Ahimelech the Hittite, and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah, brother to Joab, saying, Who will go down with me to Saul to the camp? And Abishai said, I will go down with thee.
So David and Abishai came to the people by night: and, behold, Saul lay sleeping within the trench, and his spear stuck in the ground at his bolster: but Abner and the people lay round about him.
Then said Abishai to David, God hath delivered thine enemy into thine hand this day: now therefore let me smite him, I pray thee, with the spear even to the earth at once, and I will not smite him the second time.
The LORD forbid that I should stretch forth mine hand against the LORD'S anointed: but, I pray thee, take thou now the spear that is at his bolster, and the cruse of water, and let us go.
So David took the spear and the cruse of water from Saul's bolster; and they gat them away, and no man saw it, nor knew it, neither awaked: for they were all asleep; because a deep sleep from the LORD was fallen upon them.
And David cried to the people, and to Abner the son of Ner, saying, Answerest thou not, Abner? Then Abner answered and said, Who art thou that criest to the king?
And David said to Abner, Art not thou a valiant man? and who is like to thee in Israel? wherefore then hast thou not kept thy lord the king? for there came one of the people in to destroy the king thy lord.
This thing is not good that thou hast done. As the LORD liveth, ye are worthy to die, because ye have not kept your master, the LORD'S anointed. And now see where the king's spear is, and the cruse of water that was at his bolster.
Now therefore, I pray thee, let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If the LORD have stirred thee up against me, let him accept an offering: but if they be the children of men, cursed be they before the LORD; for they have driven me out this day from abiding in the inheritance of the LORD, saying, Go, serve other gods.
Now therefore, let not my blood fall to the earth before the face of the LORD: for the king of Israel is come out to seek a flea, as when one doth hunt a partridge in the mountains.
¶ 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.
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.
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.
Then Saul said to David, Blessed be thou, my son David: thou shalt both do great things, and also shalt still prevail. So David went on his way, and Saul 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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The Calling of Disciples
19And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
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