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1 Samuel 26

ScriptureDepth's study of 1 Samuel 26

“David said to Abishai, “Don’t destroy him; for who can stretch out his hand against Yahweh’s anointed, and be guiltless?”

1 Samuel 26:9

David says this to Abishai, reinforcing that killing Saul would be an offense against Yahweh, which shapes David's choice to spare Saul's life.

What 1 Samuel 26 is about

The Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah, saying that David was hiding in the hill of Hachilah, near the desert (vv. 1-2). Saul went to the wilderness of Ziph with three thousand chosen men to seek David there. Saul encamped in the hill of Hachilah while David, aware of Saul's pursuit, sent out spies to confirm Saul’s arrival (vv. 3-5). David then asked Abishai who would go with him down to Saul’s camp, and Abishai agreed to go (vv. 6-7). In the camp, Abishai urged David to kill Saul, saying that God had delivered Saul into their hands. However, David refused, stating that he would not harm 'Yahweh’s anointed' (vv. 8-11). David took Saul's spear and jar of water while he and Abishai went unnoticed (vv. 12-16). From a distance, David confronted Saul, questioning his pursuit and asserting his innocence (vv. 17-20). Saul admitted his wrongdoing and acknowledged David’s worth (vv. 21-24). Saul blessed David, declaring he would prevail (v. 25).

David’s respect for Saul as the anointed king raises questions about loyalty and divine appointment.

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1 Samuel 26 at a glance

  1. 1 Samuel 26:1–2The Ziphites Inform Saul
  2. 1 Samuel 26:3–5Saul's Camp and David's Spies
  3. 1 Samuel 26:6–11David's Decision Not to Kill Saul
  4. 1 Samuel 26:12–16David Takes Saul's Spear and Water
  5. 1 Samuel 26:17–20David Confronts Saul from Afar
  6. 1 Samuel 26:21–24Saul's Admission of Wrongdoing
  7. 1 Samuel 26:25Saul Blesses David

Key verse: 1 Samuel 26:9

Summary and study helps: AI-drafted (September 2026), checked by automated Scripture gates. Spotted an error? Report it. Fixes are listed on the corrections page.

Chapter text

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The Ziphites Inform Saul 1 Samuel 26:1–2

Verse 1. The Ziphites came to Saul to Gibeah, saying, “Doesn’t David hide himself in the hill of Hachilah, which is before the desert?” Verse 2. 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.

Saul's Camp and David's Spies 1 Samuel 26:3–5

Verse 3. Saul encamped in the hill of Hachilah, which is before the desert, by the way. But David stayed in the wilderness, and he saw that Saul came after him into the wilderness. Verse 4. David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul had certainly come. Verse 5. Then David arose, and came to the place where Saul had encamped; and David saw the place where Saul lay, with Abner the son of Ner, the captain of his army. Saul lay within the place of the wagons, and the people were encamped around him.

David's Decision Not to Kill Saul 1 Samuel 26:6–11

Verse 6. Then David answered and said to Ahimelech the Hittite, and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah, brother of Joab, saying, “Who will go down with me to Saul to the camp?” Abishai said, “I will go down with you.” Verse 7. So David and Abishai came to the people by night: and, behold, Saul lay sleeping within the place of the wagons, with his spear stuck in the ground at his head; and Abner and the people lay around him. Verse 8. Then Abishai said to David, “God has delivered up your enemy into your hand today. Now therefore please let me strike him with the spear to the earth at one stroke, and I will not strike him the second time.”

Verse 9. David said to Abishai, “Don’t destroy him; for who can stretch out his hand against Yahweh’s anointed, and be guiltless?” Verse 10. David said, “As Yahweh lives, Yahweh will strike him; or his day shall come to die; or he shall go down into battle and perish. Verse 11. Yahweh forbid that I should stretch out my hand against Yahweh’s anointed; but now please take the spear that is at his head, and the jar of water, and let us go.”

David Takes Saul's Spear and Water 1 Samuel 26:12–16

Verse 12. So David took the spear and the jar of water from Saul’s head; and they went away: and no man saw it, or knew it, nor did any awake; for they were all asleep, because a deep sleep from Yahweh was fallen on them. Verse 13. Then David went over to the other side, and stood on the top of the mountain afar off; a great space being between them; Verse 14. and David cried to the people, and to Abner the son of Ner, saying, “Don’t you answer, Abner?” Then Abner answered, “Who are you who cries to the king?” Verse 15. David said to Abner, “Aren’t you a man? Who is like you in Israel? Why then have you not kept watch over your lord, the king? For one of the people came in to destroy the king your lord.

Verse 16. This thing isn’t good that you have done. As Yahweh lives, you are worthy to die, because you have not kept watch over your lord, Yahweh’s anointed. Now see where the king’s spear is, and the jar of water that was at his head.”

David Confronts Saul from Afar 1 Samuel 26:17–20

Verse 17. Saul knew David’s voice, and said, “Is this your voice, my son David?” David said, “It is my voice, my lord, O king.” Verse 18. He said, “Why does my lord pursue his servant? For what have I done? What evil is in my hand? Verse 19. Now therefore, please let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If it is so that Yahweh has stirred you up against me, let him accept an offering. But if it is the children of men, they are cursed before Yahweh; for they have driven me out today that I shouldn’t cling to Yahweh’s inheritance, saying, ‘Go, serve other gods!’

Verse 20. Now therefore, don’t let my blood fall to the earth away from the presence of Yahweh; for the king of Israel has come out to seek a flea, as when one hunts a partridge in the mountains.”

Saul's Admission of Wrongdoing 1 Samuel 26:21–24

Verse 21. Then Saul said, “I have sinned. Return, my son David; for I will no more do you harm, because my life was precious in your eyes today. Behold, I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly.” Verse 22. David answered, “Behold the spear, O king! Then let one of the young men come over and get it. Verse 23. Yahweh will render to every man his righteousness and his faithfulness; because Yahweh delivered you into my hand today, and I wouldn’t stretch out my hand against Yahweh’s anointed. Verse 24. Behold, as your life was respected today in my eyes, so let my life be respected in Yahweh’s eyes, and let him deliver me out of all oppression.”

Saul Blesses David 1 Samuel 26:25

Verse 25. Then Saul said to David, “You are blessed, my son David. You will both do mightily, and will surely prevail.” So David went his way, and Saul returned to his place.

World English Bible (public domain)

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Main themes in 1 Samuel 26

mercy

David shows mercy when he chooses not to kill Saul, despite having the opportunity while Saul slept (vv. 7-11). He tells Abishai, 'Don’t destroy him; for who can stretch out his hand against Yahweh’s anointed, and be guiltless?' (v. 9). This decision illustrates David's respect for Saul's position and demonstrates that mercy can prevail even in the face of a threat.

divine protection

Divine protection is evident when David sneaks into Saul's camp and finds Saul and his men asleep due to 'a deep sleep from Yahweh' (v. 12). This act of God allows David to observe Saul without being detected, enabling him to take Saul's spear and water (vv. 12-13). Such intervention shows that God can safeguard His chosen ones from harm.

respect for authority

David demonstrates respect for authority when he refuses to harm Saul, calling him 'Yahweh’s anointed' (v. 9). He emphasizes this respect by confronting Abner about his failure to protect the king (vv. 15-16). David's actions reveal his understanding of divine order and the necessity of honoring the leadership established by God.

trust in God's timing

David's trust in God's timing is illustrated when he tells Abishai that Yahweh will deal with Saul in His own way (vv. 10-11). Instead of seizing the moment for revenge, David expresses confidence that 'Yahweh will strike him; or his day shall come to die' (v. 10). This perspective shows David's faith in God's plan and the belief that justice will come at the right moment.

Chapter outline

How 1 Samuel 26 unfolds

  1. 1 Samuel 26:1–2 The Ziphites Inform Saul

    The Ziphites inform Saul that David is hiding in the hill of Hachilah, prompting Saul to mobilize three thousand chosen men to pursue David in the wilderness (vv. 1-2).

  2. 1 Samuel 26:3–5 Saul's Camp and David's Spies

    Saul sets up camp in the hill of Hachilah while David remains in the wilderness; David recognizes Saul's approach and sends out spies to confirm that Saul has indeed come after him (vv. 3-5).

  3. 1 Samuel 26:6–11 David's Decision Not to Kill Saul

    David proposes to Abishai that they sneak into Saul's camp; Abishai offers to kill Saul, believing it to be a divine opportunity, but David refuses, citing respect for Yahweh's anointed (vv. 6-11).

  4. 1 Samuel 26:12–16 David Takes Saul's Spear and Water

    David takes Saul's spear and jar of water without waking anyone, as a deep sleep from Yahweh has fallen on Saul and his men (vv. 12-16).

  5. 1 Samuel 26:17–20 David Confronts Saul from Afar

    David calls out to Saul, asserting, 'It is my voice, my lord, O king' (verse 17). He questions Saul's pursuit, stating, 'What evil is in my hand?' (verse 18) and pleads not to let his blood fall away from Yahweh's presence (verse 20).

  6. 1 Samuel 26:21–24 Saul's Admission of Wrongdoing

    Saul acknowledges his wrongdoing, expressing regret for pursuing David, and recognizes David's mercy in sparing his life (vv. 21-24).

  7. 1 Samuel 26:25 Saul Blesses David

    Saul blesses David, affirming his future success and strength, while David departs and Saul returns to his place (v. 25).

Key verses

  • 1 Samuel 26:9David says this to Abishai, reinforcing that killing Saul would be an offense against Yahweh, which shapes David's choice to spare Saul's life.

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Study questions

Questions for studying 1 Samuel 26

SummarizeObserveInterpretApply

Uses your daily Ask questions.

  1. observeIn v1, who tells Saul where to find David?
  2. observeWhat does David do in v7 when he reaches Saul's camp?
  3. interpretDavid's refusal to kill Saul in vv. 9-11: what does this indicate about his view of leadership?
  4. interpretIn v21, why does Saul declare that he has sinned against David?
  5. applyWhen have you chosen restraint in a situation like David did in v11?

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1 Samuel 26: frequently asked questions

What is 1 Samuel 26 about?+
The Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah, saying that David was hiding in the hill of Hachilah, near the desert (vv. 1-2).
What is the key verse in 1 Samuel 26?+
1 Samuel 26:9: “David said to Abishai, “Don’t destroy him; for who can stretch out his hand against Yahweh’s anointed, and be guiltless?”
What are the main themes of 1 Samuel 26?+
The main themes of 1 Samuel 26 are mercy, divine protection, respect for authority, trust in God's timing.

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