1 Samuel 26
1 Samuel 26 focuses on events between David and King Saul. In this chapter, Saul is shown once again leading 3,000 elite troops to go into the desert to pursue David. However, David instead secretly enters Saul’s camp, takes the water jar and spear from beside Saul and Abner (the commander of the army), and shows goodwill by not harming Saul. After that, David, from a distance, points out Saul’s spear and water jar and explains his innocence and his intent not to harm Saul. In the end, Saul also acknowledges David’s goodwill, and they part peacefully with one another.
1verseThe Ziphites came to Saul to Gibeah, saying, “Doesn’t David hide himself in the hill of Hachilah, which is before the desert?”
2verseThen 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.
3verseSaul 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.
4verseDavid therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul had certainly come.
5verseThen 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.
6verseThen 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.”
7verseSo 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.
8verseThen 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.”
9verseDavid said to Abishai, “Don’t destroy him, for who can stretch out his hand against the LORD’s anointed, and be guiltless?”
10verseDavid said, “As the LORD lives, the LORD will strike him; or his day shall come to die, or he shall go down into battle and perish.
11verseThe LORD forbid that I should stretch out my hand against the LORD’s anointed; but now please take the spear that is at his head and the jar of water, and let’s go.”
12verseSo David took the spear and the jar of water from Saul’s head, and they went away. No man saw it, or knew it, nor did any awake; for they were all asleep, because a deep sleep from the LORD had fallen on them.
13verseThen David went over to the other side, and stood on the top of the mountain far away, a great space being between them;
14verseand 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 calls to the king?”
15verseDavid 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 your lord the king.
16verseThis thing isn’t good that you have done. As the LORD lives, you are worthy to die, because you have not kept watch over your lord, the LORD’s anointed. Now see where the king’s spear is, and the jar of water that was at his head.”
17verseSaul recognized David’s voice, and said, “Is this your voice, my son David?” David said, “It is my voice, my lord, O king.”
18verseHe said, “Why does my lord pursue his servant? For what have I done? What evil is in my hand?
19verseNow therefore, please let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If it is so that the LORD has stirred you up against me, let him accept an offering. But if it is the children of men, they are cursed before the LORD; for they have driven me out today that I shouldn’t cling to the LORD’s inheritance, saying, ‘Go, serve other gods!’
20verseNow therefore, don’t let my blood fall to the earth away from the presence of the LORD; for the king of Israel has come out to seek a flea, as when one hunts a partridge in the mountains.”
21verseThen 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.”
22verseDavid answered, “Behold the spear, O king! Let one of the young men come over and get it.
23verseThe LORD will give to every man his righteousness and his faithfulness; because the LORD delivered you into my hand today, and I wouldn’t stretch out my hand against the LORD’s anointed.
24verseBehold, as your life was respected today in my eyes, so let my life be respected in the LORD’s eyes, and let him deliver me out of all oppression.”
25verseThen 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.
The Structure of the Main Figures and Their Conversations
- David: He demonstrates extraordinary courage, restraint, and faith toward Saul, who has come after him again. Although he had an opportunity to kill Saul, he keeps to his conviction not to harm the one anointed by God.
- Saul: He pursues David again, but after seeing David’s good actions, he expresses regret and gratitude. Even if only temporarily, he leaves behind words that bless David.
- Abner: Appearing as Saul’s army commander, he serves as the one who receives rebuke from David for a brief time due to the failure of caution.
The Central Message of the Passage and Its Structural Meaning
This chapter shows the tension between human revenge and spiritual restraint, and how honesty and righteousness before God can be realized in life. Even in the most extreme situation where his life is threatened, David holds firmly to his faith-based principles (that is, he will not harm the one anointed by God). David’s attitude of “overcoming evil with good” appears as a striking contrast, considering the cultural context of the time and the tendencies of human nature. This scene also temporarily opens Saul’s heart and reveals that David is growing into a true leader.
Meditation Points
- The Example of Forgiveness and Restraint: When I have the strength or opportunity that allows me to harm someone, can I look back and see whether I can refrain and act with restraint rather than treating others carelessly?
- Honesty Before God: Just as David kept his faith and principles even in an unexpected situation, I can meditate on what it would be like to live that way.
Try Applying It to Yourself
- When I face a conflict situation or experience something unfair, I reflect on what attitude I take.
- I also check whether, like David, I am putting faith-based principles into practice in real life—and whether I might easily abandon those principles when I expect to suffer losses or face disadvantages.
