1 Samuel 26 (Listen)
David Spares Saul Again
26:1 Then the Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah, saying, “Is not David hiding himself on the hill of Hachilah, which is on the east of Jeshimon?” 2 So Saul arose and went down to the wilderness of Ziph with three thousand chosen men of Israel to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph. 3 And Saul encamped on the hill of Hachilah, which is beside the road on the east of Jeshimon. But David remained in the wilderness. When he saw that Saul came after him into the wilderness, 4 David sent out spies and learned that Saul had indeed come. 5 Then David rose and came to the place where Saul had encamped. And David saw the place where Saul lay, with Abner the son of Ner, the commander of his army. Saul was lying within the encampment, while the army was encamped around him.
6 Then David said to Ahimelech the Hittite, and to Joab’s brother Abishai the son of Zeruiah, “Who will go down with me into the camp to Saul?” And Abishai said, “I will go down with you.” 7 So David and Abishai went to the army by night. And there lay Saul sleeping within the encampment, with his spear stuck in the ground at his head, and Abner and the army lay around him. 8 Then Abishai said to David, “God has given your enemy into your hand this day. Now please let me pin him to the earth with one stroke of the spear, and I will not strike him twice.” 9 But David said to Abishai, “Do not destroy him, for who can put out his hand against the LORD’s anointed and be guiltless?” 10 And David said, “As the LORD lives, the LORD will strike him, or his day will come to die, or he will go down into battle and perish. 11 The LORD forbid that I should put out my hand against the LORD’s anointed. But take now the spear that is at his head and the jar of water, and let us go.” 12 So 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 upon them.
13 Then David went over to the other side and stood far off on the top of the hill, with a great space between them. 14 And David called to the army, and to Abner the son of Ner, saying, “Will you not answer, Abner?” Then Abner answered, “Who are you who calls to the king?” 15 And David said to Abner, “Are you not 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. 16 This thing that you have done is not good. As the LORD lives, you deserve to die, because you have not kept watch over your lord, the LORD’s anointed. And now see where the king’s spear is and the jar of water that was at his head.”
17 Saul recognized David’s voice and said, “Is this your voice, my son David?” And David said, “It is my voice, my lord, O king.” 18 And he said, “Why does my lord pursue after his servant? For what have I done? What evil is on my hands? 19 Now therefore let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If it is the LORD who has stirred you up against me, may he accept an offering, but if it is men, may they be cursed before the LORD, for they have driven me out this day that I should have no share in the heritage of the LORD, saying, ‘Go, serve other gods.’ 20 Now therefore, let not my blood fall to the earth away from the presence of the LORD, for the king of Israel has come out to seek a single flea like one who hunts a partridge in the mountains.”
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 this day. Behold, I have acted foolishly, and have made a great mistake.” 22 And David answered and said, “Here is the spear, O king! Let one of the young men come over and take it. 23 The LORD rewards every man for his righteousness and his faithfulness, for the LORD gave you into my hand today, and I would not put out my hand against the LORD’s anointed. 24 Behold, as your life was precious this day in my sight, so may my life be precious in the sight of the LORD, and may he deliver me out of all tribulation.” 25 Then Saul said to David, “Blessed be you, my son David! You will do many things and will succeed in them.” So David went his way, and Saul returned to his place.
(ESV)
1 Samuel 26 Commentary
In 1 Samuel 26, David again chooses mercy over vengeance. After the Ziphites report David’s location to Saul (1 Samuel 26:1), Saul sets out with 3,000 troops to capture him (1 Samuel 26:2-3). David sends out spies to confirm Saul’s presence (1 Samuel 26:4), then approaches the camp by night and sees Saul sleeping with his spear beside him (1 Samuel 26:5-7). Abishai offers to kill Saul, claiming it is a God-given opportunity (1 Samuel 26:8), but David refuses, saying no one can lift a hand against the Lord’s anointed and be guiltless (1 Samuel 26:9-11). Instead, they take Saul’s spear and water jug (1 Samuel 26:12).
From a distance, David calls out to Abner and rebukes him for failing to guard the king (1 Samuel 26:13-16). Saul recognizes David’s voice (1 Samuel 26:17), and David questions why Saul is pursuing him, affirming his innocence (1 Samuel 26:18-20). Saul confesses, admits his sin, and acknowledges David’s mercy in sparing his life (1 Samuel 26:21). David returns the spear and reaffirms that God rewards righteousness and loyalty (1 Samuel 26:22-23). He expresses hope that God will value and rescue his life just as he valued Saul’s that day (1 Samuel 26:24). Saul blesses David, acknowledges his future success, and they part ways (1 Samuel 26:25).
David’s Mercy
If there was ever a justifiable moment for David to end Saul’s life, this was it. Saul repented of his wrongdoing when David had his first opportunity to kill Saul in 1 Samuel 24. That repentance has proven to be false, or short-lived at best. Once again, David finds Saul in a vulnerable position. However, this time is even more tempting given the circumstances of how Saul is sleeping.
The spear he thrust at David several chapters back is planted in the ground right next to Saul’s head. Abishai not only points out the spear, but formulates an arrangement convenient for David. He offers to put the spear through Saul’s head himself.
For David, the timing seemed perfect. Saul was unrepentant and had proven he was not interested in following the Lord. He was in a deep sleep and completely vulnerable to a clean strike. It looked like a divine opportunity. David wouldn’t even have to strike the fatal blow himself; Abishai was eager and ready to do it in one clean motion.
David could easily justify it. After all, he wouldn’t technically be the one to kill Saul. He could still say he hadn’t raised his hand against the Lord’s anointed. It was a moment heavy with temptation: a quick resolution to years of injustice and exile, all without getting blood on his own hands.
David could have murdered Saul, and many of his friends and acquaintances would have approved. Have you ever justified a decision that goes against your convictions? I have. I would bet if we’re honest, we all have.
“We are not at liberty to cast ourselves down from the mountain, unless it is clearly God’s will. In David’s case, there was sufficient reason for this adventure; first, that Saul might be warned once more; and second, that the integrity of the young outlaw might be established.”
F.B. Meyer
Leave Judgment To The Lord
In God’s Kingdom, does a majority approval justify a decision? Does the fact that someone has earned judgment mean we are the people to execute it? David could have even threatened Saul, holding the spear to his neck and making him vow to never chase him again. Why didn’t he? Because in God’s Kingdom, His loving servants fear Him above people and circumstances.
David had a conviction. Whether that message came directly from the Lord or it was simply obedience to the law makes no difference. God had placed in David’s heart a line that was not to be crossed. So, in a situation where it looked like God was actually handing Saul over, David stood firm on his conviction. This kind of radical obedience is a direct contrast to the way Saul behaved for much of his life. Just chapters prior, Saul believed that when David was trapped, the Lord had “handed him over” to be killed.
The application is clear. We are called to leave judgment to the Lord.
- Deuteronomy 32:35 – “Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay. In time their foot will slip, for their day of disaster is near, and their doom is coming quickly.”
- Psalm 94:1-2 – “Lord, God of vengeance—God of vengeance, shine! Rise up, Judge of the earth; repay the proud what they deserve.”
- Psalm 37:7-9 – “Be silent before the Lord and wait expectantly for him; do not be agitated by one who prospers in his way, by the person who carries out evil plans. Refrain from anger and give up your rage; do not be agitated—it can only bring harm. For evildoers will be destroyed, but those who put their hope in the Lord will inherit the land.”
- Proverbs 20:22 – “Don’t say, ‘I will avenge this evil!’ Wait on the Lord, and he will rescue you.”
- Romans 12:19 – “Friends, do not avenge yourselves; instead, leave room for God’s wrath, because it is written, Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord.”
- 1 Peter 2:23 – “When he was insulted, he did not insult in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten but entrusted himself to the one who judges justly.”
The Lord’s Name
People who use the Lord’s Name flippantly do not fear it. We must be careful of fake spiritualization. Stamping the Lord’s Name on a decision (any decision) without the Holy Spirit’s approval (personally or through the Word) is incredibly dangerous ground. Stamping His Name on a decision that violates His Will already spoken in the Scriptures is willingly sinful. Saul’s empty confession mirrored his fear of the Lord – or, lack thereof.
“Listen to Saul’s empty confession in 1Sa 24:21 : “I have sinned! I have played the fool!” Yes, he had — but he still did not repent! We play the fool when we run ahead of the Lord (1Sa 13:8); when we fail to obey completely (1Sa 15:1-35); when we turn our back on our godly friends (David and Samuel); when we seek guidance from the devil (1Sa 28:1-25); and when we refuse to repent even when we know we are wrong. “Be sure your sins will find you out!””
Warren Wiersbe
For those watching our behavior, what are they seeing? Are they being drawn toward the Kingdom of God or away from it? Those who love the Lord fear His Name and His Word.
