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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>1 Samuel 26:9 But David said to Abishai, "Do not destroy him, for who can lift a hand against the LORD's anointed and be guiltless?"</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_samuel/26-9.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/09_1Sa_26_09.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Samuel 26:9 - David Again Spares Saul" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="But David said to Abishai, Do not destroy him, for who can lift a hand against the LORD's anointed and be guiltless?" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/1_samuel/26-9.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/1_samuel/26-9.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/1_samuel/">1 Samuel</a> > <a href="/1_samuel/26.htm">Chapter 26</a> > Verse 9</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad9.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/1_samuel/26-8.htm" title="1 Samuel 26:8">◄</a> 1 Samuel 26:9 <a href="/1_samuel/26-10.htm" title="1 Samuel 26:10">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/26.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/1_samuel/26.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />But David said to Abishai, &#8220Don&#8217t destroy him! Who can lay a hand on the LORD&#8217s anointed and be guiltless?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/26.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“No!” David said. “Don’t kill him. For who can remain innocent after attacking the LORD’s anointed one?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/1_samuel/26.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />But David said to Abishai, “Do not destroy him, for who can put out his hand against the LORD’s anointed and be guiltless?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/26.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />But David said to Abishai, “Do not destroy him, for who can extend a hand against the LORD’s anointed and be guiltless?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/26.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against the LORD'S anointed, and be guiltless?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_samuel/26.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />But David said to Abishai, “Do not destroy him; for who can stretch out his hand against the LORD’s anointed, and be guiltless?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_samuel/26.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />But David said to Abishai, “Do not kill him, for who can reach out with his hand against the LORD’S anointed and remain innocent?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/26.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />But David said to Abishai, &#8220Do not destroy him, for who can stretch out his hand against the LORD&#8217S anointed and be without guilt?&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_samuel/26.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />But David said to Abishai, “Do not destroy him, for who can stretch out his hand against the LORD’s anointed and be without guilt?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_samuel/26.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />But David said to Abishai, “Do not destroy him, for who can stretch out his hand against the anointed of Yahweh and be without guilt?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_samuel/26.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />But David said to Abishai, “Do not kill him, for who can put out his hand against the LORD’S anointed [king] and be guiltless (innocent)?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_samuel/26.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But David said to Abishai, “Don’t destroy him, for who can lift a hand against the LORD’s anointed and be innocent? ”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_samuel/26.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But David said to Abishai, &#8220Don&#8217t destroy him, for who can lift a hand against the LORD&#8217s anointed and be blameless?&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_samuel/26.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not; for who can put forth his hand against Jehovah's anointed, and be guiltless?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/1_samuel/26.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />"Don't kill him!" David whispered back. "The LORD will punish anyone who kills his chosen king. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_samuel/26.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not: for who can put forth his hand against the LORD'S anointed, and be guiltless?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_samuel/26.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"Don't kill him!" David told Abishai. "No one has ever attacked the LORD's anointed king and remained free of guilt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_samuel/26.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />But David said, "You must not harm him! The LORD will certainly punish whoever harms his chosen king. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_samuel/26.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />David told Abishai, "Don't destroy him. Who can raise his hand to strike the LORD's anointed and remain innocent? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_samuel/26.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />But David said to Abishai, ?Do not destroy him, for who can extend a hand against the LORD?s anointed and be guiltless??<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_samuel/26.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />But David said to Abishai, "Don't kill him! Who can extend his hand against the LORD's chosen one and remain guiltless?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_samuel/26.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />David said to Abishai, "Do not destroy him; for who can put forth his hand against the LORD's anointed, and be guiltless?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_samuel/26.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not; for who can stretch forth his hand against the LORD'S anointed and be guiltless?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_samuel/26.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />David said to Abishai, “Don’t destroy him, for who can stretch out his hand against Yahweh’s anointed, and be guiltless?” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/1_samuel/26.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And David says to Abishai, “Do not destroy him; for who has put forth his hand against the anointed of YHWH and been acquitted?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_samuel/26.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And David saith unto Abishai, 'Destroy him not; for who hath put forth his hand against the anointed of Jehovah, and been acquitted?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_samuel/26.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And David will say to Abishai, Thou shalt not destroy him: for who stretching forth his hand against Jehovah's Messiah, and being innocent?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/1_samuel/26.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And David said to Abisai: Kill him not: for who shall put forth his hand against the Lord's anointed, and shall be guiltless? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_samuel/26.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And David said to Abishai: “You shall not kill him. For who may extend his hand against the Christ of the Lord, and yet be innocent?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_samuel/26.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />But David said to Abishai, “Do not harm him, for who can lay a hand on the LORD’s anointed and remain innocent?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_samuel/26.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />But David said to Abishai, “Do not destroy him; for who can raise his hand against the LORD’s anointed, and be guiltless?”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/1_samuel/26.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />But David said to Abishai, Destroy him not; for who can stretch forth his hand against the LORD'S anointed, and be guiltless?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/1_samuel/26.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And David said to Abishi: “You shall not destroy, because there is none who reaches his hand against the Anointed of LORD JEHOVAH and is innocent!”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/1_samuel/26.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And David said to Abishai: 'Destroy him not; for who can put forth his hand against the LORD'S anointed, and be guiltless?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/1_samuel/26.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And David said to Abessa, Do not lay him low, for who shall lift up his hand against the anointed of the Lord, and be guiltless?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_samuel/26-9.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H8oQfYUMRZg?start=7882" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/26.htm">David Again Spares Saul</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">8</span>Abishai said to David, “Today God has delivered your enemy into your hand. Now, therefore, please let me thrust the spear through him into the ground with one stroke. I will not need to strike him twice!” <span class="reftext">9</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1732.htm" title="1732: dā·wiḏ (N-proper-ms) -- Perhaps beloved one, a son of Jesse. Rarely; Daviyd; from the same as dowd; loving; David, the youngest son of Jesse.">But David</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">said</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/52.htm" title="52: ’ă·ḇî·šay (N-proper-ms) -- My father is Jesse, an Isr. name. Or Abshay; from 'ab and shay; father of a gift; Abishai, an Israelite.">Abishai,</a> <a href="/hebrew/408.htm" title="408: ’al- (Adv) -- Not (a subjective neg.). A negative particle; not; once as a noun, nothing.">“Do not</a> <a href="/hebrew/7843.htm" title="7843: taš·ḥî·ṯê·hū (V-Hifil-Imperf-2ms:: 3ms) -- Perhaps to go to ruin. A primitive root; to decay, i.e. ruin.">destroy him,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">for</a> <a href="/hebrew/4310.htm" title="4310: mî (Interrog) -- An interrogative pronoun of persons, as mah is of things, who?; also whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix.">who</a> <a href="/hebrew/7971.htm" title="7971: šā·laḥ (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To send. A primitive root; to send away, for, or out.">can lift</a> <a href="/hebrew/3027.htm" title="3027: yā·ḏōw (N-fsc:: 3ms) -- Hand (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)">a hand</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">against the LORD’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/4899.htm" title="4899: bim·šî·aḥ (Prep-b:: Adj-msc) -- Anointed. From mashach; anointed; usually a consecrated person; specifically, the Messiah.">anointed</a> <a href="/hebrew/5352.htm" title="5352: wə·niq·qāh (Conj-w:: V-Nifal-ConjPerf-3ms) -- To be empty or clean. A primitive root; to be clean; by implication to be bare, i.e. Extirpated.">and be guiltless?”</a> </span><span class="reftext">10</span>David added, “As surely as the LORD lives, the LORD Himself will strike him down; either his day will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/24-6.htm">1 Samuel 24:6</a></span><br />So he said to his men, “The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the LORD’s anointed. May I never lift my hand against him, since he is the LORD’s anointed.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/24-10.htm">1 Samuel 24:10</a></span><br />Behold, this day you have seen with your own eyes that the LORD delivered you into my hand in the cave. I was told to kill you, but I spared you and said, ‘I will not lift my hand against my lord, since he is the LORD’s anointed.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/1-14.htm">2 Samuel 1:14-16</a></span><br />So David asked him, “Why were you not afraid to lift your hand to destroy the LORD’s anointed?” / Then David summoned one of the young men and said, “Go, execute him!” So the young man struck him down, and he died. / For David had said to the Amalekite, “Your blood be on your own head because your own mouth has testified against you, saying, ‘I killed the LORD’s anointed.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/1-21.htm">2 Samuel 1:21</a></span><br />O mountains of Gilboa, may you have no dew or rain, no fields yielding offerings of grain. For there the shield of the mighty was defiled, the shield of Saul, no longer anointed with oil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/19-21.htm">2 Samuel 19:21</a></span><br />But Abishai son of Zeruiah said, “Shouldn’t Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the LORD’s anointed?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/16-22.htm">1 Chronicles 16:22</a></span><br />‘Do not touch My anointed ones! Do no harm to My prophets!’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/105-15.htm">Psalm 105:15</a></span><br />“Do not touch My anointed ones! Do no harm to My prophets!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-39.htm">Matthew 5:39</a></span><br />But I tell you not to resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/12-19.htm">Romans 12:19</a></span><br />Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/26-52.htm">Matthew 26:52</a></span><br />“Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him. “For all who draw the sword will die by the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/13-1.htm">Romans 13:1-2</a></span><br />Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. / Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/2-13.htm">1 Peter 2:13-14</a></span><br />Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to the king as the supreme authority, / or to governors as those sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/2-23.htm">1 Peter 2:23</a></span><br />When they heaped abuse on Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats, but entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/24-17.htm">Proverbs 24:17-18</a></span><br />Do not gloat when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart rejoice when he stumbles, / or the LORD will see and disapprove, and turn His wrath away from him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/20-22.htm">Proverbs 20:22</a></span><br />Do not say, “I will avenge this evil!” Wait on the LORD, and He will save you.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against the LORD's anointed, and be guiltless?</p><p class="hdg">who can stretch</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/24-6.htm">1 Samuel 24:6,7</a></b></br> And he said unto his men, The LORD forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the LORD'S anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he <i>is</i> the anointed of the LORD… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/1-14.htm">2 Samuel 1:14,16</a></b></br> And David said unto him, How wast thou not afraid to stretch forth thine hand to destroy the LORD'S anointed? … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/105-15.htm">Psalm 105:15</a></b></br> <i>Saying</i>, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_samuel/26-8.htm">Abishai</a> <a href="/1_samuel/26-8.htm">Abi'shai</a> <a href="/joshua/2-20.htm">Acquitted</a> <a href="/1_samuel/24-10.htm">Anointed</a> <a href="/1_samuel/26-8.htm">David</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-38.htm">Death</a> <a href="/1_samuel/24-21.htm">Destroy</a> <a href="/1_samuel/26-8.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/1_samuel/21-6.htm">Holy</a> <a href="/1_samuel/24-6.htm">Jehovah's</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-41.htm">LORD's</a> <a href="/1_samuel/16-13.htm">Oil</a> <a href="/1_samuel/20-1.htm">Sin</a> <a href="/1_samuel/24-10.htm">Stretch</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_samuel/2-18.htm">Abishai</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-18.htm">Abi'shai</a> <a href="/2_samuel/3-28.htm">Acquitted</a> <a href="/1_samuel/26-11.htm">Anointed</a> <a href="/1_samuel/26-10.htm">David</a> <a href="/1_samuel/26-10.htm">Death</a> <a href="/1_samuel/26-15.htm">Destroy</a> <a href="/1_samuel/26-11.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/1_samuel/26-11.htm">Holy</a> <a href="/1_samuel/26-11.htm">Jehovah's</a> <a href="/1_samuel/26-11.htm">LORD's</a> <a href="/1_samuel/26-23.htm">Oil</a> <a href="/2_samuel/12-13.htm">Sin</a> <a href="/1_samuel/26-11.htm">Stretch</a><div class="vheading2">1 Samuel 26</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/26-1.htm">Saul, by the discovery of the Ziphites, comes to Hachilah against David</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/26-4.htm">David coming into the trench keeps Abishai from killing Saul, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/26-11.htm">but takes his spear and jug</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/26-13.htm">David reproves Abner</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/26-17.htm">and exhorts Saul</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/26-21.htm">Saul acknowledges his sin</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/26.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_samuel/26.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>But David said to Abishai</b><br>David, the future king of Israel, is speaking to Abishai, one of his loyal warriors and the brother of Joab. This interaction occurs during a period when David is fleeing from King Saul, who is seeking to kill him. Abishai is part of David's inner circle, demonstrating the trust and loyalty within David's camp. This moment highlights David's leadership and his ability to influence those around him, even in matters of life and death.<p><b>Do not destroy him</b><br>David instructs Abishai not to kill Saul, despite having the opportunity to do so. This reflects David's respect for God's authority and his understanding of divine timing. David's decision is rooted in his faith and his belief that vengeance belongs to God, not man. This restraint is a testament to David's character and his commitment to righteousness, even when it would be easier to act otherwise.<p><b>for who can extend a hand against the LORD’s anointed</b><br>Saul, despite his pursuit of David, is still the anointed king of Israel. The term "anointed" refers to someone chosen by God for a specific purpose, often marked by a ceremonial anointing with oil. David recognizes Saul's position as God's chosen leader, which is why he refrains from harming him. This respect for God's anointed is a recurring theme in David's life and is a principle that underscores the sanctity of God's appointments.<p><b>and be guiltless?</b><br>David acknowledges that taking action against Saul would result in guilt before God. This reflects the biblical principle that one must not take justice into their own hands, especially against those whom God has placed in authority. David's rhetorical question implies that any attempt to harm Saul would be a sin, showing his deep reverence for God's law and order. This moment foreshadows the New Testament teaching of leaving judgment to God, as seen in <a href="/romans/12-19.htm">Romans 12:19</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a></b><br>The future king of Israel, anointed by God, who is being pursued by King Saul. David is known for his heart after God and his respect for God's authority.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/a/abishai.htm">Abishai</a></b><br>David's nephew and a warrior, who offers to kill Saul when they find him vulnerable. He represents the human inclination to take matters into one's own hands.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/s/saul.htm">Saul</a></b><br>The current king of Israel, anointed by God, who is seeking to kill David out of jealousy and fear of losing his throne.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_wilderness_of_ziph.htm">The Wilderness of Ziph</a></b><br>The location where this event takes place, symbolizing a place of testing and decision-making for David.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord's_anointed.htm">The LORD’s Anointed</a></b><br>A term referring to Saul, indicating that he was chosen by God to be king, despite his current disobedience and pursuit of David.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/r/respect_for_god's_authority.htm">Respect for God’s Authority</a></b><br>David’s refusal to harm Saul highlights the importance of respecting those whom God has placed in authority, even when they are flawed.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_timing.htm">Trust in God’s Timing</a></b><br>David’s decision to wait on God’s timing rather than taking matters into his own hands teaches us to trust in God’s plan and timing for our lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_restraint.htm">The Power of Restraint</a></b><br>Exercising restraint and self-control, as David did, is a powerful testimony of faith and reliance on God’s justice.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_conscience.htm">The Role of Conscience</a></b><br>David’s conscience guided him to make a righteous decision, reminding us to listen to the Holy Spirit’s prompting in our lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_impulsive_actions.htm">The Danger of Impulsive Actions</a></b><br>Abishai’s willingness to kill Saul reflects the danger of acting impulsively without considering God’s will and the consequences.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_samuel_26.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 26</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'touch_not_my_anointed'_mean.htm">What does "Touch Not My Anointed" mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_david_justify_punishing_killers.htm">2 Samuel 4:8–11 – How can David both punish the men for killing Ishbosheth and still claim God’s hand in his rise to power without contradiction? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_condemn_ishbosheth's_killers.htm">2 Samuel 4:5–7 – If God intended David to become king, why would these assassins be condemned for eliminating Ishbosheth, who was hindering David’s rule? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_david_execute_the_amalekite.htm">2 Samuel 1:13–16: Why would David execute the Amalekite based solely on his own confession with no corroborating witnesses? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_samuel/26.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(9) <span class= "bld">Against the Lord's anointed.</span>--David--taught, no doubt, by the prophet Samuel--looked upon the person of Saul as made sacred and inviolable by the royal anointing. Through the anointing Saul had become the possession of Jehovah; only Jehovah, then, could lawfully take away that sacred life. This he elaborates in the next verse. It is possible that these exalted sentiments respecting the Divine rights of kings were not uttered by David while standing in the dark night among Saul's soldiers by the sleeping king, but subsequently, when he and Abishai were talking the incident over together.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_samuel/26.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 9-11.</span> - David forbids the deed as before (<a href="/1_samuel/24-6.htm">1 Samuel 24:6</a>), because of Saul's office. As we there saw, this was an ingrained principle in David's mind on which he constantly acted. Present with equal strength in Saul's mind, it was the cause of moral ruin to the one, and of a noble forbearance and self-control to the other. David therefore leaves him in Jehovah's hand, saying, <span class="cmt_word">As Jehovah liveth, Jehovah shall smite him; or his day,</span> etc. Literally, "As Jehovah liveth (I will not smite him), but Jehovah shall smite him; either his day shall come and he shall die; or he shall go down into battle and perish." Whenever he falls, it shall be Jehovah's doing, whether he die a natural death, or a violent one in battle. "The smiting of Jehovah" does not imply a sudden death. God smites men with disease (<a href="/2_kings/15-5.htm">2 Kings 15:5</a>) and other troubles. What David means is that he will leave the matter entirely to God, but that if Saul's death is to be a violent one, he must fall honourably, not by the hand of a subject, but in battle with Israel's enemies. <span class="cmt_word">Jehovah forbid.</span> The same phrase as in <a href="/1_samuel/24-6.htm">1 Samuel 24:6</a>. <span class="cmt_word">Cruse of water.</span> <span class="accented">i.e.</span> water bottle, as in <a href="/1_kings/19-6.htm">1 Kings 19:6</a>. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_samuel/26-9.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">But David</span><br /><span class="heb">דָּוִ֛ד</span> <span class="translit">(dā·wiḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1732.htm">Strong's 1732: </a> </span><span class="str2">David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse</span><br /><br /><span class="word">said</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֧אמֶר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Abishai,</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲבִישַׁ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·ḇî·šay)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_52.htm">Strong's 52: </a> </span><span class="str2">Abishai -- 'my father is Jesse', an Israelite name</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Do not</span><br /><span class="heb">אַל־</span> <span class="translit">(’al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_408.htm">Strong's 408: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not</span><br /><br /><span class="word">destroy him,</span><br /><span class="heb">תַּשְׁחִיתֵ֑הוּ</span> <span class="translit">(taš·ḥî·ṯê·hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine singular | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7843.htm">Strong's 7843: </a> </span><span class="str2">Perhaps to go to ruin</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֠י</span> <span class="translit">(kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">who</span><br /><span class="heb">מִ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(mî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4310.htm">Strong's 4310: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix</span><br /><br /><span class="word">can lift</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׁלַ֥ח</span> <span class="translit">(šā·laḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7971.htm">Strong's 7971: </a> </span><span class="str2">To send away, for, out</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a hand</span><br /><span class="heb">יָד֛וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(yā·ḏōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3027.htm">Strong's 3027: </a> </span><span class="str2">A hand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">against the LORD’s</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">anointed</span><br /><span class="heb">בִּמְשִׁ֥יחַ</span> <span class="translit">(bim·šî·aḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Adjective - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4899.htm">Strong's 4899: </a> </span><span class="str2">Anointed, a consecrated person, the Messiah</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and be guiltless?”</span><br /><span class="heb">וְנִקָּֽה׃</span> <span class="translit">(wə·niq·qāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5352.htm">Strong's 5352: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be, clean, to be bare, extirpated</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_samuel/26-9.htm">1 Samuel 26:9 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/26-9.htm">1 Samuel 26:9 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_samuel/26-9.htm">1 Samuel 26:9 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/26-9.htm">1 Samuel 26:9 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/26-9.htm">1 Samuel 26:9 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_samuel/26-9.htm">1 Samuel 26:9 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_samuel/26-9.htm">1 Samuel 26:9 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_samuel/26-9.htm">1 Samuel 26:9 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_samuel/26-9.htm">1 Samuel 26:9 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_samuel/26-9.htm">1 Samuel 26:9 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_samuel/26-9.htm">OT History: 1 Samuel 26:9 David said to Abishai Don't destroy him (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_samuel/26-8.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Samuel 26:8"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 26:8" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_samuel/26-10.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Samuel 26:10"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 26:10" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>